MotoGP race at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas on March 30, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The day began in disarray. A light rain moistened the Circuit of the Americas track, but just as the grid formed, a shaft of sun dried the racing line. In a domino of urgency, Marc Márquez, pole sitter and undefeated early season force, bolted to pit lane to swap bikes from wet to slick rubber. His bold gamble prompted a wave of copycat moves from riders like Bagnaia and Alex Márquez. The grid chaos spiked, triggering a red flag reset. Amazingly, race control allowed all riders to re-line in their original positions with slicks fitted.
When action resumed, Marc showed why he’d dominated the season: flawless launch, commanding lead, lap record pace. By Lap 4, he held a 1.4-second gap, and by Lap 5 he was responding to challenges with his own fastest laps. But on Lap 9, tragedy struck, rounding Turn 4, Marc’s front wheel washed out on a white line. He remounted, stripped of a foot peg and rear brake, and struggled back, only to retire the damaged Ducati a few laps later.
With Marc out, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia inherited the lead. A lesson in controlled aggression, he forged ahead with calm precision, gradually stretching a lead to secure a two-second victory. It was Bagnaia’s first GP win of the year and his 30th career triumph, a milestone confirming his elite caliber.
“I’m already without (my) voice, I screamed out loud,” he exulted. “What a fantastic feeling, to be back on the podium after such a difficult period.”Finishing second, Alex Márquez didn’t just score another podium; he leapfrogged his brother in the standings, now topping the championship by a slender one-point margin (87 to 86).
“I’m Mr. Seconds, but Mr. Seconds also pays off,” he smiled wryly.Chasing the two Marquez-Ducati forces, Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered a composed and strategic ride to seize third place for the VR46 squad, his first podium since the 2023 Qatar GP.
“We got a little gift from Marc, but that’s racing,” he admitted with characteristic candor.Key Moments That Defined the Race
- Weather Chaos - Sudden drying track led to last-minute bike swaps before the restart.
- Marquez’s Crash - Lap 9 retirement while leading, ending a perfect streak of sprints and races.
- Championship Shift - Alex Marquez assumes points lead amid family rivalry.
- Ducati Domination - Three of the top five riders, Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, Di Giannantonio, rode Ducatis into strong positions.
What seemed set to be Marc Márquez’s flawless march was derailed by a minor misstep, upending the race and the championship. Bagnaia capitalized with poise and speed; Alex Márquez ascended to new heights; the Ducati brigade stamped its authority. And at COTA, MotoGP delivered a storyline for the ages, fraught with weather-induced chaos, sibling showdowns, and late stage redemption.
| Pos | Rider | Number | Nationality | Team | Time / Difference |
| 1 | Francesco Bagnaia | 63 | ITA | Ducati Lenovo Team | 39'00.191 |
| 2 | Álex Márquez | 73 | SPA | BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP | +2.089 |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | 49 | ITA | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | +3.594 |
| 4 | Franco Morbidelli | 21 | ITA | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | +10.732 |
| 5 | Jack Miller | 43 | AUS | Prima Pramac Racing | +11.857 |
| 6 | Marco Bezzecchi | 72 | ITA | Aprilia Racing | +12.238 |
| 7 | Enea Bastianini | 23 | ITA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | +12.815 |
| 8 | Luca Marini | 10 | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol | +15.646 |
| 9 | Ai Ogura | 79 | JPN | Trackhouse Racing MotoGP | +16.344 |
| 10 | Fabio Quartararo | 20 | FRA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | +18.255 |
| 11 | Álex Rins | 42 | SPA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | +24.256 |
| 12 | Raúl Fernández | 25 | SPA | Trackhouse Racing MotoGP | +27.938 |
| 13 | Augusto Fernández | 7 | SPA | Prima Pramac Racing | +35.740 |
| 14 | Maverick Viñales | 12 | SPA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | +42.724 |
| 15 | Lorenzo Savadori | 32 | ITA | Aprilia Racing | +46.397 |
| 16 | Somkiat Chantra | 35 | THA | LCR Honda Idemitsu | +1'03.601 |
| 17 | Johann Zarco | 5 | FRA | LCR Honda Castrol | +2 laps |
| Retired | Fermín Aldeguer | 54 | SPA | BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP | Retired (crash) |
| Retired | Marc Márquez | 93 | SPA | Ducati Lenovo Team | Retired (crash) |
| Retired | Brad Binder | 33 | RSA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | Retired (tech) |
| Retired | Joan Mir | 36 | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol | Retired (crash) |
| Retired | Pedro Acosta | 37 | SPA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | Retired (crash) |
MotoGP
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the oldest established motorsport world championship and the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Grand Prix motorcycles are purpose-built racing machines that are unavailable for purchase by the general public and unable to be ridden legally on public roads. The championship is currently divided into four classes: the eponymous MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE.
Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is the premier destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the United States. Just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music. At its heart is a 3.41-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world's most exacting competitors while providing a thrilling spectacle for audiences.
The 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit takes advantage of the naturally undulating landscape, including an intimidating 133-foot hill at Turn 1. It has hosted the Formula 1 United States Grand Pix, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, ESPN's X Games, the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and more. Nestled within the track is Germania Insurance Amphitheater, the largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Texas, and its 251-foot signature observation tower.
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