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Motorsport

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia called to MotoGP race direction to discuss Italian GP clash

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia were summoned to MotoGP race direction following their glancing touch during the frenetic start to the Italian Grand Prix.

Marc Marquez and Bagnaia, along with Alex Marquez, engaged in an explosive battle for the lead during the opening laps at Mugello, highlighted by the two factory Ducat riders making contact at Turn 5 on the third lap.

Bagnaia clipped Marc Marquez's rear wheel with his front wheel, an incident that ended without consequences as both riders remained mounted to their GP25 bikes, while Alex Marquez took advantage of the clash to briefly lead the race.

The fight was so frantic that race direction decided to call in both factory Ducati riders to explain the manoeuvre. Neither rider was under investigation, as the summons focused on discussing the incident with the riders and not about a potential penalty.

Because Marquez was at the official podium press conference, while Bagnaia missed out having finished fourth, the Italian was the first to speak, while Marc did so later after his media appearances.

Marquez explained what he felt about the incident and downplayed the situation: "I was hoping to stay calm and let the laps go by, but Pecco was very brave and started with a lot of desire.

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team (Photo by: Tiziana Fabi / AFP via Getty Images)

"But in my head, I was just trying to be patient and let the fuel tank run down a bit to establish the pace I had in practice."

Bagnaia, for his part, played down the situation and stated that "the collision with Marc was typical of a race".

"Today, in general, they didn't penalise anything, that was quite clear in Moto3, so I think it was just a clarification,” Bagnaia explained.

“I don't know what they said to Marc, but for me it was normal contact: he just waited to open the throttle because he didn't want me to cut in front, which is normal in a race.”

With Marc Marquez recording his fifth grand prix win of the season, he has moved into a 40-point lead over his brother Alex in the championship, while Bagnaia is now 110 points off the top in third place.

Photos from Italian GP - Race

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Jack Miller, Pramac Racing, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fermin Aldeguer, Gresini Racing, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Ducati Team special livery

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Ducati Team special livery

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

 VR46 Racing Team special livery

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Ducati Team special livery

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Spectators attend the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fans.

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Race Start.

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Lorenzo Savadori, Aprilia Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Jack Miller, Pramac Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Italian GP - Sunday

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In this article
Germán Garcia Casanova
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Marc Marquez
Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati Team
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