Johann Zarco Evaluates Honda's Improved Engine Performance

"The difference is now smaller than it used to be"

Despite facing stiff competition from Joan Mir, Johann Zarco maintained his position as the quickest rider for Honda in the Sepang MotoGP trials.

The racer from France, who notably achieved a coveted position in Q2 for Honda during the previous year's Malaysia Grand Prix in November and secured the eleventh spot in the primary race, concluded the trial with a time that was 0.711 seconds slower than the front-runner, Alex Marquez, from Gresini Ducati.

Team member Mir from the factory was a mere 0.075 seconds slower, followed by Luca Marini in 15th place and Zarco’s newcomer colleague from LCR, Somkiat Chantra, in 19th position, yet all were within a 1.64-second gap of Marquez on the almost two-minute circuit.

"Zarco started off by saying, “This test turned out to be even better than I had anticipated, which is a positive sign. The performance on the final day was particularly impressive. It’s a boost for my confidence to see that we’re narrowing the gap with the leading riders, which isn’t as wide as it used to be.”

Honda introduced fresh engine, aerodynamics, and chassis components for testing in Malaysia. Both Zarco and Mir appeared to prefer the latest engine paired with the previous aerodynamic setup.

"The French individual mentioned, "Over the course of three days, we experimented with various approaches. Today, we were able to integrate all those elements effectively, and the results were significantly improved. I'm pleased with this outcome."

"No single element significantly impacts my cycling, but when I combine them, I notice an improved handling of the bike."

"Currently, it's essential for our trials in Thailand to continue experimenting with various options and select the optimal package to begin the season with, since we must choose which components to officially approve."

Johann Zarco highlights Honda's advantages

Honda must finalize its engine and aerodynamics by the first race, but thanks to its D concession ranking, similar to Yamaha, it has the flexibility to refine these elements throughout the season.

Currently positioned 15th in the top speed rankings, the RC213V is facing a deficit in sheer power, and issues with rear traction continue to be a problem.

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

"Certain bikes appear to have significant power in terms of acceleration, and it's noticeable, especially when trailing behind someone, that you seem to be falling behind," he added.

"However, upon examining every aspect, occasionally the escape isn't the main point of emphasis. Thus, we had additional elements to improve to enhance the rider's experience. I was able to identify these, which genuinely satisfies me."

Regarding the engine aspect, Honda is striving to maximize the power output while ensuring it's practically usable.

"I'm optimistic that as the season progresses, we'll see improvements, but I'm confident that right from the start, we'll be contenders for the top ten positions, which is currently a primary goal of mine."

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Fabio Quartararo discusses the reasons behind an unusual day at the MotoGP test in Buriram. He mentions, "It's among the rare occasions in my career where I found no front tire to my liking…"

Following an impressive performance at the Sepang test last week, Fabio Quartararo kicked off the Buriram MotoGP test this week with what he referred to as a "strange" day.

The day's peculiarity stemmed from Quartararo's experience with the front of his Yamaha, which he attributed to the tires.

"Today turned out to be quite unusual for us," remarked the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP racer after the initial day of testing in Buriram. "This is particularly notable as it's one of the rare instances in my career where I found none of the front tires to my liking."

"I had a tough time today trying to ride quickly."

"Let's find out tomorrow if the track conditions get better, allowing me to ride the way I prefer. Today, we experimented with various approaches, but my performance wasn't up to par."

"Hopefully, we can discover a tire or an adjustment with this tire by tomorrow that suits our needs."

The French motorcyclist mentioned that neither he nor Yamaha had pinpointed the source of his uncertainty with the bike's front end. However, he emphasized that he believes the issue lies with the tires rather than the YZR-M1 itself.

"Whenever there are two tires to choose from, it's common to find that you prefer one over the other," he stated.

"This is the first time I've found myself disliking both of them. I'm not sure why, but I hope my feelings will be different tomorrow."

Fabio Quartararo placed 13th during the test session in Buriram. Quartararo mentioned that his discomfort with the front end resulted in what seemed like improved stability when braking.

"The bicycle feels slightly steadier, largely due to my inability to apply strong pressure on the front brake," he mentioned.

"Naturally, the bike feels more stable now. Last year, I was able to push the bike to its limits. I anticipate that tomorrow it will start to wobble again as I attempt to reach those limits once more, especially if the same issue with the tires arises during the race."

"We will aim to test the bike's limits tomorrow morning."

After following Alex Marquez from the Gresini Ducati team, Quartararo acknowledged that Yamaha has improved its straight-line speed.

He mentioned that he followed Alex Marquez for one lap, but it was challenging to determine tire wear differences, as Marquez’s tire had already been used for 18 laps compared to his own, which had only been used for five laps. Nevertheless, he noted significant improvements in their performance on the straight sections.

In conclusion, the 2021 World Champion noted that Yamaha's setup for both aerodynamics and the engine is now "pretty much set." He added that he dedicated most of his day to experimenting with new electronic strategies.

On Thursday, which marked the last day of the 2025 MotoGP preseason testing, Quartararo concentrated on perfecting launch modes. He believed there was potential for enhancement following the practice start session held between the morning and afternoon sessions on Wednesday.

"He's hopeful that by tomorrow they can implement some varied electronic strategies for the start, which might lead to improvements," he stated.

"Today, we tried some new approaches that might have been successful, but unfortunately, they didn’t work out for us."

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A MotoGP competitor shares a surprising hypothesis on advancing through the ranks

Ai Ogura discusses the transition from Moto2 to MotoGP

MotoGP newcomer Ai Ogura feels that moving up from Moto3 to Moto2 presents a tougher challenge than advancing from Moto2 to the top tier.

The current Moto2 titleholder has teamed up with the Trackhouse Racing Aprilia team for the 2025 and 2026 racing seasons, following an unexpected recruitment by the team last summer.

Ogura captured attention with a standout race simulation at the Sepang shakedown a fortnight ago and concluded the official Malaysia test ranking 14th on the last day.

Inquired about the transition from Moto3 to Moto2 and then from Moto2 to MotoGP, Ogura revealed an unexpected insight.

He mentioned, "The initial day on the Moto2 bike stands out for me. I'm not sure of the reason, but possibly the transition from Moto3 to Moto2 feels like a more significant jump."

"I'm simply expressing my emotions. The incident occurred the very next day after my Moto3 season concluded, when, in Portimao, I found myself unable to navigate a turn, particularly the initial one.

"Thus, reaching speeds close to 300km/h and with a larger tire, I found it challenging to even tilt the bike. Personally, it was quite difficult. Transitioning from Moto2 to MotoGP was somewhat smoother for me."

Ogura is scheduled for an additional two days of trials on his RS-GP at Buriram, ahead of his first MotoGP race appearance at the Thai Grand Prix, slated for the month's close.

When questioned about his anticipations for the trial, he responded, "Primarily to nail down the precise timing on the track since the initial race will take place here. Hence, it’s beneficial for me to have two days of testing on this circuit."

The straightforward young Japanese rider was quite reserved in response to questions about what he believes should be enhanced regarding the bike and his own performance, merely asserting, "Everything".

Ogura identifies that the principal challenge he's facing with the MotoGP bike is braking in a straight line.

Regarding his physical readiness, Ogura feels confident that he possesses sufficient strength to complete a race without experiencing any issues with arm pump.

He mentioned, "I'm uncertain about my strength, but I can manage for 20 laps."

"That's my current understanding. Perhaps my strength will continue to increase, but it's uncertain. However, as it stands, I'm not experiencing any arm pump or similar issues over race distances."

Ogura will be joined by his teammate Raul Fernandez on the track at Buriram, following Fernandez's absence from the Sepang test due to a crash on the first day.

Fernandez underwent a surgical procedure to repair a fractured left hand but plans to compete in this week's event, just before the season's first round begins.

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Jack Miller identifies where Yamaha outshines KTM

"It makes you crave more…"

During the first day of the MotoGP preseason test in Buriram, Jack Miller secured a position within the top 10.

The ex-rider for Honda, Ducati, and KTM is adapting smoothly to his new Yamaha bike, which has become a standout as teams gear up for the 2025 racing season.

Miller highlighted a feature in which his new machine surpasses the capabilities of last year's KTM.

Miller expressed his satisfaction in Buriram, stating that he finds the bike enjoyable to ride and appreciates the reliability of the front end, which he considers a significant advantage.

The experience makes you crave additional excitement. Whenever you install a new tire, you find yourself pondering, ‘I could have taken those corners faster.’

"It gives you a strong sense of trust in the front part, which had been lacking over the last few years."

"I didn't expect that, but it's a nice surprise."

"We focused on the back end of the vehicle, particularly on the corners where we needed to stop and start. I was pleased with the adjustments we implemented."

Jack Miller finishes in 10th place at Buriram

Miller, now riding for the Pramac team with Miguel Oliveira after their switch from Ducati to Yamaha, referred to his new motorcycle as a "rocket ship" due to its impressive launch capabilities.

He mentioned that during the testing in Buriram, they immediately started off strong by using the foundational setup they had established in Sepang.

"I was pleased with the conditions. The track was fine, just a bit dusty. Fortunately, the presence of multiple bikes helped clear it up swiftly."

"The motorcycle is functioning properly overall, but there is still a problem with the rear traction. However, in conditions where the grip isn't particularly strong, such as here, it's less noticeable. I felt the issue more prominently during my time in Sepang."

"I completed many laps in the 30-second range today, and I wish I could have achieved some in the 29-second bracket."

"I'm pleased with the speed. The motorcycle handles well in the warm weather."

"The team made a few changes, but overall, the configuration remained consistent with how we ended in Sepang."

"I was pleased with its performance even in somewhat challenging conditions."

"Whenever you ride a new bicycle, it's important to be receptive and take in everything. Pay attention to the feedback the bike is giving you."

Yamaha has faced challenging times over the last few years.

However, Miller believes the company has every opportunity to expand on their successful preseason.

Miller firmly stated that they pay no attention to the opinions of others.

"Yamaha was once well-suited for many tracks, but that's no longer the case. In contrast, Ducati, which previously struggled, now performs well on all tracks."

"The situation is evolving, and we concentrate on what is within our capabilities."

"In previous years, Yamaha has shown significant strength at this location."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono in Buriram

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Honda's MotoGP motorcycle shows improvement over previous models, yet there's a caveat…

"Our enhancements have targeted areas that previously posed challenges for us…"

Honda's recent downturn in MotoGP performance has placed it at the lowest rank among manufacturers, yet Alberto Puig, the team manager for Honda HRC Castrol, is confident that improvements are underway.

Factory Honda team racers, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, shared optimistic viewpoints regarding the enhancements applied during the offseason, observing that the 2025 RC213V exhibits superior cornering capabilities at the onset compared to the previous model, based on the initial season tests conducted last week at Sepang. However, Marini mentioned feeling that Honda's progress had plateaued over the winter when compared to the championship's leading motorcycles.

Alberto Puig Puig confirmed in a discussion with MotoGP.com that the RC213V has seen improvements this year, marking progress from its performance in 2024.

"He mentioned that the foundation has improved compared to the previous year."

"We've made progress in certain challenging aspects previously, yet there remain critical areas requiring attention, as highlighted by rider feedback, which we acknowledge.

"Undoubtedly, the start of the season will present challenges."

"In Japan, a significant endeavor was undertaken to enhance all of their activities, and we also managed to enlist numerous individuals who are now assisting us."

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which proves to be an even larger issue for their competitors.

Honda MotoGP's primary goal pinpointed

The most notable new addition to Honda's 2025 lineup is undoubtedly Romano Albesiano, formerly at the helm of Aprilia's RS-GP initiative.

At this point, Puig emphasized, the Italian is currently going through the educational stage of his tenure at Honda.

"He expressed satisfaction with [Romano] Albesiano coming on board."

"Undoubtedly, this marks a starting point for him, and he'll require some time to adapt to Honda's methodologies, which are likely quite distinct from the Italian approach to work."

"Ultimately, Honda represents a collective rather than a single person – our goal is to harness our collective power. The drive and ambition are clear; the sole objective is to elevate Honda to leading standings."

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Primary rationale for Marc Marquez's edge over Pecco Bagnaia

Explanation for selecting Marc Marquez

A compelling explanation has been offered to support the idea that Marc Marquez holds a benefit against Francesco Bagnaia in this year's competition.

Marquez will team up with Bagnaia in Ducati's premier team, ensuring they both have access to the top-tier equipment and the most competitive motorcycle available.

However, a legend from MotoGP has directed blame towards Marquez as the battle for the championship begins.

"Giacomo Agostini has declared to La Gazzetta dello Sport that a friendship between them is impossible."

The producer is required to provide identical materials to both parties, and they need to ensure they stay within the boundaries without deviation.

Whether you have Davide Tardozzi or Agostini overseeing from the pit wall, when a rider is embroiled in competition, their sole focus is on outmaneuvering the rival, executing the pass, and then pulling ahead by five meters soon after.

"Different from what he was informed down in the trenches…"

Marc Marquez preferred over Pecco Bagnaia

"Both are exceptional athletes," Agostini commented. "One is more systematic and integrated with his team, while the other adopts a more aggressive approach.

"I foresee them envying one another, anticipating a direct confrontation."

"Marc definitely has a greater appetite for victory than Bagnaia, which might just give him the edge…"

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which turns out to be an even larger concern for the rest of the competition.

Bagnaia benefits significantly from having piloted a Ducati, specifically the factory model, over the last four years.

He clinched the titles in both 2022 and 2023, only to narrowly lose in the final round of 2024 to Jorge Martin.

However, the brilliance of Marquez, an eight-time world champion, should always be recognized.

Following a season of transition from a Honda to a Ducati from the previous year, he will be advancing to utilize equipment directly from the factory in 2025.

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Primary rationale for Marc Marquez's edge over Pecco Bagnaia

Explanation for selecting Marc Marquez

An interesting explanation has been offered to suggest why Marc Marquez holds a competitive edge over Francesco Bagnaia in this year's season.

Marquez will team up with Bagnaia in Ducati's premier team, ensuring they both have access to top-tier bikes, regarded as the finest on the circuit.

However, a MotoGP icon has directed blame towards Marquez as the battle for the championship begins.

"Giacomo Agostini stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport that they will never become friends."

The producer is required to provide identical materials to both parties, who must be careful to stay within the boundaries.

Placing figures like Davide Tardozzi or Agostini at the pit wall might be strategic, but when a rider is in the midst of competition, their sole focus is on outmaneuvering their rival, executing the pass, and then pulling ahead by five meters shortly thereafter.

"Different from what he was informed in the trenches…"

Agostini highlighted the strengths of Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, stating, "Both are exceptional talents in their field," he remarked. "One exhibits a more systematic approach and is deeply integrated within his team, while the other adopts a more forceful style of racing."

"I foresee them envying one another, anticipating a direct competition."

"Marc undoubtedly has a greater appetite for success than Bagnaia, which might just give him the edge…"

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which poses an even larger issue for everyone else.

Bagnaia has benefited from piloting a factory-issue Ducati for the last four years, giving him a distinct edge.

He emerged victorious in the championships for both 2022 and 2023, and narrowly missed clinching the title again in 2024, due to Jorge Martin overtaking him in the final

However, the brilliance of Marquez, an eight-time world champion, should always be recognized.

Following a season of transitioning from riding a Honda to using a Ducati from the previous year, he will be upgrading to utilize equipment directly from the factory in 2025.

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Ducati causes a stir with concerns over Marc Marquez's starts

During the MotoGP test in Buriram, Ducati seems to have set aside several parts from their 2025 model specifications.

As the 2025 MotoGP World Championship approaches, with only a handful of weeks left, the testing taking place in Buriram this week is crucial for several manufacturers, such as Ducati, to finalize their specifications for the new season.

During last week's testing session in Sepang, Ducati and its official riders, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, were uncertain about which bike configuration to select. They considered three options: a complete GP25 model, a full GP24 version, and a combination of the two.

Two key elements played a significant role: the first being the impressive performance of the GP24, which secured victories in all but four Grand Prix events in 2024. The second factor was the two-year approval period for this year's engine due to the development halt set for 2026. This situation made the Bologna brand particularly cautious about taking unnecessary risks, as Marc Marquez mentioned after the Sepang race, when deciding on their 2025 motorcycle.

As the test in Thailand marks the last opportunity before the season kicks off in Buriram in three weeks, Ducati must finalize its decision now.

Instead of proceeding with consecutive tests of both GP25 and GP24 components in Buriram, Ducati seems to have switched entirely to using the GP24. This change was highlighted by Jack Appleyard on X (previously known as Twitter), who observed that the new engine, chassis, and fairing are not in use today in Buriram.

There haven't been any standout lap times coming from Buriram so far, but the Ducati factory team's actions are quite intriguing. Both Bagnaia and Marquez are exclusively using the GP24 model. The new engine, chassis, and aerodynamic features from Sepang seem to be absent.

While it's not officially confirmed that Ducati is channeling all its resources into optimizing the GP24 rather than the GP25, the fact that there's still a day left in testing suggests a careful approach by the Italian company towards their latest prototype.

Issues with Launching

Ducati's decision to seemingly revert completely to the GP24 during the first day of the two-day Buriram test raises eyebrows, but what also stands out are the practice starts performed by its official team riders.

Currently, both Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez appear to struggle with consistently achieving strong starts on the factory Desmosedici.

"We observed the practice starts of Bagnaia and Marquez," mentioned Louis Suddaby from MotoGP.com.

"Bagnaia's initial move left a noticeable dark mark on the straightaway!"

"The remaining starters faced difficulties in keeping the front wheel on the ground."

Check out this Instagram post from Crash MotoGP, featuring content from their account (@crashmotogp_).

MotoGP.com pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard shared that some individuals on the pitwall mentioned they haven't witnessed Marquez make a strong start during any of the preseason test sessions.

Observers expressed their astonishment at how Marquez consistently appeared unprepared during each practice start.

"In my opinion, it seems that Ducati is looking to enhance the performance of the GP25. However, currently, they haven't perfected the launch controls."

"Both Bagnaia and Marquez were struggling with traction, as their rear wheels were losing grip. They simply couldn't get the situation under control!"

Even outside the official team, Ducati riders faced difficulties during the start. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer encountered a significant issue when he nearly collided with his Gresini teammate, Alex Marquez, as they both accelerated away. Aldeguer's bike spun its rear wheel, causing him to veer left while attempting to get his GP24 moving.

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Exploring the Top Five Lackluster MotoGP Championship Defenses

We delve into the history books to highlight several of the most underwhelming championship defenses in MotoGP's storied past.

The beginning of the 2025 MotoGP season has been far from ideal for the current champion, Jorge Martin. Heading into the inaugural race in Thailand, Martin has managed fewer than 20 laps on his new Aprilia RS-GP due to an early crash during the year's first test session in Sepang.

Martin departed from Malaysia with injuries to his right hand and left foot, subsequently being deemed unable to participate in the Buriram test happening this week due to undergoing an operation in Barcelona.

Viewing the scenario with a negative outlook, it prepares Martin for what may turn out to be a notably uninspiring attempt at defending his championship. As he competes, instead of methodically evaluating his new motorcycle, the prominent #1 displayed on its forefront serves as a constant nudge of the position he is expected to maintain.

This doesn't mean, however, that the collaboration between Martin and Aprilia is fated to endless disappointment or that they will never achieve a championship win together.

However, regardless of how one measures it, Martin's attempt to defend his 2024 MotoGP World Championship title has arguably faced the worst possible beginning, despite not a single practice session having taken place in 2025 yet.

Bearing this in mind, we decided to reflect on previous instances of unsuccessful title defenses in MotoGP's history, focusing solely on the four-stroke era, to understand the challenges past champions have faced.

In a sense, including Fabio Quartararo's attempt to defend his title in 2022 on this list may seem quite severe, especially considering that by November 2021, it was evident that retaining his championship would be a formidable challenge.

This was partly due to Yamaha's decreasing ability to compete, but was primarily a result of Ducati's surge to prominence, led by Francesco Bagnaia, who secured victories in four of the final six races during Quartararo's championship season.

As 2021 drew to a close, Bagnaia was optimistic, believing that the Desmosedici GP22, Ducati's latest model, represented an improvement over the previous year's GP21, even with more than three months to go before the 2022 season kicked off.

The beginning of the season didn't unfold as anticipated. Bagnaia experienced a crash in Qatar, placed 15th in Indonesia, followed by fifth-place finishes in Argentina and Texas, and after crashing in the qualifiers at Portimao, he started from the back of the grid to ultimately finish eighth.

Quartararo didn't fare much better, securing ninth place in Qatar, eighth in Argentina, and seventh in Texas. However, he managed to secure a spot on the podium in Indonesia and clinched a win in Portimao.

In their initial direct competition at Jerez, Bagnaia emerged victorious over Quartararo, who spent 40 minutes attempting to prevent his front tyre from overheating due to the turbulent air from Bagnaia's bike.

However, the tables turned in favor of Quartararo as he secured positions 4-2-1-1 in the races across France, Italy, Catalunya, and Germany. During this time, Bagnaia failed to finish three races, allowing Quartararo to extend his lead to more than 90 points ahead of the Italian by the time they arrived at the Dutch TT.

The gap should have been too vast for Bagnaia to bridge, especially considering the disparity in capabilities between the Ducati and the Yamaha.

Ultimately, he clinched the championship with a 17-point lead, marking a significant victory for Bagnaia and Ducati. However, this outcome also highlighted the shortcomings of Quartararo (who had accidents at Assen and Phillip Island) and Yamaha, who significantly let their chances diminish.

Valentino Rossi, a renowned motorcycle racer, secured nine championships throughout his professional journey, encountering setbacks in retaining his title in two instances: 2006 and 2010.

The selection of 2006 over 2010 for this list is attributed to Rossi's challenges in defending his 2009 title, which were compounded by a shoulder injury he suffered prior to the season and a leg fracture he experienced during a practice session for the Italian Grand Prix.

In contrast, Rossi's failure to secure the 2006 championship was due to errors he committed, both during races and outside of them.

For instance, in 2006, Rossi had the opportunity to drive a Ferrari F1 vehicle, demonstrating the potential for a future transition to the top-tier automotive racing series.

The focus on a potential Formula 1 career for Rossi ended up being futile, as he never competed in F1. This shift in focus adversely affected the progress of the 2006 YZR-M1. While the bike showed potential by winning a few races, Rossi's performance dropped to five wins in 2006 from the 11 he secured the year before.

On several instances, including events in Turkey and Germany, the Italian racer managed to turn around his fortunes after starting from less favorable positions on the grid. Notably, at the Sachsenring, he delivered one of his most remarkable performances by moving up from a 14th-place start to secure a victory. Similarly, during the Dutch TT, after a crash in practice left him compromised, he still managed to finish the race in eighth place.

Despite numerous challenges encountered throughout 2006 by Rossi and his team Yamaha, the Italian racer managed to enter the last race of the season ahead in the championship standings over Nicky Hayden. This lead was partially due to Hayden's bad luck in Estoril, where he was accidentally hit by his Repsol Honda teammate, Dani Pedrosa.

However, a crucial error in the end famously led to the Italian missing out on what would have been his eighth world title and a full collection of 990cc championships, as he lost control and crashed out in the second turn of the season's final race at the Valencia Grand Prix.

In examining the title defenses outlined here, it's clear that 2006 wasn't necessarily a poor year for Rossi overall. However, when measured against the high benchmarks he had established from 2001 onwards, it fell short of reaching the pinnacle of success.

Similar to Rossi, Marc Marquez has also experienced challenges in defending his title twice. These instances occurred in 2015 and 2020. For Marquez, his 2020 downfall was due to injuries, mirroring Rossi's experience, whereas the 2015 scenario was attributed to Marquez's repeated errors. Consequently, it's the 2015 season that is highlighted here.

Undeniably, the 2015 MotoGP season is most memorable for its conclusion. Yet, it was truly a remarkable season of competition that initially appeared to be headed towards monotony.

Entering his third season at the top level of motorcycle racing, Marquez had previously achieved remarkable success, securing championship victories in both of his first two years. His second championship was particularly notable, featuring an unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive victories at the season's outset and culminating in a total of 13 wins from 18 races.

Believing that Marquez wouldn't ultimately reign supreme in 2015, despite a less than ideal beginning during the year's testing, appeared illogical.

Despite expectations, Marquez did not dominate the field, with the exception of his performances in Texas and Germany. Overall, the Spanish rider failed to leave the mark he had in the past two seasons.

A significant factor contributing to the challenges faced by Honda riders that season, including Marquez, was the bike's overly forceful engine behavior.

However, Marquez's relentless pursuit of victory played a role as well. His habit of squandering points in races he was poised to win – such as those in Argentina and Britain – meant that by the time he halted his series of crashes at the beginning of the Asian triple header, the championship was already out of reach.

Notoriously, the failure of #93 to clinch the championship title that year did not mark the limit of his impact on the overall competition, even though it wasn't Marquez directly causing that impact. However, at its core, Marc Marquez didn't compete in the 2015 season with the intention of securing a championship for Jorge Lorenzo.

Ultimately, Lorenzo had the skills to clinch the championship independently, while Marquez and Valentino Rossi were fully able to let it slip away.

Joan Mir, 2021

While Fabio Quartararo's performance in 2022 significantly deteriorated, Joan Mir's attempt to defend his title in 2021 was an outright catastrophe.

In 2020, Suzuki clinched the championship title, largely due to the versatility of its GSX-RR and the remarkable steadiness displayed by the Spanish racer Mir, in what was a tumultuous season overall.

In 2021, the general unpredictability of MotoGP decreased, alongside a noticeable dip in the performance steadiness of Suzuki and Mir.

In 2021, the Spanish racer failed to secure a single victory and only achieved six podium finishes out of the 14 races, a slight decline from the seven podiums he earned during the same number of races in the 2020 season.

Overall, Mir faced challenges in maintaining competitive performance throughout 2021, often finding it difficult to distinguish himself against rivals such as Quartararo and Bagnaia. Despite outperforming them once, he was surpassed at the Styria race by newcomer Jorge Martin.

Despite finishing third in the 2021 rankings, the year wasn't a complete failure for the Spanish racer, Mir. However, his inclusion on the list stems from never appearing to be the frontrunner for the championship title at any time during 2021.

Nicky Hayden, 2007

Typically, we've aimed to steer clear of campaigns that experienced significant shifts in rules or technical guidelines. This approach explains the absence of Jorge Lorenzo’s 2016 season from our list, while Fabio Quartararo's 2021 season makes the cut.

Nonetheless, the concluding observation regarding Mir likely applies to Nicky Hayden in 2007 too, but even more so, which is precisely the reason his defense of the 2006 championship makes our list.

For instance, Lorenzo appeared poised to retain his 2015 championship following his dominant performance in the first race of the 2016 season in Qatar. He showcased exceptional pace during the preseason with the newly introduced Michelin tires and standardized electronic systems, leading to his effortless victory in the opener.

In contrast, Hayden kicked off the 2007 campaign, marking the beginning of the 800cc era, with finishes of 8th, 7th, and 7th in the initial trio of races, and concluded the season with an overall finishing rank of eighth across the 15 races he completed.

The American rider managed to secure a spot on the podium just three times while attempting to retain his championship title, concluding the season in eighth place in the rankings, trailing his teammate Dani Pedrosa, who was in his second year, by 115 points

Heading into the 2007 season, Hayden wasn't necessarily seen as the top contender for the championship. However, ending the season in eighth place, especially after previously clinching the championship title, and falling behind both of Suzuki's leading riders, John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen, as well as Honda's independent team rider Marco Melandri, was undeniably a considerable disappointment.

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Marco Bezzecchi: "It was all unfamiliar, and there was a significant duty" to work on a bike's development

“I've never had the chance to be involved in developing a bike…”

Marco Bezzecchi described his initial test with the official Aprilia MotoGP team as "a strange feeling," especially after transitioning from a satellite team.

The rider, who has claimed victory in three grand prix events, initially competed with Valentino Rossi's team using Ducati bikes from the previous year during the first three seasons of his MotoGP career. He then secured a contract with Aprilia's factory team for 2025.

Due to injuries, Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez were unable to participate in the first day of the Sepang test last week. As a result, Bezzecchi has taken the lead in the winter development of the RS-GP.

Never having had the experience of developing a bike before, Bezzecchi confessed that initially it felt "strange" to adapt to, and it was "a very emotional" experience.

"It's a positive experience. Being in Sepang felt unusual for me," he remarked on Wednesday, halfway through the initial day of testing in Buriram.

"All of it was unfamiliar territory. I had never had the chance to work on developing a MotoGP motorcycle before."

"It was both an overwhelming experience and a significant duty for me to strive to perform well."

"In Sepang, everything went well overall, thankfully, though we did miss Jorge, which is a well-known fact."

"We've made a strong restart here. With limited time available, we need to be more effective and accurate in making all the necessary adjustments."

"The team is putting in great effort, so I am committed to providing them with valuable feedback."

When questioned about whether he likes the extra pressure that comes with being a factory rider, he replied, "It's just a test, so there's pressure, but not really. Still, I do enjoy it."

At the midpoint of the first day in Buriram, Bezzecchi held the fifth position on the overall timesheets.

He and Aprilia are concentrating on evaluating all the remaining new components on Wednesday, so they can dedicate Thursday entirely to getting ready for the Thai Grand Prix race.

"We began from our position in Sepang," he mentioned.

"We are currently developing a few new products to experiment with."

"We plan to test a few more things today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on getting ready for the race weekend. Overall, it was a decent start to the morning."

"Our goal was to complete all tasks today. We had a productive session in Sepang."

"We put a lot of effort into planning the test here thoroughly. The team did an excellent job, so I hope I can provide them with detailed feedback to avoid needing to reassess anything tomorrow."

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2025 Official Buriram MotoGP Testing Outcomes – First Day (Wednesday)

As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, here are the lap times recorded on the inaugural day of the 2025 Official MotoGP test in Buriram.

Results on the hour…

Records from the official Buriram MotoGP have been documented as

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap of the race: Marco Bezzecchi on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute and 30.896 seconds in 2023.

The last pre-season test for the 2025 MotoGP kicked off on Wednesday morning in Buriram, Thailand.

Alex Marquez from Gresini secured the leading position with the Ducati GP24 during last week's session at Sepang. After also setting the fastest time in the Barcelona test back in November, he now has the opportunity to dominate all the winter testing sessions.

In the interim, Ducati's factory team, featuring brothers Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, faces significant decisions regarding the engine selection for the upcoming GP25. It's important to note that the engine configuration for all European motorcycles will be locked in starting from the first round and will remain unchanged until the conclusion of 2026.

After utilizing additional track time during the Shakedown, Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha improved their performance to become the leading contenders behind Ducati at the Sepang circuit. The question now is whether they can maintain this competitive edge on an even playing field at the Buriram track.

Honda stands as the sole producer with experience on the Chang International Circuit for MotoGP's 2025 season, thanks to a private test session conducted in January featuring riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.

This week, Aprilia's newly signed and current MotoGP champion Jorge Martin, along with VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio, will not be participating due to injuries they sustained at Sepang. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez, who was also hurt on the first day in Malaysia, is planning to attempt to ride in Buriram.

In Buriram, testing is scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, with practice starts occurring afterwards, on both Wednesday and Thursday.

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2025 Buriram MotoGP Official Test – Day 1: LIVE

Stay tuned for real-time coverage of the first day of the 2025 Official Buriram MotoGP testing session, taking place on Wednesday.

The ultimate pre-season MotoGP test for 2025 kicked off on Wednesday morning in Buriram, Thailand.

Last week at Sepang, Alex Marquez from the Gresini team led the pack on his Ducati GP24. After also securing the fastest time during the test in Barcelona last November, he now has the opportunity to dominate the winter testing season.

At the same time, the Ducati factory team, featuring Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, faces significant decisions regarding their engine selection for the new GP25 model. This is because engine configurations for all European motorcycles will be locked in from the first race until the conclusion of 2026.

Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha improved their performance to secure the position just behind Ducati at Sepang. However, after gaining additional practice time during the Shakedown, the question remains whether they can maintain this competitive level on a more even footing at Buriram.

Honda is the sole manufacturer with experience on the Chang International Circuit for the 2025 MotoGP, thanks to a private test session in January that involved riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.

This week, Aprilia's recent recruit and current MotoGP champion, Jorge Martin, along with VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio, will not be participating due to injuries sustained at Sepang. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez, who was also injured on the opening day in Malaysia, is planning to attempt racing in Buriram.

On Wednesday and Thursday, testing sessions at Buriram are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with practice starts occurring afterward.

Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo and Honda's Joan Mir, both of whom delivered standout performances at Sepang, are beginning their testing sessions.

Luca Marini now leads the way for HRC. It's important to note that Honda is the sole manufacturer with updated data from Buriram, thanks to a private test conducted in January with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.

During his initial run, Bezzecchi set the quickest time yet with a lap of 1 minute 31.929 seconds. Miller holds the second position.

It’s clear that tires were a major topic of discussion at Sepang. However, the tires available for the test in Buriram are identical to those used during last October's Grand Prix, and they will also be utilized in the opening race of the upcoming Thai season.

A total of eight riders have exited the pits, including Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, Marini, Miller, Binder, Ogura, Oliveira, and Morbidelli.

Regarding Bezzecchi, Aprilia has shared details about their testing schedule. It's important to note that his teammate and current champion, Jorge Martin, will not participate due to injuries he sustained in Sepang last week.

Buriram Test – Day 1

– Further evaluations will be conducted on several components that were initially assessed at Sepang. These components require testing on a circuit with varying features, considering both the track layout and the different rear tire construction used here and at other venues.

– Following the data analysis from Sepang, new electronic materials will be trialed over these two days.

– For Bezzecchi, the emphasis is on refining and developing while maintaining a focus on race performance. Meanwhile, Savadori will engage in a more rigorous development program.

The signal has turned green at Buriram, marking the start of the two-test event.

Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia quickly takes to the track, closely followed by Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia.

I'm

Here's a recap of the current official lap records…

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked a time of 1 minute 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap in the race was set by Marco Bezzecchi on a Ducati, clocking in at 1 minute and 30.896 seconds in 2023.

It's nearly 10 in the morning in Thailand as the last pre-season test for the 2025 MotoGP kicks off at Buriram.

According to Derry Munikartono, our correspondent from Crash.net in Indonesia, the temperature feels 'cool' when compared to Jakarta.

The temperature is currently nearing 27 degrees, which is significantly cooler than the conditions experienced during the first-ever Buriram pre-season test. That event took place in March 2018 under intensely hot weather, serving as a lead-up to the debut of the Thai Grand Prix that year.

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