wet tires and was lucky to keep
the Honda upright as carbon-
fiber bits flew all around him.
Quartararo led early from
Marc and Alex Marquez, fol-
lowed by Aldeguer. However,
over half the grid had to serve
double long-lap penalties due to
their pre-race tire decisions.
Quartararo was the first to
serve his penalty, followed by
Alex Marquez, Aldeguer and
Vinales. Marc Marquez stayed
out, while Bagnaia, already a
lap down thanks to his crash,
switched to dry tires—another
costly move. Then disaster
struck as both Quartararo and
Binder crashed at the final
corner. Acosta and Vinales
switched back to wets as condi
-
tions worsened.
tions quickly proved too wet.
After a treacherous warm-up
lap, everyone dove into the pit
lane, triggering a red flag. The
race was shortened to 26 laps
and declared wet, allowing mid-
race bike swaps.
Drama unfolded again at the
sighting lap's end, with most
riders, including Quartararo and
the Marquez brothers, pitting,
while Bagnaia remained on the
grid.
When the lights went out, Ba
-
gnaia crashed at turn three, the
victim of an overzealous move
from Enea Bastianini (Red Bull
KTM Tech3). Bagnaia was one
of a few to go down, including
Mir, who clattered into the side
of Zarco. The Frenchman was
one of the few who chose to fit
lead. Alex Marquez finished
second, with Aldeguer earning
a first Sprint podium in third.
Quartararo ended fourth, ahead
of Vinales. Johann Zarco (LCR
Castrol Honda) impressed
with sixth, followed by Fabio Di
Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati),
Alex Rins (Monster Energy
Yamaha) and Joan Mir (Honda
HRC Castrol), who snatched the
final point from Raul Fernandez
(Trackhouse Racing Aprilia) in
10th.
SUNDAY
MOTOGP RACE
Sunday saw a race for the ages.
Raindrops began falling after
the Moto2 race, and all the rid
-
ers began on slicks, but condi-
ROUND 6 / MAY 9-11, 2025
BUGATTI CIRCUIT / LE MANS, FRANCE
ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P88
Marc Marquez (93) made light work of
the Sprint race, once again taking the
flag ahead of brother Alex.
