- Marc Marquez tops every session of the Aragon GP weekend, a feat last achieved in 2015
- Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia complete the podium, with the Italian showing improved form
- Championship leader Marc Marquez extends his lead to 32 points over brother Alex heading to Mugello
In the world of sports, there are moments when the focus shifts from intense battles for victory to witnessing an athlete performing at the pinnacle of their abilities. The GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon provided one such occasion, as Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivered a masterclass, topping every session throughout the weekend for the first time since 2015, en route to a commanding seventh victory at MotorLand. On home soil, his brother and title rival, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), secured second place, while an improving Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the podium, resembling the champion we’ve come to admire. As the adage goes, form may be fleeting, but class endures.
In contrast to the Sprint race, Marc Marquez launched off the line with precision, claiming the holeshot and leading the pack, with Alex Marquez and Bagnaia slotting into second and third, respectively. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), despite starting from the front row, found himself shuffled back to seventh by the end of the opening lap.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo of Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder made strong starts, closely pursuing Bagnaia in third. Acosta challenged for the position on lap two, but the Italian fought back, reclaiming the spot. However, at turn 12, Acosta made a successful move, only to have Bagnaia counter at the penultimate corner. While entertaining for spectators, this duel, along with Binder and Morbidelli’s presence, allowed the Marquez brothers to extend their advantage at the front.
As the race progressed, Marc Marquez continued to assert his dominance, consistently setting fastest laps and building a comfortable lead. By lap 12, the podium battle had been reduced to three contenders, with Binder and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) crashing out of contention.
In the closing stages, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia upped their pace, lapping in the 1:46s, but neither could match the sheer brilliance of Marc Marquez at MotorLand. The home hero’s performance was a display of supremacy, becoming the first rider to lead every session of a Grand Prix weekend since his own accomplishment at the 2015 German GP.
Reflecting on his outstanding weekend, Marc Márquez shared, “With a strong start today, I was able to execute the race I had envisioned, pushing harder when I felt I had the opportunity. I was comfortable and could ride well. In the championship fight, these are the races where it’s essential to maximize your result without making mistakes, as both Alex and Pecco demonstrated their competitiveness. It was the perfect weekend: I regained the feeling I had before Silverstone, and I hope to carry this momentum into Mugello.”
Francesco Bagnaia, securing third place, emphasized the significance of the result, stating, “This podium is crucial for both morale and the entire team. We’ve been diligently working to address our issues over the past three weekends, but for various reasons, we couldn’t put it all together. After yesterday’s Sprint, where I struggled with the front tire, we made a small but impactful adjustment during warm-up. It gave me more confidence, particularly under braking, and allowed me to be more competitive.”
Alex Marquez, reflecting on his second-place finish, added, “Coming off two less-than-stellar performances, finding consistency with a second place was crucial, especially considering Bagnaia’s return to third. Sharing this one-two with Marc on Spanish soil was special. We now look ahead to the upcoming circuits, where we hope to have more in our arsenal to challenge for the win.”
In a weekend where expectations were high, Marc Marquez delivered in spades. The master of MotorLand enjoyed a flawless performance on home turf, extending his championship lead to 32 points over Alex Marquez as the series heads to Mugello. Whether the tide will turn in Italy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Marc Marquez’s mastery at Aragon will be etched in the annals of MotoGP history.
