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eNCA
7 hours ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Marc Marquez completes perfect Mugello weekend with Italian MotoGP triumph
Marc Marquez won the Italian MotoGP on Sunday to complete a perfect weekend at Mugello and continue his bid for a seventh elite world title. The Ducati rider came through a brilliant early battle with his brother Alex, in second, and teammate Francesco Bagnaia to extend his championship lead over his sibling to 40 points after also winning Saturday's sprint race. The 32-year-old started on pole but didn't have it all his own way, not securing first place until lap nine as he, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia exchanged the lead with some thrilling riding. But he claimed his fifth win from nine Grands Prix in what has been a dream first campaign with Ducati's factory team, and his first victory at Mugello since 2014. "I already understand this morning that it was a super special for them (Ducati), even for me because I feel part of them, and yes super happy," he said. "We managed the race in the beginning, Pecco and Alex, they know that a few times I'm struggling a bit then they attack me. "I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit I started to give everything, and yeah happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Marc Marquez has now won the sprint and main race at the Thailand, Argentina, Qatar, Aragon and Italian MotoGPs so far in 2025. He is already red-hot favourite to draw level with great rival Valentino Rossi on seven world crowns, and move one behind all-time record winner Giacomo Agostini. That would be a bitter pill to swallow for retired Rossi who has openly called Marquez a "dirty" rider who actively worked to stop him from winning what would have been his eighth world title a decade ago. Italian motorcycling fans still blame Marquez for crashing into Rossi in that year's penultimate Malaysian MotoGP, even though their hero was the one punished by having to start the final race of 2015 at the back of the grid, virtually guaranteeing Lorenzo the title. Marc Marquez was loudly booed by a significant portion of the Mugello crowd after Saturday's sprint race to the point that team manager Davide Tardozzi stormed over to the stands to tell fans to "shut up". But on Sunday the local supporters cheered him on the podium after he pulled even further away from local hero Bagnaia, a two-time world champion who is now 110 points off the pace in the standings after finishing fourth. Bagnaia had won the previous three races at his home track of Mugello but ended up losing a podium place to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rides for Ducati satellite team VR46 Racing, with two laps remaining. It was a frustrating day on home soil for Bagnaia, and the latest disappointing result in a season in which he has been eclipsed by Marc Marquez.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
93 not out for 93: MotoGP king Marquez wins in Italy
Ducati's Marc Marquez has won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led Sunday's race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium place from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as an opponent when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello. Ducati's Marc Marquez has won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led Sunday's race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium place from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as an opponent when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello. Ducati's Marc Marquez has won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led Sunday's race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium place from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as an opponent when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello. Ducati's Marc Marquez has won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led Sunday's race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium place from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as an opponent when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
93 not out for 93: MotoGP king Marquez wins in Italy
Ducati's Marc Marquez has won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led Sunday's race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium place from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as an opponent when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello.
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Marc Marquez wins Italian Grand Prix to delight Ducati fans on home soil
SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, Italy - Ducati's Marc Marquez won the Italian Grand Prix after a dogfight for podium places at the Mugello Circuit on Sunday, taking the chequered flag ahead of his brother Alex to maintain his iron grip on the riders' championship. Gresini Racing's Alex briefly led the race early on before Marc took control, while Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing claimed third place after snatching the final podium spot from his Italian compatriot Francesco Bagnaia. Home favourite Bagnaia also led the race in the initial stages but the Italian, who had won the last three races at Mugello, was overshadowed by the Marquez brothers and could only finish fourth in front of his home fans. Marc's victory was also the 93rd win of his career across all classes, matching his motorcycle number, and the Spaniard celebrated by planting a Ducati flag in front of the home fans who once saw him as a rival when he was with Honda. "Amazing feeling... three Ducatis on the podium, to win here (at Mugello) in the red," said Marc, who now leads Alex by 40 points while Bagnaia is 110 points back in third. "I already understood this morning that was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Super happy. "We managed the race... I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit, I started to give everything. Happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Fresh from claiming his historic 100th career pole with a blistering lap record and Saturday's unlikely sprint victory, Marc found himself locked in a fraternal battle with Alex -- a running theme this season. The opening laps unfolded as a masterclass in close-quarter racing between the two factory Ducati machines -- their special Italian Renaissance livery flashing through Mugello's sweeping turns -- while Alex stayed on their tail. HIGH-SPEED DRAMA The crowd erupted when Bagnaia briefly snatched the lead from Marc after turn one but what followed was high-speed drama as they traded positions, occasionally making heart-stopping contact with each other. Disaster nearly struck when Bagnaia, pushing his bike to the limit, touched Marc's rear tyre as he was forced to brake hard and surrender his position to Alex. Fans in the grandstand witnessed a spectacular moment when all three riders thundered into turn one abreast, a three-wide gamble that saw Alex briefly seize control, drop to third on the brakes and then reclaim the lead moments later on the exit. But Marc eventually broke free, leaving brother Alex to doggedly defend second position against a relentless Bagnaia. However, the Italian did not have the late-race pace to catch up and he was soon forced to defend the final podium place, with Di Giannantonio looking to upstage his compatriot. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio made his move on turn seven as he squeezed past the twice champion and raced away to claim his first podium finish at Mugello. "I knew that I had to risk a lot to take him but at the end, the last lap, I said, 'Okay, let's go for it,' and we've done it," Di Giannantonio said. "My first podium in MotoGP Mugello, in front of this fantastic group of fans." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Marc Marquez wins Italian Grand Prix to delight Ducati fans on home soil
SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO (ITALY): Marc Marquez won the Italian MotoGP today to complete a perfect weekend at Mugello and continue his bid for a seventh elite world title. The Ducati rider came through a brilliant early battle with his brother Alex, in second, and teammate Francesco Bagnaia to extend his championship lead over his sibling to 40 points after also winning Saturday's sprint race. The 32-year-old started on pole but didn't have it all his own way, not securing first place until lap nine as he, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia exchanged the lead with some thrilling riding. But he claimed his fifth win from nine Grands Prix in what has been a dream first campaign with Ducati's factory team, and his first victory at Mugello since 2014. "I already understand this morning that it was a super special for them (Ducati), even for me because I feel part of them, and yes super happy," he said. "We managed the race in the beginning, Pecco and Alex, they know that a few times I'm struggling a bit then they attack me. "I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit I started to give everything, and yeah happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Marc Marquez has now won the sprint and main race at the Thailand, Argentina, Qatar, Aragon and Italian MotoGPs so far in 2025. He is already red-hot favourite to draw level with great rival Valentino Rossi on seven world crowns, and move one behind all-time record winner Giacomo Agostini. That would be a bitter pill to swallow for retired Rossi who has openly called Marquez a "dirty" rider who actively worked to stop him from winning what would have been his eighth world title a decade ago. Italian motorcycling fans still blame Marquez for crashing into Rossi in that year's penultimate Malaysian MotoGP, even though their hero was the one punished by having to start the final race of 2015 at the back of the grid, virtually guaranteeing Lorenzo the title. Marc Marquez was loudly booed by a significant portion of the Mugello crowd after Saturday's sprint race to the point that team manager Davide Tardozzi stormed over to the stands to tell fans to "shut up." But today the local supporters cheered him on the podium after he pulled even further away from local hero Bagnaia, a two-time world champion who is now 110 points off the pace in the standings after finishing fourth. Bagnaia had won the previous three races at his home track of Mugello but ended up losing a podium place to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rides for Ducati satellite team VR46 Racing, with two laps remaining. It was a frustrating day on home soil for Bagnaia, and the latest disappointing result in a season in which he has been eclipsed by Marc Marquez. - AFP
