Valencia MotoGP Finale: Triumph and Tribulation as Season Closes

The curtain fell on the 2025 MotoGP season at the Valencia Grand Prix, a race that, despite the championship already being decided in September, delivered a final act of high drama, unexpected results, and significant implications for teams and riders heading into the winter break and beyond. While the victor’s identity remained largely unchallenged throughout the race, the battle for the remaining podium positions produced a series of surprises, marking both breakthroughs and disappointments for several key figures in the paddock.

Aprilia’s Dominant Display

Aprilia emerged as the undeniable victor of the Valencia weekend, securing a resounding 1-2 finish, a feat the Italian manufacturer had not achieved since 2023. Marco Bezzecchi led the charge, claiming his third victory of the 2025 season, while teammate Raul Fernandez delivered a career-defining performance to secure second place.

This dominant display marked a fitting end to a season where Aprilia had consistently demonstrated the potential of its RS-GP machine, often outpacing its rivals in terms of outright pace. However, a combination of rider errors, mechanical issues, and strategic missteps had previously prevented the team from fully capitalizing on its competitive advantage.

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In Indonesia, the RS-GP’s superiority was evident, yet the team only managed a sixth-place finish. The Portuguese GP saw Bezzecchi as the sole standard-bearer after Fernandez’s withdrawal due to a practice crash. Valencia, however, saw everything align perfectly. Bezzecchi, securing a clean start, avoided the issues that had plagued him in the sprint races, while Fernandez, displaying exceptional speed and confidence, charged through the field.

Fernandez’s performance was particularly noteworthy. Overtaking seasoned competitors like Fabio di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez with apparent ease, the Spaniard closed the gap to Bezzecchi, showcasing the full potential of the Aprilia machine. This result provided a significant confidence boost for Fernandez, who had only secured his maiden podium finish just over a month prior in Australia.

Adding to Aprilia’s positive weekend, 2024 champion Jorge Martin, making a comeback from injury, completed 15 of the 27 laps, further bolstering the team’s optimism heading into the 2026 season.

Acosta’s Struggles

In stark contrast to Aprilia’s success, Pedro Acosta endured a difficult weekend in Valencia, failing to secure a podium finish and casting doubts on his immediate prospects for victory. After expressing cautious optimism about his chances in the final European rounds, Acosta’s outlook shifted following a defeat to Alex Marquez in Saturday’s sprint race. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider suggested that it could take up to a year before he finally stood on the top step of the podium.

Acosta’s struggles in Valencia were multifaceted. Despite topping Friday practice, he could only manage fifth in qualifying in a tightly contested field. In the sprint race, a strong start placed him behind Marquez, but he lacked the pace and tire life to challenge his rival. On Sunday, Fernandez and di Giannantonio overtook him on faster Italian bikes, leaving him off the podium.

While Acosta had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, including leading the majority of the sprint race in Portugal, his inability to convert potential into tangible results raised questions about his development and KTM’s competitiveness.

Honda’s Quiet Achievement

Honda, a fallen giant striving to reclaim its former glory, achieved a significant, albeit unconventional, victory in Valencia: escaping the lowest tier of MotoGP’s concession system. This regulatory change, while seemingly a loss of advantage, was a key target for the Japanese manufacturer.

Honda’s decline in recent years has been well-documented, with the RC213V struggling to compete with its European rivals. However, the team has worked diligently to address the bike’s weaknesses, and the progress made throughout the year was evident in Valencia.

Joan Mir’s podium finishes in Japan and Malaysia were testament to Honda’s improvement, while Luca Marini’s steady performance in Valencia, climbing from 13th on the grid to finish seventh, secured the points needed for Group C status.

Marini’s performance was particularly commendable, especially given the incident on Saturday where Mir wiped him out on the second lap. His ability to overcome this setback and deliver a crucial result highlighted his commitment and resilience.

Bagnaia’s Dismal End

Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 campaign ended on a sour note, with the reigning champion being taken out of the race on the opening lap. This misfortune compounded a difficult weekend for the Ducati rider, who failed to score a single point and dropped to fifth in the championship standings.

Bagnaia’s struggles began on Friday, with setup issues and an oil cooler problem preventing him from securing a direct entry into Q2. The situation worsened when a fuel miscalculation left him a distant 16th on the grid for both races.

While Bagnaia made a rapid start on Sunday, his race was cut short when Johann Zarco rear-ended him at Turn 4. This premature end to his season left Bagnaia frustrated and superstitious, expressing concerns about "attracting negativity" as he headed into the winter break.

Di Giannantonio’s Redemption

Fabio di Giannantonio emerged as an unlikely hero in Valencia, securing his first double podium since Qatar 2023. Qualifying on the front row for only the third time this season, di Giannantonio battled Fernandez in the sprint race before overtaking him three laps from the finish.

On Sunday, di Giannantonio overcame Marquez and Acosta to claim third position, marking his fourth podium of the year. This result not only salvaged Ducati’s podium streak, which was in danger of ending at 87 races due to Marquez’s tire wear and vibration issues, but also provided di Giannantonio with a vital boost heading into the winter break.

Finishing just 26 points behind Bagnaia in the championship standings, despite riding a GP25 machine, underscored di Giannantonio’s strong season, which often went unnoticed amid the higher-profile performances of other riders.

Morbidelli’s Catastrophic Finale

Franco Morbidelli’s Valencia Grand Prix proved to be a disaster, compounding what has been, at times, an unfairly criticized season. Morbidelli crashed into the back of Aleix Espargaro on the starting grid, lost concentration, and started the race from the pit lane.

The Italian was forced to retire five laps later due to a fractured left hand sustained in the initial incident. This injury not only ended his race prematurely but also ruled him out of Tuesday’s Valencia test, significantly hindering his preparations for the 2026 season.

While Morbidelli’s talent and potential are undeniable, his struggles in recent years have raised questions about his future in MotoGP. The Valencia weekend only served to reinforce these concerns, highlighting the challenges he faces in regaining his competitive edge.

The Valencia Grand Prix, as the final act of the 2025 MotoGP season, provided a fittingly dramatic conclusion. Aprilia’s dominant performance, Honda’s regulatory victory, di Giannantonio’s redemption, Acosta’s struggles, Bagnaia’s misfortune, and Morbidelli’s disaster all contributed to a weekend of high stakes and significant implications for the teams and riders as they head into the winter break and prepare for the challenges of the 2026 season.