Raúl Fernández delivered a stunning performance to win the Sprint Race at the Italian Grand Prix, giving Aprilia a prestigious victory at Mugello, a circuit traditionally regarded as Ducati territory. The Spanish Trackhouse rider held off Jorge Martín to secure the win, further underlining his talent in what could prove to be a crucial season for his future.
Competing in sweltering conditions, with air temperatures reaching 31°C and track temperatures approaching 50°C, Fernández established himself at the front from the opening laps. Although Marc Márquez made an aggressive start and gained positions under braking into the first corner, Fernández and Martín quickly moved ahead and set a pace that the rest of the field struggled to match.
Behind them, Diogo Moreira emerged as an early surprise by climbing into third place, while Márquez adopted a more cautious approach, mindful of his physical condition. Fabio Di Giannantonio, meanwhile, launched an impressive charge through the field, overtaking both Marco Bezzecchi and Márquez in an effort to stay within reach of the leaders.
As the race unfolded, it became a private battle between the two Aprilia riders. Fernández gradually built a gap of around seven tenths of a second over Martín, while Di Giannantonio, running in third, was unable to close the distance to the leading duo.
The Sprint was also marked by several incidents. Enea Bastianini crashed at Turn 10 after losing the front end while battling Pedro Acosta. Shortly afterward, Franco Morbidelli also went down, while Joan Mir was forced to retire due to what appeared to be a rear-tyre-related technical issue.
In the closing stages, Martín mounted a determined challenge, steadily reducing the gap and applying pressure to his fellow Spaniard. Fernández, however, remained calm and composed, entering the final lap with a comfortable advantage and managing the race flawlessly to keep Martín at bay.
When the chequered flag fell, Fernández celebrated a memorable victory, one that carries added significance given his uncertain future. He is currently the only one of Aprilia’s four riders without a contract for the 2027 season.
Behind the leading pair, Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi completed the top four, while Marc Márquez secured a valuable fifth-place finish after successfully fending off late pressure from Fermín Aldeguer. It was an encouraging result for the eight-time world champion, who delivered a smart and controlled performance without taking unnecessary risks.
In the championship standings, Bezzecchi remains at the top with a 12-point advantage over Martín. Márquez remains further back but succeeded in limiting the damage during a demanding Sprint race at Mugello.