Mr. P2 No Longer: Alex Marquez Takes Command as Quartararo and Bagnaia Complete the Spanish GP Podium, While Marc Marquez Hits Trouble

Mr. P2 No More: Alex Marquez Takes Thrilling First MotoGP Win as Quartararo Returns to the Podium

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) has shaken off the nickname “Mr. P2” in spectacular style, becoming a MotoGP Grand Prix winner for the first time in his career. In a drama-packed Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain, Marquez emerged victorious, while Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) made a long-awaited return to the rostrum, fending off Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) for second. The race also saw heartbreak for home hero Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who crashed out early in front of his adoring Spanish fans.

A Wild Start: Opening Lap Fireworks

The Spanish GP wasted no time igniting the excitement. From pole, Quartararo launched cleanly, with Bagnaia also making a strong start from the second row. Marc Marquez, however, didn’t get the launch he wanted, quickly slipping to third by Turn 2. Bagnaia briefly looked to challenge Quartararo into Turn 2 but thought better of it, while Turn 6 delivered a heart-in-mouth moment: Alex Marquez nearly collided with his older brother, running in too deep but somehow recovering to keep P4.

As the pack poured into Jerez’s legendary stadium section, Marc Marquez threw his Ducati up the inside of Bagnaia at Turn 9, sending the grandstands into a frenzy. But Bagnaia wasn’t done — sweeping around the outside at Turn 10, he regained position. The fierce fight boiled over as the two Ducati stars made contact, with Bagnaia muscling ahead.

Disaster for Marc Marquez

The electric opening exchanges turned to despair for the home crowd soon after. On Lap 3, while chasing Bagnaia through Turn 8, Marc Marquez lost the front and slid out of third place. Jerez was stunned. Though out of podium contention, Marquez would rejoin and continue.

The Race Settles: Alex Marquez Seizes His Moment

With Marc Marquez down, Quartararo continued to lead, but Alex Marquez was charging. He dispatched Bagnaia to move into second and immediately set his sights on the Yamaha ahead. Further back, rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) suffered a crash at Turn 6 while running an impressive fourth.

By Lap 10 of 25, Quartararo still had Alex Marquez for company, while Bagnaia drifted six-tenths behind. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) ran fourth, but his gap to Bagnaia was 1.3 seconds — for now.

Then, a pivotal move: at Turn 1 on Lap 11, Alex Marquez pounced. A brilliant and aggressive dive inside Quartararo handed the #73 the lead. Within a lap, Marquez stretched his advantage to nearly a full second. As Bagnaia tried to muster a challenge on Quartararo for second, Viñales began looming ominously behind the pair.

Marquez Stretches Clear, Quartararo Defends

Alex Marquez wasn’t looking back. His lead grew lap after lap — 1.7 seconds by Lap 16, then over two seconds as the race entered its final stages. Meanwhile, Quartararo held firm in second, expertly absorbing Bagnaia’s pressure. Viñales continued to chip away at the duo ahead but ultimately couldn’t get close enough to strike.

Elsewhere, Marc Marquez’s recovery mission gained momentum. Thanks to crashes for Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Marquez climbed back to 15th, clawing into the points.

The Final Push: No Mistakes for Alex

As the laps wound down, Alex Marquez stayed ice-cool. By the time the last lap dawned, he held a commanding gap over Quartararo. Behind, Bagnaia was close but not close enough to attempt a last-gasp move on the Yamaha. Viñales had backed off slightly, settling into fourth.

At the chequered flag, Alex Marquez punched the air — Mr. P2 was no more. He had taken a brilliant, emotional, and richly-deserved first MotoGP Grand Prix win, right here in Jerez, in front of a passionate home crowd.

A Triumphant Podium: Quartararo and Bagnaia Complete the Party

Fabio Quartararo’s runner-up finish marked a massive return to form for Yamaha, his first Grand Prix podium since Indonesia in 2023. Bagnaia, although frustrated not to pass Quartararo, secured a solid third-place finish — important points for his championship charge.

For Alex Marquez, it was not just a win but a statement: he now leads the 2025 MotoGP World Championship standings.

Full Results: Spanish GP Points Scorers

• Maverick Viñales capped off a strong weekend with fourth place, three seconds clear of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who finished fifth.
• Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta crossed the line sixth and seventh respectively, a promising bounce-back after a tough Qatar.
• Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) rounded out the top 10.
• Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) finished 11th, while Marc Marquez salvaged 12th after his early fall — a bitter result, but potentially crucial championship points.
• Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Test Team), and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) completed the points scorers after eventful races of their own.

Onward to Le Mans!

Spain delivered drama, emotion, and a new Grand Prix winner. Now, attention turns to another iconic venue: Le Mans. What surprises lie in store at the French GP? After Jerez, the championship is wide open — and Alex Marquez is officially a major player.

More than 220,000 fans raise the roof in Jerez

224,420 was the event attendance for the 2025 Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain, creating an unbelievable noise and atmosphere!

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports: “In all my time in MotoGP, I’ve never seen Jerez like this. It’s truly special to welcome 224,420 fans this weekend and experience this historic atmosphere. They’ve been arriving at dawn every day, and their commitment and passion has made this weekend one of the most spectacular Spanish Grands Prix I can remember. Thank you to all of you for coming! We hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Official MotoGP Press Release