By Donovan Fourie | Guest Contributor | MotoGP Analyst
A Quiet Race with Subtle Highlights
As far as the list of the top ten greatest Grand Prix races of all time goes, the 2025 Portuguese MotoGP sadly will not make the top ten. Nor the top hundred. In fact, you might need to look somewhere nearer the bottom of the list.
While it was far from action-packed, it was, in the broader scheme of things, interesting.
Saturday Sprint: Short but Sweet
We start with the Sprint Race on Saturday — a race so opposite to the mundane Main Race that it’s difficult to believe both happened at the same circuit on the same weekend. Bezzecchi, who had been solid but not dominant all weekend, managed to bring his Aprilia home in a commendable third.
The real battle was between Alex Marquez on the Ducati GP24 and Pedro Acosta on the KTM. Marquez’s Ducati carried more speed along the undulating main straight, usually pushing the KTM back to second. Acosta, strong on the brakes, would retake Marquez whenever he got close enough. Eventually, Marquez held off Acosta’s late charge to claim the win.
Sunday’s Main Race: Consistency Over Chaos
After a relatively mediocre weekend, Bezzecchi got out front and stayed there, pulling away from Marquez and Acosta. The top three remained unchanged for most of the race, with gaps of more than two seconds between them.
Near the end, Acosta closed in on Marquez but couldn’t snatch second before the flag. His late pace was notable — a sign of improved tyre management, something that has historically been his weakness. The Spaniard’s composure in Portugal hinted at a new level of maturity that could spell trouble for his rivals in future races.
Bezzecchi and Aprilia: A Weekend of Growth
Bezzecchi’s win showed an Aprilia side once monopolised by Ducati — the ability to develop a bike throughout a weekend. We saw similar evolution from Pecco Bagnaia in previous years: slow on Friday, quick on Saturday, and a winner on Sunday.
Interestingly, every time Bezzecchi wins, Bagnaia seems to crash. This time, Bagnaia was running comfortably in fourth when he lost the front mid-corner — a recurring issue that’s plagued him this season. Bezzecchi’s victory, paired with Bagnaia’s crash, secured him third place in the championship behind the two Marquez brothers.
Brad Binder: A Tough but Promising Season
It’s been a challenging year for South Africa’s Brad Binder. The arrival of a young, high-performing teammate has shifted KTM’s focus, and with it, the design philosophy of their bikes.
Binder is a natural sideways rider — a style that’s become difficult to maintain as KTM now prefers bikes that stay inline, following the modern MotoGP trend. Where Binder’s sideways braking once helped him corner aggressively, the new bike setup causes the front tyre to lock under pressure, limiting his edge.
This change has affected his hallmark trait: late braking and overtaking. Acosta hasn’t struggled as much, thanks to his adaptability and youth, while Binder, now in his 30s, faces the challenge of unlearning years of ingrained technique.
From Fourteenth to Fifth: Binder’s Sunday Strength
Despite qualifying 14th, Binder climbed to finish fifth — another testament to his Sunday consistency. He might not deliver the fastest single lap, but his endurance across 25 laps remains one of the best in MotoGP.
Binder’s long-game strength makes him a unique competitor. If his tyres hold up, he’s a threat throughout the race. With his contract extending into 2026, Binder now has another season to adapt his style, supported by a new crew chief — the same mastermind who helped Toprak Razgatlioglu dominate in WSBK.
Like Toprak, Binder thrives under braking pressure. The partnership could unlock his next level.