Sachsenring 2025: Marc Marquez makes short work of it – pole, one-two

A year ago, ahead of the races in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, the focus was initially on the bigger picture – and a sense of relief. With a firm handshake, the contracts to host the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring were extended. Thanks to continued huge visitor numbers, everyone involved managed to secure the racing spectacle in the east. Until at least 2031, the GP heroes will be hurtling down the waterfall behind the paddock.

To keep the German Grand Prix exciting for the long term – and to prevent it from being handed over from the outset to serial winner and Sachsenring specialist Marc Marquez – the weather intervened. Rain on Saturday threw the proceedings into disarray at times – and also had an impact on the rest of the season. During qualifying, KTM Tech3 rider Maverick Viñales crashed and injured his shoulder. An incident that not only ruled him out of the 2025 season but also derailed the Spaniard’s future career.

Johann Zarco überraschte mit Startreihe 1 in Sachsen

Foto: Gold and Goose

Last season’s dominant rider, however, remained error-free. Marc Márquez was unstoppable on a wet Sachsenring – ‘MM93’ secured pole position ahead of Honda hero Johann Zarco and Aprilia rider Bezzecchi. The Italian, who had finished on the podium in both races at the previous event in Assen for the first time on the RS-GP, initially continued to show consistency in Germany too. In the sprint, still on a wet track, ‘Bez’ put Marquez under pressure but was ultimately beaten by a second. Joining him on the podium was Fabio Quartararo. The second Frenchman had at least qualified for the second row and beaten Fabio Di Giannantonio in the battle for third place. His compatriot Zarco, by contrast, was pushed back to P7 over the short distance.

Alex Marquez landete klar vor Bagnaia – aber hinter Bruder Marc

Foto: Gold and Goose

Topic of the week

From major doubts to a major spectacle: why GP fans have reason to be delighted

Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Read more

TV program

Tomorrow

Sachsenring: International Livestream - Freitag

MotoGP World Championship

10.07.2026 - 08:55

The German Grand Prix then took place on a dry track, but the conditions were so tricky that the race would go on to be the one with the most retirements of the 2025 season – partly because, due to Viñales’ injury and Enea Bastianini’s absence through illness, the entire Tech3 team did not even start the race. After 30 laps, only 10 riders crossed the line, with two Spaniards at the front – and two Spaniards at the back (Fernandez and Rins).

Marc Márquez proved unbeatable at the Sachsenring in July 2025 as well. The Ducati-Lenovo rider finished over six seconds ahead of his brother Alex and over ten seconds ahead of his team-mate Pecco Bagnaia. It was the seventh one-two on the road to the title and another clear statement to the MotoGP field. With a triple victory for Bologna, there was still no sign of Aprilia – partly due to Marco Bezzecchi’s crash and Jorge Martin not even starting the race.

Der Sachsenring-GP 2025 endete für Marco Bezzecchi im Kies

Foto: Gold and Goose

Whilst Yamaha Racing celebrated Fabio Quartararo’s fourth place, the KTM camp were tearing their hair out. After finishing ninth in the sprint, Acosta ended up off the track. Only Brad Binder managed to bring the RC16 home in seventh place. There was also a sense of dismay in the Honda camp, as Le Mans winner Zarco was unable to capitalise on his second place on the grid. The LCR-Honda was also among the eight retirements in Saxony.