MotoGP: Michael Laverty predicts tougher race on Sunday as Marc Marquez celebrates 'perfect' win in Grand Prix Aragon Sprint - 'A different reality'

Marc Marquez moved into a 27-point lead in the world championship race for the 2025 MotoGP season, and TNT Sports expert Michael Laverty was impressed by the Spaniard as he regained the lead after a dose of wheelspin at the start. Ducati Lenovo rider Marquez said after his win that it felt "perfect" as he crossed the line in pole position after battling with his younger brother, Alex.

Highlights: Marquez extends championship lead with Aragon Sprint victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Michael Laverty believes Sunday’s race at Grand Prix Aragon will be "a different reality" after Marc Marquez scored another Sprint victory on Saturday.

The Ducati Lenovo rider stretched his lead in the world championship standings to 27 points after he crossed the finish line in first place, with his Gresini Racing rival, and younger brother, Alex Marquez in second.

Marc initially lost the lead to his brother after a poor start, suffering from wheelspin, and Laverty told TNT Sports that it was a common problem for many riders in Spain.

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He explained: "This is the problem we've had all weekend. The bikes have got 300 horsepower, you're trying to put it through the ground.

"They do not accept that amount of torque. Wheelspin in a straight line, and look at the run from [Pedro] Acosta."

Laverty said that while he believed Alex might have held onto the win at this point, ultimately the world championship leader was ruthless in his pursuit.

'Plan A, get in front of your brother!' - Alex Marquez takes lead from Marc at Grand Prix Aragon

Video credit: TNT Sports

"At this point, I thought maybe Alex, with that type of start, will have something for Marc," he continued.

"He tried, but Marc just settled into his rhythm, pounced whenever the opportunity was there, and then posed a pace that Alex couldn't really respond to. "

However, despite the older Marquez’s dominance, Laverty believes the switch to medium tyres tomorrow will see a new dynamic to the racing during Sunday's race, shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

He stated: "We're going to face a different reality tomorrow because the medium tyre was really working differently, coming forward as the race went on. But these softs worked well in the Sprint."

Ultimately, the former rider thought that Alex rode within himself once he knew that his brother had the better pace in the Sprint, and did not push too aggressively as a result.

'He knew he probably couldn't' - Laverty believes Marc Marquez too good for his brother at Aragon

Video credit: TNT Sports

Laverty concluded: "You could see Marc just had a little bit more today. He was thinking he'd rather bring home a Marquez 1-2 than battle for something he probably couldn't win today.

"He sort of accepted defeat to his older brother."

‘It was perfect’ - Marquez keen to repeat Sprint success on Sunday

Speaking shortly after the race, Marquez admitted his wheelspin had thrown off his race strategy, but was pleased with the way he recovered.

He said: "I had a small problem on the start because I started to spin the rear tyre. I was able to manage and not lose too much position, but my plan was to try to lead from beginning to the end.

"I saw that Alex was pushing on the first two, three laps. That was my weak point with a soft rear tyre, and I was calm.

"At the end of the race, the feeling was great. It was perfect. So let's see if tomorrow we can keep the same rhythm."

Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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Thoughts?