Spielberg 2025: The fans witnessed Bezzecchi versus Marquez, version 1.0

What do the podium at the last MotoGP race in Misano have in common with the premier class’s final sprint at the Red Bull Ring? It’s not just a question for die-hard insiders: everything. Just as was the case last Sunday at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Marc and Alex Márquez, along with Pedro Acosta, were invited to the winners’ ceremony.

But the parallels don’t end there: Marco Bezzecchi, who had fully found his rhythm on the Aprilia RS-GP by late summer 2025, was the fastest MotoGP rider over a single lap. Albeit by just 0.016 seconds – pole position went to Aprilia works rider Marco Bezzecchi, just as it had most recently at Misano. What’s more: following the one-two in Italy and the sobering setback for Aprilia Racing, Marc Marquez leads the championship for the first time in 2026.

Ließ nichts anbrennen in Österreich: Doppelsieg für Marc Marquez

Foto: Gold and Goose

When the action got underway at the Red Bull Ring a year and a month ago, Marc Marquez had long been considered a shoo-in for the world title. ‘MM93’ arrived in Styria with a staggering 120-point lead over his brother Marc – even though the Austrian Grand Prix, as the twelfth round, was scheduled much earlier in the calendar. Pecco Bagnaia, who still harboured hopes of securing the runners-up spot in Austria in 2025, is now fighting to stay in the top 10 of the overall standings.

Conditions in Spielberg were unusual, as it grew progressively cooler throughout the event. Whilst qualifying took place in temperatures of over 30 degrees, the temperature fell below that mark on Sprint Saturday. During the Grand Prix race, the temperature did not rise much above 20 degrees. However, all sessions in the premier class took place on dry tarmac.

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Kampf ums Podest in Spielberg: Acosta gegen Aldeguer

Foto: Gold and Goose

The falling temperatures also meant that KTM wildcard Pedro Acosta’s performance dipped over the course of the Austrian GP. On a sweltering Friday, Acosta was on a par with the championship leader, but on Sunday the youngster, much loved by the fans, missed out on the all-important GP podium, finishing fourth. In between, as mentioned, he secured a celebrated third place on Saturday behind the Marquez brothers. With an eye on the upcoming spectacle, Enea Bastianini is also in the spotlight. Last year, the Italian finished ahead of Acosta on the Tech3 bike, and ‘La Bestia’ was also competitive in the Grand Prix, finishing fifth.

Alongside the resurgence of the home riders from Mattighofen, the most recent Austrian Grand Prix was dominated by the duel between Ducati and Aprilia, and between Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi. Whilst Jorge Martin had only returned at Brno the race before following an extended injury lay-off, Bezzecchi had now fully settled into the black RS-GP from Noale. With a time of 1:28.0, ‘Bez’ took pole – though he remained three tenths of a second off Jorge Martin’s record set in 2024. The number 72 was pursued by three Ducati aces: Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez.

Mir (Nr.36) vor Bagnaia und Binder: enger Dreikampf um Platz 6

Foto: Gold and Goose

Whilst Yamaha had already dropped to the back of the field, the Honda riders were now benefiting from the increased power of the RC213V. Joan Mir and Johann Zarco had made it into Q2 13 months earlier, and Mir finished sixth in the GP, ahead of Bagnaia and Binder (KTM).

Thanks to an outstanding performance from Marc Marquez, there were no dramatic show-down manoeuvres in the final corners. The Lenovo rider, who had to fight his way to the front in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, managed to open up a decisive gap on the final lap. Curiously: Marc Marquez won both races by a margin of 1.1 seconds. Unlike his brother Alex, the challenger on GP Sunday came as a surprise. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer shone from sixth on the grid; the Spaniard fought his way past everyone, right up to number 93, over the 28-lap distance.

Bezzecchi versus Marquez hieß es schon im August 2025

Foto: Gold and Goose

In between, the fans witnessed a remarkable battle between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian put up a long fight, launching spirited counter-attacks. However, the aggressive ride ultimately saw the by far fastest Aprilia rider finish in third place. With this result, Bezzecchi launched a successful challenge for third place in the World Championship from Bagnaia.

Back to the common ground. Following the recent events at Misano, Marc Marquez is once again regarded by many as the undisputed favourite for the World Championship. Then as now, Spain’s MotoGP icon leads the standings – and Marco Bezzecchi is the fastest man over a single lap. But now, only 33 points separate the two riders, down from 240. The situation is made all the more intriguing by Jorge Martin. The fastest rider ever at the Red Bull Ring heads to Austria level on points with the champion, but with fewer race wins to his name.