Marc Marquez Dominates Austrian Grand Prix Sprint, Extends Championship Lead
Marc Marquez claims his 20th victory of the season in the Austrian Grand Prix sprint, finishing ahead of his brother Alex Marquez.
“Super special sprint victory because I want to say that it's for Pau Alsina. We miss him...”
Marc Marquez dominated the Austrian Grand Prix sprint, securing his 12th win in 13 races this season. Starting from fourth on the grid, Marquez executed a flawless race, calmly overtaking his brother Alex with five laps to go at the Red Bull Ring.
Marquez finally broke his Austrian curse, achieving his first win of any kind at the track. Alex Marquez finished second, with Pedro Acosta completing the podium for the home KTM team. The championship leader's win further widened the gap between him and his teammate Francesco Bagnaia, who retired from the sprint race due to rear tire issues.
Gold medal number 12 for @marcmarquez93 in 2025 🥇#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/JWrAuaGJma
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2025
Key Highlights of the Sprint Race:
- Winner: Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo)
- Runner-up: Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati)
- Third Place: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM)
- Notable Retirement: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) due to rear tire issues
- Marquez's Dominance: 12th sprint win in 13 races this season
Marc Marquez solidified his lead in the MotoGP championship standings with a thrilling sprint victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. He now holds a significant 123-point advantage over his brother, Alex Marquez, who finished second in the sprint race. Meanwhile, Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia's chances were dashed due to bike issues that forced him to retire, widening the gap to 180 points behind Marc Marquez.
The day is done for @peccobagnaia ❌#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/EwmApbqbcb
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2025
It's worth noting that another source indicates a 120-point lead for Marc Marquez over Alex Marquez, but the 123-point margin is consistently reported across multiple sources. Bagnaia's retirement was attributed to rear tire issues, which significantly impacted his race.
Pedro Acosta secured third place for KTM in their home race, capping off an all-Spanish podium alongside Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez. Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia finished fourth after starting from pole position, a notable achievement despite not reaching the top step.
“I was super confident in the start and then I was able to be second but I saw immediately that it was quite difficult to be close to Alex,” said Marc Marquez, who is unbeaten since the British Grand Prix in May.
“I decided to wait a bit and when the tyres start to drop is when I feel better and I started to push.”
Marc Marquez dedicated his Austrian Grand Prix sprint victory to Pau Alsina, a 17-year-old JuniorGP Spanish rider who tragically passed away due to injuries sustained in a training accident last month. Marquez paid a heartfelt tribute to Alsina, saying, “Super special sprint victory because I want to say that it's for Pau Alsina. We miss him.”
As a poignant gesture, Marquez pointed to Alsina's number 26 on the back of his helmet, emphasizing the emotional significance of the win. This victory marks another milestone in Marquez's dominant season, but more importantly, it serves as a tribute to Alsina's memory.
“I don't know what will happen tomorrow but the race is for him.”
Mixed Start for Bezzecchi and Bagnaia
Marco Bezzecchi claimed his first pole position with Aprilia but was quickly overtaken by the Marquez brothers at the start of the Austrian Grand Prix sprint. The brothers' swift maneuver dropped Bezzecchi to third place. Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia suffered a wheelspin that sent him plummeting 11 places down to 14th.
Pedro Acosta seized the opportunity to move up to third place, executing a smooth overtake on the inside of Bezzecchi. Alex Marquez set the early pace, posting the fastest lap and establishing himself as a contender for the win.
Pedro Acosta's momentum was short-lived as he began to lose ground to the Marquez brothers, who have dominated the sprint format this season. The brothers' exceptional speed and consistency left Acosta and others struggling to keep pace.
Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia faced a disastrous sprint race, struggling with bike issues that dropped him to the back of the field. The frustration was evident as he retired from the race, his face visibly upset inside the pit lane.
Marc Marquez seized the opportunity to take the lead from his brother Alex with five laps to go, overtaking him on turn three. He quickly began to pull away, extending his advantage to over half a second just two laps later. Marquez's dominance was evident, and he cruised to his 20th victory of the season in sprints and races.
Alex Marquez was pleased to finish second, bouncing back from missing the podium in the previous two rounds. Despite being outpaced by his brother, Alex demonstrated strong form and consistency, further solidifying his position in the championship standings.
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