Marc Marquez Wins Tense Misano Grand Prix, Title Within Reach

Marc Marquez edges Marco Bezzecchi in a thrilling battle at Misano as his comeback championship charge edges closer to glory.

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Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivered a masterclass in composure at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera, holding off relentless pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) to claim a vital Sunday victory. 

The Spaniard triumph puts him on the brink of another MotoGP World Championship, with the potential to seal the crown as early as the Japanese GP. The only rider still capable of stopping him? His own brother, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who finished third.

Jorge Martin’s (Aprilia Racing) afternoon was compromised before lights out after technical issues on the sighting lap forced him into pit lane. Though he regained his grid slot, two Long Lap penalties left him fighting from behind all race.

Bezzecchi took the holeshot, while Marc Marquez tucked into P2 with Alex Marquez and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) just behind. Lap 1 drama struck early with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) both crashing at Turn 4. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) followed on Lap 3, before Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) bowed out on Lap 5.

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) looked strong after climbing to P5, but disaster struck when his RC16 suffered a chain failure, the same issue teammate Brad Binder faced on Friday. Francesco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) crash at Turn 10 while running seventh capped a miserable weekend for the reigning champion.

Marquez seizes control

Up front, Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez were in a class of their own. On Lap 12, a small mistake from Bezzecchi at Turn 8 handed Marquez the lead. What followed was a relentless chase, with Bezzecchi never more than half a second adrift.

Lap after lap, the two exchanged fastest times, Bezzecchi clawing back tenths while Marquez hit back with his trademark precision. Despite the pressure, Marquez kept his cool, and when the final lap arrived, he had just enough in hand to cross the line 0.4s clear of Bezzecchi. Alex Marquez completed the podium 7.7s behind, giving Gresini Racing a home celebration.

Misano points scorers

Behind the leading trio, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) edged teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio for P4. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) impressed with P6, ahead of Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) in seventh.

Fabio Quartararo salvaged P8 for Yamaha, followed by Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in P10. The rest of the points went to Raul Fernandez, Jack Miller, Jorge Martin, Augusto Fernandez, and Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra.

The road to Japan

With Marquez’s victory and Bagnaia’s struggles, the title picture is now clear: Marc Marquez could wrap up the championship at Motegi if results fall his way. Bezzecchi may have missed out on home glory, but his fight ensured fans witnessed one of the most gripping duels of the season.