Álex Márquez Triumphs as Fate Intervenes
By Izhar Safuan
SEPANG, Malaysia - The scorching Malaysian heat set the stage for a dramatic MotoGP race that saw one brother celebrate a win and another endure the pain of a cruel twist of fate.
The early laps were defined by a fierce battle between pole-sitter Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Álex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). Though Bagnaia had shown incredible pace all weekend, Márquez quickly muscled his way into the lead, settling into a phenomenal rhythm that proved untouchable. He began to pull a gap, riding the perfect race to secure his third victory of the 2025 season.
But the real drama unfolded behind him.
Bagnaia, relegated to second after Márquez's attack, was fighting hard to hold off rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The battle for the remaining podium spots was intense, yet predictable until it wasn't.
With just a few laps remaining, Bagnaia's bike suddenly lost pace. The Italian had to pull off the track and retire, his race ending in a bitter DNF. Post race analysis revealed a rear tyre puncture, likely caused by riding over a piece of carbon fiber debris. It was a brutal piece of bad luck that cost him a guaranteed podium finish.
Bagnaia's heartbreak, however, opened the door for others. Pedro Acosta inherited second place, adding another impressive podium to his Rookie of the Year campaign. More surprisingly, the misfortune propelled Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) into the third and final podium spot, a morale-boosting result for the struggling Honda team.
Ultimately, the day belonged to Álex Márquez. His flawless victory confirmed his season-long performance by securing him the title of 2025 MotoGP Championship Runner-up, an emotional achievement that created Grand Prix history by having a pair of brothers champion Marc Márquez (absent due to injury) and runner-up Álex, finish first and second in the premier class championship standings. The win also sealed the Independent Team of the Year award for Gresini Racing MotoGP, capping a memorable weekend of success.