Bezzecchi's Masterclass Clinches Valencia Thriller: MotoGP 2025 Bows Out in Style
Valencia, Spain – November 16, 2025 – The curtain fell on an electrifying 2025 MotoGP season with a nail-biting showdown at the Motul Grand Prix de la Comunitat Valenciana, where Marco Bezzecchi delivered a lights-to-flag masterclass to hold off a charging Raul Fernandez by a mere 0.6 seconds. The Aprilia Racing rider's victory not only capped his personal resurgence with back-to-back wins but also gifted the Italian manufacturer its first 1-2 finish since 2023, signaling ominous intent for 2026.
In a race defined by early chaos and late drama, Bezzecchi's composure under pressure shone through as he fended off Fernandez's relentless pursuit over 27 laps of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the podium in third, snatching the position from Pedro Acosta on the final lap to preserve Ducati's astonishing streak of 88 consecutive podiums.
A Start Packed with Fireworks
The race ignited before the lights even went out. Franco Morbidelli's grid-side crash into Aleix Espargaro's stationary Honda spelled an abrupt end to the Italian's season, compounded by a confirmed left-hand fracture that will sideline him for Tuesday's post-season test.
As the field surged forward, Bezzecchi nailed the holeshot, but Turn 4 quickly became a scene of devastation. Johann Zarco's loss of control sent Francesco Bagnaia tumbling into the gravel, prematurely concluding the Ducati Lenovo Team leader's campaign. Zarco, penalized with a long lap for the incident, fought back to salvage 12th.
With the dust settling, Bezzecchi led Alex Marquez into the distance, while Fernandez methodically carved through the pack. The Trackhouse rider dispatched Di Giannantonio early before hunting down Marquez at the last corner on Lap 11, setting the stage for a two-way duel at the front.
Mid-Race Momentum Shifts
The battle for the podium intensified as Acosta, the rookie sensation, clawed his way to third by overtaking Marquez at Turn 4 on Lap 20. Di Giannantonio, ever the opportunist, mirrored the move a lap later to slot into fourth, turning the top five into a high-stakes chess match.
Bezzecchi, meanwhile, stretched his lead to over a second mid-race, only for Fernandez to reel him in dramatically. By Lap 23, the gap had shrunk to 0.540 seconds, dipping to a heart-stopping 0.4 seconds on the penultimate tour. The duo's wheel-to-wheel intensity evoked memories of classic Valencia finales, with Bezzecchi's Aprilia RS-GP proving just a touch more forgiving in the closing sectors.
Behind, Acosta defended stoutly against Di Giannantonio's advances, but the VR46 rider's daring lunge at Turn 4 on the final lap proved decisive. Acosta settled for fourth, a solid if bittersweet end to his debut year, while Fermin Aldeguer nipped teammate Alex Marquez at the line for fifth.
Full Race Classification
The 2025 Valencia GP delivered a fittingly unpredictable top ten, with retirements and penalties shuffling the order. Here's the final rundown:
Championship Echoes and Farewell Notes
While the race itself was a standalone spectacle, it underscored the season's broader narratives. Bezzecchi's triumph vaults Aprilia to a top-three finish in the Constructors' standings, a stark warning to rivals after a year of Ducati dominance. Speaking of which, the Italian powerhouse closes 2025 with Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez locking out the Riders' Championship in a 1-2 that cements their resurgence.
Bittersweet goodbyes dotted the paddock: Miguel Oliveira bowed out of MotoGP in 11th, bound for WorldSBK glory next year, while Honda's concession progress – thanks to Luca Marini's P7 – offers glimmers of hope amid a challenging campaign.
As the paddock packs up for the winter, all eyes turn to Tuesday's Valencia Test, where 2026 prototypes will hint at what's next. For now, though, Bezzecchi's Valencia virtuoso act ensures the 2025 MotoGP chronicle ends on a high-octane high.
Newsmoto coverage of the 2025 MotoGP season brought to you in partnership with official MotoGP sources.
