The 2025 MotoGP season rolls into Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend, with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) just 1.7 seconds away from sealing his seventh premier-class crown last time out in Barcelona. Instead, it was his brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who stole the headlines with a redemptive Grand Prix victory, keeping the comeback story alive for another round.

No Match Point at Misano – But Pride on the Line

Marc Marquez, who has five Misano wins to his name, won’t have a championship match point at his second Ducati home round. However, a strong Sprint result could set him up for a potential title decider in Japan. For Alex Marquez, confidence is high as he chases back-to-back wins for the first time in his MotoGP career, with the added motivation of racing in Gresini’s home event.

P3 Battle: Bagnaia vs Bezzecchi vs Aprilia

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) staged a gritty Catalan comeback from P21 to P7 and now looks to extend his podium streak at Misano. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) trails by 40 points, but both Italians are racing in front of home fans. Jorge Martin continues his steady return from injury, adding intrigue to Aprilia’s hunt for glory on home soil.

KTM Threatens Ducati Dominance

Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) spearheaded KTM’s Barcelona charge and returns to Misano, where he has a history of podium heroics. Teammate Maverick Viñales is still recovering from injury, while Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder aim to challenge Ducati on a track where KTM has shown flashes of brilliance in recent years.

Podium Contenders: Yamaha Eyes Redemption

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) delivered a strong Barcelona weekend and returns to the venue of his 2021 MotoGP title triumph. Yamaha’s V4 project will also wildcard at Misano with test rider Augusto Fernandez. Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing aim to bounce back in their home race.

Battles Through the Pack

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), Luca Marini (Honda HRC), and Joan Mir all seek consistency, while Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP) looks to build on his top-10 return. Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha) comes in with momentum after a season-best P9, and Jack Miller is hungry for his first top-10 since Brno. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha) hopes to rebound from a DNF, while Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) prepares for Misano after injury.

What’s at Stake in Misano?

The San Marino GP has long been a proving ground for Italian riders and factories. With Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM all looking to stamp their authority, and Marc Marquez edging closer to his history-making seventh crown, Misano promises another unpredictable chapter in the 2025 MotoGP season.