The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal delivered a MotoGP Sprint classic on Saturday as Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) edged out Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by just 0.120 seconds in a breathtaking duel that kept fans on their feet until the final corner.
Márquez and Acosta went wheel-to-wheel in a spellbinding 12-lap battle at the Algarve International Circuit, while Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) joined the fight to complete the podium just half a second adrift. The trio put on a show of elite racecraft, fearless overtakes, and relentless pace — a performance that will be remembered as one of the standout sprints of the 2025 season.
Bezzecchi launched perfectly from pole, taking the holeshot into Turn 1, with Acosta and Márquez close behind. By the second lap, the KTM prodigy made his move — diving into Turn 1 to snatch the lead. Márquez, charging with purpose, followed suit a lap later to demote Bezzecchi to third.
The leading trio quickly broke away from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), opening a 1.5-second gap by Lap 3.
Turn 1 became the battlefield of choice as Márquez and Acosta traded blows lap after lap. Márquez’s precise braking and Acosta’s aggressive mid-corner drive produced an exhilarating back-and-forth, neither giving an inch. Each time Acosta lunged for the lead, Márquez countered — often reclaiming the advantage at the very next corner.
With three laps remaining, Márquez began to edge away, finding just enough rhythm to fend off Acosta’s charge. Bezzecchi, watching closely from third, remained within striking distance but couldn’t quite mount a final attack.
Heading into the last lap, Márquez led by 0.4 seconds, with Acosta throwing everything at him. The rookie sensation closed the gap but couldn’t find a way through as Márquez defended flawlessly to take a hard-fought victory — his first Sprint win of the season.
Bezzecchi crossed the line third after a superb display of consistency, marking a strong weekend for Aprilia Racing.
“That was one of the toughest but most enjoyable battles of my career,” said Márquez. “Pedro is an incredible rider — he pushed me all the way. I had to be perfect every lap. Huge thanks to my team; the bike was fantastic today.”
Quartararo delivered a steady performance to secure P4 for Yamaha, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) finished fifth.
Gresini teammate Fermín Aldeguer claimed P6 after a last-lap scrap with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), who edged Pecco Bagnaia to seventh as the Ducati star lost ground in the fight for third overall in the championship standings. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top nine, earning the final Sprint point.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
