The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, which began on April 25, is proving to be a crucial crossroads for the MotoGP season, with Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia who broke the silence on his situation in Ducati, launching a decisive message before the race. Marc Marquez, leader of the championship, replied with his usual grit, while Honda emitted a warning that shook the paddock. On a day marked by the tour of Alex Marquez and by the surprising competitiveness of Fabio Quartararo, Jerez promises a weekend of fire, with bright rivalries and very high expectations.
Bagnaia, back from a 2025 season dominated by teammate Marc Marquez, has openly spoke of the difficulties encountered with the Ducati GP25. After a third place in the standings, 26 points behind Marquez, Pecco admitted to Crash.net: “Marc is pushing the bike beyond the limits, but I am finding my pace. Jerez is my track, and I’m ready to answer.” His trust derives from the three consecutive successes in Jerez from 2022 to 2024, including the memorable duel with Marquez last year, which left signs of tires on their suits. However, Pecco recognized that Marquez’s supremacy, with seven wins out of eight races, requires a change: “I have to better manage the sprints and find constancy.”
Marc Marquez, who established an unstoppable rhythm with the official Ducati, did not hesitate to respond. After closing fourth in the free practice, behind his brother Alex, he said: “Pecco is strong, but Jerez is unpredictable. I’m giving everything, but I’m not to my best.” His dominant season, with three great prizes and all four sprints won, makes it the favorite, but the almost-accident in curve 6 during the tests reminded everyone how thin the margin of error is. Marquez, who refused a 100 million euro offer from Honda to join Ducati, aims to match the record of 22 consecutive victories of the Japanese company with a triumph at home.
Despite the difficulties, Honda launched a warning that surprised the paddock. Joan Mir, fifth in FP1, showed signals of improvement, and team manager Alberto Puig said: “Don’t underestimate us. We are working on new solutions, and Jerez could be a turning point.” The Japanese company, who has lost Marquez after years of successes, is trying to relaunch himself, with Johann Zarco and Luca Marini who test crucial components for 2026. However, their distance from the Ducati remains evident, and the focus is on Monday’s post-game test, where new parts will be tried.
Alex Marquez stole the scene with the round of 1: 35,991, returning to the track after a fall in curve 5. His performance pushed Marc to call him “the strongest” to Jerez, a recognition that underlines the golden moment of the Gresini pilot. Quartararo, third in FP1 with a revitalized Yamaha M1, added an element of unpredictability, declaring: “We can fight for the podium.” His fall and the return to the track have shown a determination that could upset the plans of Ducati.
The chaos of the tests, with accidents of Miller, Fernandez, Ogura and Binder, highlighted Jerez’s difficulty, aggravated by the new Michelin tires. Morbidelli, third for VR46, and Acosta showed talented flashes, but the Ducati of Marc, Pecco and Alex remain the machines to beat. Bagnaia, who will tester new components for the GP25 on Monday, underlined the importance of not lowering the guard, a feeling shared by the boss Ducati Gigi Dall’Igna, who praised Marquez but warned: “The rivals are close”.
Jerez, who celebrates 40 years from opening, is ready for an epic weekend. The rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez, fueled by Marc’s words and the response of Marc, is the centerpiece of the race, but Quartararo and Honda could play the role of outsider. With the Andalusian public in delirium and the track that hosted legendary duels, the question is: will Bagnaia be able to overturn the season, or will Marquez consolidate his domain? One thing is certain: Jerez will be the scene of an unforgettable battle.
