2025 Malaysian GP: Ducati one-two marks the end of Bologna’s dominance

The most recent Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, not far from the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, provided great entertainment and a result that was unexpectedly close. After all, there was no indication at the start that Ducati would rise to dominance with every lap, in what is likely to be their final appearance there for the time being. After the crucial qualifying session, not a single Desmo rider was in the top five. KTM hero Pedro Acosta led the way ahead of Zarco (Honda), Miller (Yamaha), Mir (Honda) and Quartararo (Yamaha) – that was the initial picture in the tropics.

Alex Márquez, who would go on to reach peak form by the chequered flag on Sunday, had only just managed to secure direct entry into Q2 in ninth place – behind KTM stand-in rider Pol Espargaró. Even more astonishing: despite good conditions, Pecco Bagnaia hadn’t found his rhythm and had to go into Q1 on Saturday. But there, the Italian showed he was back on form – he went on to secure pole position straight away. Ducati was back. With Alex Márquez (Gresini) and Franco Morbidelli (VR46), the front row was now fully occupied by Ducati riders. Only behind them were Fabio Quartararo, KTM ace Acosta, rookie Aldeguer and Honda’s hope Joan Mir.

Hours later, the field set off for the sprint race. Not only was Marc Marquez absent from Sepang, but last year’s world champion and Sepang winner, Jorge Martin, was also still sidelined with injury. Espargaro rode for Viñales (KTM), whilst Marc Márquez was replaced by Michele Pirro and Martín by Savadori.

Over the short distance, the Ducati riders didn’t put a foot wrong – even though Pedro Acosta did everything he could to bring victory back to Austria. For a few laps, Acosta kept Bagnaia and Alex Márquez on their toes, but initially the Spaniard wasn’t even allowed onto the podium. After ten laps, he crossed the finish line in fourth place behind Fermín Aldeguer, a good five seconds behind winner Pecco Bagnaia. The podium place went to Acosta nonetheless – Aldeguer had been riding with tyre pressure that was too low and was handed an eight-second time penalty. Even with the penalty, Aldeguer was still celebrated. In the battle for the best rookie, the tall Spaniard ultimately prevailed over Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra.

Ducati-Triumph im Sprint mit Aldeguer als bestem Rookie 2025

Foto: Gold and Goose

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And what of Aprilia ace Marco Bezzecchi? He had failed to make the cut in qualifying, finishing 14th. Although he fought his way up to sixth place, the Aprilia rider had already been forced to retire before the first lap of the race a year ago.

Before the action got underway on Sunday, there was a need to come to terms with the darker side of the sport. Before the start of the Moto3 race, Switzerland’s Noah Dettwiler and champion Jose Antonio Rueda had collided so dramatically that Dettwiler was fighting for his life – only to win the race the very next day!

Sieger Alex Marquez mit Acosta (KTM) und Honda-Pilot Mir (re.)

Foto: Gold and Goose

Meanwhile, the battle for the GP victory was raging on the track. It seemed all but certain to go to Pecco Bagnaia, as the Grand Prix had developed into an XL version of the sprint race, but then still managed to throw up some surprises. To the shock of Ducati Lenovo, Pecco Bagnaia suffered a technical issue – specifically with his rear tyre. The two-time world champion was forced to coast to a halt with a slow puncture two laps before the chequered flag. Alex Márquez, who had previously overtaken Acosta, took the lead.

Japanische Bikes zeigten auf: Mir (3.) und Quartararo(5.)

Foto: Gold and Goose

For Pedro Acosta, second place was a huge success in the heat of Malaysia. The same applied to Joan Mir. The Mallorcan had managed to fight his way up from row 3 to third place and secure another podium finish for Honda ahead of Japan. Marco Bezzecchi had a Grand Prix to forget, with the Aprilia rider crossing the line in eleventh place. It was all the more surprising, then, when ‘Bez’ took the lead in MotoGP just two weeks later – a lead he would hold for no less than nine months.

Marco Bezzecchi kämpfte in Sepang im Mittelfeld: Platz 11

Foto: Gold and Goose