Marc Marquez’s winning streak has finally ended. After eight straight MotoGP victories in 2025, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider missed out on his seventh premier class crown in Barcelona by just 1.7 seconds. That narrow defeat has delayed his championship celebrations, but with the San Marino GP at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli next, the title is still well within reach.
Meanwhile, it was Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who claimed the spotlight last weekend, bouncing back from a costly Sprint crash to take his second MotoGP win of the season. Now, as the MotoGP paddock heads to Misano, both brothers arrive on very different but equally important missions.
Marc Marquez Chasing Ducati Glory, Alex Marquez on Home Soil
Although Marc Marquez cannot clinch the 2025 MotoGP title at Misano, he only needs a P7 or better in the Sprint to set up a likely championship decider at Motegi. With five Misano wins already, #93 is the most successful rider on the current MotoGP grid at the San Marino GP. Ducati fans will be eager to see him extend that record on home soil.
For Alex Marquez, the challenge is more personal. Riding for Gresini, an Italian team with deep ties to the circuit, he will try to achieve back-to-back MotoGP wins for the first time in his career. With a passionate Misano crowd behind him, he can’t be counted out as a podium contender once again.
Francesco Bagnaia and Aprilia Aim for San Marino Podiums
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is another home favourite. He’s finished on the podium in every San Marino GP since 2020, including his first ever MotoGP podium. Despite a tough Catalan GP where he fought back from P21 to P7, Bagnaia remains in the hunt for third in the standings.
His closest challenger is Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), who struggled in Barcelona but still poses a threat. Aprilia are especially motivated at Misano — their factory is just a short drive away — and both Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin will be determined to deliver big results. Martin, who tested at Misano earlier this year during his injury recovery, continues to build speed and fitness.
KTM vs Ducati: Bastianini, Acosta, and Binder Bring the Heat
Red Bull KTM arrive in Misano with confidence. Enea Bastianini (KTM Tech3) is a proven star at this track, having scored his first MotoGP podium here and several spectacular rides. Barcelona wasn’t even one of his strongest venues, yet he still shone. Misano could be the stage where he challenges Ducati head-on.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will want revenge after being beaten by Bastianini in Barcelona, while Brad Binder’s aggressive racing style has already provided some of the most thrilling battles of the season. All three are in the mix for a podium at Misano 2025.
Maverick Viñales (KTM Tech3) is still building fitness after his shoulder injury, but with KTM’s momentum, even he could spring a surprise.
Yamaha and VR46 Eye Redemption
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took a Sprint podium and P5 on Sunday in Barcelona, and Misano is a special track for him — it’s where he sealed the 2021 MotoGP World Championship. Yamaha’s new V4 engine project adds intrigue, especially with test rider Augusto Fernandez wildcarding this weekend.
The VR46 Racing Team will also be under the spotlight. Franco Morbidelli scored his first MotoGP win at Misano in 2020 and is hungry for another strong showing. Teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will look to convert his Barcelona Sprint podium into his first top-eight Misano finish.
Meanwhile, Daniel Muñoz (Red Bull KTM Ajo), fresh from a stunning MotoGP debut podium in Barcelona, could be the wildcard surprise again.
MotoGP Midfield Battles for Top Ten
Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) aims to bounce back from his Barcelona crash, while Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) continues to build consistency. Joan Mir, his teammate, has previously delivered strong Misano results and will try to rediscover that form.
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP) returns to the track where he won his last Moto2 race, while Raul Fernandez will hope to repeat his P8 finish from Misano 2023.
Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) scored his best 2025 result in Barcelona with P9, Jack Miller is searching for a long-awaited top ten, and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) looks to bounce back after his first DNF of the season. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) will also be back in action after injury.
Moto2: Gonzalez vs Canet in the Title Race
In Moto2, Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) extended his championship lead with a crucial P4 in Barcelona while rivals faltered. He now heads into Misano with a 38-point cushion over Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego), who crashed heavily last weekend but will race again.
Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar) stole the headlines in Spain with a dominant debut Moto2 win, while Jake Dixon returned to the podium and Daniel Muñoz stunned with P3 in his stand-in role. Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) remains the Italian favourite after winning Misano in 2024 and taking five top-six finishes in recent rounds.
Moto3: Piqueras vs Rueda for the San Marino GP
Moto3: Piqueras vs Rueda for the San Marino GP
The Moto3 World Championship battle is heating up. Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) cut Jose Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) lead to just five points after a Barcelona victory. Misano is a special circuit for Piqueras — it’s where he claimed his maiden Moto3 win last year despite serving two Long Lap penalties.
Rueda still has a commanding advantage overall, but Piqueras has momentum. With wins in two of the last three races, he arrives confident. Maximo Quiles, David Muñoz, and Alvaro Carpe all need strong results after disappointing Catalan performances, while Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) is aiming to back up his Barcelona podium.
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli: A MotoGP Festival
The San Marino GP is always one of MotoGP’s most emotional and unpredictable weekends. For Ducati, it’s another chance to win at home. For Marc Marquez, it’s a step closer to MotoGP history. For Alex Marquez, it’s a chance to shine for Gresini in their home race.
With Moto2 and Moto3 title fights intensifying, KTM pushing Ducati, and Yamaha and Aprilia desperate for redemption, Misano 2025 promises fireworks across all classes.
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