MotoGP hits Mugello this weekend, we preview the MotoGP/2/3 action

MotoGP 2025

Round Nine – Mugello – Friday

Located 30 kilometres north-east of Florence in the heart of Tuscany, the Mugello Circuit is a world-class facility renowned for its blend of technical complexity and scenic beauty.

Acquired by Ferrari in 1988, the 5.245-kilometre track has undergone extensive upgrades to become one of the most modern, safe, and picturesque racing venues globally. Its challenging layout—featuring a mix of slow and fast corners, sweeping curves, long straights, and off-camber sections—demands precision from both riders and engineers.

First hosting a MotoGP event in 1976, Mugello became a permanent fixture on the calendar in 1991 following major renovations. Nestled within a tree-lined Tuscan valley, the circuit also offers expansive spectator areas that attract a passionate and vocal Italian crowd, adding to its unique atmosphere.

“Mugello is undoubtedly the most technical circuit on the calendar, and the one where the speeds are the highest” explains Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager Piero Taramasso. ”That’s why we are very attentive to the evolution of the race bikes and have scrutinised our tyre allocation to assess the possibility of providing a perfect package. Our analyses led us to confirm the Soft and Medium tyres for the front, but we made changes to the Hard tyre. Its tread is the same composition as the Medium, but we modified the internal structure of the tyre to provide more stability in the most critical phases of riding, such as heavy braking at very high speeds at the end of the long straight. In addition, the technical configuration of the circuit makes it one of the most challenging in the championship. The Mugello track combines fast corners both uphill and downhill, which generates significant and highly variable loads on the tyres. We have therefore selected tyres capable of maintaining the balance of the bikes, especially as grip levels are relatively modest due to the ageing asphalt. Finally, as the circuit is located in a wooded area, far from any built-up areas, temperatures can be cool in the morning. The ability of our tyres to quickly reach their optimum operating temperature will also be an advantage for this high-speed race weekend.”

This weekend’s ninth round of the MotoGP World Championship marks the beginning of an intense stretch, with four Grands Prix scheduled over the next five weeks. The run-up to the mid-season break gets underway at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

With a third of the 2025 MotoGP season complete, the European tour rolls on as the paddock transitions from the arid landscapes of Aragon to the scenic hills of Tuscany for the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello.

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) holds a commanding lead in the championship standings, but with Ducati racing on home soil, expectations are high.

Following a dominant performance in Aragon, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) arrives at Mugello having topped every session of the Grand Prix weekend, a feat no rider had achieved since Marquez himself at Sachsenring in 2015. Now, a different challenge awaits. Mugello was not kind to Marquez in 2024, where he finished off the podium on his Ducati debut at the track. However, his current form makes him the clear favourite heading into this weekend.

Marc Márquez

“It will be my first time at Mugello with the Ducati Lenovo Team colors. It will certainly be a great feeling to get on the track in front of all the Ducatisti. The Mugello track, thanks to its layout and long straight, is capable of bringing out the best performances of the Desmosedici GP. It will be a busy week, also in terms of events, but we can do well. We come from a practically perfect GP, it won’t be easy to repeat ourselves here, many will be strong, but we can fight, we are in a good shape”.

Yet, the pressure is also firmly on team-mate Francesco Bagnaia. This is the reigning double World Champion’s home round and a venue where he has been untouchable in recent years, winning the last three Italian GPs. While recent rounds have exposed front-end struggles for Bagnaia, Mugello has historically been his sanctuary. Could this be the moment Bagnaia turns his 2025 season around? This is ‘his’ turf…

Francesco Bagnaia

“I can’t wait to get on track, not only because I’ve been very fast and competitive here in recent years but also because the cheering and the atmosphere will be special. Mugello is one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, it will take your breath away. Some parts of the track and sequences of corners are impressive. We are working hard, we were back on the podium, it was crucial for the whole team, and we will leave no stone unturned here”.

Splitting the factory Ducatis in the standings is Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who is enjoying a career-best season. A Moto2 winner here in 2019, he now chases his first premier-class podium at the venue.

Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is also aiming to shine on home soil and secure a first Mugello MotoGP podium, while his team-mate Fabio Di Giannantonio and rookie Fermin Aldeguer both look capable of upsetting the factory hierarchy, particularly following Aldeguer’s Sprint podium in Aragon.

Franco Morbidelli

“We arrive ready to the Italian GP, we can’t wait to race in front of all our fans. For sure, racing with a special livery at Mugello on Sunday is always peculiar, you have different feelings when you’re on track. Valentino and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team give us the chance to have this livery, then it’s our turn, as riders, to try to do a great job to take these wonderful colors where they deserve to stay, as high as possible. I can’t wait to make the first laps at Mugello with the team.”

Fabio Di Giannantonio

“After such a positive test day at Aragon, we can say we are ready for Mugello, that promises to be exciting. Racing for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team on an Italian track is very important, then at Mugello everything is very much felt. You always need to perform well in front of your family! We will have a special livery, and I am very proud of this, because we have amazing colors that will give us an extra motivation. The goal is to fight for the podium and to have fun, it would be great to be able to celebrate with these colors that we will discover on Thursday.”

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) continues to impress in his rookie campaign. His fourth place in Aragon was dubbed his “best GP yet,” and the Spaniard has already enjoyed Mugello success, claiming a Sprint podium in 2024.

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) hopes for a turnaround at home, while Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)—Mugello’s last non-Ducati winner in 2021—aims to rebound after a difficult outing at Aragon. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) will also seek redemption after missing out on points last time out, following a string of promising performances.

Marco Bezzecchi

“I am extremely happy to be heading to Mugello. It is a fantastic track for all of us Italian riders. It will be great to race there for the first time with Aprilia. We’re doing a good job and things are improving step by step. Hopefully, we’ll be able to have a good weekend and entertain all our fans.”

Fabio Quartararo

“We now start the first double-header of the season. At the test in Aragon, it looked like some of the items we tried could be positive also here in Mugello, so I’m curious to see if that is the case. I really like this circuit, and the grip here is usually better than in Aragon too, so let’s see what we can do. We will give it our all, as usual.”

KTM’s Brad Binder and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) both crashed out of contention in Aragon and aim to reset at Mugello. Viñales, a podium finisher at the Italian GP in 2017, will take on the challenge for the first time aboard KTM machinery.

Maverick Viñales

“I am excited to go to Mugello after such a positive weekend in Aragon and at the test. We found the improvements that we needed during the test, so I want to see if we can apply these into the race weekend in Italy. In Aragon, we understood that we could be at the level of the top guys, but it is going to be important for us to make the right strategies in qualifying, because our target is clearly to place our bike on the first row. I am feeling very positive, the bike is fast, I know that I can be fast, so we just need to put it all together, and hopefully we can have a strong weekend in Italy. Mugello is a very special layout, I am excited to see what awaits us there!”

After the positive results of the recent tests, Prima Pramac Yamaha approaches round nine of the season with the goal of putting the difficult Aragon weekend behind them and fighting for top positions from Friday‘s first practice session. Both Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira will have access to Yamaha‘s latest updates on their YZR-M1 machines, featuring a newly upgraded inline-four engine, revised aerodynamics, updated electronics, and setup adjustments designed to optimize tire management over race distance and improve corner exit acceleration.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of title sponsor Prima Assicurazioni, the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team will take to the track featuring a special commemorative livery.

Mugello is one of the few tracks where Jack Miller has yet to score a podium finish, with a sixth place in 2021 standing as his best result. Despite this, he has often shown lots of speed on a flying lap, as evidenced by his front row start in Moto3 back in 2014 and his fifth-place qualifying results in MotoGP in 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Jack Miller

“I‘m really happy to be heading back to Italy for the team‘s home race — it‘s a very important one for us. Mugello is such an iconic place that we all look forward to every year. We‘re coming off some good tests last week, first in Aragon and then in Montmeló, where we tried several new upgrades that we plan to use this weekend. It will also be a special race for our main sponsor, Prima, celebrating their 10th anniversary, and our bikes will look even more beautiful for the occasion.”

Miguel Oliveira‘s Mugello record, on the other hand, is much richer. After two fourth-place finishes in 2013 and 2014, he claimed victory in Moto3 in 2015 and repeated the feat in Moto2 three years later. He narrowly missed out on a MotoGP podium in 2021, finishing second behind Fabio Quartararo. Despite his strong race performances, Oliveira has yet to start from the front row in Italy, with a sixth place in 2013 — during his Moto3 days — marking his best qualifying result.

Miguel Oliveira

“After these recent days on the bike, I‘m feeling great heading into Mugello and confident that we can take another important step forward in terms of performance. While it‘s a home race for many, it feels like one for me as well, since I‘ve been living in Italy for several years now. Riding the Yamaha at Mugello adds an extra dose of happiness. We‘re growing stronger every race, and I‘m very motivated to perform well this weekend.”

Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) seeks consecutive points-scoring Sundays after a strong Aragon performance, as he continues to shoulder lead rider duties in the absence of Luca Marini. Alongside him in the box this weekend will be Takaaki Nakagami as the Japanese rider makes his debut as a Honda HRC Castrol rider. Alongside his wildcard in Le Mans, Nakagami has been hard at work with the Honda HRC Test Team to help plot the course for the future of the Honda RC213V and continues to clock up the testing miles. The Italian GP will give the Japanese test rider more valuable time on the bike in race conditions to help with further development and keep him sharp for future appearances. Fifth place in 2019 stands as Nakagami’s best premier class finish in Mugello.

Joan Mir

“Coming off our best Sunday of the year so far, I’m looking to make the most of Mugello. It’s a great circuit to ride and I am sure the battle there will be very tight. There are some areas where I think we can be quite strong, and it will be interesting to see how our bike does on the straight with the faster entry. It’s now a really busy part of the year so we need to work hard and keep our momentum up.”

Takaaki Nakagami

“First, I want to wish Luca all the best with his recovery. It’s a pleasure, an honour, to join the factory Honda HRC Castrol team – thank you to Honda HRC for opportunity. The Test Team and I have been working hard in Japan for the future but this weekend the focus will be a little bit different. I have enjoyed riding Mugello in the past and have gotten some strong results as well. Let’s see what we can do and how we can help the team during the Italian GP.”

Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), a Mugello podium finisher last season, will hope for a strong showing at his home race following a productive Aragon test.

Enea Bastianini

“Mugello is always a special race weekend for me. Racing at home in front of Italian fans, my family and friends, at such a beautiful track, is something that I am really enjoying every year. In Aragon, we found some positives to improve the change of directions and the corner entries, which are two issues I have been constantly facing since the start of the season, so I am hoping that we will be able to feel a bit better this week. We are still struggling to feel fully confident with the new tires, but I want to be able to make some progress this week to improve the grid position. Let’s be confident that the work done in the Aragon test will be fruitful for us, but anyway, I am excited to race in Italy!”

Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) arrives in form, while Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) continues his pursuit of Thailand’s first MotoGP points.

Alex Rins

“We tried a lot of things at the Aragon test, and we finished it with a good feeling. However, as I said then, we are still planning on starting this race weekend with our usual base set-up. We believe we found a good base, but we’ll need to do some tweaks to avoid last Race’s issues. We want to do well because the Italian GP is sort of our team’s home race.”

Aprilia’s Jorge Martin will again be substituted by test rider Lorenzo Savadori.

Trackhouse Aprilia was a rider down in the last two rounds, Silverstone and Aragon, asAi Ogura was unable to ride after crashing heavily in the first free practice session at the British Grand Prix. Declared unfit in Aragon and unable to take part in the MotoGP test – on the Monday, immediately after the Grand Prix at Motorland – his progress since has been positive. With final medical examinations due this week, prior to arrival in Italy, the team are confident that the 24-year-old rookie, from Tokyo, will be re-united with his RS-GP24 for opening practice, on the Friday of the Italian Grand Prix.

Ai Ogura

“First of all, I feel a lot better with my leg now – I start to feel I can ride a bike and I can race so, I think, my physical condition is going in a good direction. I have been off the bike since Silverstone, which doesn’t seem to be a long time, but I missed one race and the test, so I also believe I will need to have a bit of recovery time during the early session in the race weekend. That’s part of the game and I hope I pass through the medical check on Thursday. If everything is ok, I can’t wait to be on my bike again and start to build up everything from the beginning. I’m impatient to get back on the bike and work with my team, I need racing now and I’m happy to get going.”

After a strong run to 10th in the Grand Prix of Aragon last time out and a successful day of testing, Raul Fernandez is finding increasing confidence and speed with his RS-GP25, after a tough start to the season. Like his team-mate, Raul has podiumed at Mugello in Moto2 – taking a second place in 2021 and having produced strong race pace in Aragon, wants more in Italy.

Raul Fernandez

“At the test in Aragon we made another step. The last three races have been quite good for us and now the aim is to keep the same line of progress – I would like to make another step forward. I’m very motivated to go there, to Mugello, to see how we can improve the weekend, how we can manage our situation and anyway, I’m very confident because we are doing a good job at the moment.”

Davide Brivio – Trackhouse Aprilia Team Principal

“We are going to Mugello, of course, one of the classic MotoGP rounds and one of the most passion filled. It is a kind of mixed feeling – we come from some good races with Raul where he found a better pace, a good rhythm and especially after the Monday test in Aragon, we also had the possibility to test new items and work a little bit on the setting. So, hopefully, we will be able to put everything on the track during this weekend. Then of course, we need to understand about Ai. He is going to have the last medical check on Thursday at the track and then we will know whether he will be able to race or not. We know that if he will be able to race, he probably won’t be at 100%, but it will be very important to get back on the bike, restart and keep up the pace. Let’s hope Ai will be with us and with Raul we are looking forward to using everything we learned at the test.”

With its breathtaking natural setting, passionate Italian fans, and the highest top speeds on the calendar, Mugello delivers both prestige and pressure. As Ducati seeks a fourth consecutive home victory, the question remains: will the script hold, or will Mugello serve up another classic twist in this compelling 2025 season?

MotoGP Championship Standings

Moto2

It’s all square at the top of the Moto2 standings heading into Mugello, with Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) level on 118 points apiece. Both riders are aiming to return to the podium after a two-race absence.

Gonzalez’s ninth-place finish from 18th on the grid at Aragon marked a solid recovery, and his impressive one-day MotoGP test with Trackhouse Racing should only boost his confidence. The Spaniard will be looking to replicate, or improve on, his P2 finish in last year’s thrilling Italian Grand Prix, which was won by Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing). Meanwhile, Canet’s sixth-place result at Aragon was enough to draw level with Gonzalez in the standings, but the Fantic Racing rider will be aiming higher this weekend on home soil.

However, the major storyline from Aragon came courtesy of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), who delivered a breathtaking finish. Öncü claimed his maiden Moto2 victory—becoming the first Turkish rider to do so—while Moreira narrowly missed out by just 0.003s. It marked a second consecutive runner-up finish for the Brazilian, who appears poised to take his first win. Could Mugello be the venue?

Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) also impressed with his third podium of the season, elevating him to fourth in the championship, just behind Moreira. The Belgian and the Brazilian sit 28 and 29 points off the lead respectively, and will look to further close that gap in Italy.

Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has slipped to fifth overall following a couple of subdued rounds. The British rider will hope that a recent private test in Barcelona provides the spark he needs to re-enter podium contention.

Senna Agius brings plenty of ambitios with him to Italy, as the 20-year-old Australian also wants to be among the front-runners and improve on his current sixth-place standing in the championship standings.

Local hopes will rest heavily on Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedUp Team), who continues to search for consistent form. Vietti and teammate Alonso Lopez—who finished third at Mugello in 2023—will be among a large group of contenders eager to shine in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Moto2 campaigns in recent memory.

Moto2 Championship Standings

Moto3

For the first time in the 2025 season, neither José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) nor Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) stood atop the Moto3 podium. Instead, David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) emerged victorious at MotorLand Aragon, claiming his maiden Grand Prix win after a closely contested battle.

Muñoz’s breakthrough had been building for some time, and he delivered the goods by edging out rookie standout Máximo Quiles (CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team) in a thrilling finale. Quiles, who now has back-to-back second-place finishes, was joined on the podium by fellow rookie Álvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who secured his second top-three result of the year with third place. A debut winner and two rookies on the podium marked another exciting and unpredictable morning of Moto3 action.

Championship leader Rueda crossed the line in eighth, marking his first finish outside the podium places this season. However, the damage in terms of points was contained as his closest rivals, Piqueras and Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA), finished just ahead in seventh and sixth respectively. As a result, Rueda still holds a comfortable 52-point lead over Piqueras, with Kelso 63 points adrift as the series heads to Mugello but still third in the championship chase.

Last season’s Mugello round was an anomaly for the leading trio, with none finishing inside the top 10. That allowed riders like Muñoz and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) to secure top-five finishes, while Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) earned his maiden Moto3 podium on Italian soil in 2024.

Local interest will be high as Italian hopeful Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) arrives in form after strong outings at Silverstone and Aragon. With momentum shifting and a new winner on the board, all eyes turn to Mugello.