VR46 shares news on Fabio di Giannantonio's condition following his operation

VR46 offers an update on Fabio di Giannantonio's health status

VR46 has provided a new report regarding Fabio di Giannantonio following his surgical procedure.

Di Giannantonio suffered a collarbone break during the tumultuous opening day of the MotoGP Sepang test last week.

On Monday, his team announced, "Fabio Di Giannantonio underwent a successful operation on Sunday, February 9th, in Italy, for the treatment of his fractured left collarbone."

The rider from the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team experienced a fall during the initial day of trials in Sepang, occurring last Wednesday.

Following his accident, Fabio returned to Italy and was admitted to Villa Stuart, a private hospital. There, under the guidance of Professor Alessandro Castagna, the team conducted a surgery on Sunday morning to address his injuries.

"The operation went well and the cyclist will begin their recovery process right away."

"The aim is to reach peak physical fitness by the time of the season's opening race in Thailand, scheduled from February 28th to March 2nd."

This indicates that Di Giannantonio will be absent from the Buriram test scheduled for this week.

MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin is set to skip the Buriram test owing to an injury sustained from a fall off his Aprilia during Wednesday's Sepang session.

The two competitors are set to begin the 2025 season's initial race from February 28 to March 2, facing significant setbacks due to their limited experience with the newly introduced equipment.

Di Giannantonio's accident happened as he tried to impress by performing a wheelie.

He's set to pilot a standard Ducati for this racing season.

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A MotoGP racer presents a surprising idea regarding the progression of bikes across different levels.

Ai Ogura discusses the transition from Moto2 to MotoGP.

Newcomer Ai Ogura in MotoGP thinks that transitioning from Moto3 to Moto2 is more challenging than moving from Moto2 to the top-tier class.

The current Moto2 titleholder has signed with the Trackhouse Racing Aprilia team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. This move was unexpected when announced last summer.

During the Sepang shakedown two weeks ago, Ogura caught everyone's attention with an outstanding race simulation performance. He concluded the official test in Malaysia by securing the 14th position on the last day.

When questioned about the transition from Moto3 to Moto2 compared to the shift from Moto2 to MotoGP, Ogura revealed something unexpected.

He mentioned that the first experience with the Moto2 bike stood out to him. He speculated that transitioning from Moto3 to Moto2 might be a more significant change.

"This is simply my personal feeling. Just a day after wrapping up the Moto3 season, I was in Portimao and found myself unable to navigate a turn, particularly the initial one."

"Reaching speeds close to 300 km/h and handling larger tires made it difficult for me to tilt the bike. It was quite challenging. Transitioning from Moto2 to MotoGP was somewhat easier for me."

Ogura is set to undergo two additional days of testing on his RS-GP at Buriram before he makes his first appearance in a MotoGP race during the Thai Grand Prix later this month.

When questioned about his expectations for the test, he said, "I aim to perfect my timing on the track since our initial race is scheduled here. It's great that I have the opportunity to practice for two days on this circuit."

The straightforward young Japanese rider kept his response brief when questioned about what aspects of the bike and his personal performance need enhancement, merely replying, “Everything.”

Identifying a particular challenge he faces with the MotoGP motorcycle, Ogura mentions that braking in a straight line is "the primary concern at the moment."

Regarding his physical readiness, Ogura feels confident that he is sufficiently strong to complete a race distance without experiencing any issues with arm pump.

He mentioned that he was uncertain about his strength, but felt capable of handling 20 laps.

"This is what I'm aware of. I might become even stronger, but I'm not certain. Right now, I don't experience any arm fatigue or similar issues during the race."

Ogura's teammate, Raul Fernandez, is set to join him on the track in Buriram. Fernandez had to miss the Sepang test following a crash on the first day.

Fernandez underwent an operation for a fracture in his left hand but plans to try riding this week before the season's first round begins.

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Casey Stoner reconnects with pivotal figure from Honda MotoGP triumph

During a visit to Japan, Casey Stoner caught up with a crucial individual responsible for his 2011 championship victory.

Since stepping away from professional racing, Casey Stoner's legacy in MotoGP has solidified, particularly due to his initial victory in the premier class championship in 2007 riding for Ducati. However, his achievement of a second championship in 2011 showcased the Australian rider accomplishing something quite distinct from his first triumph.

Stoner's championship win on a Ducati marked the Italian brand's inaugural victory in the top tier of Grand Prix racing, thereby validating the initiative that made its MotoGP debut in 2003, coinciding with the second year of the four-stroke period in the World Championship.

As the years went by, this accomplishment became more remarkable, especially after Stoner's departure from the scene. Ducati struggled to position itself as a competitive force in MotoGP for a considerable period until 2022, when Francesco Bagnaia clinched his inaugural championship. This resurgence could also be traced back to the latter part of 2021 when Bagnaia secured victories in four of the final five races, triumphing in the last three consecutively.

In 2011, Stoner made the switch to Honda, transitioning from a brand where he was the sole contributor to their triumphs, to joining a manufacturer with a long history of champions that had raced under its banner.

By 2011, the renowned alliance between Repsol and Honda had reached its 17th anniversary, boasting a history of collaboration with celebrated riders like Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, and Nicky Hayden.

Naturally, prior to Repsol's partnership beginning in 1995, Doohan had secured his initial 500cc championship in 1994. Moreover, the roster of top-tier champions from HRC extends to feature notable riders like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Gardner, and Freddie Spencer as well.

Thus, Stoner's achievement placed him in the elite group of the sport's top riders, specifically those who have secured victories in the premier class riding for Honda.

For the company based in Tokyo, this triumph was crucial. Stoner's win halted Yamaha's streak of victories (the Iwata brand had clinched consecutive championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010 with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo), marking Repsol Honda's inaugural championship in the 800cc category of MotoGP at their last opportunity before the shift to 1,000cc regulations in 2012.

Check out this Instagram post from Casey Stoner AM (@official_cs27)

A pivotal contributor to Stoner's and Honda's triumph that year was Shuhei Nakamoto. He came onboard as HRC's vice president in 2009, following the disbandment of Honda's F1 team at the close of 2008. Stoner had a recent reunion with him during a visit to Tokyo.

During the initial two seasons of the 800cc period, Honda struggled significantly, as their RC212V failed to pose a consistent threat to Ducati and Stoner or to Rossi, Lorenzo, and the Yamaha team.

In the 2009 racing season, significant alterations were made to the technical setup, including a switch in the suspension system from Honda's affiliate Showa to Ohlins, and a change in the brakes provider, moving from Honda's affiliated Nissin to Brembo.

In that particular year, Dani Pedrosa managed to secure victories in just two competitions. However, by 2010, he posed a real threat for the championship title, competing closely with Jorge Lorenzo. This contention was disrupted when a crash during practice led to Pedrosa's absence from the Japanese Grand

Honda's enhancements to their 800cc model coincided with a downturn in Ducati's performance levels. Consequently, they managed to secure Stoner for the 2011 season by merely offering him a bike capable of clinching a championship.

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Marc Marquez reveals new partnership for exceptional visor footage

Marc Marquez unveils latest sponsorship deal

Marc Marquez has secured an interesting sponsorship deal for the 2025 MotoGP season.

The Ducati team's racer has disclosed an agreement with Insta360.

Insta360 is known for manufacturing cameras that capture 360-degree imagery, which is reflected in their company name.

Check out this Instagram post from Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93)

In Marquez's recent social media update, he shares stunning perspectives of him maneuvering his Ducati, drawing his followers deeper into his world.

The business mentions, "Our network of Insta360 team members, encompassing both athletes and content creators, spans the globe. They utilize our cameras to capture their extraordinary adventures and inspire their creative pursuits."

Over the past year, Marquez has seen a transformation in his endorsements after transitioning from Honda to Ducati.

In 2023, upon becoming an official Ducati team member, Marquez concluded his lengthy partnership with Red Bull due to Ducati's collaboration with competing energy drink brand, Monster.

Marquez has managed to keep Estrella Galicia, a Spanish beer brand, as one of his individual sponsors.

Ducati has acknowledged that Marquez's presence in their team has expanded their reach to a broader audience, thanks to his reputation as the most famous MotoGP rider.

He is poised to compete for his ninth world championship this season, aiming to achieve an incredible comeback from his injury woes and match Valentino Rossi's record.

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Davide Tardozzi unexpectedly names Ducati's rival for the 2025 MotoGP season

"I was aware they would advance – just not this rapidly!"

Ducati is poised to dominate the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, leading the predictions for sweeping all three championships due to their recent advancements in technology and their formidable team of riders.

It remains uncertain which competitor will emerge as the primary rival to the Bologna marque. In recent times, this position has fluctuated between KTM, Aprilia, or occasionally both. However, during the previous week's Sepang test, Yamaha distinguished itself as a noteworthy contender.

Team leader Davide Tardozzi of Ducati Lenovo was anticipating advancements from the Iwata brand after they brought on board ex-Ducati engineer Max Bartolini at the start of 2024. However, the rapid pace at which these improvements have occurred has caught him off guard.

"Tardozzi revealed to MotoGP.com after the Sepang test last week that he was aware Yamaha would improve, but he didn't anticipate it happening so swiftly. During the test, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo not only secured the third-fastest time but also demonstrated consistent speed during extended laps."

"Regardless, I'm quite familiar with Massimo Bartolini. I had complete confidence in his ability to help them advance significantly."

"Now it's clear to me that they're paying close attention to what he says, and in my opinion, they have an incredible talent in Fabio [Quartararo]. Without a doubt, he's currently our rival."

During the recent trial, several impressive Sprint simulations caught attention, notably from Quartararo and also from Tardozzi's racer, Marc Marquez.

The Spanish rider managed to clock times in the upper 1 minute and 57 seconds range during the initial four laps of his run, eventually settling into the lower 1 minute and 58 seconds range by the conclusion of his session.

Just a single competitor outpaced him: Alex Marquez; and this two-time World Champion isn't the sole satellite Ducati competitor that Tardozzi is closely watching at this point.

"Tardozzi observed the elder Marquez's Sprint simulation with a grin," he recounted, "yet ultimately, we have another Marquez who excelled since Alex performed an outstanding simulation."

"Ultimately, it boils down to a challenge – come the day of the race, circumstances change, and I believe that Marc [Marquez] and Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] will be in contention."

"I'm confident that our affiliate teams will also demonstrate strong competitiveness this year."

"The Ducati Lenovo team manager expressed confidence that Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez will be strong contenders right from the outset. He also conveyed his regret for Fabio Di Giannantonio's situation, assuring that the team eagerly anticipates his return, recognizing his potential to compete at the same level."

"We're anticipating the midpoint of the season, if not sooner, to witness the debut of the promising young racer, as I believe Fermin Aldeguer is set to astonish everyone."

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Davide Tardozzi Surprisingly Names Ducati Challenger for 2025 MotoGP Season

"I was aware they would improve – just didn't foresee it happening this rapidly!"

Ducati is stepping into the 2025 MotoGP World Championship as the top contender for all three championships, attributed to their recent supremacy in technology and their formidable lineup of riders.

It remains uncertain which competitor will emerge as the primary rival to the Bologna-based team. In recent times, this position has alternated between KTM, Aprilia, or sometimes both. However, during the last week's testing session in Sepang, Yamaha distinguished itself as a noteworthy contender.

Ducati Lenovo's team leader, Davide Tardozzi, anticipated improvements from the Iwata brand following their hiring of ex-Ducati engineer Max Bartolini at the start of 2024. However, the rapid pace of these advancements caught him off guard.

"Tardozzi revealed to MotoGP.com after last week's Sepang test that he was aware Yamaha would improve, but he was surprised by the rapid advancement. During the test, Yamaha's Fabio Quartarazzo achieved the third fastest time and demonstrated consistent speed during extended laps."

"Regardless, I'm quite familiar with Massimo Bartolini. I had no doubt that he could help them advance significantly."

“Currently, it's clear to me that his words carry significant weight with them, and considering they have an exceptional talent in Fabio [Quartararo], he's undoubtedly our main competitor at this point.”

Satellite Competition

The recent trial featured several impressive Sprint trials, notably from Quartararo, as well as from Tardozzi's racer, Marc Marquez.

The Spanish rider managed to record lap times in the high-1:57 range during the initial four laps of his simulation, eventually finishing with times in the low-1:58 range by its conclusion.

Alex Marquez alone outpaced him; the two-time World Champion is also among the satellite Ducati riders Tardozzi is currently watching closely.

"Tardozzi observed the older Marquez's Sprint simulation with a grin," he remarked. "However, ultimately, there's another Marquez who performed excellently as Alex delivered an outstanding simulation."

"Ultimately, it's an evaluation – come the day of the race, the dynamics often shift, and I believe that Marc [Marquez] and Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] will be in contention."

"I'm confident that our affiliated teams will also demonstrate strong competitiveness this year."

"The Ducati Lenovo team manager expressed confidence that Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez will be strong contenders right from the start of the season. He also conveyed his regret over Fabio Di Giannantonio's situation, reassuring that the team eagerly anticipates his return, acknowledging his potential to compete at the top level."

"We're anticipating the mid-season or possibly sooner to witness the emergence of the new young talent, as I believe Fermin Aldeguer is going to astonish everyone."

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Ducati hints at pivotal engine choice in Buriram

Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, and Davide Tardozzi comment on engine selection decision

Ducati has alluded to a significant engine choice critical to their MotoGP campaign for the 2025 season.

During the upcoming two-day test in Buriram, they are faced with the decision of either moving forward with their new engine or sticking with the one from the previous season.

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, who are the team's main riders, conducted tests in Sepang, understanding that their chances for the championship hinge on choosing wisely.

"According to Marquez, who spoke to MotoGP.com following the Sepang trial, the focus isn't just on the engine but also includes a compilation of minor details. He noted that with the upcoming period, both he and Francesco Bagnaia, referred to as Pecco, will have ample opportunity to dissect these elements, thanks to the extensive laps they've completed."

"I believe they'll make a wise choice, given that over the past three days in the garage, I've observed their courage and composure in making the right calls; […] at times, being cautious is necessary when you're already equipped with the top motorcycle.

"It's crucial that we have absolute certainty that the 2025 engine significantly outperforms its predecessors, which currently, we cannot confirm. Therefore, a period of waiting is necessary."

Marquez prefers a cautious strategy for the 2025 motorcycle, driven by his aim to minimize risk. This is because any errors would need to be dealt with over two seasons, which matches the duration of Marquez's inaugural contract with Ducati.

"We must avoid any unwarranted danger," he stated.

It's important to realize that, from the last set of enhancements, they secured victories in 19 out of 20 races.

"However, it's natural that engineers and producers are constantly aiming for enhancements."

"However, if certainty is lacking, it's wise to hold off. Yet, looking ahead to 2025, there are encouraging signs, suggesting we should continue to seek clarity."

Check out this Instagram post from Crash MotoGP (@crashmotogp_)

Ducati acknowledges their latest engine lacks certain elements

Marc Marquez's partner, Francesco Bagnaia, highlighted that the engine for 2024 is not brand new, being a year old. He conceded as well that the engine set for 2025 is not yet up to par, indicating it lacks some aspects.

"Francesco Bagnaia mentioned to MotoGP.com, 'Honestly, the GP24 is an amazing device and it's performing incredibly well.'"

"However, we've been utilizing it for an entire season now. The GP25 engine appears remarkable, and its power output is impressive, yet there's still something lacking."

"Thus, making a decision isn't straightforward, and we require an additional two days in Thailand to gain clarity."

Bagnaia did not verify if his below-average time attack, during which he fell behind in two sectors, occurred while he was testing the 2025 engine.

Ducati Lenovo's team leader, Davide Tardozzi, shared Marquez's view, disclosing that post-Sepang evaluations are tilting towards favoring the 2024 engine.

"He mentioned that the 2025 engine holds significant promise. However, he believes that the regulations compel them to adopt a cautious approach, given the requirement for the engine to serve for a two-year duration."

"Currently, the scales are tipping slightly more in favor of 2024 than 2025. However, the final decision will be made in Thailand."

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2025 MotoGP Buriram Test: Tracking Guide

Details on the schedule, timings, and ways to keep up with the MotoGP's two-day testing event in Buriram.

Here's your guide to keeping up with the MotoGP Buriram test on February 12th and 13th, 2025. Below, you'll find the schedule for when the testing begins.

The last chance for MotoGP teams and riders to fine-tune their bikes before the season's opening race has arrived.

Ducati faces a significant challenge in deciding whether to enter the season with their 2025 or 2024 engine model.

Yamaha, on the other hand, surprisingly grabbed attention in Sepang and might solidify their emerging status as underdogs.

Jorge Martin from Aprilia and Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 will miss the test due to injuries.

The inaugural race of the season, known as the Thailand MotoGP, is scheduled to take place from February 28 to March 2.

GUIDE ON KEEPING UP WITH THE 2025 MOTOGP BURIRAM TRIAL FROM ANY LOCATION

Unfortunately, a live stream for viewing each lap of the MotoGP 2025 Buriram trial is not available.

The last half-hour will be available on MotoGP Video Pass.

Stay updated with Crash.net for real-time race data, along with the latest updates from the circuit. We'll deliver insights directly from the competitors and essential technology news.

Keep an eye out for amazing pictures on Crash.net's MotoGP X and on Instagram at CrashMotoGP.

MotoGP.com plans to stream 'After The Flag' daily, providing summaries of the track events.

Starting times for the 2025 MotoGP Buriram trials

Wednesday, February 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 3 a.m. to

On Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 3 a.m. to

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Raul Fernandez described the incident as one of the most significant accidents he has ever experienced, expressing his relief by stating, "I was fortunate."

Raul Fernandez plans to participate in the MotoGP test in Buriram tomorrow, despite having suffered fractures to his left hand and foot only a week ago during the first day of testing in Sepang.

The Trackhouse Aprilia racer quickly went back to Barcelona to undergo surgery on a fractured metacarpal bone, then promptly traveled to Asia to participate in the last pre-season testing session.

During a press conference in Buriram on Tuesday, Fernandez expressed his gratitude, saying, "I feel fortunate to be present." He recounted his swift return to Spain following the accident and praised Dr. Xavier Mir for his prompt assistance. Upon Fernandez's arrival in Barcelona, Dr. Mir had already prepared everything for the necessary surgery, which Fernandez credits as the reason he is able to be here today. Dr. Mir's support was invaluable to him.

"The accident occurred only a week ago, necessitating swift action. I had to make a trip to Europe for surgery and then return. It was challenging, but we've managed to get through it."

Titleholder Jorge Martin, who recently joined Aprilia, suffered an injury on the first day at Sepang. As a result, he will be sidelined until the inaugural race weekend. Meanwhile, Fernandez and Aprilia must work to compensate for the time missed on the RS-GP25.

Fernandez expressed the significance of the test, stating that it holds great importance for himself, the team, and Aprilia.

"I require additional details since my initial experience with the bike was quite positive. I am pleased with the efforts Aprilia put in over the winter. However, having completed only 25-30 laps, we lack sufficient data to establish a foundational setup."

"That's why I'm present. I won't be concerned with the lap time or anything else; my sole focus will be on myself, understanding the bike, enhancing it, and getting ready for a good race."

Fernandez was reluctant to discuss his unusual crash at Turn 9, where he lost control just after applying the brakes.

"I’m not able to share many details about what occurred. I’d rather not dwell on the accident," he expressed. "It was among the most severe accidents I’ve experienced, and I can only say that I was fortunate."

"I was riding the bike, and moments later, I found myself lying on the ground. That's all I recall."

It is uncertain how many laps he will be able to finish during the test due to his injuries. Fernandez mentioned that his foot, which didn't need surgery, is causing him more discomfort than his hand.

"The hand is in relatively decent condition, but the foot is causing issues," he mentioned. "Additionally, I am experiencing significant pain in the leg muscles and in my back."

"I was upright and went down instantly. There was no leaning involved, so the crash was quite severe."

With Martin and Fernandez unable to participate, Marco Bezzecchi, who recently joined the factory team, emerged as the quickest Aprilia competitor at Sepang, securing ninth place.

The testing event in Buriram is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Statements sourced from Crash.net's correspondent Derry Munikartono, reporting from Buriram.

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Johann Zarco: “It's great to close in on the leading riders”

“The difference isn't as large as it used to be”

Although Joan Mir posed a significant challenge, Johann Zarco maintained his position as the quickest Honda rider in the Sepang MotoGP test.

The French rider, who achieved an uncommon Q2 position for Honda during last November's Malaysia Grand Prix and came in eleventh in the main event, completed the test trailing leader Alex Marquez of Gresini Ducati by 0.711 seconds.

Factory rider Mir was just 0.075 seconds slower, with Luca Marini securing the 15th position. Zarco's teammate on the LCR team, rookie Somkiat Chantra, finished in 19th place but was still only 1.64 seconds behind Marquez on the nearly two-minute circuit.

Zarco expressed optimism, stating, "We can view this test as not just positive, but even more so than I anticipated." He continued, "The performance on the last day was impressive. It's encouraging for my confidence to be closing in on the leading competitors. The difference in performance isn't as large as it used to be."

In Malaysia, Honda introduced updates to their engine, aerodynamics, and chassis components. Similar to Mir, Zarco appeared to prefer the new engine but opted for the previous aerodynamic setup.

Over the course of three days, we experimented with numerous strategies," the Frenchman explained. "Today, we managed to combine all those elements successfully, and the results were significantly improved. This makes me quite pleased."

"There aren't any single factors significantly impacting the bike, but when combined, I notice I have improved control over it."

"At this point, we need to conduct testing in Thailand to continue experimenting with these [new] elements and determine which combination will be ideal for kicking off the season, as we must select which components to approve."

The engine and aerodynamics must be approved for the first race. However, due to Honda's D concession system, similar to Yamaha, they are allowed to make updates to both components throughout the year.

Currently, Zarco is ranked 15th in terms of top speed, indicating that the RC213V is missing some sheer power. Additionally, the bike is struggling with rear grip issues.

Nonetheless, the updated engine design seems to aid in maneuverability.

He went on to say that there are definitely certain motorcycles that appear to have impressive acceleration capabilities, and when you're trailing behind one, it often feels like you're falling behind.

"When we examine all aspects of the corner, we often find that the exit isn't the most crucial part to concentrate on. Therefore, we had other areas to improve in order to enhance the rider's experience. I was able to identify these areas, and that gives me a lot of satisfaction."

Honda is working hard to maximize engine power while ensuring it's practical and usable.

The speaker expressed optimism about improvements as the season progresses but is confident that achieving top-ten finishes from the start is currently a primary goal.

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"I have to give it a shot!": Alex Marquez outpaces Marc in Sepang test 'Sprint'

"When I saw Marc's performance, it was incredibly quick. So I thought, 'Alright, I have to try and match it.'"

In his first appearance on the GP24 last November during the Barcelona test, Alex Marquez set the fastest time. He replicated this achievement by topping the timing charts at the conclusion of the three-day MotoGP test in Sepang.

However, Marquez demonstrated speed not just on a single lap.

During a performance that may lead Ducati to reconsider the efficiency of the new GP25 components, or potentially switch back to the GP24 engine, Alex managed to surpass the 10-lap Sprint simulation times set by factory riders Francesco Bagnaia and his sibling, Marc Marquez.

"Today was an exceptionally good day," Alex said with a smile. "The initial two days went well, but today exceeded them both. Altogether, we performed excellently."

Completing a single lap is crucial, as it demonstrates that the motorcycle is performing well when pushed to its limits during a time trial.

"Most notably, our pacing is impressive. The Sprint practice went exceptionally well."

In last November's Malaysian Grand Prix Sprint, Alex, racing as Marc's teammate on GP23s, completed the race 5.6 seconds after Marc.

On this occasion, he completed the 10 laps on the GP24, finishing 0.2 seconds ahead of Marc.

When questioned about whether he took more satisfaction from the Sprint simulation compared to topping the one-lap timing charts, Alex responded:

"Absolutely! While I was in the pit, I watched Pecco's simulation. Afterward, I observed Marc's, and I thought, 'He's really going for it!' It was incredibly quick. So I decided, 'I have to give it my all.'"

"I gave it my all. We were neck and neck, and finally, after 10 laps, I managed to be 0.2 seconds quicker than him!"

Marc humorously saluted his brother with a middle finger gesture as he came back to the pits, continuing the playful banter from Barcelona regarding which sibling would outperform the other.

"It's great to create a simulation that is both consistent and quick," Alex mentioned.

"All seems great, but we're at Sepang. I really enjoy this circuit and have consistently been quick here."

He quipped, "Having all 22 races of a world championship here would be ideal for me!"

"We were the leaders at Montmelo as well. Our performance there was strong. I have a fondness for the circuit in Thailand too, so we’ll find out how we perform there and how quickly the team can assemble everything."

"When all the factories assemble everything, using all 100 components they're experimenting with, we'll be able to assess our progress."

"Stay relaxed and visit Thailand to experience what it's like there."

The 28-year-old confessed that his confidence is soaring with the GP24, especially when compared to the struggles he faced with the GP23 last year.

He expressed that his confidence level with the '23 model was consistently at a 7 out of 10. However, with the GP24, it has increased to a 9, which he noted as significant.

"Last year was challenging with the 23 bike, but those difficulties taught us valuable lessons. Everything we learned will serve as an important resource as we aim to make 2025 successful."

Marquez stated that the GP24 is the finest MotoGP motorcycle he has ever ridden.

"The GP22 was really impressive. It seems that the GP24 is quite similar, like a sibling to the GP22, and it's a fantastic experience to ride."

Alex enjoyed success with two podium finishes, secured a pole position, and claimed a Sprint race win on the GP22.

Franco Morbidelli matched Marquez's GP24 results by securing fourth place on the Sepang leaderboard. However, the Italian rider's Sprint simulation was significantly behind that of #73.

Marquez's first-year teammate, Fermin Aldeguer, posted the 11th quickest time with an average of 1 minute and 58.580 seconds during the Sprint, compared to Alex's 1 minute and 57.901 seconds.

During his Sprint simulation, Marc Marquez maintained an average lap time of 1 minute, 57.930 seconds, while Bagnaia's average was 1 minute, 58.243 seconds, both riding factory-spec GP25 motorcycles.

The testing sessions in Buriram are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

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For two decades, Peter has been active in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Enea Bastianini admitted to losing significant time but is aware of the reasons. "I've pinpointed exactly where the time slipped away. After reviewing the videos and analyzing the data, it's clear to me," he stated.

During his first appearance for Tech3 KTM in Barcelona last November, Enea Bastianini achieved the 16th fastest time. However, after three days of testing at Sepang for MotoGP, his position fell to 18th place.

Nonetheless, the ex-Ducati factory racer was quite specific about the areas where he falls behind the most.

Bastianini showed strong performance in the initial sector of the lap, achieving the sixth quickest time with a margin of +0.119 seconds, thanks to effective braking, particularly in the demanding braking area at Turn 1. However, difficulties with entering corners caused him to lag behind in Sector 2, where he placed 19th with a time of +0.482 seconds, and in Sector 3, where he finished 17th with a time of +0.623 seconds.

In Sector 4, Bastianini recorded the 10th fastest time, trailing by 0.319 seconds, as he tackled another intense braking point leading into the last hairpin turn.

Bastianini acknowledged at the conclusion of the Malaysian test that there wasn't significant progress, saying, "Honestly, the improvement has been minimal. From the beginning to now, I've only gained about 1.5 seconds."

"I am aware of the specific area that requires our attention."

"We need to explore alternative options, but right now it hasn't been feasible as we were experimenting with various components."

"It is likely that working with the same motorcycle in Thailand will be simpler, which could help boost confidence."

When asked about the areas where he is facing the most challenges, the MotoGP rider, who has won seven races, clarified:

"Yes, I'm aware of where I lost time. After reviewing the videos and data, and based on my own observations, the issue seems to be with my corner entry. Currently, my speed when entering corners is extremely slow, making it challenging for me to make the turns."

"We have made significant progress with our braking system and are now very competitive. In fact, in some instances, we outperform the other KTM bikes, particularly in the opening and closing sectors."

"In Sectors 2 and 3, with particular emphasis on Sector 3, our losses were excessively high!"

Bastianini's fastest lap at Sepang was 1.5 seconds slower than the leading time set by Alex Marquez. He was 0.876 seconds off the pace of Pedro Acosta, who placed sixth as the top KTM rider, but trailed by just 0.146 seconds behind his new Tech3 teammate, Maverick Vinales, who finished 16th.

The Buriram test scheduled for this week is happening at the same location where Bastianini claimed victory in the Thai Grand Prix Sprint race last October, spearheading a top-eight finish dominated entirely by Ducati riders.

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is now leading the coverage of Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's injury challenges.

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