San Marino GP: Bezzecchi Shines vs Marquez

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing delivered a stellar performance at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera on September 16, 2025, securing second place after a fierce duel with Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) completed the podium with a tribute livery for Fausto Gresini. Sportrik’s detailed analysis examines the strategies, technical challenges, and championship implications of this race.

The Misano circuit race showcased intense battles and teams’ adjustments to shifting track conditions. Marquez, recovering from a Sprint DNF, won by a slim 0.568 seconds. Yet, Bezzecchi’s lead until Lap 11 highlighted Aprilia’s strength at home. Meanwhile, technical issues, like Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) chain failure, and the Yamaha V4 debut by Augusto Fernandez added intrigue to the event.

Thrilling Final Laps Duel

The climax unfolded in the final laps, with Marquez leveraging Ducati’s edge to overtake Bezzecchi at Turn 8. Still, Bezzecchi held second, now just eight points behind Francesco Bagnaia in the fight for third in the standings. Marquez now holds a title match point for the Japanese GP.

Marquez said, “The best way to move past a mistake is to ride again at your best, and that’s what I did from Warm Up. I had extra focus, but Marco was tough, pushing his bike to the limit.” He added, “We’re closing in on the title, but I’ll keep the same mindset. Alex is also fast, vying for second in the championship.”

Bezzecchi, nearly victorious at home, noted, “It was a tough but beautiful race. I was at my limit, and Marc pushed hard. I’m thrilled to hold on.” He continued, “I thought I could win, but Marc was smoother as tire grip faded. A small mistake at Turn 8 let him pass.” Sportrik’s analysis shows Bezzecchi’s home motivation fueled his Aprilia, but track condition shifts made tire grip a hurdle, especially in Turns 4 to 9/10.

Alex Marquez’s Podium and Other Hurdles

Alex Marquez took third, leading Bagnaia by 93 points in the standings. He flagged Sector One as a weak point. “I’m pleased with our weekend. Misano’s always tough for me, but we worked well,” he said. He added, “I lose time in Sector One historically, so that’s an area to improve moving forward.”

Meanwhile, Acosta’s podium hopes ended on Lap 8 due to a chain issue, though he remained upbeat. “We turned things around from ninth, which isn’t easy. It’s a mechanical sport—things happen,” he said. Fernandez, testing the Yamaha V4, finished 14th despite fuel issues. “These were the bike’s first 27 race-pace laps. We have good things but much to learn,” he noted.

Championship Outlook and Misano Test

The grueling race left the podium trio exhausted. Bezzecchi’s second place positions him as a late-season threat, while Marquez nears the title. The Misano test on September 15, involving Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller, advanced Yamaha’s V4 development, potentially shifting championship dynamics.

Overall, the San Marino GP underscored rider grit and team innovation. Sportrik anticipates the Japanese GP as a title showdown. Stay tuned for deeper insights.