MotoGP Mugello Sprint LIVE – Marc Marquez charges to Sprint victory after start drama as Alex Marquez demotes Francesco Bagnaia to third in Italy

It’s a perfect day on paper for Marc  Marquez, who converts his record-breaking 100th pole position in Italy. It wasn’t an easy ride for the #93, who battled through the pack following some issues at the start!

Marc Marquez hit the front at the start of the fourth lap, overtaking his brother Alex in a stunning turn one move. He then pulled the pin, stretching a margin and leaving Alex and Bagnaia to fight for the podium.

Alex Marquez would defeat Francesco Bagnaia at the line, remaining unstoppable throughout the Sprint. This would leave the Italian in third, forcing Bagnaia to look for a new plan for Sunday.

Further back, Maverick Vinales and Fabio Di Giannantonio took the final spots inside the top five following a dramatic battle.

Elsewhere, Franco Morbidelli took seventh position, leaving Raul Fernandez in eighth position as Fermin Aldeguer finished inside the points in ninth.

Meanwhile, it was a tough Sprint for Fabio Quartararo, who finished in 10th position after starting from the second row. Quartararo struggled with top speed throughout and could still be feeling the effects of his Friday crash.

After the Sprint race at Mugello, Marc Marquez holds a 35-point advantage over his brother Alex following a maximum point score on Saturday.

Now, attention turns to Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix with lights out at 13:00 (GMT) as the #93 aims for a better start!

Following an epic recovering ride, Marc Marquez talked us through his issue at the start and what the plan was ahead of today!

"I don’t know what happened exactly at the start, well, I do know what happened because the launch control was in, and then I took off, and then I put it in again and lost loads of positions.

"We put on a lot of good show out there and won the Sprint race, which was not the main target. The main target was to try and not lose a lot of points, but I hope the Italian fans enjoyed the show because the comeback was super nice!"

After finishing as runner-up in the Sprint, Alex Marquez gave his thoughts on tomorrow’s Grand Prix as he expects tyres to play a big part.

"I tried in the beginning, when I was at the front, I said ‘Ok, I have to go to the front and try not to overheat the front tyre’.

"The first corner was very nice, with all three of us parallel, it was super nice. I pushed maybe a little bit too much, not the way I need to push in these hot conditions with the tyre.

"But anyway, I tried it and this is the thing which we need to do, I’m happy with the Sprint race. Tomorrow will be a long race, but we are ready for it!"

Following another third place finish, Bagnaia gave his immediate thoughts after the Italian Sprint.

"I feel a bit disappointed; I wanted to give a bit more to this amazing crowd, but unfortunately, this season I can’t do what I know to do.

 "It’s a bit of a shame, but it is what it is; we are trying to work and solve the problems. I will try to use all the information tomorrow to try and give something more."

After a phenomenal Sprint at Mugello, check out the top 10 finishers after Marc Marquez snatched victory once more!
1. Marc Marquez (Winner)

2. Alex Marquez +1.441

3. Francesco Bagnaia +2.561

4. Maverick Vinales +3.099

5. Fabio Di Giannantonio +4.139

6. Marco Bezzecchi +6.391

7. Franco Morbidelli +7.631

8. Raul Fernandez +8.926

9. Fermin Aldeguer +10.361

10. Fabio Quartararo +11.096

What a recovery! Marc Marquez reigns supreme in red on Saturday, stealing victory from Alex Marquez after fighting through the field, while Francesco Bagnaia comes home in third position.

It was a phenomenal ride from Marc Marquez, who reclaimed control of the Sprint after an error at the start, after it looked like the bike was not set in launch mode!

Marco Bezzecchi is now through on Franco Morbidelli, dropping the Italian back to seventh position. It’s incredible pace from the #72, who looks to have lost one of his wings on the front of his Aprilia!

Meanwhile, it looks like Vinales is closing in on Bagnaia with just a couple of laps remaining of the Italian Sprint. We could be set for a blockbuster finish with some potential late heartbreak for the Italian fans.

Marco Bezzecchi was next up on the Quartararo train, looking to find further points in Saturday’s Sprint. The move arrived at the final corner after a textbook dive down the inside at the end of Lap 7!

At the front, everything is beginning to settle down, with the top riders running an incredible pace – inside the low 1:46s. Bagnaia has received a track limit warning, which will force the #63 to be careful during the closing laps…

Vinales has found his way through on Quartararo, using the power of the KTM as the field launched their way out of the final corner.

Quartararo is now beginning to defend from the two VR46 Ducatis, with Fabio Di Giannantonio leading his teammate Franco Morbidelli. Di Giannantonio soon found his way through, eying Vinales in fourth!

This left Quartararo to defend from Morbidelli, who used the power of the Ducati at Turn 1 - demoting the #20 to seventh!

Marc Marquez has hit the front of the Sprint at the start of Lap 4, launching into the lead after an impressive move at Turn 1. The #93 will look to extend his margin straight away as Alex Marquez runs wide slightly at Turn 10.

Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia has dropped back, beginning to edge towards Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales - the final riders inside the top five.

MARC MARQUEZ DIVES DOWN THE INSIDE! The #93 launched his attack, overtaking both Alex Marquez and Bagnaia, running wide in the process. This allowed Bagnaia to get the cutback, briefly reclaiming in P1.

Alex Marquez battled back straight away before Bagnaia got pushed further back from Marc Marquez – dropping the home hero to P3!

Further back, Pedro Acosta has crashed out, bringing a disappointing end to his Saturday onboard the KTM.

IT’S TIME TO GO RACING! Marc had a look down at his handlebars before the start. It looked like his ride height device was not set correctly. Bagnaia was able to profit from this, taking the lead at the opening corner, leading from Alex Marquez.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez had a storming recovery, being very aggressive in the opening corners, leaping his way back into the podium positions.

Further back, Brad Binder and Johann Zarco have collided, and it looks like it’ll be the end to both of their Sprints!

You can feel the tension on the grid, with the Italian crowd on their feet – it’s nearly time for lights out in Mugello. Remember, this is the Sprint, giving riders a unique opportunity for an almost dress rehearsal for tomorrow. Marc Marquez will be looking for a strong start from pole as 11 laps await!

There is plenty to look out for in terms of rookies this afternoon, with Fermin Aldeguer starting as the highest rookie in P12. It’s not where the #54 would be aiming to start, leaving Aldeguer with a lot of work to do if he wants to repeat his heroics from Aragon.

Further back, Ai Ogura is back on track, returning after his crash at Silverstone – watching Aragon from the sidelines. Ogura will start in 21st position ahead of fellow rookie Somkiat Chantra, who occupies the final grid slot this weekend!

Whether you missed Q2 or you just want to relive all of the action, watch the final moments of qualifying and discover how Marc Marquez was able to launch his Ducati onto prime real estate at Mugello!

Check out the starting order below, with Marc Marquez preparing for battle once more with Bagnaia and his brother Alex. It may look like a Ducati front row lockout, but the excitement is already building, just like the temperatures have all morning!

1. Marc Marquez

2. Francesco Bagnaia

3. Alex Marquez

4. Fabio Quartararo 

5. Maverick Vinales

6. Franco Morbidelli

7. Fabio Di Giannantonio

8. Pedro Acosta

9. Alex Rins

10. Marco Bezzecchi

11. Raul Fernandez

12. Fermin Aldeguer

Marc Marquez will start today’s Sprint and the Italian Grand Prix from pole position, clocking a late 1:44.169. It was an important lap from the #93, demoting Ducati Lenovo teammate Francesco Bagnaia to second while Alex Marquez will start from third – securing the final spot on the front row.

Fabio Quartararo will head from fourth, looking frustrated, but still a solid result considering yesterday’s issue with his shoulder dislocation. Maverick Vinales will start fifth, leaving Franco Morbidelli in P6 – heading the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team charge.

There’s a lot more to look out for as we get set for what could be our first Marquez vs Bagnaia fight of 2025!

Takaaki Nakagami returns to MotoGP action, this weekend so make sure you keep your eye on the #30 Honda. Nakagami will start the Sprint from P19 on the grid as he replaces Luca Marini, who continues to recover following his crash while testing at Suzuka.

Mugello is home to some of the iconic moments in MotoGP history, from Rossi’s unforgettable Hawaii-themed livery to Danilo Petrucci’s win in red back in 2019 – Italy has it all. Just under an hour from Florence, the Mugello circuit is a challenge for riders and engineers, with plenty of fast-flowing corners and elevation changes throughout the 3.26-mile lap.

MotoGP’s first visit to Mugello was in 1972, and since 1991 it has had a permanent place on the Grand Prix calendar – does another classic await today?

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