It’s always been about horsepower here—but when MotoGP™ takes over, the thrill is on another level. Hello, Spanish GP!
The European Leg Begins: Jerez Welcomes MotoGP™ with Anticipation and High Stakes
With four flyaway rounds now in the books, MotoGP™ 2025 turns its attention to Europe—where the season truly begins to take shape. From dramatic clashes to resurgent performances, the campaign so far has been defined by raw speed, fierce rivalries, and more than a few surprises. But now, the paddock descends upon one of the sport’s most iconic venues: the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
The Spanish Grand Prix marks the first stop on the European tour, and after the explosive battles we’ve witnessed in the opening rounds, all signs point to another classic showdown in Andalusia.
Title Fight Heats Up: Marquez Brothers Set for a Home Duel
Marc Marquez arrives at Jerez at the top of the standings, following a stunning double victory under the lights in Qatar. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider now holds a 17-point advantage over his brother, Alex Marquez, of BK8 Gresini Racing. Both Spaniards will have the home crowd on their side—and both are legitimate contenders for victory on a circuit rich with personal history.
For Marc, Jerez is a mix of triumph and trauma. A three-time winner in the premier class here, the circuit is also the site of his infamous arm injury in 2020. Last year, he came close to redemption before being edged out by teammate Francesco Bagnaia. With Pecco now nine points behind Alex in the championship standings, the potential for a fiery intra-team battle is very real.
Can Bagnaia make it four wins in a row at Jerez? Or will Marc finally settle the score with the track that changed everything?
Morbidelli’s Rebirth and the Rise of 2025’s Breakout Stars
Franco Morbidelli has emerged as one of the most consistent riders of 2025 so far. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider has finished inside the top four at every Grand Prix this season and led more laps than anyone in the main race at Lusail. He finished fourth in the Sprint here last year and has a podium to his name at Jerez from 2021. Don’t count him out.
Meanwhile, Johann Zarco has been quietly rewriting expectations. The Frenchman has delivered standout performances on the CASTROL Honda LCR machine and currently sits sixth in the standings—just behind Morbidelli’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio. Diggia, who endured a frustrating weekend in Qatar, returns to the site of his 2021 Moto2™ win with a point to prove.
A Crowd Full of Heroes: Spain’s Best Ready to Shine
Spanish fans have no shortage of homegrown talent to cheer for. Beyond the Marquez brothers, there’s Maverick Viñales, who looked revitalized at Lusail aboard the Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine. Though his second-place finish was stripped due to a tyre pressure infraction, his pace suggests he’ll be a contender once again in front of a passionate home crowd.
Then there’s Pedro Acosta. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rookie continues to impress in his debut season and now heads to his first MotoGP™ home race brimming with potential. Fellow Murcian rider Fermin Aldeguer, fresh off a pair of top-five finishes in Qatar, will also be keen to impress.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha) has begun to show glimpses of his old self, while Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP) bolster an already formidable Spanish lineup. Unfortunately, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) remains sidelined following his crash in Lusail. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori will once again step in, with Augusto Fernandez potentially standing in for Miguel Oliveira at Prima Pramac Yamaha, depending on the Portuguese rider’s fitness.
Watch for the Wildcards: Former Champions and Consistent Threats
Fabio Quartararo showed real promise in Qatar, reasserting himself in the podium fight. Jerez holds fond memories for the Frenchman—it’s where he claimed his first MotoGP™ win in 2020. Expect him to be a factor.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse) are looking to bounce back from a rough outing at Lusail. Both showed signs of progress in Sunday’s race, and Bezzecchi, in particular, has good form at Jerez, having finished on the podium here in 2024. Ogura also has history at the circuit, having won the Moto2™ race in 2022.
Luca Marini has been steadily collecting points for Honda HRC Castrol and will be aiming to extend that streak. And never overlook Brad Binder—the South African finished on the podium at Jerez in 2022 and remains a threat at any circuit. His KTM stablemate Enea Bastianini placed fifth here last year and has consistently run inside the top ten in 2025.
Jack Miller, however, is coming off a disappointing round with no points scored in Qatar. But if there’s a place for a bounce-back, it’s Jerez—he won here in 2021 and stood on the podium again in 2023.
Meanwhile, Somkiat Chantra continues to chase his—and Thailand’s—first points in MotoGP™, representing IDEMITSU Honda LCR with pride and determination.
A Stage Set for Drama: Will It Be Marc or Pecco’s Day in the Sun?
Marc Marquez may have seized control of the championship in the early going, but Jerez has always been one of Francesco Bagnaia’s most dominant tracks. Last year’s race was a classic—stacked alongside legendary battles from 2013, 2005, and 1996. If that was the trailer, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be the blockbuster.
Can Marc deliver a triumphant homecoming? Or will Pecco make it four straight in Andalusia and tighten the title race? Either way, fans are in for a treat at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España.
What’s Happening Off the Track?
Plenty! The lead-up to the weekend is packed with fan-focused activities and high-profile appearances. Thursday kicks off with a special photo session featuring the Copa del Rey trophy, joined by top riders including Marc and Alex Marquez, Bagnaia, and Morbidelli.
At 16:00, the official press conference gets underway—expect fireworks as rivals meet face-to-face. Later that evening, at 17:45, Pedro Acosta will lead a special lap of the circuit, joined by hundreds of fans and capped off with the MotoGP™ Safety Car. The festivities then head out of the venue for the traditional Red Bull parade through Jerez.
Title sponsor Estrella Galicia 0,0 is also rolling out a host of fan activations across the weekend, and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off its 2025 campaign—giving fans a glimpse at the stars of tomorrow.
Buckle Up: The Real Season Starts Now
Jerez isn’t just another stop on the calendar—it’s where legends are made. With momentum building, stakes rising, and the home heroes fired up, Round 5 of the 2025 MotoGP™ World Championship promises to be unmissable.
The roar of the engines, the thrill of the chase, and the passion of Spanish fans: this is MotoGP™ in its purest form.
Don’t miss a lap.
Moto2™ Shake-Up: Canet Takes Control and Plots Payback
Canet Leads the Moto2™ Charge into Jerez – and He’s Got a Score to Settle
After a stunning ride from 14th on the opening lap to victory under the lights in Qatar, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO) arrives in Jerez as the man to beat. It wasn’t just one of the Spaniard’s finest performances—it was arguably one of the greatest comebacks in recent Moto2™ memory. And with Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) failing to finish in Qatar, Canet now sits atop the Championship standings.
But this round means more than points for Canet—it’s personal.
Redemption Run at Home
Rewind to 2024: Canet’s home race in Jerez ended before it began. A left fibula fracture forced him to sit out the event, denying him the chance to perform in front of his home fans. Now, in 2025, fully fit and leading the title race, he returns to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto with revenge on his mind. There’s more than a trophy on the line—it’s about redemption in front of the people who support him most.
Gonzalez Looks to Keep the Momentum Rolling
While Canet takes the headlines, another Spanish rider may be quietly positioning himself as the favorite. Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), fresh off a podium in Qatar, returns to Jerez with plenty of confidence. He finished third at this circuit last year, showing pace and composure that could easily see him go one or two places better this time.
Gonzalez has consistently been in the mix through the early part of the season, and with the comfort of home soil, he could be one to watch as the action unfolds in Andalusia.
Dixon’s Comeback Bid Begins
Jake Dixon will be keen to turn the page after his Qatar disappointment. A DNF was not how the Brit envisioned his season’s trajectory, especially after showing early promise. The talent is unquestioned, and he’ll be pushing hard to bounce back at a venue where experience matters. Expect him to be aggressive from the outset—he knows a strong result is needed to stay within striking distance in the title hunt.
Holgado’s Rise Continues
Among the most exciting stories in the paddock is that of rookie sensation Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). Jerez will be his first Moto2™ appearance at the famed Spanish circuit, but don’t let that fool you—Holgado has quickly adapted to the class. He currently sits fourth in the standings and looks every bit a future race winner.
After just missing out on a podium in Qatar, the young Spaniard will be eyeing the rostrum once again—and doing it in front of a home crowd would be the perfect next step in his rising career.
Stacked Field, Fierce Competition
This weekend isn’t just about the headline names—there are plenty of other riders capable of shaking up the standings.
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is one of them. The Turkish rider showed blistering pace in Lusail and looks ready to challenge for another podium. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Barry Baltus (Canet’s teammate at Fantic Racing) also impressed in Qatar, both showing that they’ve got the pace to run with the front group.
And don’t forget Joe Roberts (American Racing Team). The American was second at Jerez last year, and after a quiet start to 2025, he’ll be hoping this is the round where things begin to click. A return to familiar ground might be exactly what he needs to spark his season into life.
Familiar Territory, Unpredictable Racing
Jerez is a circuit that every rider knows inside and out. That kind of familiarity always tightens the field and raises the stakes. There’s little room for error, and even less space between lap times.
With storylines swirling—Canet’s redemption, Gonzalez’s consistency, Dixon’s comeback, Holgado’s rise—Round 5 of the 2025 Moto2™ World Championship is shaping up to be a thriller.
Who takes the win? That’s anyone’s guess. And that’s exactly how we like it.
Moto3™ Title Battle Heats Up: Piqueras Holds Narrow Lead Over Rueda Ahead of Jerez
Moto3™ Title Race Tightens as Piqueras Leads Rueda by a Point Ahead of Jerez Showdown
The 2025 Moto3™ season is four races in, and already it’s shaping up to be a classic. Two riders have stamped their authority on the opening phase: Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). With two wins apiece and just a single point separating them in the standings, all eyes now turn to Jerez, where the Spanish Grand Prix promises to raise the stakes even higher.
Piqueras Takes the Lead After Qatar Drama
The most recent round in Qatar saw Piqueras snatch victory by the slimmest of margins—just 0.009 seconds ahead of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). That dramatic photo-finish handed the Spaniard a crucial win and, more importantly, the championship lead. Rueda, on the other hand, suffered heartbreak with a late mechanical issue that forced him out of the race. That DNF ended his run of consecutive podiums and left him trailing by the narrowest of margins heading into his home Grand Prix.
Neither rider stood on the Jerez podium last year—Rueda missed the round due to recovery from appendicitis, while Piqueras finished tenth. Now, with both in prime form, a first Jerez podium—and potentially a win—is very much in their sights.
Muñoz Eyes Redemption, Furusato and Yamanaka Build Momentum
Jerez will also mark an important weekend for David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). The Spaniard was a podium finisher at this very track in 2024, and after finally opening his points account in Qatar, he’ll be eager to push closer to the front and deliver another strong home performance in front of the Andalusian faithful.
Meanwhile, Taiyo Furusato arrives with confidence after notching up his first podium of the year in Lusail. The Japanese rider was just inches from victory, and his growing form could signal the start of a serious title charge. His compatriot Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) also has reason to be optimistic after claiming his first podium of the season. With momentum on their side, both could be wildcard contenders this weekend.
Kelso in the Mix, Fernandez Looking to Rebound
Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA Team) continues to be one of the standout performers of 2025. The Australian rider sits third in the standings and narrowly missed out on back-to-back podiums in Qatar—crossing the line just 0.055 seconds from third and only 0.097 from the win. His consistency and speed make him a serious threat once again as Moto3 heads to Jerez.
Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing), who currently holds fourth place in the championship, is desperate to turn things around. A P12 in Austin followed by a DNF in Qatar has stunted his early-season momentum, and the Spanish Grand Prix provides the perfect backdrop for a much-needed reset.
An Open Field at a Familiar Battleground
With Jerez being one of the most familiar and historic circuits on the calendar, the entire grid will feel like they have a shot this weekend. Experience at the track runs deep, and while Piqueras and Rueda lead the charge, the depth of talent in the Moto3 field means surprises are always on the cards.
Get ready for another unpredictable, all-action showdown at the Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto. The title race is wide open, tensions are high, and with home glory at stake, the drama is only just beginning.
Official MotoGP Press Release
