MotoGP: Keanu Reeves says sport is 'pure magic' and shares his 'passion' at Grand Prix Italy

Actor and musician Keanu Reeves revealed his "passion" for Moto GP ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, describing it as "pure magic". The 60-year-old co-founded a motorcycle company in 2011 and expressed his love for the sport while speaking to TNT Sports on the grid at the famous Italian circuit, with Marc Marquez looking to extend his championship lead in Sunday's race.

'A hobby? It's a passion!' - Reeves and Grant tell TNT Sports about 'pure magic' of MotoGP

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hollywood film star Keanu Reeves described Moto GP as "pure magic" ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

The 60-year-old was among a host of famous faces on the grid at Mugello ahead of the race, as six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez held pole position after Saturday’s qualifying session.

Despite not revealing who he would be supporting, Reeves, who launched his own motorcycle company in 2011, said Moto GP is "a hobby" and a "passion".

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Speaking to TNT Sports, Reeves said: "Riding motorcycles is amazing. Watching them race, the competition, the technology, the passion, the stories. Just the way the seasons unfold.

"All of the quests, the personalities, everyone involved. The teams. There is a lot of storytelling, a lot of passion, and a lot of people put their lives to it.

"To see that play out, the energy, it’s just amazing. Moto GP – pure magic!"

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'It's in the blood' - Sir Mark Cavendish on love for Moto GP

British cycling great Sir Mark Cavendish also shared his passion for Moto GP ahead of the race at Mugello.

The 39-year-old, who has won a record 35 stages in the Tour de France, described the sport as "the pinnacle of what you can push two wheels to".

Speaking to TNT Sports, Cavendish said: "I love it. It’s real, especially in Mugello, you see the fans camping out. Italy loves motorbikes.

"This circuit has the most spectacular corner. The feeling you get here for the first corner on this circuit is like no other.

"I’m from the Isle of Man, so I grew up with motorbikes, it’s in the blood.

"To see Moto GP, the pinnacle of what you can push two wheels to, it’s something that gets me all giddy, I love it."

Cavendish smitten with ‘spectacular’ Mugello circuit - ‘It gets me all giddy’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Cavendish was able to draw comparisons from the emotions he felt during his cycling career to what the Moto GP riders feel at the start of a race.

"On the velodrome, it’s like this, every single second from the beginning matters, so you have this feeling at the beginning, where it’s building up, this countdown, it gets you," he said.

"Even if you’re not racing a motorbike here, you feel it, you feel that atmosphere.

"Especially for a corner like this on Mugello, you don't know what's going to happen on that first corner.

"It's a strange feeling, it's a racing feeling, if you race, you know it, I can't really describe it.

Cavendish was joined on the grid by former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, who expressed his gratitude for being at the "motorcycle Mecca".

The nine-time F1 race winner told TNT Sports: "You get on the grid here, this is motorcycle Mecca, it's unbelievable.

Webber hails Mugello as 'motorcycle Mecca' ahead of GP Italy - 'It's unbelievable'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I've been here when Valentino (Rossi) raced, I've been here actually with Ferrari testing as well.

"Mugello with motorsport is synonymous with a beautiful experience. Here I am again, very lucky to be here. You get the adrenaline, the butterflies kicking off again."

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

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