Masterclass from Marquez at Sachsenring as Crashes Shake Up the Podium Fight

#93 Secures Ninth Victory at the German Circuit While Brother Alex and Bagnaia Capitalize on Late-Race Drama

On his landmark 200th premier class start, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) once again showed why the Sachsenring is considered his personal playground. With another flawless ride at the Liqui Moly Grand Prix of Germany, the Spaniard extended his unbeaten MotoGP streak at the track to nine wins, simultaneously overtaking Giacomo Agostini in the all-time wins tally with his 69th career victory.

It was a day of milestones as Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) marked his 100th start with a determined second-place finish despite nursing a fractured left hand, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the podium after keeping his cool in a race where multiple contenders hit the deck.

Lightning Start and Early Shuffles

Concerns over potential rain were brushed aside as the grid prepared for a dry contest. Once the lights went out, Marc Marquez wasted no time snatching the holeshot, launching into the lead from pole. Fabio Di Giannantonio(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) made an electrifying start from sixth, quickly moving into third behind Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), while Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) slipped to fifth despite starting from the front row.

Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi battled for second in the opening corners, with Di Giannantonio eventually getting the upper hand through Turn 12. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) engaged in their own tight duel for top-five contention. At the front, however, Marc Marquez had already begun to stretch his legs, building a 0.7-second lead by Lap 3.

Acosta Falls, Marc Pulls Away

Just as the front group began to settle, the race took a twist. On Lap 5, Acosta lost the front through Turn 2, crashing out of fifth place and ending KTM’s best shot at a podium. The fall elevated Bagnaia into fifth, and Alex Marquez was all over Bezzecchi in a tight battle for the final podium spot.

While others squabbled behind him, Marc Marquez was in a league of his own. He was the only rider consistently lapping in the 1:20s, while the rest of the field had already dipped into the slower 1:21 bracket. By Lap 8, his advantage was nearing two seconds, and at half race distance, the gap had ballooned to over three seconds.

Disaster Strikes for Podium Hopefuls

Behind the leader, the podium picture began to change rapidly. Di Giannantonio, running second, was feeling the heat from Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez, and Bagnaia—all spaced just about a second apart. But on Lap 18, the front of Di Giannantonio’s bike washed out at Turn 1, sending him into the gravel and out of the race. Almost simultaneously, Zarco went down at the same corner, though a little further in—ending his afternoon as well.

Alex Marquez inherited third from the carnage, while Bagnaia, now in fourth, looked poised to gain another spot. And indeed, just a few laps later, Turn 1 struck again: Bezzecchi, who had been riding brilliantly, lost the front in identical fashion to Di Giannantonio, crashing out of second place. It was a heartbreaking end for the Aprilia rider.

Now the race was left with the Marquez brothers running first and second, separated by nearly six seconds, while Bagnaia slotted into a relatively lonely third.

Turn 1 Claims More Victims

Turn 1 continued to prove treacherous, even for those outside the podium fight. In a mid-pack scrap, Ai Ogura(Trackhouse MotoGP Team) collided with Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), knocking the Honda rider out of the race. Moments later, Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) also fell at the very same corner—highlighting just how difficult it was for riders to stay upright at the notorious braking zone.

Marc Rules Sachsenring Once Again

From there, it was a controlled cruise to the flag for Marc Marquez, who crossed the line with no threats in sight. It marked his ninth consecutive MotoGP win at Sachsenring, further cementing his status as the undisputed “SachsenKing.”

Alex Marquez rode a smart and gutsy race to bring home second, maximizing points despite his injury. Bagnaia, bouncing back from a tough Saturday, made the most of the attrition around him to claim a crucial podium finish in third.

Top Finishers in Germany

Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) won the battle for fourth, narrowly edging out Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who was impressive once again in fifth. Luca Marini, back from injury and riding for Honda HRC Castrol, put in his best ride on the RC213V to secure sixth place—fighting hard with Brad Binder (7th, Red Bull KTM) and Jack Miller (8th, Prima Pramac Yamaha).

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha) rounded out the top ten in what turned into a true race of survival at Sachsenring.

Eyes Turn to Brno

With 69 wins, a dominant return to form, and momentum on his side, Marc Marquez looks like a man on a mission. His seventh premier class title is now very much within reach. But next up is Brno, a fan-favorite and a very different kind of challenge.

Can anyone stop the #93 juggernaut in the Czech Republic? We’ll find out soon enough.

Images MotoGP Press Release