Márquez Crowned Seventh-Time Champion After Bagnaia Win

Written by Ramiza Donlic

Marc Márquez claimed his seventh world title at Motegi with a masterclass comeback I Credits: Michelin_Sport via X

Marc Márquez sealed his seventh MotoGP world title at Motegi, six years after his last championship, completing a remarkable comeback after years of injuries. The weekend was shaped by Francesco Bagnaia, who won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix itself, while Márquez finished runner-up in both events - enough to secure the crown.

Grand Prix Final Results

1st - F. Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team, 42:09.312

2nd - M. Márquez, Ducati Lenovo Team, +4.196

3rd - J. Mir, Honda HRC Castrol, +6.858

4th - M. Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, +10.128

5th - F. Morbidelli, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, +10.421

6th - À. Márquez, BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, +14.544

7th - R. Fernandez, Trackhouse MotoGP Team, +17.588

8th - F. Quartararo, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, + 21.160

9th - J. Zarco, Castrol Honda LCR, +21.733

10th - F. Aldeguer, BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, + 23.107

11th - E. Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3, + 23.616

12th - B. Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, + 23.882

13th - F. Di Giannantonio, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, + 29.359

14th - M. Oliveira, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, + 30.788

15th - S. Chantra, Idemitsu Honda LCR, + 30.990

16th - M. Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech3, + 31.712

17th - P. Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, + 34.157

18th - A. Rins, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, + 34.792

OUT - J. Miller, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, 21 laps

OUT - T. Nakagami, Honda HRC Test Team, 19 laps

OUT - E. Bastianini, Honda HRC Castrol, 2 laps

Sprint: Bagnaia on Top, Martin Crashes Out

Saturday´s Sprint race delivered both action and decisive championship consequences. Francesco Bagnaia claimed his first Sprint victory of the season, converting pole into a controlled win. Marc Márquez pushed late to overtake Pedro Acosta and secured second place, finishing 1.842 seconds behind Bagnaia. Acosta completed the podium.

The biggest incident came on the opening lap: Jorge Martín misjudged a braking maneuver and collided with Marco Bezzecchi, eliminating both. Bezzecchi crashed and Martín was sent to the medical center. Martín suffered a broken right clavicle, ending his hopes of challenging Márquez in the championship.

At the start of the Sprint, Bagnaia converted pole into a lead over Joan Mir and Márquez. Acosta pushed aggressively early and overtook both to chase Bagnaia, briefly putting pressure on the leaders. Márquez, after some tussles with Mir, eventually made his way past to secure second.

By mid-race, Bagnaia had established a comfortable margin, two seconds ahead of Acosta. Márquez was locked in battle behind, attempting multiple passes. In the closing laps, Márquez overtook Acosta to secure second place, finishing 1.842 seconds behind Bagnaia.

Race Day:

The Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi was more than just another round of the championship for Marc Márquez: it was his first chance to clinch the MotoGP world title with Ducati, and he made it count.

In the race, Márquez finished second behind his teammate Francesco Bagnaia, who crossed the line first despite technical issues. Third place went to Joan Mir on Honda.

Early in the race, Pedro Acosta ran with the front group but faded badly, eventually finishing only 17th. Among the KTM riders, Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder were best-placed in the 11th and 12th place.

Márquez´s younger brother, Àlex Márquez crossed the line sixth. In the standings, however, he slipped to sixth overall, trailing his brother by 201 points.

A historic comeback for Marc Márquez

This result secured Marc Márquez´s seventh MotoGP title, six years after his last world championship. Now 32, Márquez´s comeback has been dramatic: a broken upper arm in 2020, multiple operations and a series of injuries forced him to spend years off the top step.

His previous six titles all came with Honda. This season he has set a new points record: 541 points, 11 wins and 14 podiums.

With seven premier-class crowns, Márquez equals Valentino Rossi´s tally. Only Giacomo Agostini, with eight, remains ahead of him.

At the podium ceremony, Márquez admitted how emotional the journey had been. He spoke about the battles he had endured, the difficulties along the way and stressed how important it was to savor this moment.

Although the title race is already decided, the championship calendar still includes races in Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and Portugal.

For Márquez the focus is now on finishing the season in dominant style. For the rest of the grid, there is still plenty at stake.

Tune in for the next race in Indonesia from the 3th to 5th October.