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‘Perfect' Grand Prix Australia win for Raul Fernandez ‘can transform not only your season, but your career’ - Neil Hodgson
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Published 19/10/2025 at 09:46 GMT+1
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Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez claimed his maiden MotoGP win on Sunday at Grand Prix Australia with an impressively cool ride. TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson was impressed by the 24-year-old Spaniard's efforts and said that a win in such circumstances has the power to transform a rider's career with his fine display in one of the last races of the season.
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TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson predicted that Raul Fernandez’s Grand Prix Australia victory could "transform" his whole career.
The Trackhouse Aprilia rider had two Sprint race podium positions coming into Sunday’s race, but the 24-year-old Spaniard had never finished in the top three in a full-length MotoGP event, let alone score an outright victory.
While Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) was the favourite going into the race after his Sprint win on Saturday, he had to negotiate a double long-lap penalty which ultimately cost him any shot at a win as he hunted for a top-three finish in the world title standings.
Fernandez took advantage of the situation when he moved past Pedro Acosta (KTM) to be ready to move to top of the pack, and he quickly secured a lead that approached nearly three seconds.
With the race end approaching, Fernandez was able to relax over the remaining few laps while staying focused on keeping his bike on the track as a maiden victory loomed.
The Trackhouse team celebrated wildly in the paddock when their man crossed the line to claim full points, and speaking shortly after the race, Hodgson told TNT Sports that the young rider would be overcome, while praising the skill and determination on display.
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"He's so emotional. He's such an emotional young man," Hodgson said.
"Unbelievable, what a perfect race. He dealt with the situation, a ridiculous difficult puzzle.
"Played it perfectly. It was so consistent. He won it easily."
Fermin Aldeguer won for BK8 Gresini two weeks ago in Indonesia as part of the end of season "flyaway" races that take place outside of Europe before MotoGP returns next month for its final races of the year.
Hodgson noted that riders had taken their chance to impress in the unusual circumstances, which took place while Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin - the two most recent world champions - recover from their respective injury setbacks.
"What a few weeks, with Aldeguer winning two weeks ago. We've got Raul Fernandez [here]," Hodgson commented.
"Expect the unexpected. These weekends, these are the ones where you can transform not only your season, but your career. In tricky conditions you can find something special."
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Marquez’s title lead is insurmountable, but the younger riders will have a chance to impress as they look to move into their own position for championship challenges in the coming seasons.
Marquez’s younger brother, Alex Marquez, finished in fourth spot to herald a relative return to form for the BK8 Gresini rider, whose underperformance in the second half of the season cost him the chance of pushing his older brother for the title. Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 came second, and third spot went to Bezzecchi.
The next race in the MotoGP season is Grand Prix Malaysia next weekend, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch and stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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