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Marc Marquez beats Acosta to gold despite strategy intrigue in Brno Sprint

The #93 wins strategically on Saturday as Bastianini makes it two KTMs on the Tissot Sprint rostrum

It was the first ever Tissot Sprint at Brno. It was also a first pole start of 2025 for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). So right from lights out, there was lots on the line. In an intriguing afternoon, what seemed like a tyre pressure battle led to both Pecco and teammate Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) slowing up. However, the #93 soon pushed his way to the front to make it another Sprint success. He took gold ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) after a late charge from the ‘Beast’. This made it two KTMs on a podium for the first time this season. 

FIRST STAGES: battles through the pack

Snatching the holeshot, Pecco led the way until Turn 3. Then teammate Marc Marquez attacked and took over at the front. Meanwhile, a poor start from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) left him down in 19th on Lap 1. At Turn 3 on Lap 2, Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing Team) slid off and collected Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR), ending both their Sprints. Into P3 on the second lap, Acosta got himself ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Meanwhile, the Frenchman was rubbing fairings with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) at Turn 10. Meanwhile, Bez’s returning teammate, World Champion Jorge Martin, was up into P7 in the early stages.

TYRE PRESSURE CONCERNS? Pecco and Marc slow from leading positions

At the end of Lap 4, Bastianini was capitalising on his strong weekend so far and into fourth, ahead of Quartararo. But the drama was further up the road. On the exit of Turn 4, Bagnaia slowed down and was passed by Acosta, Bastianini and Quartararo. A lap later, it could have been a replay – this time for Marc Marquez. The #93 likewise slowed down and let Acosta through, allowing the #37 to lead in his first outing at Brno.

Both the Ducatis slowing down but getting straight back into the pace suggested that tyre pressures needed controlling. However, whatever it was, the last three laps had Acosta, Marc Marquez, Bastianini, and Quartararo all in victory contention. Behind, Bezzecchi clambered ahead of Pecco at Turn 11, moving into the top five. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) was next up.

LATE CHARGES: Bezzecchi and Fernandez move up, Marc retakes P1

On the penultimate lap, Bezzecchi worked his way into fourth ahead of Quartararo as his trademark late pace came to the fore. Up at the front, on the direction change from Turn 8 into Turn 9, Marc Marquez pounced. This would prove to be a Sprint-winning pass on ‘El Tiburon’. It was another success in the Sprint for the Championship leader, who extended his Championship advantage. Acosta took his first Sprint podium since Aragon 2024. Two KTMs on a Sprint podium underline their previous happy memories at Brno. It’s a first rostrum of the year for Bastianini. There was a small caveat on top of the podium with Marquez’s tyre pressure under investigation. However, that was soon over, and the win stood for Marc.

ROUNDING OUT THE ORDER: Bezzecchi just off the podium, Martin 11th

Bezzecchi claimed P4 with Quartararo behind him. On the final lap, Fernandez pushed his way into sixth place ahead of polesitter Pecco. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and super-sub Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) completed the points-paying positions. On his comeback ride, Martin finished in 11th, just behind Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Alex Marquez, meanwhile, was forced to settle for P17 and zero points after the nightmare start. That’s 12 more lost to Marc Marquez in the championship chase… but Sunday is another day.

Find full Sprint results HERE! That’s a wrap on Saturday… but the Grand Prix remains in front of a phenomenal Czech crowd. Ready for more of the most exciting sport on Earth in Brno? Of course you are. 

Talking points from Super Saturday

Baltus edges out Roberts for pole, Canet P18 in Brno

Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) went from Q1 to pole position at Brno, edging out Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) by 0.020. Just to rub it in, the Belgian also set his lap behind the American. Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez completes the front row, pushing Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) down to P4.

  • A crash for second in the championship Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) early in Q2 sees him start from P18 on the grid. 
  • Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) leads the rookie charge in P5, with Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) also on the second row in P6. 
  • Home hero Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) launches from P9 in Brno. 

Read more here and for full results, click HERE – and then tune in for more Moto2 on Sunday!

Pini powers to first-ever Moto3 pole

Moto3 was frantic as ever during qualifying. Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) took pole position to lead the charge into Sunday. He was ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in second and David Muñoz (Liqui MolyDynavolt Intact GP) in P3. However, Muñoz’s back-of-the-grid start means it’s David Almansa (Leopard Racing) who returns to the front row on the grid in P3.

  • Maximo Quiles will spearhead the second row. The star rookie is joined on Row 2 by CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar teammate Dennis Foggia and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3). 
  • Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) came through Q1 to qualify 10th. This means a P9 starting slot, one place behind impressive debutant Marco Morelli (DENSSI Racing – BOE). 
  • Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) didn’t take part in Q2 after his FP2 crash and will be reviewed ahead of the race on Sunday. 

Read more here, find full qualifying results HERE and tune in for the Moto3 showdown at Brno!

Words and images courtesy of MotoGP

Marc Marquez beats Acosta to gold despite strategy intrigue in Brno Sprint | SuperBike