MotoGP Round 19 | Yamaha’s big Miller mistake, Pedro Acosta wins his second sprint race while Marc Marquez marches to victory in Malaysia | The #93 inflicted maximum championship damage to take a stride towards the title at Sepang.Report: BikeReview/MotoGP Press

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying

MotoGP

An early crash couldn’t throw Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) off course, as the #93 made up for his final-corner practice error to lead the MotoGP charge on Friday afternoon. He was able to pip brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) by 0.109s with a stellar 1:57.000 time attack lap, whilst a late lap from Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP #79) put the Dutch GP winner in third. Completing just three laps, injured Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) ended Practice early in order to save energy for Saturday’s bumper schedule.

After a stunner in Q2, it was Alex Marquez who’d start from pole position at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia after the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP speedster landed a glorious 1:56.493 to snatch Saturday morning P1 honours away from World Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team). The gap between the top two in a blistering Q2 was a mere 0.070s, while only a further 0.014s in arrears was third-place Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37).

Moto2

After a fast crash in Free Practice 1, World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) bounced back in style in the all-important Moto2 Practice session to top the timesheets on Friday at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. Gonzalez’s 2:03.737 was good enough to see off the Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #21) threat by 0.144s, with Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team #96) completing the top three.

Pole position by 0.541s? That’s unheard of when the topic is Moto2, but that’s exactly the margin Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) clinched pole by at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia after notching up a blistering 2:02.875 in a Q2 session that saw rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – MSI #36) claim a career-best P2, and title-hunting Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) stick it on the front row.

Moto3

After a tricky start to the day, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #22) paved his way to P1 to draw first blood in Moto3 in Malaysia. Aiming to consolidate P2 overall in the standings, the #22 set the fastest time of the day to head the field whilst the homecoming tour was well underway for Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI #13), with the Malaysian fourth at the chequered flag.

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) remained the rider to beat in Moto3, as he secured pole on a sweltering Saturday afternoon at the Malaysian Grand Prix, edging out Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo #51) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) for the top spot. Danish impressively landed on the front row on home turf to become the first Malaysian rider to do so since 2012.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) claimed victory in a dramatic wet-dry Sprint at the Malaysian Grand Prix, holding off title rivals Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72), who completed the podium.

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) grabbed the holeshot and quickly established a lead, while Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) moved ahead of Marc Marquez in the opening exchanges. Acosta soon joined the fight at the front, with Bezzecchi close behind the championship leader.

The race turned chaotic on Lap 2 when light rain prompted the white flag to be displayed, allowing riders to switch bikes. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team #43) opted to pit immediately, but his wet-weather machine was not ready when he arrived, ending his race. Moments later, Alex Marquez crashed out from the lead at Turn 14, handing the advantage to Ogura.

As rain intensified in parts of the circuit, Ogura, Acosta and Marc Marquez continued on slick tyres, while several riders, including Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36), Iker Lecuona (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #27) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21), gambled on switching to wets.

With four laps remaining, Acosta made his move for the lead. Ogura briefly fought back, but the KTM rider responded immediately, and soon Marc Marquez also found a way past the impressive rookie. Bezzecchi then capitalised on the battle ahead to move into third, demoting Ogura from the podium positions.

The conditions remained manageable on slick tyres, leaving those who switched machines unable to benefit from their gamble. Acosta controlled the closing stages to secure his second Sprint victory of the season by just over half a second from Marc Marquez, while Bezzecchi completed the podium.

Marc Marquez’s second-place finish extended his championship advantage to 19 points over the absent Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), while Bezzecchi remained 52 points adrift of the summit. Ogura impressed with fourth after leading portions of the race, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) rounding out the top five.

“Normally in mixed conditions I don’t do such a good job, but today was the day to try because I was playing for nothing, knowing that Marc was behind fighting for the championship,” explained Acosta.v“It was my opportunity to try to make something different. So happy we have the second [Sprint win]. It was a good one.”

Tissot Sprint Race Results

  1. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM
  2. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+0.578s)
  3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+1.310s)
  4. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+1.793s)
  5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.053s)

Sunday

MotoGP

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) strengthened his grip on the MotoGP World Championship with a commanding victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, beating Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by 4.1 seconds to claim his seventh Grand Prix win of the season and the 80th of his premier-class career. The result gives the Spaniard a 44-point lead over injured rival Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) ahead of Qatar, while Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) now trails by 67 points after finishing sixth.

Marquez made a perfect start from the front row to seize the holeshot, although polesitter Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) briefly challenged him into Turn 4. The championship leader held firm, however, and soon began controlling proceedings from the front.

Behind them, Acosta recovered from a slower launch to move into third by the end of the opening lap after battling Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #23) and Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team). Bezzecchi also made early progress, climbing into fourth on Lap 2.

As the race settled into a rhythm, Acosta emerged as Marquez’s closest challenger. Setting the fastest lap of the race, the KTM rider closed on the Marquez brothers before making a decisive move on Alex Marquez for second at Turn 9 on Lap 10.

Despite Acosta’s pace, Marc Marquez remained untouchable. Gradually extending his advantage beyond one second, then two, the seven-time MotoGP champion continued to increase the gap as the laps ticked down. With five laps remaining, he led by almost three seconds before stretching that margin to over four seconds by the finish.

Acosta comfortably secured second place to cap off an excellent weekend that also included Sprint victory, while Alex Marquez held onto third despite pressure from Ogura, who finished less than a second behind after another impressive ride to fourth. The victory moves Marc Marquez to the brink of an eighth MotoGP crown, with the Ducati star set to carry significant momentum and his first championship match point into next weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.

“I was super concentrated all weekend. I tried to find the limit in the practices because it’s time to take the risk. We did it and did a perfect race, so super happy, but my mentality cannot change. Keep focused, and keep pushing. Not many races to go, but many moments to go,” Marquez said.

MotoGP Race Results

  1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
  2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+4.172s)
  3. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+5.955s)
  4. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+6.759s)
  5. Enea Bastianini Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+10.896s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results…

MotoGP Championship Points

  1. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 399
  2. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 355
  3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 332
  4. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 295
  5. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia – 278

Moto2

David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team #80) secured his second Moto2 victory of the season at Sepang, overcoming a late scare to lead teammate Daniel Holgado home in a dominant Aspar 1-2, while rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – MSI) claimed his maiden podium in the category with third place. Holgado made the perfect start from pole position to take the holeshot, with Alonso quickly moving into second ahead of title contender Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2). Further back, championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) made an excellent start from ninth on the grid, climbing steadily through the field.

Alonso moved into the lead on Lap 6 with a decisive pass on Holgado at Turn 4 and gradually stretched his advantage as the race progressed. By the halfway stage, the Colombian had pulled clear at the front, while Holgado was forced to defend second from the charging Piqueras.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez continued his recovery, reaching fifth by Lap 4 before setting his sights on title rival Guevara. However, the Spaniard was unable to bridge the gap, leaving valuable championship points on the table as Guevara maintained fourth position throughout the latter stages.

The race appeared comfortably under Alonso’s control until a major rear-end slide at Turn 14 with just over three laps remaining allowed Holgado to close in. The MotoGP-bound Colombian quickly regrouped, re-establishing a gap and controlling the final lap to claim victory.

Holgado secured second place to complete a dream result for Aspar, while Piqueras delivered an outstanding ride to take his first Moto2 podium after an injury-disrupted rookie campaign.

In the championship battle, Guevara finished fourth ahead of Gonzalez in fifth, reducing the gap between the title contenders to just 3.5 points heading into the closing stages of the season.

Moto2 Race Results

  1. David Alonso CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team
  2. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team (+1.932s)
  3. Angel Piqueras JMOTOR – MSI (+3.565s)
  4. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+6.182s)
  5. Manuel Gonzalez LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+14.130s)

Moto2 Championship Points

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 276.5
  2. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 – 273
  3. Ivan Ortola QJMOTOR – Biolec – MSI – 199.5
  4. David Alonso CFMOTO Inde Team – 191
  5. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team – 190

Moto3

Moto3 World Champion Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) claimed his 11th victory of the season at Sepang, leading comfortably from the front while local favourite Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) narrowly missed the podium in a thrilling battle for the minor places.

Quiles started from pole and initially lost the lead to David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), who surged from fourth on the grid to the front by Turn 4. Meanwhile, Danish quickly joined the leading group, delighting the home crowd by climbing to second place on Lap 2.

The race settled into a fierce contest among the top five riders, with Quiles retaking the lead on Lap 5 before beginning to edge clear. Behind him, Danish, Almansa, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #9) traded positions in an intense fight for the podium.

As Quiles stretched his advantage to more than three seconds, the battle for second intensified. Danish briefly climbed as high as second with four laps remaining and repeatedly challenged throughout the closing stages, but the Malaysian was shuffled back as his rivals exchanged positions.

The final lap delivered more drama, with Danish again forcing his way into podium contention before ultimately finishing fourth after a spirited performance in front of his home fans. Pratama secured second place ahead of Carpe in third, while Almansa completed the top five.

Out front, however, there was no stopping Quiles, who cruised to another dominant victory and continued his remarkable championship-winning campaign. Almansa’s fifth-place finish also strengthened his hold on second in the championship standings over the chasing pack.

Moto3 Race Results

  1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
  2. Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia (+3.734s)
  3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+4.184s)
  4. Hakim Danish AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (+4.410s)
  5. David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+4.914s)

Moto3 Championship Points

  1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 376
  2. David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 228
  3. Brian Uriarte Red Bull KTM Ajo – 205
  4. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 205
  5. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing – 157

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller’s Sprint ended in frustration at Sepang after gambling on an early bike swap for wet tyres when rain threatened, only for his second machine not to be ready in time, forcing his retirement from the race. Miller’s challenging weekend concluded with a 16th in the main race as persistent grip problems and worsening tyre wear hampered his pace and left him unable to hold off his challengers in the closing laps.

Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) qualified 12th at Sepang after a scare in Q2 halted his final push for a stronger grid position. Then, in the main race, he fought hard to run inside the points for much of the race, but deteriorating grip and tyre wear in the demanding conditions saw him slip to 15th by the chequered flag.

Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing #66) enjoyed an encouraging start to his Sepang, qualifying seventh and looking well placed for a strong result after expressing confidence in his race pace. However, despite climbing to sixth and closing on the group ahead during Sunday’s race, his charge ended in disappointment with a DNF.

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