Latest news with #ItalianMotoGPGrandPrix
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
EU Commission Approves Liberty Media's $4.4 Billion Purchase of Motorsport Series
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The European Commission has granted an unconditional approval to Liberty Media Corporation for the purchase of MotoGP rights owner Dorna Sports for a reported $4.4 billion. Popular for owning Formula One, Liberty Media is a renowned player in the sports, media, and entertainment sector. It will acquire 84 percent of Dorna, while the remaining 16 percent will be retained by the MotoGP management. The deal is expected to be concluded by July 3, 2025. The acquisition of MotoGP means the premier class of motorcycle racing, and F1 will now be under the same ownership. Liberty Media's high-profile takeover of MotoGP came under scrutiny from the European Union towards the end of 2024. An investigation was conducted to assess the deal's potential impact on broadcasters and streaming platforms, since both forms of motorsports fall under a single ownership umbrella. Ducati Lenovoi Team's Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez steers his motorbike ahead of the pack during the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix at Mugello circuit, in Mugello, near Florence, on June 22, 2025. Ducati Lenovoi Team's Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez steers his motorbike ahead of the pack during the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix at Mugello circuit, in Mugello, near Florence, on June 22, 2025. TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images The deal was expected to close last year, but the investigation for potential anti-competitive effects caused delays, and a purchase of MotoGP was possible only after Liberty Media received official approval. While the deal's impact on MotoGP cannot be assessed, one can only anticipate an upward trajectory, considering the way F1 has grown globally, especially in the American market since its acquisition by Liberty Media in 2017. European Commission approves Liberty Media's acquisition of MotoGP™ Read more here: — MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 23, 2025 Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, who will continue to manage the two-wheeled sport, looks forward to accelerating MotoGP's growth. He said in a statement: "We are very happy that the European Commission has approved the transaction. This is an important milestone confirming the even brighter future that lies ahead for MotoGP. "MotoGP is one of the most thrilling sports on Earth, and we look forward to accelerating the sport's growth and expanding its reach to even more fans around the world. Liberty is the best possible partner for our sport and the entire MotoGP community, and we are excited to create even greater value for our fans, commercial partners and everyone competing." Liberty Media President and CEO, Derek Chang added: "Today's approval from the European Commission marks the final condition to closing Liberty's acquisition of MotoGP. We are thrilled to officially commence Liberty's partnership with Carmelo and his excellent management team. "MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile. We believe the sport and brand have significant growth potential, which we will look to realize through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience."
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Marc Marquez completes perfect Mugello weekend with Italian MotoGP triumph
"I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit I started to give everything, and yeah happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend." Winner Ducati Lenovoi Team's Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium with the trophy after the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix at Mugello circuit, in Mugello, near Florence, on June 22, 2025. (Picture: Tiziana Fabi / AFP. 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. 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. 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. 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. 'Super happy' 'I already understand this morning that it was a super special for them (Ducati), even for me because I feel part of them, and yes super happy,' he said. 'We managed the race in the beginning, Pecco and Alex, they know that a few times I'm struggling a bit then they attack me. 'I was calm and then when the tyres dropped a bit I started to give everything, and yeah happy to take the 37 points in this amazing weekend.' 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 motorcycling 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 on the podium 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.
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Marc Marquez dominates Mugello with perfect weekend and Italian MotoGP victory
THAT WINNING FEELING Winner Ducati Lenovoi Team's Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium with the trophy after the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix at Mugello circuit, in Mugello, near Florence, on June 22, 2025. Picture: Tiziana Fabi/AFP 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
