MotoGP: landmark success for Alex Marquez as Michelin contributes to new Jerez records
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) claimed his maiden MotoGPTM win at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain, Round 5 of the 2025 world championship. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) joined the podium celebrations for the first time in a long while, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) next in third place. The performance of Michelin's tires over the Andalusia weekend contributed to three new records for Jerez. Read on for more about what happened at the #SpanishGP.
Marquez leapt from fourth at lights-out to appear rapidly in second spot behind pole-sitter and early leader Quartararo. The Spaniard clearly had good pace since he twice bettered the race-lap record before setting a new benchmark (1m37.349s) on the fourth of the afternoon's 25 laps. He eventually took control when he passed the Yamaha star in style on Lap 11.
Running on medium MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear like the entire field, the Ducati rider soon pulled out a comfortable gap and went on to collect the first MotoGPTM victory of his career. On his way to becoming the 62nd different rider to win a grand prix on Michelin rubber, he posted a new shortest race-duration record for the Spanish fixture.
Quartararo qualified on pole with a new record for Jerez (1m35.610s) and followed up with a solid display that kept him clear of Bagnaia (3rd) to pocket the silver medal.
Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) rounded the top five.
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) won Saturday's sprint but lost a chunk of ground the next day due to a mistake on Lap 3. He recovered to take the flag in 12th position.
Michelin's Power Slicks delivered their customary confidence-boosting cocktail of grip and consistency over all three days, with Alex Marquez improving on the previous record for the track as early as Friday afternoon. That effort was consequently beaten by no fewer than seven riders in qualifying, with Quartararo having the final word. Marc Marquez covered the sprint race's 12 laps 20 seconds quicker than last year's duration, while the unanimous choice of medium slicks all-round contributed to an entertaining grand prix that produced plenty of overtaking and two further records.
Alex Marquez (140 points) has emerged at the top of the provisional Riders' leader-board on 140 points, one point clear of brother Marc. Bagnaia is third, a further 19 points adrift.
Next round: MICHELIN Grand Prix de France, Le Mans (May 9-11).