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WDW's Race of Champions is anything but a "little race" between friends, because when you put 15 riders (for a total of 20 world titles) on the Misano circuit with brand-new Panigale V4 2025s you can be sure that no one wants to finish 2nd. And so it was, the spectacle was not lacking...and neither was the controversy.
The winner (as in the 2022 edition) was Pecco Bagnaia, who, however, had a hard time of it and not only because of the scorching temperatures (with the asphalt at 50 degrees). The MotoGP world champion did nothing wrong at the start and got in front, however, he had to deal with Iannone who was on his back for almost all of the race. A few laps from the end the rider from Vasto was his shadow, then Pecco made the decisive push that allowed him to cross the finish line alone.
"I had fun, I tried to push to keep out of trouble, but Andrea was there until the end. The really nice thing was the cheering, I could hear it even with my earplugs," commented Bagnaia.
With Iannone second, the third step of the podium was decided at the last corner. Marc Marquez, in fact, after moving up to fourth after the start, went after Bulega, catching up with him right at the very end. The Spaniard started to overake him into the last corner and Nicolò went down on the ground. "I think we put on a good show for all the fans, the important thing is that we had fun. Too bad Bulega fell, I don't know if we touched, but we will go on the podium together," Marc explained. Nicolò went to the medical center for a shoulder check and initial tests ruled out any fractures.
Fourth place went to Marco Bezzecchi who preceded his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio. Sixth place for Rinaldi ahead of Morbidelli, who managed to hold off Bastianini. Martin, after a disastrous start, found himself in last place but recovered to finish 9th, ahead of Pirro, Alex Marquez, Bautista, Petrucci and Irwin.
You can rewatch the race above.
