MotoGP: Five winners in the last five GPs and two new MotoGP victors in the last two – there’s everything to play for as we arrive in Malaysia
The final stop on our flyaway tour, Sepang hosts MotoGP’s Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. We trade the chilly edge and blustery winds of Phillip Island for the intense humidity of south east Asia where it’s all eyes on the fight for second – and whether or not there’ll be a late surge for a top four placing further down. With seven winners already in 2025, will we see greatness with an eighth this weekend? If recent form is anything to go by, it’s more than possible…
STATE OF PLAY: MotoGP’s unpredictability continues to Malaysia
With Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) all out injured and replaced by Michele Pirro, Lorenzo Savadori and Pol Espargaro respectively, MotoGP remains even harder to forecast than ever. The title is already wrapped up and it looks set to be a Marquez 1-2, with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) within striking distance of securing the runner-up spot if things go his way in the Sprint. His form at Sepang promises much, too. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is the #73’s closest rival now, ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in the standings. Bezzecchi has been the stand-out rider across the last two rounds but hasn’t been able to take victory on Sunday since Silverstone – with five winners from the last five, can he add his name to the streak at Sepang?
TIGHTENING FOR 4th: Bagnaia, Acosta and Di Giannantonio
Bagnaia’s last two weekends have been the most challenging he’s had in MotoGP but Sepang may offer a reprieve. Winner in 2024 and 2022 and P3 in 2023, as well as happy memories from his Moto2™ crowning moment in 2018, Pecco hopes to be back in contention at a circuit that suits his hard braking style. The #63 is only 41 points ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) too, who has become a firm fixture in the podium fight. But with a Sprint rostrum and P5 on Sunday in Australia, the quest for his first MotoGP win continues. 17 points further back, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is back in the hunt for the top five overall after his Phillip Island podium. He missed Sepang in 2024 and was injured in testing there this year, so it’s a weekend of putting the past behind him for the #49.
FRESH FEEL: the new kids on MotoGP’s winning block
Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) are the two newest winners in MotoGP after their stunning rides in Indonesia and Australia respectively. A winner at Sepang in Moto2™ two years ago, Aldeguer hopes to get back towards the podium after a challenging time at Phillip Island whilst Fernandez rides the crest of a wave. Two Sprint podiums and a Grand Prix victory from the last two rounds, he’s now in the top ten in the overall standings and just 20 adrift of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman splits both of them in the standings and returns to a place where he and Yamaha have often been competitive – and where their pre-season promised much.
OUTSIDERS: upturns in form further back
All KTMs were in the top ten last time out and if qualifying improvements can be made, the likes of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and 2023 Malaysian GP winner Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) could be challenging for the top six too. Bastianini was on the podium in both the Sprint and Grand Prix at Sepang last season and the aim will be more of the same. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) claimed a second top six in a row last weekend, making it his fifth top ten from six and is now just eight points away from being the top Honda overall in the standings. Making it his first back-to-back top ten finishes since the start of 2023, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) returns to the track of his best result from 2024 and hopes to make it three in a row. Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing) is also out to bolster the ranks for Yamaha, but wildcarding the V4-powered YZR-M1.
BOUNCING BACK: points to prove with three to go
Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had an Australian GP to forget and is now 25 points off Acosta and fifth overall whilst Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) dropped out of the top ten in the standings following his Phillip Island fall. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) took his first Sunday points since Barcelona and seeks a return to the top ten in Malaysia, whilst a bittersweet taste lingered for Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) last time out, having crashed on Sunday after his P4 in the Sprint. It’s six points-scoring finishes in a row for teammate Miguel Oliveira, who hopes to extend his run to seven for the first time since 2022 and is a Moto2 winner at Sepang from 2017. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda) completes the running and aims to get back in the points; he was in the top ten in the last two Moto2 Grands Prix in Malaysia.
After another unpredictable weekend, more records are on the line… can Sepang host another twist in the tale? Tune in this weekend to find out!
For more MotoGP info check out our dedicated MotoGP News page
Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com
©Words/Images are from an official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com
Call BikeSure on 0800 089 8070 (UK) using the code G4423 for a motorcycle insurance quote
* Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and make a purchase. Any money made goes straight back into the website and magazine. Your support is appreciated!
* Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and make a purchase. Any money made goes straight back into the website and magazine. Your support is appreciated!
