MotoGP: Can anyone halt Marc Marquez from homing in on history?
MotoGP: Seven in a row and aiming for gr(eight)ness at home, the #93 is the target – and his is to complete the greatest comeback in sporting history.
MotoGP: Seven in a row and aiming for gr(eight)ness at home, the #93 is the target – and his is to complete the greatest comeback in sporting history.
From the new battleground of Balaton Park to a classic battleground in Barcelona, Round 15 is now upon us. A home Grand Prix for many, this is a venue that never disappoints and 2025 is sure to live up to its legacy. But in the fight for the very top step, can anyone stop Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) on his home turf? This weekend, the #93 can set himself up for a championship point in Misano. Yes. Misano.
175 POINTS AHEAD: Marc leads Alex for Barcelona homecoming
That said, this is a circuit where Marc Marquez is without a win since 2019. That said, he’s also taken seven Grand Prix and Sprint wins in a row, stretching out his Championship lead over brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) to 175 points. If he gains 10 or more on him in Barcelona, he’ll have a real – although long – shot at the crown at the San Marino GP. Aiming to pot the 8-ball at home, it’s down to the #73 to stand in his way and he’s not been on the podium since Germany, so the Gresini rider is aiming for a lot more.
BEZZECCHI CLOSING IN: P3 fight tightens as Aprilia shine
Having confirmed last time out that it was his hardest weekend in factory Ducati colours, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the most recent winner in Barcelona, with a double win in last year’s Solidarity Grand Prix as well as the earlier Catalan GP. Like Alex, Pecco is without a podium since Germany and is starting to face pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) in the standings. The #72 has been one of the main challengers to Marc Marquez since Assen, on the podium in all-but-one Grand Prix since. 31 points split them with eight rounds to go, so it’s game on for bronze.
Elsewhere in Aprilia colours, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) returns to the site of his 2024 title and off the back of a fine Hungarian Grand Prix which saw him storm through from P16 to P4. The podium is getting closer for ‘The Martinator’ and who is to say that 2025 won’t be added to Barcelona’s happy memories?
KTM’S SURGE: Acosta leads the Austrian manufacturer’s charge
Four podiums across the last three Sprints and Grands Prix mean that Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has elevated himself into fifth overall in the standings after an impressive ride from P7 to P2 in Hungary. It’s not just him though, with teammate Brad Binder back in the top eight over the course of the last four Grands Prix, hailing the front-end improvements to the RC16. Then, there’s Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), who has clicked with the bike and is now a regular feature inside the top ten battle, even if his Hungary results don’t represent that after some bad luck and trouble. His teammate Maverick Viñales is hoping to be back in action for his home Grand Prix too, his attendance subject to a Thursday medical check.
P6 BATTLE: the scrap intensifies
Acosta’s rise in form has been coupled with difficulties and, in the case of Balaton Park, misfortune for Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). He’s now P7 overall after teammate Franco Morbidelli leapfrogged him last weekend too. ‘Diggia’ was sixth last year in the Catalan GP whilst teammate Franky has a pole to his name from 2020. Just 28 points further back, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continues to close in on the #49, although Hungary was a tougher on than his run on glory in Austria.
PAST MASTERS: they surprised in Barcelona before, they aim to repeat
Tenth in the standings and in a difficult period of 2025, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has happy memories from Catalunya, with his first GP win in any class coming in Moto2™ in 2018. A year later, his first MotoGP podium and then in 2020, a winner, backed up in 2022. He’ll be expecting to be much more in the fight this weekend. One spot ahead of him overall, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) has two MotoGP podiums here, aiming to move back up the order after a tougher run of late and with a new contract in his pocket. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) led the Sprint in 2024 before crashing and has had some consistent form in 2025. All three have points to prove this weekend.
EYES ON PRIZES: riders with points to prove
After a best finish with Honda and fresh from a new contract for 2026, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) heads to Barcelona to back it up as teammate Joan Mir goes to the track where he got his last top four finish back in 2022. Honda have impressed a lot in recent rounds, expect both to be in the top ten fight. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) has struggled lately but always performs on Sunday; can he improve in qualifying? He won the Moto2 encounter here last year.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) has a previous podium from 2021 and after a turbulent Austria and Hungary, aims to return to the top ten; the same can be said for teammate Miguel Oliveira. For Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), it’s a home GP, bringing even more motivation to move forward. Finally, Somkiat Chantra’s (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) presence is subject to a medical check but the Thai rider is expected to return to the fold to make it a full house of 22 full-timers on the grid.
Barcelona has everything: a stunning city on the Mediterranean coupled with a classic racetrack that always delivers a show. Tune in this weekend for the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia!
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Modern Classic Motorcycle News - Issue 49
Amazon.co.uk
Modern Classic Motorcycle News - Issue 48
Amazon.co.uk
Modern Classic Motorcycle News - Issue 47
For more MotoGP info check out our dedicated MotoGP News page
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