A legendary circuit steeped in racing folklore makes its long-awaited return — and with the summer break looming, the pressure is ramping up. As we head to Brno for the first time since 2020, the question on everyone’s lips is clear: can anyone stop Marc Marquez from tightening his grip on the crown?
Fresh off the back of a dramatic weekend in Germany, the MotoGP paddock rolls into the Czech Republic for Round 12 of the 2025 season. Brno, a true gem of the Grand Prix calendar, is back in action. With sweeping corners, elevation changes, and deep ties to MotoGP history, the Czech venue is famous for unforgettable moments — and we might be on the verge of creating more.
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) comes into the weekend as the undisputed man to beat. With a solid lead at the top of the standings, he’s already locked in as the championship leader going into the summer break. But the reigning World Champion, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), makes his return from injury this weekend — and his comeback could be a game changer.
THE COMEBACK: Jorge Martin Ready to Reignite His Season
It’s been a tough stretch for Jorge Martin. Since his preseason crash derailed his debut with Aprilia, he’s endured injuries, surgeries, and setbacks. But now, he’s back. After initial laps on a road bike in Barcelona and then a private RS-GP25 test at Misano, all indicators suggest that Martin is ready to race.
The RS-GP has evolved in his absence — climbing the podium and even taking a win. So while Martin may not be at 100%, he’s stepping into a competitive machine. The reigning champion’s return adds a compelling layer to an already unpredictable race weekend.
TOP THREE SET: Marquez Unshaken at the Summit
Marc Marquez didn’t race at Brno in 2020, but his last outing here in 2019 is part of the legend: slick tyres on a damp track for pole, followed by a masterclass of a race win. Now, coming off his dominant run at the Sachsenring, the #93 is targeting a fifth straight victory — something he hasn’t achieved in six years.
Meanwhile, younger brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) arrives in strong form despite riding through pain. His P2 finish in Germany keeps him second in the standings — and safely so heading into the break.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) returned to the podium at the Sachsenring, bouncing back from a difficult qualifying and Sprint. Now third in the title hunt, ‘Pecco’ is hunting for more as he looks to reignite his title challenge.
CHASING PACK HEATS UP: Diggia and Bez Apply the Pressure
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) has climbed to fourth in the standings, capitalizing on teammate Franco Morbidelli’s crash. Although Diggia also went down on Sunday, Brno is a happy hunting ground for him — the scene of his first Moto3 win in 2018 and a maiden Moto2 podium a year later.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is another threat. Though he crashed at Sachsenring, he’s in solid form overall. A recent P2 at Assen and Sprint pace in Germany show he’s got the goods. Brno, a track that rewards fluidity and rhythm, suits ‘Bez’ perfectly.
Also lurking is Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Fresh from a Sprint podium and P4 on Sunday in Germany, he’s aiming to turn Yamaha’s impressive one-lap speed into full-race results. A breakthrough weekend could be on the cards.
LOOKING FOR MOMENTUM BEFORE THE BREAK
The midfield battle is equally intense. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was back on the front row in Germany and collected Sprint points — but a Sunday crash prevented a full weekend comeback. Still, his past success at Brno, including a pole and podium in 2020, makes him a rider to watch.
Rookie stars Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continue to impress, now eighth and ninth overall. Remarkably, neither has raced at Brno before — adding an extra twist to their weekend.
For Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Brno brings happy memories. His incredible rookie win in 2020 — also KTM’s first ever in MotoGP — makes the Czech track a potential turning point after a rough 2025 so far.
SURPRISES IN STORE? BIG RESULTS STILL POSSIBLE
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) put in a strong qualifying last weekend and carries past Brno success, including a 2019 podium. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) secured his fourth straight top ten and now leads teammate Ai Ogura in the standings.
Honda’s Luca Marini delivered his best result with the manufacturer last round and is no stranger to Brno glory — it’s where he took his first Moto2 pole. Alex Rins and Miguel Oliveira are both working hard to dial in their Yamahas, while Joan Mir is still searching for a streak of good fortune after another disappointing outing.
SIDELINES & SUBSTITUTES: Brno Injury Roundup
The Red Bull KTM Tech3 garage has been hit hard. Enea Bastianini missed Germany due to appendicitis but is out of hospital and aiming for a return this weekend. Maverick Viñales is sidelined with a fractured shoulder from his Q2 crash, with Pol Espargaro stepping in as his replacement.
Franco Morbidelli is still out following his Sprint crash, and no substitute has been announced. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda) continues to recover from knee surgery, with Takaaki Nakagami filling in. Meanwhile, Augusto Fernandez will wildcard for Yamaha Factory Racing, bringing a fifth M1 onto the Brno grid.
BRNO MAGIC RETURNS: A Venue of Firsts and Fierce Battles
Brno has hosted some of MotoGP’s most iconic moments. Valentino Rossi’s first win in 1996, Brad Binder’s historic 2020 rookie victory, Dani Pedrosa’s final-lap showdown with Jorge Lorenzo in 2012, and of course Marc Marquez’s legendary slick-tyre pole lap in 2019.
Even the first-ever Long Lap penalty — performed to perfection by Johann Zarco — took place here. As MotoGP returns to this classic venue, we’re ready for more memories to be made. Don’t miss the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia — it’s going to be unforgettable.
MOTO2™: Tight Title Fight as Czech Hero Hopes to Shine
Moto2 is equally poised heading to Brno. After a dramatic race in Germany, the gap between championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and closest rival Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) is down to just nine points. Gonzalez’s comeback to finish P4 gave him a slight edge, while Canet struggled to P7 — but both will be hungry to turn the tide.
Germany also showcased Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who took his second win of 2025 after a fierce battle with Barry Baltus. Both riders now sit fifth and sixth in the standings, respectively, and are building serious momentum.
Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) returned to the rostrum, but the Briton wants more. Expect a fired-up performance at Brno, especially with home favorite Filip Salač lining up alongside him. Salač is still searching for his first podium of the season — and there’s no better place to do it than in front of the Czech faithful.
Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) returns to the site of his first-ever pole and podium from 2020. Another strong weekend here could reignite his campaign, while Diogo Moreira faces a tough challenge after his pit lane penalty from Germany.
MOTO3™: Can Anyone Stop Rueda?
Moto3 nearly saw Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) take his sixth win of the year, but a brave final-corner lunge from David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) gave the Spaniard his second win of 2025 instead.
Muñoz’s victory allowed him to edge past Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in the standings. Quiles grabbed another podium — his fourth in five races — and remains a serious contender. His teammate, 2020 Czech GP winner Dennis Foggia, is hoping to use that experience to climb back onto the podium.
Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) took P4 in Germany and returned to second in the standings. Rookie leader Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished fifth and now sits third overall. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) continued his consistent run with a sixth-place finish.
Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) crashed out on the final lap in Germany while running third and will be looking to bounce back. As the Moto3 grid tackles Brno — many for the very first time — the big question remains: can anyone close the 73-point gap Rueda has built, or is he on an unstoppable path to the crown?
Images Official MotoGP Press Release
