Marc Marquez long road back to the top has been completed by winning Aragon Grand Prix
Marquez Does the Double to Snap Three-Year Drought as Reigning Champ Retires After Ugly Crash
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Marc Marquez ended a near three-year winless streak in spectacular fashion by dominating the Aragon Grand Prix. The six-time MotoGP world champion, now riding for Gresini Ducati, led from start to finish to claim his first Grand Prix victory for Ducati, showcasing a masterclass performance that began with a win in the sprint race the day before.
In his first season away from Repsol Honda after an 11-year tenure, Marquez, 31, delivered a flawless weekend at the Aragon circuit. Starting from pole position, he secured his sixth career win at the track, which included a commanding sprint race victory on Saturday. Marquez’s previous win came at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in October 2021, making his latest triumph his first in 38 races, the longest drought of his illustrious career.
The victory marked Marquez’s 60th in MotoGP, finishing 4.789 seconds ahead of fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin, who rides for Pramac Ducati. Martin’s second-place finish extended his championship lead to 23 points after reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia’s dramatic crash on lap 18. The incident involved Marquez’s younger brother and teammate, Alex Marquez, who collided with Bagnaia while battling for third place.
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The crash occurred as Alex Marquez ran deep into Turn 12 and cut back under Bagnaia, causing both riders to tumble into the gravel. Though both emerged unscathed, Bagnaia was sent to the trackside medical center for checks, and the incident is under investigation by race stewards.
The chaos opened the door for GasGas rookie Pedro Acosta, who capitalized on the drama to secure his third podium of the season in third place, ending an eight-race streak of all-Ducati podium finishes. Marquez’s win also marked Ducati’s 11th victory in 12 Grands Prix this season, solidifying their dominance.
The Aragon success was a significant milestone for Marquez, who has battled back from four shoulder surgeries following a severe crash at Jerez in 2020. “Today was a super difficult race, especially with the pace we had,” Marquez said. “With the gap, it was hard to keep full focus, particularly in the last 10 laps, but I managed the gap well and kept something in reserve just in case.”
Marquez’s triumphant return to the top step of the podium serves as a reminder of his enduring skill and determination, reigniting his pursuit of further MotoGP glory as he aims to rewrite his legacy with Ducati.