Kuala lumpur: BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider Alex Marquez believes he pulled off a 'near perfect race', following some early setbacks during a challenging weekend, to romp to victory in the 2025 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Spaniard Marquez, who started from second on the grid moved past Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo in the second lap before pulling away, admitted that early crashes during Friday's practice session almost derailed his rhythm and confidence. Marquez reflected on his performance, stating, "I mean it's true that I made a mistake this weekend, you know, expecting things to be too easy and later on when you start the weekend with a crash already in Free Practice 1, (and) again a crash in the practice, it was quite complicated."
During the weekend, adjustments were made which led to his success on race day. "We turned things around in quite a good way. So, today the plan was clear. We improved a little bit the feeling on the warm-up and later on I was clever on the plan to attack Pecco (Bagnaia) in the second lap and then just try to manage the tyres until the end," Marquez elaborated during the post-race press conference.
Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Pedro Acosta, who finished second, commented that the race was physically demanding but rewarding. Joan Mir of Honda HRC Castrol, who secured third place, remarked on the challenges posed by the sweltering heat and tyre management, making it one of the toughest races of his career, but expressed satisfaction with his second podium finish following the Japanese GP last month.
With the victory, Alex Marquez has accumulated 413 points, placing him behind his brother, world champion Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team, who leads with 545 points. Marc Marquez is out for the rest of the season due to injury. Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing is in third with 291 points, while Bagnaia, who retired in lap 13, sits in fourth with 286 points in the world championships standings after 20 races. Acosta holds fifth place with 260 points, and Mir is in 15th place with 93 points.
The season will conclude with two more races: the GP of Portugal at the Algarve International Circuit from Nov 7-9, and the GP of Valencia at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit from Nov 14-16.