The MotoGP 2025 top rider rankings clearly reflect the season’s dominant narrative, with Marc Marquez commanding an extraordinary lead well before the championship reaches its finale in Valencia this November. At the midpoint of the 22-round season, currently on a break after the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Marquez’s thrilling resurgence riding for Ducati has put him in a class above the rest, positioning him to clinch the title as early as the upcoming Asian swing in September, six races before the campaign concludes.
Joining factory Ducati alongside reigning champ Francesco Bagnaia, Marquez has silenced doubts about his capacity to reclaim world champion status after six years without a title and multiple surgeries. His five consecutive sprint and Grand Prix wins at Brno further extended his lead to 120 points, leaving no question as to who leads Fox Sports’ mid-season rider rankings. Meanwhile, the battle for the remaining spots on the list remains fiercely competitive due to uneven performances and injuries hampering other contenders.
Challenges and Contenders Outside the Leading Duel
Francesco Bagnaia, despite being Marquez’s teammate and a former back-to-back champion in 2022 and 2023, currently trails significantly. The Italian has struggled to replicate last season’s confidence and pace with the updated GP25 Ducati, managing only one Grand Prix win and multiple podium finishes, but is overshadowed by Marquez’s class-leading results.
Other notable names have either failed to feature in the top rankings or have been sidelined by injuries. Jorge Martin, last year’s top-ranked rider, has only participated in two out of the first twelve rounds due to serious injuries and a public contract dispute with Aprilia. Young Ducati rookie Fermin Aldeguer has demonstrated podium potential but his inconsistency and risky riding style have limited his inclusion.
Similarly, KTM’s Brad Binder, once a powerhouse for the brand, has suffered a steep decline in form, falling well below the top 10, while Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez has shown late-season promise but has yet to break into the elite group this year. Jack Miller, the Australian rider, remains on the fringes despite outperforming his Pramac Yamaha teammate—his low championship position preventing him from securing a spot among the top ten.
The Mid-Season Top Ten Riders and Their Performances
Below is the detailed assessment of the top ten riders, highlighting their progress, strengths, and statistical comparisons within their teams during the first half of the 2025 season.
10. Maverick Viñales (KTM): A Mercurial Return Hampered by Injury
Viñales, previously unranked at the end of 2024, holds 11th in the championship with 69 points. His standout moment came in Qatar, where an initial second-place finish promised a potential challenge before a tyre pressure penalty dropped him to 14th. Despite this, he has emerged as KTM’s top rider, consistently outperforming teammate Enea Bastianini across qualifying and races, including sprint events. Unfortunately, a left shoulder injury and surgery curtailed his momentum after round 11, but a strong second half of the season could see him climb into the top ten.
9. Johann Zarco (Honda): The Veteran’s Shining Moments Amid Mixed Results
Zarco has scored 109 points to sit 8th in the championship and retains his place as Honda’s leading rider. His historic wet-weather victory at Le Mans and a runner-up finish at Silverstone marked a period in May where he was arguably the season’s second-best competitor behind Marquez. Despite this burst, his results have been uneven, with most points clustered in those two rounds. His dominance over rookie teammates Somkiat Chantra and Takaaki Nakagami remains clear, cementing his status as a reliable, if sometimes aggressive, force in the mid-pack.
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati): Pure Talent Seeking Greater Consistency
Di Giannantonio has climbed from 7th in last year’s rankings to 5th place in the current championship standings with 142 points. He boasts multiple podiums in both Grand Prix and sprint formats and has proven qualifying speed. However, inconsistency has held him back; his performances swing from impressive podium hunts to races where he fails to score. Maintaining a position higher than his teammate Bagnaia will require him to produce more consistently during the remaining rounds.
7. Franco Morbidelli (Ducati): Exceeding Expectations on an Older Machine
Morbidelli, not ranked in 2024, currently holds 6th place with 139 points, just three behind Di Giannantonio. Riding a less developed GP24 Ducati against teammates on upgraded machinery, he has often achieved more with less equipment. Morbidelli’s season started strongly but was disrupted by a collarbone injury sustained in Germany, causing him to miss subsequent races. Although not the dominant force he once was, this represents his best form since finishing runner-up in 2020.
6. Pedro Acosta (KTM): Talented but Turbulent Rookie Year with Factory Team
Acosta, ranked 4th at the end of 2024, holds 7th place this season with 124 points. Displaying clear superiority over teammate Brad Binder in qualifying and race performance, he has collected two podiums, both at Brno just before the mid-season break. However, his impatience and off-track challenges, including KTM’s financial difficulties, have complicated his development. Despite carrying a contract through 2026, his frequent public hints at Ducati ambitions underscore an unsettled future.
5. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati): A High-Profile Struggle Amidst Marquez Dominance
Fourth last year and currently third in the championship with 213 points, Bagnaia has secured one Grand Prix win and numerous sprint podiums but has been vastly outperformed by Marquez on the same machinery. His struggle to recapture the winning edge he displayed in 2024 has been evident, as he cannot match the pace and consistency of his teammate, who has amassed nearly double the points.
4. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia): Breakthrough Form in the Latter Half of the Season
Bezzecchi, unranked in 2024, has quickly risen to 4th place with 156 points. After a slow start, he exploded into form with impressive points hauls including a lucky victory at Silverstone, capitalizing on a mechanical failure for a rival. His improved qualifying performances reflect his growing confidence, and as Aprilia remains the grid’s second-best bike behind Ducati, the battle for supremacy between Aprilia riders is set to intensify in the remaining races.
3. Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha): Unmatched Qualifying Pace Amid Race Day Frustrations
Quartararo has maintained his position as Yamaha’s strongest rider with 102 points and multiple poles in qualifying this season, though the Frenchman’s race results have been inconsistent due to Yamaha’s lack of overtaking power. The 2021 world champion continues to frustrate publicly due to the team’s slow development, especially concerning their new V4 engine project. Though not matching the sharpness of his past championship-winning years, Quartararo remains a crucial asset for Yamaha.
2. Alex Marquez (Ducati): Personal Best Season as a Solid Number Two
Alex Marquez has made significant strides, now second in the championship with 261 points and his best form in six MotoGP seasons. Riding alongside his older brother, he has showcased consistent podium finishes across both sprint and main races. His maiden Grand Prix win at Jerez highlights his growth, and his ongoing battle with Bagnaia and others for runner-up status adds a compelling layer to the championship story.
1. Marc Marquez (Ducati): The Season’s Unquestioned Dominator and Redemption Story
Marquez is the undisputed leader with 381 points, having claimed numerous victories in both the main and sprint races across premier events such as Thailand, Argentina, and the Czech Republic. At 32 years old and following four arm surgeries and two team changes, his reclamation of world championship contention is a remarkable comeback. His ability to win at tracks long considered difficult for him emphasizes his renewed competitiveness and tactical maturity. Marquez’s ascendance completes one of the most inspiring redemption arcs in world motorsport, poised to secure his first title since 2019 unless unforeseen events unfold.
Significance of Mid-Season Rankings and What Lies Ahead
The MotoGP 2025 top rider rankings underscore not only the dominance of Marc Marquez but also the shifting dynamics among challengers. His commanding lead reduces suspense over the champion but intensifies the battles for the remaining podium positions and team honors. Several riders, especially those recovering from injuries or adapting to new machinery, have opportunities to change the narrative heading into the final rounds.
As the season resumes with the European leg concluding and the Asian races beginning in September, fans will watch keenly to see whether Marquez can maintain his fleet-footed form and if contenders like Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, or Bezzecchi can mount a serious defense. Meanwhile, mid-field talents such as Viñales and Quartararo aim to climb back into contention despite their current setbacks. The outcome will likely influence contract talks, team strategies, and rookie promotions heading into 2026 when new regulations come into effect.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. Unfortunately, entertainment is more profitable than sports, so MotoGP is trying to benefit from this trend. However, MotoGP lacks the personalities needed to create exciting drama.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is well-known for being the only person ever to win World Championships in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1 car racing. He excelled equally in both sports, showing similar courage and talent whether on two wheels or four.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. Liberty Media, the company that owns Formula 1’s commercial rights, is now able to buy the MotoGP motorcycle championship. They got full approval from the European Union’s executive branch, the European Commission, to go ahead with the acquisition.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. The Ministry of Youth and Sports said hosting a Formula One race costs four times more than a MotoGP event. MotoGP races are also less expensive than Formula E competitions.
