Francesco Bagnaia Dominates 2025 Malaysian MotoGP Sprint

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo delivered a commanding performance to win the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP Sprint at Sepang, round 20 of 22. This victory marked a strong recovery for Bagnaia following his struggles in Motegi.

Through in-depth analysis, Bagnaia led from pole position, pulling away from competitors. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez secured second place, clinching the championship runner-up spot behind his absent brother, Marc Marquez, who was sidelined by injury.

Bagnaia took control from the start, showcasing exceptional pace on his Ducati to lead throughout. Behind him, Alex Marquez held second despite early pressure from Pedro Acosta. However, Acosta faded, allowing Gresini Ducati’s Fermin Aldeguer to snatch third in the closing laps.

Joan Mir, who briefly joined the podium fight, crashed on lap five of the ten-lap race. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia, starting from 14th, climbed to seventh with strong race pace.

All riders opted for soft compound rear tires, with only substitutes Lorenzo Savadori and Michele Pirro using medium front tires. The absence of key riders like Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and Maverick Vinales due to injuries opened opportunities for others. Their replacements were Michele Pirro (Ducati), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia), and Pol Espargaro (KTM).

Alex Marquez, holding a 97-point lead over Bezzecchi before the race, secured the championship runner-up position. Bagnaia’s win propelled him back to third in the standings, overtaking Bezzecchi.

Bagnaia’s Sprint victory boosts his confidence heading into the main race at Sepang. With Ducati’s competitive edge, he is well-positioned to repeat last year’s grand prix triumph at this circuit. Alex Marquez remains a strong contender for consistent results, while Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez from Aprilia aim to build on their recent momentum from Phillip Island. The main race will be crucial in shaping the final championship points.