Valencia MotoGP Finale: Aprilia Soars, Acosta Struggles, and Bagnaia's Woes Continue

The 2025 MotoGP season concluded at the Valencia Grand Prix, delivering a mixed bag of results with Aprilia celebrating a triumphant 1-2 finish while other teams and riders faced disappointment. The race, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, saw unexpected performances and dramatic turns that reshaped the final standings of the season.

Aprilia’s Dominant Performance

Aprilia emerged as the clear winner of the Valencia GP, securing a historic 1-2 finish with Marco Bezzecchi claiming victory and Raul Fernandez taking second place. This marked Aprilia’s first 1-2 since 2023, highlighting the Italian manufacturer’s progress and potential. Bezzecchi’s win was his third of the 2025 season, solidifying his position as a top contender in MotoGP.

"It all came together for Aprilia in Valencia, as both Bezzecchi and Fernandez delivered on their potential to score a landmark result," stated a team representative.

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Fernandez’s second-place finish was particularly noteworthy, as he demonstrated exceptional pace and skill, overtaking seasoned riders like Fabio di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. Fernandez’s ability to close the gap on Bezzecchi’s factory bike underscored his growing confidence and potential for future success. The fact that 2024 champion Jorge Martin was able to make a comeback and finish 15 of the 27 laps was an added plus for Aprilia, as it looks ahead to 2025.

Pedro Acosta’s Disappointing Weekend

In stark contrast to Aprilia’s success, Pedro Acosta experienced a challenging weekend in Valencia. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, who had expressed optimism about his chances in the final European rounds, struggled to find his rhythm and ultimately failed to secure a podium finish.

Acosta’s struggles began with a disappointing performance in Saturday’s sprint race, where he was outpaced by Alex Marquez. This defeat seemed to dampen Acosta’s spirits, as he suggested that it could take him up to a year before he finally stands on the top step of the podium. While that projection was influenced by KTM’s trajectory rather than his own form, it’s hard to gloss over the fact that Acosta remains winless after two seasons.

"He was never really in contention at Circuit Ricardo Tormo," observed a racing analyst. "Topping Friday practice did raise hope, but in a tightly-packed field, he could only qualify fifth."

Despite a promising start in the sprint race, Acosta lacked the speed and tire life to challenge his rivals. In Sunday’s main race, he was overtaken by Raul Fernandez and Fabio di Giannantonio, further highlighting his struggles.

Honda’s Progress and Regulatory Shift

Honda celebrated a significant milestone at the Valencia GP, as the manufacturer escaped the lowest tier in MotoGP’s concession system and drew level with its European rivals Aprilia and KTM. This achievement, while seemingly counterintuitive, was a key target for Honda, a fallen giant striving to reclaim its throne after years of underperformance.

"The loss of Group D concessions is a small but important step toward returning to regular victories and title contention," explained a Honda team member.

Honda’s progress was evident in Joan Mir’s recent podium finishes in Japan and Malaysia, as well as Luca Marini’s steady performances. Marini’s seventh-place finish in Valencia secured the points required for Group C status, underscoring Honda’s improved competitiveness.

"It was also an impressive turnaround for Honda from Saturday after Mir wiped out Marini on the second lap," added a team spokesperson.

Francesco Bagnaia’s Frustrating End to the Season

Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 campaign concluded on a sour note, as the Ducati rider was taken out of the race on the opening lap through no fault of his own. This unfortunate incident capped off a miserable season for Bagnaia, who failed to score a single point in Valencia and dropped to fifth in the standings.

Bagnaia’s weekend was marred by a series of setbacks, including a wrong set-up direction, an oil cooler issue, and a fuel miscalculation during qualifying. These issues left him starting from a distant 16th on the grid for both races.

"Bagnaia was climbing up the order after a rapid start on Sunday when Johann Zarco rear-ended him at Turn 4, bringing a premature end to his season," recounted a trackside reporter.

While Bagnaia expressed hope after the race, his superstitious comments about attracting negativity raised concerns about his mindset heading into the winter break.

Fabio di Giannantonio’s Resurgence

Fabio di Giannantonio emerged as a standout performer at the Valencia GP, claiming his first double podium since Qatar 2023. The VR46 Racing Team rider qualified on the front row and battled fiercely in both the sprint race and the main race.

Di Giannantonio’s late-race charge in Sunday’s race secured a third-place finish, preventing Ducati’s podium streak from ending at 87 races. His performance highlighted his potential and provided a vital boost to his morale heading into the winter break.

"Finishing the year just 26 points behind fellow GP25 rider Bagnaia shows di Giannantonio’s season was stronger than it appeared," noted a MotoGP analyst.

Franco Morbidelli’s Grid Mishap and Injury

Franco Morbidelli experienced a disastrous weekend in Valencia, marked by a grid mishap and a subsequent injury. The VR46 Racing Team rider was set to start seventh but lost concentration on the grid, ramming the back of Aleix Espargaro.

"While we still don’t know what happened from Morbidelli’s perspective, the consequences of the incident were disastrous," commented a pit lane observer.

Morbidelli was forced to start from the pit lane and later retired from the race due to a fracture on his left hand. This injury is a significant setback that could impact his preparations for the 2026 season.

Looking Ahead

The Valencia GP provided a fitting end to the 2025 MotoGP season, showcasing the highs and lows of the sport. Aprilia’s dominant performance, Honda’s progress, and Fabio di Giannantonio’s resurgence offered glimpses of hope for the future. However, Pedro Acosta’s struggles, Francesco Bagnaia’s misfortunes, and Franco Morbidelli’s injury underscored the challenges and uncertainties that riders and teams face in MotoGP. As the winter break approaches, teams and riders will be focused on regrouping, developing their bikes, and preparing for the 2026 season, which promises to be another thrilling chapter in the world of motorcycle racing.