The 2025 MotoGP season was in contrast to something we’ve seen this decade, with dismantling the sphere on the manufacturing unit Ducati and turning the championship right into a one-man present. Solely two riders have been capable of problem him on a handful of events, and even then, toppling the Spaniard proved a near-impossible job.
Marquez’s late, injury-enforced absence did briefly stage the taking part in subject, opening the door for 2 new winners to interrupt by means of on the very finish of the marketing campaign.
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Past the headline-grabbers, a number of riders who by no means made it to the highest step of the rostrum nonetheless maximised their equipment and circumstances to ship quietly excellent seasons.
10. (Re-entry)Marini was essentially the most constant Honda rider, however lacked the peaks of Zarco and Mir
Marini was essentially the most constant Honda rider, however lacked the peaks of Zarco and Mir
Staff: HondaChampionship: 13thPoints: 142Best GP consequence: 5thBest dash consequence: 4th
wasn’t Honda’s highest points-scorer in 2025, nor did he gather any silverware. However he was exactly the form of rider the manufacturing unit wanted throughout its rebuilding 12 months: quick, dependable and technically astute.
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Barring his mechanical-induced retirement on the Japanese GP, Marini completed each single grand prix within the factors this 12 months – and as a rule, inside the highest 10. Whereas and have been among the many grid’s most frequent guests to the gravel entice, Marini saved it upright for practically all the season, avoiding any incidents till the twentieth spherical in Malaysia.
If his early-season momentum wasn’t halted by a fall throughout Suzuka 8 Hours testing, which compelled him to overlook three races attributable to a hip harm, he might properly have ended the 12 months inside the highest 10 within the standings.
His largest single contribution got here on the remaining race in Valencia, the place he excelled below strain to complete seventh (after beginning thirteenth) and assist Honda transfer to Group C within the concession ladder.
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9. (Down 6)It was feast or famine for Bagnaia in 2025
It was feast or famine for Bagnaia in 2025
Staff: DucatiChampionship: FifthPoints: 288GP Wins: 2Sprint wins: 2
In some methods, it feels nearly unfair to place ninth on the listing. In any case, he received two grands prix and stood on the rostrum in additional than a 3rd of the races. He actually appeared destined for a better rating halfway by means of the season, however by the 12 months’s finish, the narrative had twisted sharply. Whether or not you have a look at his 12 months in isolation, or towards the benchmark set by his team-mate Marc Marquez, his 2025 marketing campaign was nothing in need of a catastrophe.
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All Bagnaia wanted to do was the identical regular consistency that made him a two-time MotoGP champion and some of the profitable riders of the present decade. However the best way he went from qualifying on pole one weekend to propping up the sphere the subsequent was not solely surprising, but in addition damaging to the status that he had constructed over time. What made issues worse was his late-season stoop, as this was the important level the place Ducati wanted him to choose up the baton and lead the workforce in Marquez’s absence.
Nonetheless, on the uncommon events when all the things clicked, Bagnaia reminded the paddock of his peak stage – and few riders on the grid can dominate with the identical brutal authority as he can.
8. Raul Fernandez (New entry)Fernandez produced a stellar finish of season run, highlighted by a maiden victory in Australia and combating for a second win in Valencia
Fernandez produced a stellar finish of season run, highlighted by a maiden victory in Australia and combating for a second win in Valencia
Staff: TrackhouseChampionship: 10thPoints: 172GP wins: 1Best dash consequence: 2nd
Raul Fernandez didn’t simply flip round his 2025 marketing campaign together with his late-season performances, he revitalised his whole MotoGP profession. Over the ultimate six weekends, the Trackhouse rider racked up 88 factors, eclipsing the 82 he had managed throughout the primary 16 rounds.
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Arguably much more spectacular than his maiden win within the Australian Grand Prix was his efficiency in Valencia, the place he pushed an in-form all the best way to the chequered flag. If the paddock consensus was that Bezzecchi was the quickest rider within the latter a part of the 12 months, then Fernandez did his status no hurt by taking the battle to the manufacturing unit Aprilia star.
The Spaniard has endured loads in his first 4 years in MotoGP. A Tech3 KTM seat he didn’t even need, RNF’s collapse and takeover by Trackhouse, a mid-season bike improve that backfired in 2024 and fixed questions on his future. Even this 12 months, he needed to half methods together with his long-time agent Jordi Arilla. However with that turbulence lastly behind him, he heads into 2026 as considered one of Aprilia’s most potent weapons.
7. (Up 2)An under-the-radar season, however Di Giannantonio confirmed his worth to VR46 and Ducati
An under-the-radar season, however Di Giannantonio confirmed his worth to VR46 and Ducati
Staff: VR46Championship: 6thPoints: 262GP podiums: 4Sprint podiums: 5
Armed with a factory-spec bike for the primary time, delivered essentially the most profitable season of his MotoGP profession in 2025 – even when a few of his finest performances slipped below the radar.
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This was in no way a flawless 12 months for ‘Diggia’, as he battled a number of of the identical points on the GP25 that derailed Francesco Bagnaia’s marketing campaign. There have been additionally weekends the place team-mate clearly had the higher hand on the older-spec Ducati. However general, Di Giannantonio met expectations at VR46 and Ducati, establishing himself as a reputable midfield drive able to mixing it with the frontrunners when situations allowed.
His preparations for the 12 months have been severely compromised . Having additionally missed an opportunity to attempt the GP25 within the Valencia check the earlier winter, this was an enormous blow. But he tailored shortly, taking his first podium of the 12 months by spherical three in Austin.
The Italian additionally deserves further credit score for protecting Ducati’s podium streak alive, charging to 3rd within the Valencia finale at a time when each different Desmosedici rider struggled for tempo.
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6. (New entry)A win in his rookie season capped a high quality marketing campaign for Aldeguer
A win in his rookie season capped a high quality marketing campaign for Aldeguer
Staff: GresiniChampionship: 8thPoints: 214Wins: 1Sprint podiums: 3
vindicated Ducati’s choice handy him an early contract with a superb first season in MotoGP wherein he earned the Rookie of the 12 months award. Solely 19 years outdated initially of the season, Aldeguer took his time to stand up to hurry on Gresini’s GP24, however from Austin onwards it turned clear that he has a vivid future.
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His late-race cost on the Pink Bull Ring was one of many standout moments of his marketing campaign, evoking recollections of ’s best rides at Ducati. The victory in Indonesia was additionally vital, not solely as a result of it got here in his rookie season, however as a result of he utilized the teachings from his dash defeat the day earlier than.
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Nonetheless, Aldeguer has an extended solution to go earlier than he can really change into a contender for a manufacturing unit seat at Ducati. Some inconsistency was anticipated from a rider of his age, however his qualifying kind was a persistent weak point, typically leaving him with an excessive amount of floor to make up on Sundays. His true check will are available in 2026, when he faces a extra assured on the manufacturing unit GP26 subsequent 12 months.
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5. (Down 1)Quartararo outperformed his equipment this 12 months
Quartararo outperformed his equipment this 12 months
Staff: YamahaChampionship: 9thPoints: 201GP Podiums: 1Sprint podiums: 2
could have given himself a 5/10 for the season as his frustration with Yamaha grew, however in doing so he neglected one essential truth: he practically doubled his factors tally from 2024.
Sure, a quicker M1, a extra compact subject and fewer Ducatis made life barely simpler, however it was nonetheless Quartararo’s expertise that made the true distinction. In any case, he outscored all different Yamaha riders mixed – a reminder of simply how far he continues to stretch the bike’s potential. His three-race pole streak in the summertime was distinctive, and dragging the underpowered M1 to 10 front-row begins (together with 5 poles general) bordered on miraculous.
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That Quartararo was denied a primary victory since 2022 at Silverstone attributable to a ride-height machine failure was merciless and heartbreaking in equal measure, particularly provided that he had executed the proper British Grand Prix as much as that time.
That stated, the Frenchman did have troublesome patches in 2025, with team-mate sometimes trying the stronger of the 2 when he briefly rediscovered his kind in the course of the flyaway races.
4. (Up 3)Acosta took a step ahead in 2025, however that first victory nonetheless alludes him
Acosta took a step ahead in 2025, however that first victory nonetheless alludes him
Staff: KTMChampionship: 4thPoints: 307GP podiums: 5Sprint podiums: 7
Amid KTM’s monetary points early within the 12 months and ’s personal try to extricate himself from his contract and be a part of VR46, the Spaniard emerged from the chaos as a extra mature determine each on and off the monitor.
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Gone was the rider who crashed out or made expensive errors within the decisive phases of a race. Acosta retained the uncooked pace that outlined his rookie marketing campaign, however now he knew find out how to channel that aggression and convert it into main outcomes below strain. A mid-season replace to the RC16 fully remodeled his fortunes, turning Acosta into some of the constant performers on the grid. Within the second half of the season, the 21-year-old was on the rostrum just about each weekend. This newfound maturity additionally got here by means of in his manner and media appearances. After declaring final 12 months that he would fairly crash than concede to the Ducatis in 2024, he now prioritises ending within the high 5, signalling that he has really come of age.
That stated, an absence of race victories will proceed to hang-out him within the winter and provides his naysayers additional ammunition heading into 2026.
3. Marco Bezzecchi (Up 7)Bezzecchi was Aprilia’s main gentle and takes momentum into this winter due to wins in Portugal and Valencia
Bezzecchi was Aprilia’s main gentle and takes momentum into this winter due to wins in Portugal and Valencia
Staff: ApriliaChampionship: 3rdPoints: 353GP wins: 3Sprint wins: 3
Marco Bezzecchi was the one non-Ducati rider to provide Marc Marquez a run for his cash this 12 months. The Indonesia collision triggered by Bezzecchi was unlucky not solely as a result of it left Marquez with a severe harm, but in addition as a result of it robbed MotoGP of extra epic duels between the pair.
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The Aprilia RS-GP grew stronger because the 12 months went on, and back-to-back victories in Portugal and Valencia marked a becoming conclusion to Bezzecchi’s first season at Noale. However arguably, his second-place end behind Marquez at Misano was simply as spectacular, as he held his personal towards the quicker Ducati.
Given what number of critics questioned Aprilia’s choice to rent him after a troublesome 2024, Bezzecchi has accomplished exceptionally properly to show the narrative round. He had already proven flashes of brilliance throughout his standout 2023 season with VR46 on a satellite tv for pc bike, however he has now demonstrated that he’s able to battle for a championship with a manufacturing unit squad.
However the 27-year-old must iron out some weak factors, not least the over-aggression that value him dearly initially of the Argentine GP and once more in Indonesia.
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2. Alex Marquez (Re-entry)Alex Marquez helped seal a brothers 1-2 within the standings, proving himself to be one of the best of the remaining in 2025
Alex Marquez helped seal a brothers 1-2 within the standings, proving himself to be one of the best of the remaining in 2025
Staff: GresiniChampionship: 2ndPoints: 467GP wins: 3Sprint wins: 3
Alex Marquez had been quietly rebuilding his profession at Gresini between 2023 and 2024 after two bruising years at LCR Honda, however no person might have predicted the dimensions of the leap he would make after signing a brand new two-year take care of the Italian squad.
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In some methods, the youthful Marquez’s season echoed Jorge MartÃn’s title-winning 2024 marketing campaign, outlined extra by consistency than outright tempo. The essential distinction, other than equipment and workforce, was that Alex needed to cope with a far harder benchmark within the type of his personal brother, Marc.
What instantly stood out was how snug Alex appeared on the GP24 from the very first laps of the Valencia check. That confidence carried straight into the season, culminating in his maiden grand prix victory at Jerez. The timing of his hand fracture was unlucky, and it took him some time to rediscover his early kind. However as soon as he was again within the sport, he was really a drive to be reckoned with. His potential to resist race-long strain from Marc on the manufacturing unit Ducati and nonetheless prevail in Barcelona stated all the things about his psychological power and pace.
If Bagnaia endures one other troublesome season in 2026, Ducati could have already got the perfect alternative ready within the wings.
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1. Marc Marquez (Up 1)Marc Marquez returned to the highest in MotoGP for the primary time since 2019
Marc Marquez returned to the highest in MotoGP for the primary time since 2019
Staff: DucatiChampionship: 1stPoints: 545GP wins: 11Sprint wins: 14
Marc Marquez’s 2025 marketing campaign was one for the ages. It’s troublesome for a rider as profitable as Marquez to surpass the lofty expectations positioned upon him, but that’s precisely what he managed to do as he dominated MotoGP like nobody had since… properly, himself, six years in the past.
It wasn’t precisely a flawless 12 months for Marquez and he let not less than two grands prix wins slip by means of his fingers earlier this season. However he discovered from his errors and took full benefit of the in-season Aragon check to really gel with the GP25 and settle into an unimaginable profitable rhythm. By the point issues unravelled for him once more in Indonesia, the title was already accomplished and dusted.
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This was a narrative of redemption, resilience and dedication. Marquez carried loads of self-doubt when he gambled on himself and moved to Gresini Ducati in 2024, however in hindsight it’s outstanding how all the things fell into place. Every consequence set off the subsequent like a sequence of completely aligned dominoes: three wins on a satellite tv for pc bike, a manufacturing unit contract after which the championship in his first 12 months in ‘crimson’. The Spaniard now looks as if a genius each on and off the monitor, and it’s laborious to dispute his standing as the best of all time.
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