Marco Bezzecchi
Despite Marc Marquez’s sheer dominance over the field during the 2025 MotoGP season, there were plenty of impressive individual performances on display as he took his seventh world title in the premier class.
There were a total of seven different riders to stand on the top step of the podium during MotoGP’s recently concluded 2025 term, with each of them serving up a masterclass in race craft to get the job done.
Marc Marquez’s chokehold on the position at the front of the pack made it difficult for others to get a chance at seeing the chequered flag first, but that only meant that they had to raise their own individual standards in order to claim the top spot.
In the end, the Spaniard’s superiority was unable to be consistently countered over the course of the season, but at certain races, he was usurped by those who simply wanted it more.
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5. Francesco Bagnaia at the Japanese Grand Prix
The struggles that Francesco Bagnaia wrangled with at Ducati during the 2025 MotoGP campaign are a leading factor as to why he occupies a spot in this list.
The #63 entered the race weekend at Motegi amid a string of technical woes and mounting pressure. However, Bagnaia found his form at a track he loves, during the same weekend that his Borgo Panigale counterpart secured the title.
He dominated the proceedings from Friday through Sunday, executing a flawless performance that saw him take pole position, the Sprint race win and Grand Prix victory, with the fastest lap, in Japan without conceding the lead for a single corner.
The perfect weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix provided much-needed redemption for the reigning champion. Bagnaia’s ability to shut out the external noise and perform under immense scrutiny showed that he hadn’t lost any of his talents on two wheels.
Unfortunately, the rout at Motegi would not prove to be a turning point for the Italian rider’s season, with Bagnaia retiring from the following five Grands Prix to round out the season.
4. Fermin Aldeguer at the Indonesian Grand Prix
Fermin Aldeguer was already in the midst of a promising rookie season before the Indonesian Grand Prix, but added the cherry on top by claiming his maiden MotoGP win to become the first since Jorge Martin in 2021 to do it in their inaugural season.
The Gresini rider’s quest was aided by Marc Marquez and pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi crashing out on the opening lap, but the Murcian native brilliantly kept his cool at the front of the pack after taking charge of the race.
He withstood pressure from his fellow Murcian, Pedro Acosta, to stretch out a lead and take the chequered flag nearly seven seconds ahead of the KTM star, who is still searching for his maiden win despite having an extra year of experience under his belt.
His maiden victory in his debut season sent shockwaves through the paddock, confirming Aldeguer’s status as a future star for the Borgo Panigale-based Ducati outfit.
3. Alex Marquez at the Catalan Grand Prix
The Catalan Grand Prix provided the first real contest between the high-flying Marquez brothers of Alex and Marc.
The atmosphere in Barcelona was electric as the two local heroes battled for brotherly supremacy.
In a high-stakes game of chess at the Montmelo-based circuit, Alex showcased a defensive masterclass after crashing out of the lead in the Sprint race on the day prior.
The younger Marquez brother resisted every overtake attempt from his elder, maintaining his focus to take the chequered flag by just under two seconds ahead of Marc.
Crucially, the feat marked the first time Alex defeated Marc in a straight fight for position.
The victory served as a definitive statement that could shape the narrative of the upcoming season, where both of the Marquez brothers will be racing atop factory Ducati machinery.
2. Marc Marquez at the Thai Grand Prix
Marc Marquez started his career with the factory Ducati team with absolute perfection.
The Spaniard arrived at the Buriram-based circuit with a point to prove, asserting his dominance from the very first practice session. He was untouchable in his new red overalls.
He secured pole position with a record-breaking lap, leaving any questions about what kind of calibre Marquez we would see in 2025 answered.
A Sprint race victory preceded sheer dominance in the Grand Prix, where Marquez ‘perplexed’ Francesco Bagnaia by conceding the lead due to tyre pressure issues before storming his way back into the front by the chequered flag.
Marquez’s quest for a seventh world title was truly on the cards, and the Ant of Cervera backed it up with another perfect weekend at the following race weekend in Argentina.
1. Johann Zarco at the French Grand Prix
Johann Zarco achieved the victory of a lifetime at the French Grand Prix in May, winning his home race for the very first time in dominant fashion.
The Frenchman sent the Le Mans crowd into a frenzy, delivering a masterful performance in damp conditions that served as the only win for Honda throughout the season.
His formidable pace left Marquez unable to make up ground on the LCR Honda rider, which ensured Zarco’s victory, and also marked the biggest winning margin of the 2025 term.
Was Johann Zarco’s French Grand Prix win the best race of 2025?
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This triumph was a significant milestone for both rider and manufacturer, proving that the RC213V was on the right development trajectory for Honda’s future MotoGP endeavours.
Despite the legendary constructor’s recent struggles in the premier class, this solitary victory provided a glimmer of hope and was crucial in the Japanese constructor’s step up in concessions rankings at the end of the year.
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