Marc Marquez dominates Mugello with perfect weekend and Italian MotoGP victory
But he claimed his fifth win from nine Grands Prix in what has been a dream first campaign with Ducati's factory team, and his first victory at Mugello since 2014.
The 32-year-old started on pole but didn't have it all his own way, not securing first place until lap nine as he, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia exchanged the lead with some thrilling riding.
The Ducati rider came through a brilliant early battle with his brother Alex, in second, and teammate Francesco Bagnaia to extend his championship lead over his sibling to 40 points after also winning Saturday's sprint race.
Marc Marquez won the Italian MotoGP on Sunday to complete a perfect weekend at Mugello and continue his bid for a seventh elite world title.
Marc Marquez Dominates 2025 MotoGP Season, Surpassing Bagnaia and Drawing Closer to Rossi's Record
Marc Marquez has now won the sprint and main race at the Thailand, Argentina, Qatar, Aragon and Italian MotoGPs so far in 2025. He is already red-hot favourite to draw level with great rival Valentino Rossi on seven world crowns, and move one behind all-time record winner Giacomo Agostini.
That would be a bitter pill to swallow for retired Rossi who has openly called Marquez a 'dirty' rider who actively worked to stop him from winning what would have been his eighth world title a decade ago. Italian motorcyling fans still blame Marquez for crashing into Rossi in that year's penultimate Malaysian MotoGP, even though their hero was the one punished by having to start the final race of 2015 at the back of the grid, virtually guaranteeing Lorenzo the title.
Marc Marquez was loudly booed by a significant portion of the Mugello crowd after Saturday's sprint race to the point that team manager Davide Tardozzi stormed over to the stands to tell fans to 'shut up'.
But on Sunday the local supporters cheered him after he pulled even further away from local hero Bagnaia, a two-time world champion who is now 110 points off the pace in the standings after finishing fourth.
Bagnaia had won the previous three races at his home track of Mugello but ended up losing a podium place to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rides for Ducati satellite team VR46 Racing, with two laps remaining.
It was a frustrating day on home soil for Bagnaia, and the latest disappointing result in a season in which he has been eclipsed by Marc Marquez.
AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Spanish coach Riveiro lays down the law for Ahly stars
Riveiro moved to Ahly last May and has yet to celebrate a victory. Spanish coach Jose Riveiro has laid down the law to the stars of African giants Al Ahly of Egypt as they prepare for another CAF Champions League campaign. Cairo-based Ahly have won the elite African club competition a record 12 times — seven times more than closest rivals Zamalek of Egypt and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo. ALSO READ: Ouaddou 'disappointed' after Pirates loss to Gallants But last season they fell in the semi-finals to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, losing the tie on away goals after Yasser Ibrahim conceded an own goal in the final minute of regular time. Defeat was particularly painful for the Cairo Red Devils as it was the fourth time they had won back-to-back titles only to fail to create history by lifting the trophy three consecutive times. After three seasons and five trophies with Orlando Pirates in South Africa, Riveiro moved to Ahly last May and has yet to celebrate a victory. Ahly drew with Inter Miami and Porto, who they led four times, at the Club World Cup in the United States and lost to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. If the 49-year-old Spaniard believed the Egypt Premier League kick-off last weekend would bring a chance of fortunes, he was mistaken. Away to Modern Future, who finished 14th last season, Ahly had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw thanks to a Yassin Marei goal. 'There is no place for names, and no room for favouritism,' said a visibly angry Riveiro after that match. 'Whoever proves himself in training and in matches will get chances — whoever disobeys instructions will have no role in the team.' – No future – Queried by reporters about his line-up, Riveiro said: 'I am the coach and I decide who participates and who does not'. Riveiro stressed to his squad the need for full commitment to his tactics, warning those who failed to follow them would have no future at Ahly. He echoed the comments of the last two Ahly coaches, South African Pitso Mosimane and Swiss Marcel Koller, that Ahly want to win every competition they are involved in. But Riveiro knows winning the Champions League is of paramount importance for several reasons, including qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup. They have a first round bye in qualifying and will tackle the winners between Aigle Noir of Burundi and ASAS of Djibouti for a place in the group phase. The Club World Cup this year gave Ahly and the other three African representatives, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casblanca of Morocco, unrivalled riches. Each club received $9.5 million for qualifying plus an additional $2 million for a win and $1 million for a draw. Sundowns did best, taking home $12.5 million. Wydad will not be involved in the coming Champions League as they finished third in the Moroccan league, leaving champions Renaissance Berkane and runners-up FAR Rabat to represent the kingdom. FAR and the other seven quarter-finalists last season, including eventual champions Pyramids of Egypt will be back, and the field includes 10 former champions and six winners of other CAF competitions. Pyramids will face Rwandan army outfit APR for the third straight season in qualifying and will be expected to complete a hat-trick of aggregate victories. Should the defending champions advance, they will face Insurance of Ethiopia or Mlandege of Zanzibar for a group place.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Dricus du Plessis wants to be the GOAT ahead of Khamzat Chimaev clash
Dricus du Plessis aims to prove his status as the Greatest Of All Time in the UFC Middleweight division as he faces Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, highlighting his unorthodox style and determination to defeat top opponents. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP Image: Phill Magakoe / AFP Ahead of his UFC Middleweight title fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Saturday, Dricus du Plessis wants to be regarded as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). That's no small claim, but it's in line with the high-level trash talk the South African engages in ahead of all his fights. The fact is, this will be the third title defence fight for Du Plessis when he steps into the Octagon in Chicago, USA, on Saturday. While Du Plessis realistically can't be regarded as the greatest middleweight fighter just yet, he acknowledges he needs to bag a few more high-profile victories. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Du Plessis on Defeating the Best: 'It's About Who You Beat While You Were There' 'To be the greatest, it's not how many guys you beat or how long you were at the top; it's about who you beat while you were there,' said Du Plessis. 'I don't want to be the guy who held the belt and [beat] selected opponents. I want to fight the best of the best and that's what I've been doing. 'Every time you step in there, you're going to face the next most dangerous guy… once again, I'll show my improvements and why I am the champion.'
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
What is the biggest urban legend? Will Skelton's airport trips or Rassie Erasmus' mind games?
Wallaby lock Will Skelton showed his value in the Test series against the British and Irish Lions. Image: DAVID GRAY / AFP Standing at 2.03m and 145kg, and wearing size 19 boots (it doesn't matter if it's US or UK 19, does it?), Will Skelton is built like a brick outhouse. Over the years, there have been many urban legends about the big Wallaby lock. Many of them probably originated in Australian bars and were greatly exaggerated as the evening edged closer to bad-decisions-o'clock. One such tale involves Skelton going through airport security and being unable to fit through the full-body scanner. Before bringing out the metal detector, legend has it the security officer asked Skelton if he had any guns, to which he replied: 'I only have these biceps and a half-eaten protein bar…' However, on a rugby field, the legend of Will Skelton is very, very real. A big, intimidating bruiser, he brings a hard and physical edge to any team he plays for. Just ask the British and Irish Lions about Skelton's presence in the Wallabies' line-up for the second and third Tests of their recent tour Down Under. While Skelton was on the field, the Wallabies scored more points than the tourists. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Wallabies beefed up their pack for the second Test, bringing in Skelton and No 8 Rob Valetini to combat the brutality that helped the Lions win the first Test in Brisbane. In the first half of that second Test, Skelton and Valetini carried with real venom, giving the Wallabies' inexperienced backline some front-foot ball to challenge the Lions. Skelton also got in the faces of the visitors, making his presence felt. However, when Valetini didn't return after the break and Skelton was subbed off early in the second half, the Wallabies' physical edge dropped back to Brisbane levels again. The Lions dominated at scrum time and began to gain the upper hand at the breakdown, winning collisions and momentum. They ended up scoring a last-minute try to clinch the series with a Test to spare. Skelton was again a key player for the Wallabies in the third Test and managed to go the distance thanks to an extended half-time break caused by a thunderstorm. This time, the Wallabies held on for the win. It will be interesting to see how the Wallabies use Skelton over the next two weeks in their Rugby Championship openers against the Springboks. This could be one of the reasons why Bok coach Rassie Erasmus hinted at Monday's surprise early team announcement that he may make a late change depending on the Wallabies' bench. For the Australians to compete against the Springboks, they need to front up physically, and they need their biggest beast, Skelton, on the field.
