MOTO GP

Catalan GP: Alex Márquez surprises the world and ends Marc Márquez's winning streak

Rarely has a MotoGP rider been happier with second place than Marc Márquez after the Catalan GP in Barcelona. The Ducati rider had to admit defeat to his brother Alex, but seemed completely satisfied.

Marc Márquez: “I expected Alex to be the rider to beat. He's second in the World Championship, he rides very well, especially here. I gave it my all, I was on the limit in the final laps. With about five laps to go, I made a mistake at Turn 7 and then at Turn 10. And then I gave up, I didn't push as hard. Alex was faster than us. Until yesterday, when he crashed. But I'm very satisfied. Even on a track I don't really like, I was close to the best rider.”

With Alex Márquez's Grand Prix victory, the potential World Championship decider in Marc's favor was postponed from Misano to Japan.

"There are seven races remaining. And my goal is to approach the race with the same mentality, no matter what. Not to push myself too hard, keep my limits under control, keep all the points under control. I could have gone all in today, but it wasn't the time. It's important to keep going and stay focused."

Marc also admitted that he didn't even attack his brother with full force:

"On laps 3 and 4, I could have overtaken him, but the goal was to increase the gap to third place. I used his slipstream to increase the gap for the finish."

Thus, the two Márquez brothers finished safely in first and second place, both scoring points – and keeping the World Championship decider slightly open.

"I said on Thursday that I might have to accept someone being faster than me this weekend." And with a proud smile, he adds: "And my little brother was faster than me this weekend."

"He's super strong in my weak spots. They're the long right-hand corners. He rode superbly there, with total smoothness. I was behind him at the same pace, but I was struggling with the bike. It's a matter of riding style, not the bike. He simply rides better there. I tried to compensate for that in the left-hand corners, but I only managed to improve slightly in three corners. And that wasn't enough."

A result was special for both brothers...

"A home GP, we live 100 kilometers from here, we finished first and second. In Aragon, our other home GP, we finished first and second, but the other way around. I said in Jerez that I was sad not to be on the podium with him. Alex deserves it. We gave our best today. A great feeling for family and friends."

Binder, the leader of Friday's practice sessions and a member of the top 10, crashed in sector 3, leaving KTM shorthanded. At the same time, Álex Márquez increased the pace, opening up a 0.4-second gap over Marc, with Bastianini and Acosta close behind.

Reigning champion Martín lacked enthusiasm throughout the weekend and, despite gaining a few positions, was only 11th at the halfway point in Montmeló. Bagnaia, meanwhile, maintained his pace and advanced to eighth, putting pressure on Quartararo for seventh place.

On lap 12, while he was having a great race and already in the top five, Zarco lost his bike at Turn 5 and slid into the gravel, triggering another caution in the first half of the race, putting Marini in the top five and allowing Bagnaia to move up to sixth.

The second half of the race was marked by the Márquez brothers battling for the win. Álex led by 0.4 seconds, while Marc seemed to be just waiting for tire wear to pick the right moment to attack.

Bastianini opened up a good lead over Acosta and secured third place in the Catalan GP with Tech 3, while Marc and Álex continued to battle until the final laps for victory in the main event.

But this time, the younger brother came out on top. Álex pushed the pace in the final laps, holding off his older brother's familiar aggression, and won his second race of the 2025 season, postponing Marc Márquez's title shot until the Japanese GP at Motegi.

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