Joan Mir expresses concern regarding the engine, pointing out Honda's "vulnerabilities." He acknowledges, "When it comes to racing, we've already been defeated…"

Joan Mir expressed his satisfaction with the advances Honda has made in MotoGP following the last day of preseason testing in Thailand. However, he still has reservations about certain shortcomings of the RC213V.

Mir's positive outlook was sparked by his performance during the last day's time trial. Although he completed just a single attempt, he still achieved a speed that ranked him sixth overall.

"The lap wasn't impressive," remarked Mir. "I struggled to piece everything together since we only fitted one tire at the end and didn't perform two time attacks as many other riders did."

"I'm pleased about this, as it indicates that we achieved the lap time and still have some room for improvement."

Joan Mir highlights the benefits of Honda. The Spanish rider expressed his satisfaction with his comfort on the motorcycle and his consistent speed during extended rides.

Mir stated that what matters most to him at present is how he feels while riding the bike.

"The speed we achieved in the Sprint simulation is the best I've experienced since joining Honda, so I couldn't ask for anything better."

He stated: "My current emotions are quite different from what I experienced last year. I am optimistic that we can maintain this progress and avoid losing our way during the development process, as we did around the same time last year."

"I trust that we will gain insights from our errors, and I also wish to commend my team for achieving such progress in a short timeframe, which is no small feat."

"I'm really pleased for the team. While these tests might seem insignificant, they hold great importance for the employees involved."

"It’s remarkable to be nearing the top five with such a gap, especially considering that just a few months back, we struggled to compete even against some test riders."

During this preseason, Mir has repeatedly expressed a mix of hope for the advancements achieved and concern over the remaining weaknesses of the Honda in 2025.

"We have a few vulnerabilities, and the issue is that these vulnerabilities are quite significant and very fragile," he stated.

"I'm concerned about the engine. Although the bike performs nicely and allows me to ride in a manner that I enjoy, I can't deny that there's an issue. The problem is that we're the slowest on the straight sections."

"Today, we managed to achieve a lap time that placed us in a strong position, even though the bike might not match the competition on the straights."

"In the context of racing, we've already been defeated, which is somewhat concerning to me."

Marini seeks validation of a “normal GP”

Luca Marini, who is Mir's teammate at Honda HRC Castrol, shared a similar sense of careful hopefulness. However, Marini's main worry was about the grip on the track. The excellent conditions in Buriram, along with the high grip resulting from continuous practice over two days, suggested that the test—particularly on the second day—did not accurately reflect what one would expect during a typical race weekend.

"Marini remarked that achieving a 1:29 was straightforward on the last day of testing."

"In the Grand Prix, it's essential for us to verify everything, as the track conditions both today and yesterday were unbelievable."

"The conditions were masking certain issues we face, such as grip. In these situations, the grip is exceptional, allowing us to apply more power to the bike when accelerating out of slow corners, and making it easier to bring the bike to a stop."

"Thursday was definitely a great day, and Wednesday was also successful, making the entire preseason a positive experience overall."

"We have a clear understanding of the setup needed for the initial races, and we are fairly pleased as we've improved upon our performance from this time last year."

"It's somewhat premature to make a definitive statement, as we need to assess our standing in a regular Grand Prix."

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Jack Miller draws a comparison between his riding technique and that of Fabio Quartararo on the new Yamaha. "I am working on figuring out how to adjust my style to replicate those actions," he said.

Jack Miller has taken Fabio Quartararo as a reference point while familiarizing himself with his Yamaha.

During preseason trials, Yamaha has drawn significant attention, as Quarararo led the first day of testing in Sepang.

During the last day of testing in Buriram, Quartararo secured an impressive eighth place, whereas Pramac Yamaha's Miller finished in 10th position.

Miller drew a parallel between his experience on the Yamaha and that of Quartararo, noting, "I've primarily been comparing myself to Fabio, since he is the quickest rider."

"He has notable strengths, certain weaknesses, and some unique qualities."

"With this bicycle, he performs unique actions."

"I am working on adjusting my style to accomplish tasks like that, while also recognizing my strengths."

Jack Miller Transitions from KTM to Yamaha

During the 2025 preseason tests, Jack Miller's switch from KTM to Yamaha has shown mostly favorable results.

He expressed that he had always believed Yamaha had a solid foundation. His main curiosity was about how his riding style would mesh with the bike and what adjustments he might need to make.

"I'm having a great time riding it. Whenever I put on a new tire, I find myself thinking, 'I should have let go sooner and taken the corner just a bit faster.'"

"It's an enjoyable bike to ride, especially when pushing it to its limits. That's when its true qualities really shine."

"We've taken significant strides and are certain to see progress in the initial races."

"The path looks promising. I'm feeling positive. I'm eager to start racing now."

Miller commented, "I believe I'm as prepared as possible. The bike is performing well, and I'm pleased with our current situation."

"We tossed two tires onto it, something we hadn’t tried before. It was enjoyable. While it's always a bit nerve-wracking, it’s also exciting. Completing it brings satisfaction."

"The bike handles nicely in that scenario, which is impressive."

The focus is on grasping the necessary steps to prepare the motorcycle for achieving that specific lap time. This involves techniques such as scrubbing the rear tire, optimizing the performance of the front, and finding ways to make up the time.

"I completed the sprint simulation and was very pleased with my timing."

"I encountered a problem with one of the maps when trying to start. There was a preset qualifying map that caused me to begin the lap immediately! The last three laps became quite intense."

"It was useful to have her take that action to grasp the situation."

"When we return in 10 days, the situation will largely remain unchanged."

"I'm prepared to ride, and I find the bike enjoyable. Each day is an opportunity to discover something new about it and understand what it requires from me."

Statements shared by Derry Munikartono in Buriram

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2025 Buriram MotoGP Official Test Scores – First Day (Wednesday)

Closing lap times recorded at 6pm on the initial day, Wednesday, of the 2025 Buriram MotoGP official testing.

Closing lap records from the first day of the 2025 Buriram MotoGP trials on Wednesday.

Throughout much of the initial day of testing at the sweltering Buriram circuit, Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez, who previously led in Barcelona and Sepang tests, was at the top of the timesheets. However, in the final moments of the day, his brother Marc Marquez surged ahead, beating Alex's time by 0.465 seconds.

Marc Marquez alongside his team member from Ducati Lenovo, Francesco Bagnaia, were seen on GP24 Desmosedicis, fueling speculation about their indecision on selecting GP25 components for racing.

Franco Morbidelli secured third place for VR46, followed closely by Aprilia’s sole factory racer Marco Bezzecchi. Red Bull KTM's Pedro Acosta and Honda's Luca Marini rounded out the top six, while Jack Miller was the quickest Yamaha, finishing in tenth.

The last day of pre-season trials is set for Thursday, ahead of MotoGP's comeback to Buriram for the season's first race at the month's close.

Rider has moved up X spots since the last hour.

Rider's status remains unchanged from the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X spots since the last hour.

Recorded achievements at the Buriram MotoGP:

Fastest circuit time: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024).

Quickest lap time in the race: Marco Bezzecchi on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute and 30.896 seconds (2023)

The last pre-season test for the 2025 MotoGP season kicked off on Wednesday morning at Thailand's Buriram circuit.

Last week at Sepang, Alex Marquez from Gresini Racing took the Ducati GP24 to the leading position, and after topping the timesheets at the Barcelona test in November, he's poised to dominate the winter testing season.

In the meantime, the Ducati factory team, featuring siblings Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, faces significant decisions regarding the engine selection for their upcoming GP25 model. This is especially critical as the engine designs for all European motorcycles will be locked in from the first round through to the conclusion of 2026.

Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha emerged as the top contenders following Ducati at Sepang, leveraging additional track time during the Shakedown. However, the question remains if they can maintain their performance in Buriram when conditions are the same for everyone.

Exclusive to Honda, the Chang International Circuit has already seen MotoGP action before 2025, thanks to a private session in January where Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami took to the track.

This week, Aprilia's recent recruit and the current MotoGP titleholder, Jorge Martin, along with VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio, who both sustained injuries in Sepang, will not be participating. Raul Fernandez, who was also hurt on the opening day in Malaysia, plans to attempt to compete in Buriram.

The Buriram trials are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with practice launches occurring afterward, on both Wednesday and Thursday.

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For two decades, Peter has witnessed the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi from the racing scene. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki’s departure and the health challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Fabio Quartararo reacts to Yamaha being labeled as the underdog in MotoGP, stating, "Setting a specific goal is quite challenging."

Fabio Quartararo has stated that he is not setting any specific goals for the 2025 MotoGP season. Although Yamaha's winter testing showed promising results, he mentioned that they are still in a phase focused on making improvements.

Following a second consecutive season without any victories in 2024, Yamaha seems to have made a strong start with its 2025 contender during the Sepang shakedown and two official pre-season tests conducted over the past month.

Quartararo finished the Buriram test in eighth place overall, and on Thursday in Thailand, the French rider performed a promising sprint simulation.

Yamaha's impressive performance over the winter has led some, including Ducati, to see the Japanese brand and Quartararo as contenders in the upcoming season.

However, the 2021 world champion is careful not to set high expectations before the start of the new season.

"I don't have any objectives or ambitions," he stated.

"At this moment, it's challenging for me to establish a specific goal because we are still in the phase where improvements are necessary."

"Currently, we are in a phase where we continue to make progress."

"I believe the objectives will be established shortly before the sprint event and the main race."

"It's advisable to establish goals once we have a reasonable understanding of our current situation."

Fabio Quartararo discusses problem with tires

Quartararo has faced difficulties with the front tires provided by Michelin during the Buriram test, and these issues continued on Thursday.

When questioned about whether the distance to the lead was greater than anticipated, he remarked, "I believe the conditions in Sepang were distinct."

Additionally, I lacked a strong sense of control at the front, which I believe cost me about two to three tenths of a second, particularly during the time attack.

"Regarding our speed, I believe that, similar to Malaysia, we were about three-tenths slower during the sprint simulation."

"In my opinion, we're about three to four-tenths of a second slower compared to the leading competitors."

"Indeed, I believe it's pretty much what I anticipated here. However, I thought the time attack would be quicker because I didn't foresee having an issue with the front end."

The French rider mentioned that Yamaha still hasn't resolved its issues with rear traction; however, the 2025 model has shown improvements in top speed.

"Regrettably, we were unable to enhance the traction grip."

"We enhanced the maximum speed, which is essential for us."

"Like I mentioned earlier, we struggled with the front corner speed, which was a challenge for us. We're hopeful we can address this issue during the race weekend."

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2025 Official Buriram MotoGP trial: Marc Marquez ascends to leading position on initial day

Eight-time world champion propels Ducati team to forefront

Marc Marquez concluded the first day of the Buriram MotoGP pre-season trials at the top of the leaderboard, pulling ahead of the competition by 0.465 seconds with a quick lap on his official Ducati during a late surge.

The concluding two-day trial before the season kicks off holds significance for everyone, yet it appears to be particularly crucial for the official Ducati team as it determines which engine to deploy for the upcoming two seasons.

Before the session concluded, team leader David Tardozzi indicated the high probability of competing with the GP24 engine this season.

It seems that was the motor Marquez primarily used throughout the day, and it was also the one he utilized to achieve Wednesday's quickest lap time.

Positioned within the leading duo until the last hour, Marquez pushed ahead with a late burst, clocking a 1m29.184s to take the top spot.

He surpassed his sibling, Alex Marquez, who was riding for Gresini on a complete GP24, by achieving the best time of 1m29.649s in the third hour of the session.

The lap remained the standard until the final moments, when Marc Marquez dazzled everyone with his time on the scoreboard.

Franco Morbidelli secured a top three finish for VR46 on a Ducati, trailing Alex Marquez by just 0.034 seconds.

Marco Bezzecchi secured the fourth position riding the top Aprilia, clocking in at 1 minute and 29.794 seconds, as Pedro Acosta spearheaded KTM's effort, finishing fifth.

Luca Marini had yet another promising day of pre-season testing for Honda, securing sixth place with a time of 1 minute and 29.928 seconds, outpacing his HRC teammate Johann Zarco from LCR.

Francesco Bagnaia secured the eighth position riding for the affiliated Ducati team, while KTM rider Brad Binder finished ninth, even after a late fall at Turn 5.

Jack Miller from Pramac emerged as the top Yamaha rider, securing the 10th spot with a time of 1 minute and 30.047 seconds. Meanwhile, Honda's Joan Mir positioned himself among the M1 riders, surpassing both Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo.

Fermin Aldeguer led the newcomers for Gresini Ducati, finishing 14th, while Ai Ogura of Trackhouse Racing rounded out the top 15.

On Wednesday in Thailand, Tech3 KTM's Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales appeared to face difficulties once more, finishing 16th and 18th respectively, whereas Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse, returning from injury, ended up 19th after completing 33 laps.

Complete Results from the First Day of Testing in Buriram

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Pecco Bagnaia confesses: “I was dishonest and couldn't reveal the truth” regarding the Ducati engine choice. Pecco Bagnaia discusses Ducati's significant engine decision.

Francesco Bagnaia expressed that he was "certain from the beginning" that Ducati's engine for 2024 outperformed the 2025 model during the MotoGP winter testing sessions.

The primary focus of the 2025 pre-season testing has been Ducati's selection of engine, a topic that gained additional significance due to the impending two-year development freeze starting with the Thai Grand Prix.

On Thursday, during the testing session in Buriram, Ducati announced that it would approve the engine it plans to use in 2024 for its factory riders in 2025. This decision came because the latest version of the engine did not show a significant improvement.

Francesco Bagnaia, who ranked fifth in the Buriram testing session dominated by his teammate Marc Marquez, mentioned on Wednesday that while the 2025 engine showed competitive performance, it did not perform as well as the 2024 model when it came to braking.

At the conclusion of the Buriram test, Bagnaia confessed to deceiving the press and revealed that he had been confident from the beginning of the pre-season that the 2024 engine was superior.

He expressed that surpassing the '24 model was challenging, and he believes others might be willing to pay to experience something similar.

"However, from where I stood, I was absolutely certain. I must admit that I've been somewhat deceitful lately, but I was unable to reveal the truth."

"However, I had a strong belief from the beginning that the ’24 version was superior."

"After putting in some effort and attempting to make improvements, Marc and I both agreed on the first day in Malaysia that the GP24 was still slightly superior."

"Our efforts to enhance the braking system didn't go as planned. However, during our work on the '24 model, we realized there is still room for improvement, which is promising news."

Pecco Bagnaia discusses Ducati's testing in Buriram

Ducati appears poised to kick off the year with its 2024 aerodynamics and chassis in place. However, Bagnaia mentions that the bike he will be using is a "’24.9," indicating that it is extremely similar to the latest model.

On Wednesday, Bagnaia faced challenges in Thailand, prompting him to go back to the basics on the last day of testing to enhance his motorcycle.

After a period of hard work, Bagnaia concludes the test feeling satisfied with the improvements his team achieved.

"This morning, to be truthful, I began experiencing the same feelings I had the previous day," he mentioned.

"However, from that point onward, we began making progress with each practice, and I'm quite pleased with the results."

"Today was challenging, but we successfully finished our work despite losing everything the day before."

"We had to start over, but I was making progress. This makes me happy. I'm particularly pleased with my performance on worn tires, as I remained very competitive towards the end of the day using them."

"The only aspect that didn't go as planned today was the time trial I attempted towards the end of the session, due to factors beyond our control.

"I believe the race weekend itself won't pose any issues for us. Beyond that, there's nothing else to add. I'm simply content."

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Ducati reveals important engine choice affecting Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez

Ducati faced a dilemma regarding engine selection for 2024 or 2025

Davide Tardozzi, the head of the Ducati team, has announced that the factory riders of the Italian brand will compete using the 2024 engine for the upcoming two MotoGP seasons.

Throughout the pre-season, Ducati has consistently appeared formidable. However, uncertainty has surrounded their choice regarding which engine they will use for the 2025 races.

The GP24, which has already proven to be a highly successful model with victories in 16 out of 20 races last year, sets a solid foundation. With a two-year engine freeze starting this season, the GP25 engine needs to show significant improvement.

During the Buriram test on Wednesday, both Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia acknowledged that the 2025 engine shows strong competitiveness. However, Marquez conceded that there are some "notable weaknesses" with it.

Facing significant uncertainty, Ducati has decided not to approve an engine for a two-year period. Instead, the company has chosen Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Fabio Di Giannantonio from the VR46 team to compete using the 2024 engine.

"The decision has been made, and the engine used for the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be the one from 2024," stated Tardozzi.

"Like I mentioned the day before, Gigi Dall’Igna is not willing to take any chances."

"Our team back home will need to work hard to prepare engines for our three factory riders ahead of the first race. However, Gigi has made the call, and I believe we'll have those engines ready."

Will Ducati Revert to Previous Chassis and Aero Design?

Ducati might consider beginning the 2025 season using their chassis and aerodynamics setup from 2024. The brand plans to re-evaluate these components during the testing session following the Spanish Grand Prix.

Tardozzi mentioned that using the 2024 chassis and aerodynamics in races is indeed a potential option.

"I believe the ultimate choice regarding the fairing and chassis will be made this evening. As for the engine, which is already set, we plan to delay testing the other new components we have until the Jerez trials, as we'd like to evaluate them further."

"Certain components related to electronics and suspension are already part of the bike, and these are the elements intended for the 2025 model."

With all six of Ducati's motorcycles now competing with engines for the 2024 season, the manufacturer will need to put in significant effort in the next few weeks to produce all of these engines. However, Tardozzi remains unconcerned about this challenge.

He mentioned that constructing those engines would require a significant amount of work from the team.

"However, should we choose to pursue this, it can be achieved. In my opinion, making enhancements to the 2024 bike presents a significant challenge."

"We made a strong effort, but ultimately, we couldn't locate what we anticipated. As a result, we've opted for the safest choice for the riders."

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Fabio Quartararo discusses unusual experience during MotoGP testing in Buriram

"For the first time in my career, I found myself not favoring any of the front tires…"

Following an impressive performance at the Sepang test last week, Fabio Quartararo kicked off this week's Buriram MotoGP test with a day he characterized as "unusual".

The distinctiveness of the day stemmed from the sensation Quartararo experienced at the front end of his Yamaha, which he attributed to the tyres.

"Today felt quite unusual for us," commented the rider from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP after the first day of testing in Buriram, "mainly because it's one of the rare occasions in my career when I found no front tyres to my liking.

"Today, I faced significant challenges in both riding and maintaining speed."

"Thus, we'll find out tomorrow whether the track conditions get better and allow me to ride as I desire; since today, despite our numerous attempts, my riding was not up to par."

"Hopefully, by tomorrow we'll be able to discover a tire, or a tire configuration, that suits our needs."

The rider from France mentioned that he and Yamaha were still unsure about the reason behind his diminishing confidence with the front end. However, he emphasized his conviction that the issue stemmed from the tyres rather than the YZR-M1 motorcycle.

"Whenever there are two tyres involved, you often find yourself favoring one over the other," he stated.

"However, disliking both is a new experience for me. I'm unsure of the reason, but I'm hopeful that my feelings will shift by tomorrow."

Quartararo Finishes 13th in Buriram Trial

Quartararo described that his lack of comfort with the front end contributed to an improved sense of stability during braking.

"The bicycle feels somewhat steadier, primarily due to my inability to apply a lot of force to the front brake," he explained.

Naturally, the motorcycle is steadier now. Last season, I was able to really push its boundaries, so I anticipate that tomorrow, as I attempt to extend those limits again, we might see the bike become unstable once more, especially if we encounter similar issues with the tyres during the race.

"Thus, come tomorrow morning, we aim to really test the bike's limits."

Quartararo could verify that Yamaha has improved its performance in straight-line speed after trailing Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez.

"I was trailing Alex Marquez for a lap, but it's challenging to make a direct comparison when he's on a tyre that's been used for 18 laps and mine has only seen five laps, so it's tough to gauge accurately. However, I believe we've made significant advancements on the straightaways," he mentioned.

In conclusion, the 2021 World Champion mentioned that Yamaha's aerodynamic and engine setup is now "essentially established," and that he dedicated most of his day to experimenting with new electronic approaches.

On the last day of the 2025 MotoGP preseason trials happening Thursday, Quartararo concentrated on refining his starting techniques, believing that there was potential for enhancement following the practice launch session that took place in the interval between Wednesday's morning and afternoon sessions.

"Tomorrow, we aim to experiment with some new strategies for the electronics at the start, with the hope of achieving some improvements," he stated.

"Today, I believe we tried various approaches that might have been effective, but unfortunately, they didn't yield the desired results for us."

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2025 Official Buriram MotoGP Test: Marc Marquez Concludes Pre-Season in the Lead

Ducati's Factory Rider Grabs Attention on the Last Day of Trials

Marc Marquez achieved the fastest time with his factory Ducati on the last day of MotoGP pre-season testing in Thailand, maintaining his lead over Alex Marquez.

The standout news from the last day of winter testing was Ducati's choice to use the 2024 engine model for the upcoming two racing seasons.

Marc Marquez still managed to capture attention when he completed a full race simulation on Thursday, clocking a time that was seven-tenths of a second faster than Alex Marquez's time on the complete GP24.

The world champion, who has won the title eight times, set the fastest lap with a time of 1 minute and 28.855 seconds. He claimed the top position during the second hour of the session and maintained his lead for the remainder of the day without any competition.

Alex Marquez followed closely behind his sibling on the Gresini-managed GP24, finishing 0.179 seconds behind the fastest time. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi delivered an impressive performance on the factory Aprilia, securing third place and setting the fastest lap ever recorded by the Italian manufacturer at Buriram.

Pedro Acosta was at the forefront during the first hour on the official KTM and concluded the day in fourth place overall on the factory RC16.

On the last day, Francesco Bagnaia seemed less at ease compared to his factory Ducati teammate Marc Marquez, finishing in fifth place with a gap of 0.523 seconds from the fastest time.

Joan Mir showed impressive performance on the factory Honda, securing sixth place with a time of 1 minute and 29.399 seconds, while Franco Morbidelli from VR46 Ducati finished in seventh.

Fabio Quartararo secured the eighth position on the overall leaderboard for the factory Yamaha team, while Maverick Vinales managed to climb to ninth place with a late surge on the Tech3 KTM.

Jack Miller secured the tenth position riding the Pramac Yamaha, trailing the leader by 0.762 seconds.

Ai Ogura spearheaded the newcomers' efforts by securing the 11th position for the Trackhouse Aprilia team with a time of 1 minute and 29.636 seconds. Meanwhile, Brad Binder placed 12th representing the main factory team KTM.

Despite his recent injuries, Raul Fernandez persevered, managing to secure the 13th position for Trackhouse Aprilia after completing 31 laps on Thursday.

Italian rider Enea Bastianini appeared to face ongoing challenges with the KTM during the final day of testing, finishing in 15th place.

Fermin Aldeguer secured the 18th position riding for Gresini Ducati, whereas his fellow newcomer, Somkiat Chantra, finished in 20th place on the LCR Honda.

The 2025 MotoGP season is set to commence in Buriram, with events scheduled from February 28 to March

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Jack Miller identifies Yamaha's superior aspect over KTM

"It leaves you craving additional advantages…"

Jack Miller secured a spot within the first 10 positions during the initial day of MotoGP preseason testing in Buriram.

The ex-rider for Honda, Ducati, and KTM is adapting smoothly to his new Yamaha, a brand that's turning heads as it gears up for the 2025 racing season.

Miller highlighted a section where his latest device offers improvements over the capabilities of last year's KTM model.

"Miller expressed his satisfaction in Buriram, noting, "It's a pleasure to ride the bike, and having confidence in the front end is a huge advantage."

"It keeps you craving for more. Each time you fit a new tire, you find yourself thinking, 'I could have taken those corners faster'."

"It instills a significant amount of trust in the front end, something that has been lacking in the recent years.

"That has taken me by a delightful surprise."

"Regarding the back? Our focus was on refining the acceleration and braking around corners. I was pleased with the adjustments we implemented."

Jack Miller Achieves 10th Place in Buriram Speeds

Miller, teaming up with Miguel Oliveira at Pramac, which recently transitioned from Ducati to Yamaha, characterized his new motorcycle as a "rocket ship" right off the starting line.

He mentioned regarding the tests in Buriram: "We immediately found our pace with the initial setup we brought from Sepang."

"I felt satisfied with the experience. The course was in decent condition, albeit a bit dusty. Fortunately, due to the high number of bikes present, it became clean swiftly."

The bicycle performs efficiently. However, maintaining grip at the back remains a problem. Yet, in this location, where grip levels are generally low, it's not as perceptible. At Sepang, the issue was more evident.

"Today, I consistently clocked laps in the .30s range, though I really wished I could have hit a .29s."

"I'm pleased with the speed. Riding the bike in warm weather is enjoyable."

The group made a few tweaks, yet overall, the configuration remained as it was when we concluded in Sepang.

"I was satisfied with its performance under somewhat questionable circumstances."

"Each time you set out on a fresh bike, it's crucial to be receptive and learn. Grasp the feedback the bike provides you."

Yamaha has faced challenging times over the last few years.

However, Miller believes there's no obstacle preventing the manufacturer from capitalizing on their encouraging preseason performance.

"Miller was adamant, stating, 'I ignore everyone's opinions.'"

"Yamaha once performed well on many circuits, but that's no longer the case. Conversely, Ducati, which previously struggled, now excels on every track."

"The era is evolving. Our attention is on our capabilities."

"Yamaha has historically performed well at this location."

Statements made by Derry Munikartono in Buriram

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Ai Ogura overcomes the challenge of time trials in the last MotoGP preseason test. He notes that maintaining a consistent pace during laps is significantly easier than performing in time trials.

Ai Ogura has expressed that reaching high speeds during a single fast lap in MotoGP is more challenging than maintaining a competitive pace throughout a race. However, he noted that he made progress on the last day of testing.

This week's MotoGP test in Buriram is the last opportunity for Ogura to prepare before making his MotoGP race debut at the same location on March 2. It serves as his final chance to get comfortable with the Aprilia RS-GP before facing the intensity of a race weekend.

On the last morning of the test in Thailand, Ogura recorded a time that was nearly fast enough to place him in the top 10 of last year's Q2 session, a result that made the Trackhouse Racing competitor happy.

Ogura expressed satisfaction with their performance earlier today, noting that it was a cause for optimism.

"We seem to be more in a time-pressured mode than the others. However, I am quite satisfied with the final position."

Ogura mentioned that adjusting to the time attack was more challenging than getting used to the race pace. However, he managed to overcome this hurdle with his one-lap speed on the last morning of testing.

He mentioned that maintaining a consistent speed is simpler than trying to set record times, which is where he faced difficulties both in Sepang and the previous day.

"This morning, it felt like I made a breakthrough and was able to improve by a couple of tenths. I believe I'm starting to adapt to the time attack mode on the MotoGP bike, which is our focus for today."

Ai Ogura makes a strong impression as he prepares for his first MotoGP race. The Japanese racer remains unfazed by the challenge of completing a full race distance.

The current Moto2 World Champion mentioned that their longest ride took place in Sepang. They added that they focused solely on Sprint simulations the previous day.

"However, at Sepang, I didn't encounter any issues during the full length of the main race."

Regarding the performance, in the initial race, you simply apply everything practiced during the test sessions, so we'll find out the results.

"Before participating in a race, it's hard to grasp the full picture. However, after completing the first race, everything becomes much clearer. Right now, my focus is simply on finishing one race."

In conclusion, Ogura discussed his experience adjusting to Michelin tires, highlighting the differences compared to the Pirellis and Dunlops he used in Moto2.

Ogura expressed a positive opinion about his adaptation, stating, "I believe it's well done."

"Yesterday, I had difficulty with braking in a straight line, but this morning I felt significantly improved. With the confidence I now have in the front tire, achieving a good lap time came more easily."

"I believe we are adjusting effectively, albeit gradually."

He mentioned, "The tire is significantly tougher, which positively means it's more stable. However, on the downside, it provides less feedback. Therefore, I need to adjust to the feel of it."

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Earlier, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team in August 2024. Before this, Alex spent two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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Fermin Aldeguer describes an unconventional practice start resulting in a wild spin

"This was my initial experience slipping in such a manner…"

During the afternoon warm-up at the Buriram MotoGP trials, several competitors struggled with their starts, with Fermin Aldeguer experiencing the most difficulty in maintaining control off the line.

The newcomer from Spain lost control right from the start in one of his races, narrowly missing a direct collision with his Gresini Racing teammate, Alex Marquez, thankfully managing to evade any contact.

Aldeguer stated that the excessive spinning he experienced at the start was due to the state of the track in Buriram.

"Aldeguer described his initial experience with the Desmosedici GP24 in Buriram as ‘crazy’ after wrapping up day one."

"This was my initial instance of slipping in this manner, yet it's understandable given the state of the track, and other competitors are facing similar issues, albeit not to this extent. It's expected under these circumstances."

The newcomer wasn't positioned alongside his teammate at the starting line for that specific practice session for any specific purpose, like seeking advice from Marquez; it was merely by chance.

"In conclusion, I don't require Alex [Marquez]'s observation to determine the quality of my practice start," he clarified.

"The information allows us to view all aspects."

"We need to make some enhancements because the track was somewhat slick today, and we didn't perform at our best, but we'll see what happens."

In addition to the inconsistent beginnings in practice sessions, Aldeguer acknowledged facing challenges in adjusting his riding technique on the Ducati for the Buriram track, where he previously secured a victory in Moto2 in 2023.

"He mentioned that the track in Buriram is entirely distinct from Sepang."

Ultimately, it represents a distinct approach. Similarly, Michelin introduces a unique type of casing here, presenting yet another element to adjust to.

"Adjusting my approach to the track this morning proved challenging, but we maintained our composure and made significant progress after taking a break."

"We may not be leading, but progress is positively underway."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono in Buriram.

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In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he reported on both consumer and racing motorcycle news.

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