MotoGP: Marc Marquez arrives into an emblematic venue in Germany – can he be halted against the odds?
Quirky, unique and entertaining – the track layout at the Sachsenring makes it a place like no other on the calendar; seven consecutive left-handers, rising up hills to drop down the other side, it’s fast, relentless and there’s no rest to grab a breath. Over the years, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has made it his kingdom, this really is his happiest of hunting grounds. 8 MotoGP™ wins in a row from 2013 to 2021 – the latter of which marked his comeback to the top step after injury – there’s a reason why he’s the favourite this weekend.
TARGET #93: going for nine on Germany soil
Magic at Mugello, awesomeness at Assen and a stellar performance at the Sachsenring? That’s the plan: Marc Marquez has a 68-point advantage over brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). The #93’s form at the Sachsenring is spectacular and with his brother injured after his Assen fall, he could do some serious work to extend the Championship lead. Alex himself will need to pass a Thursday medical check if he’s to participate; a podium last year is his highlight in Germany.
As for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), the #63 was victorious at the Sachsenring last year and he’ll be desperate to try and claw points back on the second place battle. Not in the top three but right there across the weekend, Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) speed is undoubted but perhaps luck is something he’s missing come the Sprint and Grand Prix. Four poles in 2025, will the Sachsenring reward his efforts?
BEZZECCHI AND ACOSTA: a Sachsenring surprise?
Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) wrote plenty of headlines at Assen for a superb performance. Pushing the #93 all the way until the end, ‘Bez’ took P2 and closed in on the top four overall. Never on the podium in Germany in MotoGP, there’s a first time for everything… Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team) was another one who was strong at Assen, his seventh top eight in a row. P7 was the order of the day in 2024, can he be in the podium fight again and leapfrog Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) in the standings, the latter of which aims for a top ten return? In front of all of them, the forever-tied together Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducatis of Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio: just three points split them in P4 and P5.
ON THE CHARGE: Viñales in form, Fernandez improving
Acosta wasn’t the only KTM on the charge last time out; Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) once again raced up the order and clinched fifth at the chequered flag. A first podium with the Austrian brand eludes him but he’s knocking on the door, just 12 points behind Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in the standings. Aldeguer crashed out at Assen but should be good to go for the Sachsenring. A tricky run of bad luck for Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) after a DNF last time out in the Netherlands has coincided with his teammate Raul Fernandez’s upturn in performance. A solid fixture in the top ten since Le Mans, he hopes to improve on his P10 from the Sachsenring 12 months ago. Both are split by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who has high hopes coming to Germany and a circuit he enjoys.
ATTACK FROM BEHIND: Yamaha seek race-pace gains
Three KTMs were in the top ten at Assen, courtesy of Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The #23 still lacks one-lap pace but could a short and sharp Sachsenring work in his favour? He’s just ahead of Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) but the Italian likely returns this weekend after being out injured. Teammate Joan Mir crashed at Assen and his best result at the Sachsenring dates back to a P7 in his rookie 2019 campaign. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP duo Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira will hope to improve Yamaha’s race results for Germany. Fast over one lap, they continue to seek a translation of the potential and strong points in low-grip conditions. Taking his and Thailand’s first MotoGP points last time out, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) will sadly be on the sidelines for this GP and next after a training accident, and any possible replacements aren’t confirmed yet, so we wait and see.
The Sachsenring is the home of MotoGP in Germany; last lap classics and flag-to-flag showstoppers have all occurred around this 3.671km venue. Track position more key than ever, qualifying will shape everyone’s weekend. In front of a huge German crowd and at the halfway point of 2025, make sure you watch the stories unfold for Round 11!
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