Marc Marquez wins Aragon GP to complete perfect weekend
Marc Marquez claimed a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the Aragon Grand Prix today. (EPA Images pic)
ALCANIZ : Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the championship today.
Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium.
Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1,043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat as the pole sitter and sprint winner claimed a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track.
Such was Marc's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session – including warm-ups, practice and qualifying – since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015.
'It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration,' said Marquez, who now leads Alex by 32 points in the championship.
'As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance.
'And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top.'
The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels.
Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock.
Perfect launch
Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season yesterday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into Turn 1.
Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on.
Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him.
The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane.
But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium.
Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Portugal claim Nations League crown after perfect penalty performance against Spain
MUNICH (Germany), June 9 — Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich yesterday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. 'Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today,' Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. 'When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat.' After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was 'equal'. 'We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you,' he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portuguese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Yamal made big Ballon d'Or statement against France, says De la Fuente
Spain's Lamine Yamal (right) fends off a challenge from France's Desire Doue during the Nations League semifinal match. (EPA Images pic) MADRID : Lamine Yamal's match-winning performance against France in the semi-finals of the Nations League on Thursday has underlined his Ballon d'Or credentials, said Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. The 17-year-old Barcelona sensation lifted Spain to a thrilling 5-4 win over France by scoring twice, which sent the holders through to their third successive Nations League final where they will face Iberian neighbours Portugal. The contest to lift the prestigious golden ball trophy in September is widely seen as one between Yamal and France forward Ousmane Dembele, with both playing crucial roles for their clubs and countries this season. 'Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d'Or,' De la Fuente told broadcaster RTVE. 'He's the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.' The 28-year-old Dembele, a former Barcelona man, can boast of the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup and French Super Cup titles this campaign, while Yamal has La Liga, Spanish Cup and Spanish Super Cup to his name. 'I always say the same thing to mum, that I try to give my all,' Yamal said. 'That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It is why I play football. It's always best to speak on the pitch. 'Dembele is a great player, we saw that in the Champions League, but I am happy that we're the ones in the final.' The nominees for the 2025 edition of the Ballon d'Or award, which covers Aug 1-July 31, will be announced at the start of August, with the ceremony taking place on Sept 22.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Fan dies after falling from stands at Nations League final
Representatives from both sides expressed their sympathies after the finals match between Portugal and Spain. (AFP pic) MUNICH : A spectator was killed after falling from the stands at the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich today, UEFA confirmed to AFP subsidiary SID. The fan fell from the central tier during the first period of extra time into the press box in the lower tier. Paramedics and police rushed to the scene to assist the fan. A UEFA spokesman said there had been a 'medical emergency' and confirmed that a fan had 'sadly' died during the match. Representatives from both sides expressed their sympathies after the match, won 5-3 by Portugal on penalties after the game finished 2-2. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made a statement to express his condolences to the fan at the post-match press conference. 'I want to show my deepest condolences because a fan has died. It reminds us, of what is important in life.' A representative of the Portuguese team made a similar statement of condolences, saying the death 'casts a shadow on our victory today'. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez echoed the sentiments, saying it was 'extremely sad news'. The supporter is estimated to have fallen around 8m. How the fan fell or under what circumstances is unclear.
