Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1543676
MOTOGP SPRINT RACE Marco Bezzecchi initially set the pace in Saturday's Sprint race, trading aggressive early blows with Marquez. The pair swapped positions repeatedly on the opening lap before Bez- zecchi reclaimed the lead at turn three. But disaster struck on lap two when the polesitter crashed at turn eight, ending a race that had promised so much and cleared the stage for the Marquez-Acosta showdown. Marquez inherited the lead, fending off repeated attacks from Acosta. The KTM rider made multiple lunges at the final corner and turn one, briefly edging ahead on several occa - sions, but the Ducati's straight- line speed repeatedly allowed Marquez to strike back. By mid- race, it was clear Acosta wasn't settling for second, relentlessly probing for a way through. The decisive moment came on the penultimate lap. After trading aggressive passes, Mar- quez launched a controversial VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P89 race, you spend a lot of time catching up. But a good way to start the year; we learned a lot and know what we have to do next." MYOWNRACE 07 TOPRAK RAZGATLIO- GLU 20TH/17TH MOTOGP The 2025 WorldSBK Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu, had a tough outing in his first MotoGP race. "It was my first full race in MotoGP and, of course, I was hoping for a better result," the Prima Pramac Yamaha rider said after Sunday's MotoGP. "But it was a long and very demanding race; 26 laps in that kind of heat is physically tough. We had some clear issues with rear grip, especially as the race went on, but I'm not looking to put the blame anywhere else. I know I still have a lot to learn, and at the same time, we know Yamaha is work- ing hard to improve the package. Grip was quite limited throughout the race, and it seemed to be a common situa- tion for all Yamaha riders, as we were running close together. Now we focus on the next race. I know I will give my best, and I know the whole team will do the same." "After our contact on the final lap, I wasn't really believing," Acosta said. "I was trying because I was quite fast in T3 and T4, and I was making back what I was los- ing in T1 and T2. Marc was braking super late at the last corner and turn one, and it was quite difficult to make the move, but anyway, we Bezzecchi launches from pole in the Sprint. It didn't last much longer than this, resulting in his third crash of the day. move at turn 12, forcing Acosta wide while running to the edge of the track. The incident was immediately placed under investigation, and Marquez was handed a one-position penalty. He chose to serve it at the final corner, backing off to let Acosta through before accel - erating to defend second from Fernandez. Acosta held firm to claim a breakthrough win in a dramatic opener that ignited debate throughout the paddock. "There was a contact," Mar - quez said. "A small contact. But my bike was already half a bike in front, already from the entry. So, the Stewards decided to give me a penalty. Okay. In my opinion, that penalty, the mes - sage, arrives too late. Because it only arrived at the last corner. If they want to have this sys - tem—if they want to be more strict—they need to send the penalty on the exit of T3. Don't wait until the last corner. But, okay, today I paid, so the most important thing is I finished second, which is good."