At the Grand Prix of Catalunya on Sunday, Alex Marquez achieved a significant MotoGP Catalunya victory by winning the race and stopping his older brother Marc Marquez‘s impressive streak of 15 consecutive wins. The Gresini Ducati rider secured his second MotoGP triumph, preventing Marc from clinching the world title at next week’s San Marino Grand Prix.
Race Unfolds with Tight Battle Between the Marquez Brothers
Starting from pole position, Alex Marquez took back the lead on lap four in a 24-lap contest after briefly losing it to Marc. Over the final laps, Alex managed to pull away in a close and strategic duel, ultimately finishing 1.740 seconds ahead. This victory added to Alex’s first career win at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez earlier in the season.
Other Podium Finishers and Key Performances at Catalunya
Enea Bastianini, riding for KTM after relinquishing his factory Ducati seat to Marc Marquez last season, earned his first podium of the year by finishing third, trailing Alex by 5.562 seconds. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta, notable for his bold choice of Michelin’s soft compound tire, faded after the midway point in the race following Bastianini’s overtaking on lap 11.
Overcoming Setbacks: Alex Marquez’s Resilience After Sprint Race Crash
Alex Marquez had shown strong pace throughout the race weekend but experienced disappointment in Saturday’s sprint race, crashing out despite holding a 1.5-second lead with only three laps remaining. However, he remained composed during the main event. Even when Marc closed the gap to two-tenths of a second with five laps left, Alex stayed focused, managing tire wear effectively on a hot Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya track nearing 40 degrees Celsius, maintaining control through a tactical contest.
“It’s true that I have in the head a little bit the race from yesterday, but when I was there on the bike I say ‘this one needs to be with me’, so I just need to push all the race and managing a lot the tyres. With six, seven [laps] to the end was the time to see if I had something … I was able to make good lap times in that moment.”
—Alex Marquez, Rider
Key Moments and Challenges in the Late Stages of the Race
Throughout much of the race, the Marquez brothers, along with Bastianini and Acosta, distanced themselves from the rest of the field after six laps. While Acosta fell back, Alex held a slim lead over Marc until lap 20. At this point, Marc struggled to control his bike around Turn 10, enabling Alex to extend his advantage to over seven-tenths of a second and steadily cruise to the finish line.
Championship Standings and Implications for Upcoming Rounds
With this win, Marc Marquez’s overall lead in the championship remains at 182 points with seven races still to go. This means that the earliest opportunity for him to secure the world title would be at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, scheduled from September 26 to 28. The next round will take place at Misano, Italy, from September 12 to 14.
Jack Miller’s Remarkable Recovery to Score Points for Pramac Yamaha
Australia’s Jack Miller demonstrated determination by recovering from last place at the first corner to finish 14th, earning valuable championship points. Starting 14th on the grid, Miller was pushed back initially but worked his way through the pack in the closing laps. He passed Ducati rider Fermin Aldeguer just before the final lap, closing 24.351 seconds behind race winner Alex Marquez.
Looking Ahead: The Season Continues with Momentum from Catalunya
Alex Marquez’s MotoGP Catalunya victory not only ended his brother’s winning spree but also highlighted the growing competitiveness within the field. This result injects more excitement into the world championship fight as the riders head to Misano for Round 16, where fresh challenges await. The evolving dynamics throughout the season point to a fiercely contested championship battle in the coming races.
