The 2025 Portuguese MotoGP at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão delivered another breathtaking chapter in what’s shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in years. Marco Bezzecchi produced a faultless performance to take victory for Aprilia, mastering both tyre strategy and race pace in a contest defined by attrition and intensity.
Aprilia Star Claims Commanding Win As Bagnaia Crashes Out And Márquez, Acosta Complete The Podium
Early Drama & Mid-race Battles
The opening laps were chaotic, with Franco Morbidelli crashing out on the first lap after missing his braking markers and trying to force his way back into a packed turn. Joan Mir, running seventh early on, retired due to a technical issue, while Enea Bastianini also made a pit stop. The opening laps set the tone for Bezzecchi’s dominance, as he managed his pace and tyres expertly, while others struggled to recover from incidents and navigate through the track traffic.
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Mid-Race Battles and Tyre Strategy
For the Grand Prix, most riders switched from soft rear tyres in the Sprint to medium rear tyres paired with hard fronts, with Alex Rins being the only rider to use a medium front. This setup allowed Bezzecchi to maintain consistent lap times, while Acosta’s challenge faded midway through the race. Surprisingly, Márquez also dropped away from Bezzecchi by the halfway stage, opening the door for the Italian to pull clear.
Meanwhile, rookie Fermin Aldeguer made a sensational charge from 11th to finish fourth, even knocking some of Brad Binder’s aero in the process. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo held off Ai Ogura and Fabio Di Giannantonio for sixth, showing resilience despite Yamaha’s struggles this season.
Late Race: Bezzecchi Unstoppable
By the closing laps, Bezzecchi was well out of reach. Márquez held second, with Acosta completing the podium in third. Bagnaia’s crash from fourth effectively ended his hopes of finishing third in the championship. At the same time, other mid-pack battles saw Oliveira, at his final home race, finish 14th and Nicolo Bulega claim the final point in 15th.
Fermin Aldeguer finished fourth and Brad Binder in fifth, illustrating the intensity of the midfield fights despite Bezzecchi’s control at the front.
Full Race Results
- Marco Bezzecchi – 41m 13.616s
- Alex Márquez – +2.583s
- Pedro Acosta – +3.188s
- Fermin Aldeguer – +12.860s
- Brad Binder – +16.327s
- Fabio Quartararo – +18.442s
- Ai Ogura – +19.255s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio – +20.612s
- Johann Zarco – +21.040s
- Pol Espargaro – +26.517s
- Luca Marini – +28.226s
- Jack Miller – +29.717s
- Alex Rins – +30.372s
- Miguel Oliveira – +31.621s
- Nicolo Bulega – +32.072s
- Lorenzo Savadori – +39.869s
- Somkiat Chantra – +61.999s
- Enea Bastianini – +2 laps
- Francesco Bagnaia – DNF
- Joan Mir – DNF
- Franco Morbidelli – DNF
Race Analysis
Bezzecchi’s victory was built on precision, tyre management, and strategic control. By pulling clear midway, he avoided the battles and chaos behind him, a contrast to the sprint race, where Márquez and Acosta fought tooth-and-nail for the win.
Read More: Comeback Complete: Márquez Returns to Glory With Seventh Motogp Title in Japan
The Italian now consolidates his standing in the World Championship, with Bagnaia’s crash further strengthening Bezzecchi’s grip on third place. Rookie performances, like Aldeguer’s fourth-place finish, highlight the depth of talent emerging in MotoGP, while veterans like Quartararo continue to struggle to match the pace of the other manufacturers.
The Portugal GP marks the first time since 2020 that there have been six different winners in six consecutive races. Marco Bezzecchi leaves Portimão having turned a dominant performance into a vital championship advantage. With the season finale approaching, Aprilia’s confidence is at an all-time high, after winning three MotoGP races in a single season for the first time. Bezzecchi has now cemented himself as one of the standout riders of the 2025 campaign.
