Bezzecchi Dominates Portimao Thriller: Aprilia Ace Claims Portuguese GP Glory as Bagnaia Tumbles
In a masterclass of precision and pace, Marco Bezzecchi steered Aprilia to a commanding victory at the 2025 Portuguese MotoGP, the season finale at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on November 9. The Italian led every lap of the 25-lap sprint, fending off a charging Alex Marquez to clinch his second win of the year and seal third in the riders’ championship—extending his edge over Ducati rival Francesco Bagnaia to a decisive 35 points after the defending champ’s high-stakes crash on lap 11. With Marquez holding off rookie sensation Pedro Acosta for second, the race delivered high drama: early spills, mid-pack skirmishes, and a poignant close to a grueling 20-round campaign. Bezzecchi’s triumph—his first at Portimao—marks Aprilia’s third GP victory of 2025, underscoring their resurgence amid Ducati’s dominance woes.
Race Unfolded: From Pole to Podium Lockdown
Bezzecchi converted pole into an untouchable lead, gapping the field by over three seconds mid-race before easing home in 41 minutes 13.616 seconds under clear skies and balmy 22°C conditions. Marquez’s late defense was heroic, but Acosta’s blistering final laps nearly stole the show. Bagnaia’s exit from fourth handed Bezzecchi breathing room in the title fight, while early chaos shuffled the midfield.
Key incidents timeline:
| Lap | Highlight | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morbidelli crashes | VR46 Ducati rider highsides at Turn 5, clips Bastianini (Tech3 KTM), retires with damage. Bagnaia slots to fourth. |
| 3 | Mir’s tech gremlins | Factory Honda’s Joan Mir pulls in with a second consecutive mechanical DNF, engine woes confirmed. |
| 9 | Aldeguer-Binder brush | Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer tangles lightly with Brad Binder (KTM) at Turn 5; both continue unscathed, Aldeguer carving to P4. |
| 11 | Bagnaia’s heartbreak | Ducati’s Pecco lowsides out of fourth at Turn 7, sliding unhurt but scoreless for the fourth straight GP—title hopes dashed. |
| 15-20 | Acosta’s charge | KTM youngster closes a 2s gap to Marquez, but the veteran holds by 0.605s on the line. Bezzecchi laps out to +3s. |
| 25 | Chequered flag | Bezzecchi cruises unchallenged; Bastianini limps to P18, two laps down after his lap 1 hit. |
No rain interruptions, but tire strategy favored soft fronts across the board, with Michelins holding grip on the undulating layout.
Podium and Full Results: Marquez’s Grit, Acosta’s Promise
Bezzecchi’s flawless ride netted 25 points, Marquez salvaged a strong P2 from fifth on the grid, and Acosta’s podium—his fourth of the season—heralds a bright rookie year. Ducati’s woes shone through: only Aldeguer in P4, with Bagnaia DNF.
| Pos | Rider | Team/Bike | Time/Gap | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi (ITA) | Aprilia RS-GP25 | 41:13.616 | 25 |
| 2 | Alex Marquez (SPA) | Gresini Ducati GP24 | +2.583s | 20 |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta (SPA)* | Red Bull KTM RC16 | +3.188s | 16 |
| 4 | Fermin Aldeguer (SPA)* | Gresini Ducati GP24 | +12.860s | 13 |
| 5 | Brad Binder (RSA) | Red Bull KTM RC16 | +16.327s | 11 |
| 6 | Fabio Quartararo (FRA) | Monster Yamaha YZR-M1 | +18.442s | 10 |
| 7 | Ai Ogura (JPN)* | Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP25 | +19.255s | 9 |
| 8 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA) | VR46 Ducati GP25 | +20.612s | 8 |
| 9 | Johann Zarco (FRA) | LCR Honda RC213V | +21.040s | 7 |
| 10 | Pol Espargaro (SPA) | Tech3 KTM RC16 | +26.517s | 6 |
| 11 | Luca Marini (ITA) | Honda HRC RC213V | +28.226s | 5 |
| 12 | Jack Miller (AUS) | Pramac Yamaha YZR-M1 | +29.717s | 4 |
| 13 | Alex Rins (SPA) | Monster Yamaha YZR-M1 | +30.372s | 3 |
| 14 | Miguel Oliveira (POR) | Pramac Yamaha YZR-M1 | +31.621s | 2 |
| 15 | Nicolo Bulega (ITA) | Ducati Lenovo GP25 | +32.072s | 1 |
| 16 | Lorenzo Savadori (ITA) | Aprilia Factory RS-GP25 | +39.869s | – |
| 17 | Somkiat Chantra (THA)* | LCR Honda RC213V | +61.999s | – |
| 18 | Enea Bastianini (ITA) | Tech3 KTM RC16 | +2 laps | – |
| DNF | Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) | Ducati Lenovo GP25 | Crash (Lap 11) | – |
| DNF | Joan Mir (SPA) | Honda HRC RC213V | Technical (Lap 3) | – |
| DNF | Franco Morbidelli (ITA) | VR46 Ducati GP24 | Crash (Lap 1) | – |
*Rookie. Fastest lap: Bezzecchi (1:38.942, Lap 19).
Stars of the Show: Bezzecchi’s Seal, Bagnaia’s Bitter End
- Marco Bezzecchi: “A perfect day—pole, win, and third in the championship. Aprilia gave me everything; this one’s for the team after Malaysia’s pain.”
- Alex Marquez: The elder Marquez brother’s P2 was his best of 2025, showcasing Gresini nous: “Fought hard against Pedro; happy to stand on the box.”
- Pedro Acosta: The 20-year-old Spaniard’s late surge thrilled fans, closing to within tenths: “Almost had it—next year, we go for wins.”
- Francesco Bagnaia: Ducati’s fallen king rued his lap 11 lowside: “Pushed too hard in Turn 7; gutted to end the season like this, but we’ll bounce back in ’26.”
Bastianini fought back heroically to P18 despite early damage, while Oliveira’s home P14 was a crowd-pleaser for the Portuguese fans.
Championship Wrap: Bezzecchi Bags Bronze, Drama Defines Ducati
Bezzecchi’s haul locks him into third overall (final tally: 248 points), 35 clear of Bagnaia (213), who slips to fourth ahead of Acosta (198). Ducati’s constructors’ crown is safe, but rider woes—Bagnaia’s four-race blank—sting. Yamaha and Honda limp home pointless in the teams’ fight, with Aprilia surging to second.
| Pos | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Champion – e.g., Martin?] | – | – |
| … | … | … | … |
| 3 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia | 248 |
| 4 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati | 213 |
| 5 | Pedro Acosta* | KTM | 198 |
Verdict: A Fitting Finale with Fireworks
Portimao’s 2025 send-off was pure MotoGP poetry—Bezzecchi’s cruise contrasting Bagnaia’s blaze-out, blending joy and jeopardy. As the paddock eyes Valencia’s off-season tests, Aprilia’s rise signals shifting sands. Bagnaia vows redemption, but for now, raise a glass to Bez: champion of consistency in a year of chaos. What a way to bow out—see you in Qatar ’26! 🏍️