‘I'm very, very happy’ – Marco Bezzecchi seals MotoGP third with Valencia glory
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) claimed his third win of the season and secured third place in the MotoGP World Championship at the final round of the season at Valencia.
The Italian was sensational as he dominated the 27-lap Motul Grand Prix race, leading from the lights to the chequered flag.
From pole position, the 27-year-old never put a wheel wrong as he took back-to-back victories for the first time - and tied with Aleix Espargaro as Aprilia’s most successful ever MotoGP rider.
“I had a lot of fun to be honest, especially in the end because Raul was super fast and super close,” said Bezzecchi. “He was always getting closer lap by lap.
"It was tough but I'm very, very happy and super satisfied with the job from the guys.
"I can't hope for a better way to finish the season and now we are going to celebrate for sure.
"We need it and must do it, then...we start 2026.”
MotoGP rookie Raul Fernandez finished second, 0.686 seconds behind on the Trackhouse Aprilia.
It was his second podium of the season after winning in Australia.
“Five laps from the finish, I saw that he made two mistakes and I cut three tenths and thought that maybe it was possible to win,” said Fernandez. “I am happy I am here because seven days ago I was injured with my shoulder.
"To end with a podium with Marco in Valencia is fantastic.”
Fabio di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed the podium after getting the better of KTM's Pedro Acosta.
Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) finished ahead of team-mate Alex Marquez, winner of the previous day's Tissot Sprint race, for fifth.
In the Moto2 class, Brazilian Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) was crowned the new Moto2 World champion, as Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) secured his first Moto2 victory, winning a race-long battle with Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar Team).
Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR - Frinsa - MSi) completed an all-Spanish podium.
Jake Dixon had his final outing in Elf Marc VDS Racing Team colours, finishing seventh in his last Moto2 race before moving to WorldSBK with Honda.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) claimed his maiden Moto3 victory at his home race.
The Spaniard barged his way into the lead from fourth in the early stages of lap one and was never headed to the chequered flag despite the four-rider chasing pack finishing less than a second adrift.
Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) finished second and third, respectively.
Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) finished fourth. Pini’s teammate, Irish rider Casey O’Gorman, advanced from 15th on the grid to finish in 13th, his second back-to-back points-scoring finish.