Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) produced a flawless experience to win the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal, main all 25 laps to take his third victory of the 2025 MotoGP season. The Italian’s efficiency moved him clear within the battle for third within the championship standings forward of Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) and Pedro Acosta (Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing), who accomplished the rostrum.
MotoGP Rider Quotes
Marco Bezzecchi – P1
“I’m extraordinarily glad. It was a superb race. I began nicely and managed to get out entrance right away. I actually felt good – higher than within the dash race. We labored late into the night time to attempt to discover that one thing extra, and this morning within the warm-up session, I realised instantly that I’d be capable to be extra aggressive and keep within the pack with the opposite favourites. I’m really glad that I used to be capable of win. It was an awesome race and an awesome day. An enormous thanks to all of Aprilia.”
Alex Marquez – P2
“I attempted to stick with Marco firstly of the race, however I rapidly realised that it might have been laborious to take action at this time. I saved my place whereas making an attempt to protect the entrance tyre. Ultimately, I used to be struggling precisely with the entrance finish, particularly within the remaining half. I had enjoyable, and customarily talking, it was a really constructive weekend.
Pedro Acosta – P3
“We didn’t have the very best grip from the start and that was the limitation for us. I used to be capable of be fast on the finish of the race – like yesterday – however we’ve issues to consider. We’ve got to be glad, once more we’ve back-to-back podiums. I need to thank all of the workforce, KTM, Dani and Pol. We all know our weak factors however we’re engaged on them and being on the rostrum once more is an effective sign.”
Fermin Aldeguer – P4
“It was an awesome race and we clearly did higher than yesterday, once we did nicely already. I wasn’t anticipating the entrance runners to maintain such a robust tempo, however we had a really constructive Sunday and with a greater qualifying, we might have been within the sport. We proceed to make expertise and develop: it’s not straightforward to be quick in each circuit, however at the least we’re at all times giving it a attempt.”
Brad Binder – P5
“Proud of the job at this time. I felt I may do one thing respectable after the Dash and the boldness I had. I felt nice on the bike and my guys did an awesome job. I used to be capable of get a very good begin and push on immediately. It was good to battle a bit and good additionally that the modifications we made offers a course for what we’d like additional.”
Fabio Quartararo – P6
“I used to be pushing from lap 1 till the top – in fact preserving in thoughts to not burn by way of the tyres, however I used to be not precisely managing the tyres both. It was a tricky one, however I feel we did an awesome job. This was the utmost that we may do with what we’ve. We’re working laborious on bettering. I feel it was good to show the Friday we had into an appropriate outcome on Saturday and Sunday.”
Ai Ogura – P7
“At the moment’s race was so much higher than yesterday. I may very well be a bit of bit extra aggressive within the first a part of the race, particularly within the first two laps and after that I may maintain my tempo. I managed to overhaul just a few riders later, so I’m actually glad in regards to the race and actually glad in regards to the efficiency in Portimao as a result of it was a observe that I at all times struggled on up to now. I felt I used to be fairly robust in sector one, however Johann (Zarco) was driving very well in flip 14 and on a regular basis I ready to overhaul him, he had a bit of bit extra and it wasn’t sufficient. It took a little bit of time to overhaul Zarco and I feel, if I may have managed to cross him a bit of bit earlier, possibly it might have been sufficient to meet up with Fabio (Quartararo) in entrance as nicely. It may have been higher however, as I stated, I’m very glad in regards to the race total and I felt fairly robust on the observe. It was a very good one.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio – P8
“The race was difficult proper from the beginning: sadly, we acquired caught in visitors within the first corners, so I needed to get well some positions. We made a variety of overtakes and a very good comeback, our tempo was robust. However we completed eighth, and I’m not proud of the outcome. The constructive factor is that the tempo was there, and the sensation was good. With a greater qualifying, we had the tempo to be within the Top5 at this time, so it’s one thing we have to enhance. We’re engaged on it and can maintain doing so for the top of the season.”
Johann Zarco – P9
“It’s good to attain factors once more with out crashing throughout the weekend, that was a small goal after the struggles in Asia. It’s higher to start out from this angle. The start of the race was fairly good, though I couldn’t overtake Quartararo. After that, I struggled and tried to remain as shut as attainable. Within the remaining levels, it wasn’t straightforward to maintain the tempo. I’m not driving the bike the best way I need, and we’re looking for an answer for that. Total, this weekend has been constructive, so we have to concentrate on that and maintain working.”
Pol Espargaro – P10
“Coming again right here in Portugal, with the ability to end the race within the high 10, and with the ability to carry again good data to the workforce, is one thing that I’m actually glad about. I really feel like I’ve closed the circle, I’ve completed the weekend right here that I didn’t end in 2023, so it’s a aid in some way, and we are able to all sort of shut that chapter. I hope that it’s the final time of the season that I’m racing, as a result of it might imply that Maverick Vinales is lastly match and able to come again. In case it’s the final time this season, I wish to thank the Tech3 workforce for the few rounds we’ve spent collectively, they’re household to me, so thanks to everybody for making me really feel at house!”
Luca Marini – P11
“This weekend we missed a bit of one thing. Within the morning, we tried a setting in Heat Up however it wasn’t sufficient for what we had been concentrating on. I made a extremely good begin to the race and made up a variety of floor, however then I used to be not driving nicely within the first half of the race. We’re nonetheless making an attempt a variety of issues, generally they work and generally they don’t. We have to analyse all the things nicely and test the information within the wider context as a result of it is a very distinctive observe. On paper Valencia must be extra constructive for us to finish the 12 months accurately.”
Jack Miller – P12
“Sunday went a bit of higher than yesterday. I had a good begin and tried to problem the fellows forward of me, however there have been some areas the place I used to be actually struggling — particularly on the exit of turns 14 and 15, and likewise by way of flip 6. When the tire began to drop, it simply acquired tougher and tougher; the bike was pumping like hell, and I used to be simply making an attempt to do the very best I may. So, not proud of the day, however we‘ll attempt to do higher in Valencia.”
Alex Rins – P13
“It was a extremely tough weekend for us. It was laborious to overhaul in at this time’s Race, however I attempted my greatest, ranging from P17. I had the medium entrance as a result of yesterday I used to be struggling on the laborious. On Friday my feeling was so good with the medium tyre, and I feel it was the precise alternative for me at this time. We additionally modified the suspension a bit in comparison with yesterday. It was a bit higher however not sufficient. For the final GP subsequent week, we simply must benefit from the remaining Dash and Race, as a result of the Tuesday after that the brand new season will already start.”
Miguel Oliveira – P14
“I‘m actually proud of my race, particularly contemplating the place we began on Friday. We managed to remain near the opposite Yamahas, in what we knew can be a tricky weekend. It wasn‘t a simple race — it was laborious to handle the rear spin, and when there was a bit extra grip, the bike felt actually unstable. Issues acquired higher in the direction of the top, and I used to be capable of push and do some quick laps. Actually, it was the very best I may do. Earlier than the beginning, my daughter gave me the Portuguese flag, and with the gorgeous tribute I obtained, it was actually laborious to place the helmet on and concentrate on racing. However once I crossed the end line, it felt like 100 kilos had been lifted off my shoulders. It‘s been such an emotional and particular week — one I‘ll always remember.”
Nicolò Bulega – P15
“At the moment was certainly a greater day. Yesterday, within the Dash, I made a rookie mistake and solely accomplished just a few laps. The aim for at this time was due to this fact to complete the race and achieve as a lot expertise as attainable, whereas making an attempt to know the bike higher and the numerous areas that make it so completely different from the Panigale. Within the final six or seven laps, my tempo wasn’t too dangerous; I used to be capable of be fast and to shut the hole to the riders forward of me. Then, sadly, I made a mistake that price me three or 4 seconds. I bridged the hole as soon as extra, however it was too late. The essential factor was to complete the race and convey this expertise with me to Valencia, and all in all, it went nicely.”
Lorenzo Savadori – P16
“The race was constructive and I spent a lot of it within the group battling for factors. We tried just a few attention-grabbing options that allowed us to enhance anyway. It was a beautiful day for Aprilia, with Marco’s victory which repays all of the laborious work we’ve been doing on creating and rising the bike. I’m glad for everybody and for Aprilia.”
Somkiat Chantra – P17
“At the moment I struggled within the braking areas; in the beginning, it was tough, I instantly misplaced the group. From the center of the race till the top, I attempted to take care of my tempo, however it was laborious to set constant lap occasions. Within the remaining laps, I struggled with each the entrance and the rear. Total, it was a tricky weekend, however we’ll see what we are able to do in Valencia.”
Enea Bastianini – P18
“Sadly, I had contact with Franco Morbidelli who was too optimistic at flip 5 within the opening lap, and that broke my entrance fairing, the steering in some way was locked into the fairing, I couldn’t flip correctly, so it was essential to cease and alter. We rejoined the observe, and we did a extremely good race, with a tempo that may have allowed me to battle for the highest 5 at this time, so it’s irritating in fact. If you begin from the again, you might be at all times going to face potential troubles within the midpack, so clearly, we should enhance qualifying, as at all times.”
Joan Mir – DNF
“Our begin at this time was good, and I made up some locations, however I noticed some warnings with the bike. A technical situation, sadly, once more put us out of the race, not the identical as on Saturday, however the engineers are checking all the things very deeply. It’s painful as a result of we had some potential within the race, however that is what can occur. The constructive is that we had good velocity all classes and we had been capable of enhance and maintain the tempo of the opposite riders. Yet another probability to attempt in Valencia, the motivation continues to be excessive to finish the season in the best way that we all know we are able to.”
Francesco Bagnaia – DNF
“After yesterday’s grip points, at this time I used to be merely making an attempt to stick with the frontrunners. I gave it my all, however sadly, they had been sooner than me. My margin to the riders behind was growing, however then I crashed. I entered flip ten a bit sooner than ordinary, and whereas making an attempt to decelerate, the entrance tucked. I used to be pushing laborious, and these items can occur. The constructive word is that we made a step ahead in comparison with yesterday, so we’ll attempt to do our greatest within the remaining Grand Prix of the season.”
Workforce Managers
Massimo Rivola – Aprilia Racing
“Marco was merely excellent, from the beginning all the best way to the ultimate lap. This morning within the warm-up session, we had already seen that he was greater than okay with the medium tyre, and we had hoped that he’d be capable to make a play for the win. Nonetheless, I feel he demonstrated an undisputed superiority at this time. After we handle to be extra ready already on Friday, we’re at all times in it for at the least the rostrum, and we might have been in Sepang as nicely. Ogura did nicely too; it was nice to see him experience like he is aware of how, and it’s a pity about Raúl, who was unable to take part within the race because of a crash in FP1. Every thing Sava examined all through the weekend was good, too. One of many goals was to take second place within the Producers Championship, and now we’ve clinched that. The subsequent aim is to make sure third place for Marco, and we’ll need to do no matter it takes to realize that. We’ve been working extraordinarily nicely in Noale for a while now, and I’m really happy with everybody who’s working within the manufacturing unit. We hope to have an awesome remaining race and an excellent take a look at, as a result of we have to be protagonists out of the gate in 2026.”
Aki Ajo – Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing Workforce Supervisor
“We’re actually proud of at this time’s efficiency: two riders within the high 5 and one on the rostrum. We’ve labored all 12 months to have strong outcomes and with Pedro and Brad within the high 5 is basically good for us in the mean time. Typically, we’re actually glad with the weekend and particularly on Saturday, with this opportunity to battle for the win till the flag. It gave us a lift and we hoped to have that probability once more at this time so we have to analyze why we weren’t fairly as shut. Now we transfer on to the ultimate race after which the primary take a look at in the direction of 2026 and we’ll maintain pushing with the constructive work we’re making.”
Massimo Meregalli – Monster Vitality Yamaha Workforce Director
“At the moment’s outcomes had been broadly in keeping with our expectations heading into the Race. Whereas our ambition is at all times to battle on the entrance, we knew realistically that this may be a difficult process. Fabio delivered an excellent efficiency – his driving was distinctive – and securing sixth place was the very best final result below the circumstances. Álex, sadly, was unable to interact within the battles as he had hoped, leading to a solitary and comparatively uneventful race for him. We are going to now overview all the information from this weekend and concentrate on making ready totally for the ultimate spherical of the 2025 season in Valencia.”
Pablo Nieto – VR46 Workforce Supervisor
“It was an advanced weekend. Yesterday, Diggia had an awesome Dash – ending within the Top5 from the third row is a wonderful outcome. It’s a pity that at this time’s race begin wasn’t good, however he made a robust comeback with an awesome tempo. We have to work on having a greater qualifying session to start out additional up the grid and be quick within the opening laps of the race. Sadly, Franco’s weekend wasn’t straightforward, as he couldn’t discover the precise feeling. At the moment he crashed throughout the race, however, fortunately, the medical doctors confirmed that there aren’t any accidents. That is a very powerful factor.”
Davide Brivio – Trackhouse Aprilia Workforce Principal
“It was a very good race from Ai – it seems like we’re again to regular. He had a very good restoration from his beginning place and was as much as seventh with a very good battle, so we actually loved watching him driving and we’re glad about this. In fact, it was a pity not having Raul right here with Aprilia being in a good condition on this observe however as we stated, the precedence is to get him absolutely recovered for subsequent week. So, we’re trying ahead to go to Valencia, making an attempt to maintain the momentum going with Ai and get well Raul.”
Nicolas Goyon – Purple Bull KTM Tech3 Workforce Supervisor
“Initially, I actually wish to thank Pol Espargaro who did one other unbelievable weekend for us. I do know he was not 100% prepared to exchange Maverick this week because the choice was made fairly late, and everyone knows that the final time he was in Portugal was a nasty reminiscence. It was for certain not straightforward mentally, however we’re actually glad that he acquired ‘closure’ with this observe, with two high 10 outcomes this weekend, and with our workforce additionally, so thanks for all the things Pol. Alternatively, congratulations to Enea Bastianini for his by no means give-up perspective at this time. He had an early contact which broke his fairing, and in some way blocked the steering of the bike. He got here again for a fast repair, after which rejoined the race. He rode a extremely quick tempo, near the highest 5 tempo, and he clocked the fifth quickest lap at this time, which exhibits he had a extremely good potential at this time. Anyway, that offers us a variety of hope heading to the final race, and we are going to do all the things we are able to to complete the season on a very good word. See you subsequent week in Valencia for the ultimate spherical!”
Gino Borsoi – Prima Pramac Yamaha Workforce Director
“It‘s the top of a really emotional and essential weekend, contemplating it was Miguel‘s final MotoGP race in entrance of his house followers. He, like the entire workforce, labored actually laborious to ensure this may be a weekend to recollect, and in reality, his race tempo was undoubtedly good, in keeping with the opposite Yamaha riders. Sadly, his outcome was clearly compromised by his beginning place. I need to give him a giant hug for what he did in what was, for him, a really emotional and tough weekend — I understand how a lot stress he needed to take care of. With Jack, however, we had been hoping to do a bit higher; the aim was to complete inside the highest ten, however the vital drop within the rear tire and the large actions, particularly within the final nook, didn‘t permit him to experience as he wished. He misplaced a variety of velocity on the exit of the final nook, which made it unattainable for him to defend himself. We‘ll attempt to bounce again this coming weekend in Valencia.”
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