MotoGP Sunday in Mugello creates dreams and atmosphere

Nuvola azzurra: Bagnaia reigns as Bastianini charges past Martin and Marquez at Mugello

Ducati Lenovo paint Mugello blue as the reigning Champion lays down the gauntlet and the Beast has his Sprint revenge

Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team showcased a flawless performance on home soil, clinching a dominant victory at the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo. Bagnaia asserted his authority from the outset, swiftly taking the lead from the start and maintaining a formidable gap ahead of Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing for much of the race. While Martin attempted to close the distance, consistently hovering just out of striking range, it was Enea Bastianini of the Ducati Lenovo Team who emerged as the contender to challenge Bagnaia’s lead.

Bastianini engaged in a thrilling battle with Marc Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP™ and launched a late surge to catch Martin, positioning himself for a potential last-corner showdown. Executing a daring move, Bastianini overtook Martin on the inside, securing a spectacular Ducati Lenovo 1-2 finish, with Martin settling for third place.

As the race commenced, Bagnaia swiftly maneuvered into the lead, showcasing his trademark style. Despite Martin’s tenacity, Bagnaia maintained a relentless pace at the front, with Bastianini trailing closely behind Marquez and Maverick Viñales of Aprilia Racing.

The race evolved into a strategic duel, with Martin trailing Bagnaia by varying margins. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 made steady progress, shadowing Marquez before losing ground in the latter stages.

With six laps remaining, the race intensified, setting the stage for a gripping finale. Marquez executed a decisive pass on Bastianini, surging into contention and closing the gap to Martin. However, Bagnaia surged ahead once more, leaving Bastianini to mount a remarkable charge.

In a thrilling conclusion, Bagnaia crossed the finish line to secure his third consecutive Italian GP victory, while Bastianini seized the opportunity to claim second place with a bold move on Martin. The electrifying finish saw Martin’s championship lead narrow to just 18 points.

Despite missing out on the podium, Marquez delivered a solid performance to finish fourth, ahead of Acosta, who maintained a solitary ride for fifth place.

Further down the field, Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team engaged in a spirited battle with Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP, ultimately securing sixth place ahead of Viñales and Marquez.

Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rounded off the top ten, holding off Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing in a closely contested battle.

With only 18 points separating Martin and Bagnaia in the championship standings, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown at Assen. As MotoGP™ resets and prepares for the next challenge, Ducati continues to evaluate its lineup for the 2025 season.

RESULTS

Moto 2 Roberts fights off Gonzalez on the last lap to take first victory since 2022

In an exhilarating Moto2™ showdown at the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, Joe Roberts of the OnlyFans American Racing Team emerged victorious in a heart-pounding last lap battle, fending off relentless pressure from Manuel Gonzalez of QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ to secure top honors for the first time since the 2022 Portuguese GP. Alonso Lopez of MB Conveyors SpeedUp completed the podium, displaying his trademark aggression in the fiercely contested race.

Roberts wasted no time at the start, catapulting into the lead on the opening lap. However, he faced stiff competition from Lopez and Darryn Binder of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP, who were hot on his heels. Ai Ogura of MT Helmets – MSI also made a stunning surge from 12th to seventh, adding to the intensity of the front pack.

Lopez shadowed Roberts until lap four, seizing an opportunity at San Donato to make a move. Despite initial challenges, Lopez successfully secured the lead at Turn 3. Unfortunately, his teammate Fermin Aledguer’s race came to a premature end after a collision with Jeremy Alcoba of Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team.

Maintaining his position at the front, Lopez faced pressure from Gonzalez after the latter overtook Roberts. Meanwhile, Binder’s strong weekend came to a disappointing halt as he slipped into the gravel at Arrabbiata 1.

With six riders battling for the lead, the race reached a crescendo in the final laps. Roberts and Lopez briefly lost ground at Turn 1, allowing Gonzalez and Aron Canet to take the lead. However, Roberts swiftly reclaimed the lead with three laps remaining, intensifying the competition at the front.

In a thrilling climax, Roberts entered the final lap in the lead, closely pursued by Gonzalez. Despite Gonzalez’s determined efforts, Roberts defended his position with unwavering resolve, executing a decisive move at Turn 2 to secure victory by a mere 0.067 seconds. Gonzalez’s quest for a maiden Moto2™ win continues, while Lopez clinched his third podium finish of the season.

Championship leader Sergio Garcia of MT Helmets – MSI finished fourth, reducing his lead in the standings to just seven points. Ogura, Garcia’s teammate, narrowly missed out on fourth place, followed by Canet and home favorite Celestino Vietti of Red Bull KTM Ajo. Izan Guevara of CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team claimed eighth place, with Somkiat Chantra of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia and Marcos Ramirez of OnlyFans American Racing Team completing the top 10.

The next thrilling chapter unfolds at the TT Circuit Assen in three weeks’ time, promising yet another captivating Grand Prix. Join us for all the action at the Cathedral!

RESULTS

Moto 3 Alonso just keeps the edge on Veijer to extend his lead to 37 points

David Alonso of CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team reaffirmed his dominance in Moto3™ by clinching his fifth victory of the season in spectacular fashion at Mugello. The Colombian led the charge from the outset in the shortened 11-lap sprint and successfully thwarted a late surge from Collin Veijer of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP to secure another invaluable 25-point haul. Ryusei Yamanaka of MT Helmets – MSI stormed through the pack from 13th on the grid to claim a well-deserved third place and his inaugural Grand Prix podium.

The initial start was marred by a red flag incident involving Fillippo Farioli of SIC58 Squadra Corse and Xabi Zurutuza of Red Bull KTM Ajo, with Zurutuza subsequently taken to hospital for further evaluation. Upon the race restart, the distance was shortened to 11 laps around Mugello, with the primary objective for most riders being to keep pace with Alonso.

Drama unfolded almost immediately as Dani Holgado of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 made contact with other riders at Turn 1, resulting in crashes for Jose Antonio Rueda of Red Bull KTM Ajo and Stefano Nepa of LEVEL UP-MTA. Holgado was penalized with a double Long Lap penalty for his involvement.

At the front, a breakaway group of six riders emerged, comprising Alonso, Veijer, Yamanaka, Ivan Ortola of MT Helmets – MSI, Taiyo Furusato of Honda Team Asia, and David Muñoz of BOE Motorsports.

With four laps remaining, Alonso appeared to be attempting to break away from the pack. It took Veijer a couple of laps to secure second place and gain enough ground to challenge Alonso. By the start of the final lap, the Dutch rider closed the gap to within a few tenths, with Ortola trailing in third.

However, Veijer couldn’t quite close the distance enough to make a decisive move. Meanwhile, Ortola’s podium aspirations were dashed as he slid out at Turn 12. Despite a lightning-fast remount, he salvaged sixth place, allowing Yamanaka to seize his maiden Grand Prix podium.

Furusato claimed fourth, with Muñoz settling for fifth. Ortola recovered to sixth, ahead of rookie Luca Lunetta of SIC58 Squadra Corse. Adrian Fernandez of Leopard Racing, rookie Jacob Roulstone of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, and Matteo Bertelle of Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team completed the top ten in a closely contested battle.

Alonso now enjoys a 37-point lead at the top of the standings. As the series heads to Assen after a brief hiatus, the lingering question remains: Can anyone halt Alonso’s momentum? Veijer came agonizingly close at Mugello, and with the Dutchman racing on home turf in the Netherlands, the upcoming race promises another thrilling showdown as he seeks to mount another challenge against the formidable Colombian.

RESULTS

Official MotoGP Press Release