TNT Sports
Why there is 'fight to the death' in remainder of MotoGP season amid 'confusing' Pecco Bagnaia situation - Neil Hodgson column
By
Updated 17/10/2025 at 11:18 GMT+1
The MotoGP champion has already been crowned for 2025, but Marc Marquez's injury-enforced absence means the battle is wide open in Australia this weekend. TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson explains in his latest column which riders are "fighting to the death" in the final weeks, and why the situation around Pecco Bagnaia is "confusing". Watch and stream MotoGP live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Injured Marquez could return for Valencia finale, says Tardozzi – ‘We don’t want to be in a rush’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.
In his latest column, he outlines the top headlines to look out for in the final four rounds.
**************
There is definitely still lots to play for in the final few rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season.
It looks like Alex Marquez has all-but wrapped up second in the championship. But who finishes third is still a big deal for the manufacturers and for the riders.
Even though the riders get paid a lot of money, the bonuses for finishing in the top three in the world do pay well. You’re fighting to the death to make sure you finish third. It’s not like, ‘OK, I’ve not won it, so I don’t care where I finish.’
The battle is on for who is going to get third in the championship between Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi.
Also, there is still the confusing situation with Pecco not really understanding where he’s at, what spec of bike he’s riding.
He had a strange day in Friday practice. He was in and out of the pit shaking his head, looking bewildered at points, and then he was fast at certain points during the day. It’s all very confusing, but interesting.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/05/image-4039959b-8889-4d93-96ff-05511d64ffd1-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Rookie Aldeguer secures maiden victory at Grand Prix Indonesia as Marquez suffers injury
Video credit: TNT Sports
So what are the top headlines for the final four rounds, from this weekend in Australia to the final race in Valencia?
- The battle for third in the championship. It means a lot. Don’t underestimate that.
- Where is Pecco at - period. What is going on? He was last in the last race, and he won the round before. This weekend so far, I can’t tell you yet where he's at. It is going to be interesting to see what happens.
- Will we see Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin back at any point? That is worth looking out for.
- Can Pedro Acosta win a MotoGP race this year? He has been the most talked-about rookie coming in. He was obviously a rookie last year and an absolute sensation, but he is still yet to win a MotoGP race and his fellow Mercian Fermin Aldeguer has managed to bag one.
- Is this a purple patch for Marco Bezzecchi? Or is this the new Marco Bezzecchi, the real deal, able to dominate weekends and be the fastest man?
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/17/image-b56fcd55-deae-4f22-973c-c32871fc2cc0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Joey is here!’ – Kangaroo joins MotoGP practice in Australia – and crashes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Marquez injury leaves Australia GP wide open
I have no idea what’s going to happen this weekend in Australia. It’s good when it’s like that. It can get a bit boring when it’s predictable, but this is anything but.
Marc’s not here and if he was, this is his track. It’s an anti-clockwise track, he’s so dominant around here. The fact that he’s not here really opens it up for everyone.
Phillip Island as a race circuit is a real leveller. If you look at a track map, there’s only one straight on it. If you think of a track like Motegi where we’ve come from, there are about five different straights.
- Marc Marquez could return for Valencia finale but Ducati 'don't want to rush' injury comeback
- 'I accept it' – Bezzecchi handed penalty for Marquez crash
What that means is, a little bit like Formula 1, it’s almost like your result is determined by how good the package is.
The technology of your machine. Whereas on a track like Phillip Island, we always say the rider can make the difference.
It leaves it really wide open for this weekend, and the fact that Marco Bezzecchi, who is the man on form at the moment, has got a double Long Lap penalty really opens it up.
It makes it almost impossible to predict what the podium will look like.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/17/image-948f2ad6-4c53-4845-a1ef-58e59ebf76c1-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Acosta drifts like legend Stoner at Phillip Island – ‘Not good for tyre life, but good fun’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Excitement to see new Brazilian 'superstar'
The MotoGP line-up for next season is as expected because there were only a certain number of seats available. A lot of people were on two-year deals. Let’s say 75% of the people on the grid were already on a deal for next year, so it was set in stone.
The changes that I’ve seen are quite interesting. The fact that we’re going to have Toprak Razgatlioglu, the World Superbike superstar, coming in is very exciting.
Then the young Brazilian Diogo Moreira is as exciting as his name sounds - he sounds fast already! He is a freakishly talented young superstar. I’m genuinely excited about that.
- Who is in the 2026 MotoGP rider line-up?
- Explained: Why Marc Marquez’s replacement at Ducati could come from World Superbikes
What is going to be interesting is then the following year. Because the majority of people, 75% of the grid, are out of contract.
The negotiations start really early. The rumours will start at the beginning of next year and there will be some early signings. There is definitely lots to look forward to next year because of that - it adds another dynamic to it.
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement