MARC FIVE

Marc Marquez's triumph at the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia makes him the first factory Ducati rider to rack up five consecutive wins

- Report: Gaurav Davare

IT’S BEEN A WELCOME RETURN to the Automotodrom Brno for the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia ever since it was dropped off the calendar after the 2020 season.

That's not the only welcome return as the reigning champion, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), was finally back racing after a long and extremely challenging first half of the season, missed due to multiple injuries. The race weekend itself started on an intriguing note as the two-time premier class champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), took a surprise pole position after teammate and six-time premier class champion, Marc Márquez, crashed while trying to improve on his earlier flying lap. That left him in second place with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) lining up in third position.

Sprint

THE FIRST-EVER SPRINT AROUND Brno was certainly one for the history books, as despite Bagnaia holding the initial lead, it was Márquez who made quick work of his teammate. Throughout the Sprint, it seemed to be a comfortable Ducati one-two, but Bagnaia suddenly slowed down and dropped three positions. A lap later, Márquez, too, slowed down, dropping behind Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It didn't take long to figure out that both factory Ducatis were following riders to try and keep their tyre pressures within the legal limit. This lasted until the penultimate lap when Marc Márquez made easy pickings off Acosta to score an 11th Sprint win. It was a great day for KTM as Acosta was second and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the podium places. Bagnaia, on the other hand, never recovered and had to settle for seventh position.

Race