Johann Zarco calls for recognition of Honda's progress, stating "they are definitely not foolish"

LCR Honda competitor acknowledges the company's off-season advancements

Johann Zarco emphasizes that Honda MotoGP competitors should honor the team's off-season progress, despite Romano Albesiano stepping in as the new technical director.

Honda's recruitment of Albesiano from Aprilia as the lead of their technical division signifies a significant change in staff for the Japanese company, which ended up at the bottom of the constructors' rankings in 2024.

Albesiano officially assumed his position in January, indicating that he has had minimal impact on Honda's development efforts during the winter, prior to this week's pre-season test in Sepang.

LCR's Zarco believes that Albesiano has definitely been able to offer insights to Honda's technical team regarding the motorcycle, but he emphasizes that they are "obviously intelligent" and their efforts should not be underestimated.

"It's difficult to determine," he responded when questioned about Albesiano's impact on motorcycle progression.

"He's likely capable of offering suggestions now, but given that his project commenced in January, it's clear Honda had made prior arrangements.

"They were eager to hear Romano's concepts at the start of January and decided, 'alright, let's get everything ready by the end of January'."

"It's important for us to honor that and pursue it, as the concepts Honda aims to explore are undeniably intelligent."

"Perhaps the sole individual privy to certain undisclosed information could be [Gigi] Dall'Igna, yet he isn't the person who inked a deal with Honda."

"He [Albesiano] might be able to suggest some concepts, however, we need to adhere to the strategies that have been in place since November up to the present."

Johann Zarco Discusses Honda's Strategy in Sepang

Honda has completed its initial laps at Sepang during the shakedown, and Zarco observed that the setup appeared to be “quite similar” to the configuration he experienced during the last tests of the previous year.

"Based on my current observation, the bicycle appears largely the same, yet they are implementing numerous changes," he further stated.

"Tomorrow, selecting the chassis is our initial priority."

Additionally, they are working on some engine-related projects, though perhaps they're not immediately the top choice in Malaysia. Moreover, on the final day, we plan to tackle the aerodynamic aspects.

Now, having gained experience, I no longer harbor expectations of immediately achieving success that propels one to the forefront, as I understand the effort involved but recognize the challenge in synchronizing all necessary elements.

The Japanese are implementing alterations, yet there are occasions when the sentiment remains alike, making it challenging to progress significantly.

"However, given Romano's involvement, I anticipate progress will be made."

"He is genuinely taken with the promise Honda holds, a sentiment I share and have held for the past year."

"He possesses a similar sentiment, which is comforting to know we share the same feelings."

Statements supplied by Peter McLaren, MotoGP Editor at Crash

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Fabio di Giannantonio: Shoulder Fully Recovered, Mentally Unburdened Ahead of GP25

"I'm eager to participate in the [GP25] and share my genuine thoughts."

Tomorrow, for the first time since October's Thai Grand Prix, Fabio di Giannantonio will be back on the circuit as he participates in the initial rounds of the Official Sepang Test.

The rider from Pertamina VR46 took a break from the 2024 racing season to have significant shoulder surgery, following a dislocation he suffered months before in Austria.

This meant he missed the last two races of the world championship and the post-race testing in Barcelona, where the initial model of the factory-spec GP25 he is set to compete with this season was unveiled to the public.

"Di Giannantonio mentioned in a Tuesday interview with Crash.net at Sepang that the winter seemed to stretch on for quite some time."

I had to concentrate intensely to regain movement in my shoulder, then work on restoring strength to all the surrounding muscles. It was quite an extensive journey. But now, I'm in great shape, feeling about 80-90% restored.

"I'm lacking a bit in strength since my physical training only commenced at the beginning of January, leaving me with just a handful of weeks before undergoing this evaluation.

"I'm doing well. We spent three days at Mandalika riding the Panigale, and I had a great time. Thankfully, I experienced absolutely no shoulder pain."

"Certainly, competing in the MotoGP is an entirely different experience. We'll have to wait and see what unfolds here."

In response to a question about what he anticipates being the most challenging aspect, Diggia mentioned, "Definitely the [insufficient physical] conditioning, especially the braking.

"However, it's crucial for me to pay attention on the straight paths and during the proper turns, as those were the primary problems we faced last year."

"I couldn't position myself as close to the fairing and as low on the right turns as I managed to do on the left ones."

In a subsequent media briefing at the race track, the 26-year-old racer shared that his left shoulder now feels completely rejuvenated, as if there had been no injury at all. He attributed this remarkable recovery to 'The Professor', whom he praised as one of the world's finest surgeons for this type of procedure, stating that the work done was exceptional.

"Reflecting on my experience, piloting the GP motorcycle in the final seven contests of the previous season was quite challenging. However, this time around, the narrative has entirely changed. I'm optimistic that this alteration will be evident on the racetrack starting from tomorrow."

Giannantonio aims for mental freedom and will be the sole competitor, apart from the Ducati Lenovo pair of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, to have the privilege of using the highly sought-after GP25.

"There are plenty of things we're excited to test out!" the Italian rider, who has previously only had access to bikes that were a year old and at the end of their development cycle, said with a smile.

This is my initial experience with evaluating numerous components, and it's incredibly exciting. Truly a great thing to undertake.

"Definitely, each person will follow their individual plans, but the three of us will collaborate on enhancing the bike."

Di Giannantonio observed from the periphery as Bagnaia and Marquez experienced their initial trial of the GP25 in Barcelona.

He remains open to possibilities as the Wednesday premiere approaches.

"The squad and Ducati chose not to share numerous details with me as they aimed to avoid swaying my decisions in any manner. I believe it was a wise choice," declared the victor of the 2023 Qatar race.

"Definitely, I caught some remarks from you, the journalists, during the interviews. However, from my end, I preferred not to delve too deeply because I aimed to maintain an open mind."

"I wish to cycle and express my deepest emotions."

"It appears to have made a promising start. The lap times were decent, and even in Barcelona, the motorcycle wasn't the complete 2025 version. This is partly because the final specifications for the 2025 model haven't been finalized yet, as we're still in the process of testing various components for this year."

"Therefore, I believe we are set to introduce the initial '25 prototype for this season."

The official testing session in Sepang is scheduled from Wednesday through to Friday.

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Jack Miller to sport distinctive MotoGP attire combination for 2025

Pramac competitor to endorse dual gear brands this year

In 2025, Pramac Yamaha MotoGP contestant Jack Miller will take to the track donning gear from a mix of different brands, marking an unconventional choice in his racing attire.

Previously, Miller was endorsed by Alpinestars, wearing their gloves, boots, and racing suits, along with his crash helmet.

Nonetheless, upon his transition to Pramac Yamaha, he will be outfitted in Dainese gear, including leathers, gloves, and boots, while continuing to use his Alpinestars helmet.

Pramac's official team apparel is provided by Dainese, as the team has secured a fresh agreement that extends through the end of 2027.

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

"Gino Borsoi, the team leader at Pramac, expressed immense enthusiasm about embarking on this journey with Dainese, a name that stands for innovation, safety, and outstanding quality in the realm of motorsports."

"This signifies a partnership between a legendary MotoGP brand and a team renowned for its MotoGP legacy, a duo poised to elevate both our reputation and standards of excellence."

"As we embark on the endeavor to rival Yamaha in MotoGP and Moto2 races, the backing and safeguarding provided by Dainese will play a vital role in our performance on the circuit."

"This collaboration further solidifies our squad's dedication to excellence and mirrors our mutual principles of commitment and high standards in the sport."

Confronted with the risk of not securing a spot on the racing lineup for the 2025 season, Miller appeared to have no choice regarding the equipment sponsor upon his potential return to Pramac in 2025.

He's not the only prominent figure moving to Dainese in 2025, as KTM test pilot Dani Pedrosa was seen wearing the brand's gear during the Sepang shakedown the previous week.

During his debut season in MotoGP in 2006, Pedrosa was affiliated with Dainese while competing as a factory rider for Honda.

The full lineup of Pramac riders in both MotoGP and Moto2 will be outfitted in Dainese gear.

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Marc Marquez reveals his primary objective for Sepang trials

Marc Marquez set to evaluate GP25 in preseason trials

Marc Marquez has stated that his primary objective during the Sepang MotoGP pre-season test is to gain insights from his Ducati team colleague, Francesco Bagnaia.

Following a successful revival of his previously faltering career with the Gresini team in the previous year, Marquez is set to make a comeback to a factory team position in 2025, joining forces with two-time premier class champion Bagnaia at the official Ducati team.

Throughout the winter, discussions have centered around the possible rift between them. However, Marquez mentions that Bagnaia will continue to be his benchmark during pre-season trials because "he possesses extensive knowledge."

"Absolutely, I'm eager to kick off the pre-season. It's particularly exciting being part of a factory team because when you glance over the schedule, you realize there's a plethora of items to test out, from minor tweaks to major overhauls," he mentioned.

"A significant task awaits us in the Malaysia trial, particularly as we must select the right path, striving to collaborate with Pecco and the entire team to establish the optimal foundation."

"In less than ten days, we're facing a five-day examination period, so it's crucial that we stay concentrated."

Currently, my exposure is limited to just a single trial in Barcelona, and generally, our feedback is quite similar.

"This mattered greatly and simplified the process for the engineers. From then on, Ducati possessed all the necessary resources to attempt to customize the motorcycle for every rider.

"However, when a bicycle is functioning properly, it becomes a reliable tool at your disposal."

"Right now, my goal is to fully grasp what's going on, and to absorb as much as I can from Pecco, given his extensive experience in this team and his deep knowledge of many aspects."

"And from that moment, gradually increase speed on the race course."

Marc Marquez expressed optimism about his condition, stating, "My well-being will improve following the initial race." Throughout his entire MotoGP journey, Bagnaia has remained loyal to Ducati, becoming the brand's most triumphant rider in history based on statistics.

Marquez mentions having minimal interaction with his fresh Ducati squad, yet he notes that the team unveiling in Italy last month offered him a good opportunity to familiarize himself more with his team members.

"Absolutely, I'm feeling good, but I anticipate feeling even better post the initial test and even more so following the first race. This is because I'm in the process of grasping the team's operational methods," he commented on the team's dynamics.

"The work presents some unique challenges, and I'll need to adjust accordingly."

"From that moment, my acquaintance with individuals began to deepen. While in Madonna di Campiglio I became more familiar with the higher-ups, I am now getting to know the technical staff better, particularly Marco Rigamonti, who is set to be my lead engineer."

"Thus, it's crucial from this moment forward to grasp what's necessary for us to achieve speed on the race circuit. That's the primary focus."

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Pramac pledges to instill Ducati's "approach" into Yamaha

"They're highly receptive to our perspective on racing"

Gino Borsoi, the team leader of Pramac, has expressed that his team is transferring the "optimal mindset" from Ducati to Yamaha for the MotoGP initiative set for 2025.

From 2004 until the conclusion of 2024, Pramac operated as a secondary team for Ducati, securing the riders' championship in the previous year with Jorge Martin at the helm.

In recent years, Pramac has forged a strong partnership with the Bologna factory, operating two factory-level motorcycles and playing a crucial role in their development.

Opting not to continue its partnership with Ducati past 2024, it chose to align with Yamaha following Ducati's reversal of its initial choice to elevate Jorge Martin, opting instead for Marc Marquez to partner with Francesco Bagnaia in 2025.

Pramac's leader, Borsoi, has stated that Yamaha is highly receptive to their racing perspective, as they prepare two M1 bikes for riders Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira.

"Borsoi mentioned to GPOne that within the Yamaha team and its circle, the presence of numerous Italians makes communication smoother."

Communicating and comprehending one another was an effortless task, and their reception towards us was immediately warm; they embraced us, metaphorically speaking, integrating us into their family circle smoothly and without any complications.

"Actually, I have to admit they're really paying attention to our perspective on racing, including our approach to managing the weekend."

"We are available to assist them in any way possible."

"Our mindset is influenced by Ducati, which is currently leading the pack. However, I'm confident that as time progresses, we'll gradually achieve the outcomes Yamaha is worthy of and restore it to its leading position."

After consecutive years in contention for the world championship, Borsoi acknowledges that he's beginning anew with Yamaha in 2025, as the Japanese brand aims to climb the rankings.

Borsoi mentioned, "My background includes a time when I was constantly engaged in battles at the forefront, even prior to my tenure with Pramac."

"Perhaps I've grown too comfortable, yet it also requires a willingness to begin anew, reconstructing the foundation and recognizing the challenge involved in reviving a project such as Yamaha."

"This experience is something that could potentially make me better tomorrow, so I'm quite happy to embrace this challenge, especially since Yamaha has greeted us so warmly."

"They are highly motivated to return to their desired position and are spending substantial amounts of money to achieve this."

"It seems like this is an unprecedented move for Yamaha in terms of financial commitment. They've brought on board a significant number of technical staff and are undertaking numerous innovative projects."

“Therefore, the enthusiasm surrounding this project is palpable, and should we achieve success, it will mark another historic milestone for us, mirroring our previous triumph with Ducati.”

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Marco Bezzecchi stated, “We should hold off until we hear about Jorge.” He added, “Once we receive updates on Jorge, we will be able to determine our next steps.”

During a Wednesday lunch briefing with the media in Sepang, Marco Bezzecchi provided no new updates regarding the status of his Aprilia teammate and current MotoGP champion, Jorge Martin.

Martin was taken to a nearby hospital for additional examinations following a severe highside at Turn 2, marking his second crash of the morning.

An update from Aprilia states that he is currently experiencing pain in his left foot and right hand.

On the first morning of the Official Sepang Test, Martin was among a small group of riders who experienced falls, including two other competitors from the Aprilia team.

The outcome of Martin's test is currently uncertain. Meanwhile, Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez has been diagnosed with a fracture, and newcomer Ai Ogura emerged unscathed from a high-speed crash.

Fabio di Giannantonio from VR46 Ducati and Pedro Acosta from KTM are both believed to have been affected as well.

"I'm not really sure," Bezzecchi responded when questioned about the cause of numerous crashes.

"In Sepang, the only effective tyres for our needs are the soft ones on the rear, but we unfortunately don't have enough of them."

"I only use the medium tire, and having it on the back makes things quite challenging. The traction is minimal."

"I'm not aware of the other riders' crashes, but here's my personal experience while riding."

With Fernandez sidelined due to injury and Martin's participation uncertain for the remainder of the test, could Aprilia be required to modify Bezzecchi's testing schedule?

"I’m not sure. Initially, I’d suggest we hold off on making any decisions regarding Jorge,” the Italian responded.

I just saw that Raul has injured himself.

"We'll hold off until we receive an update on Jorge, after which we'll figure out our next steps. Right now, I'm afraid I don't have any additional information."

Focusing on his own racing endeavors, Bezzecchi, who was ranked 17th fastest at that moment, mentioned that he had tested the newest Aprilia innovations in comparison to the original 'Barcelona' 2025 model.

"We tested the Montmelo specification first, and then I switched to the newer version," he stated.

"I made some adjustments and then decided to revert to the Montmelo specifications. Luckily, we kept that older version handy."

"The introduction of the new components marks a minor advancement. However, it remains too soon to make any significant conclusions. I did notice some encouraging aspects, naturally."

Every adjustment I made showed improvement, yet I require more time on the bike to fully grasp the extent of the advancement from the previous model to the current one.

"However, I instantly sensed an improvement, which is why I decided to keep the new one."

Bezzecchi and Martin initially experienced the RS-GP at Barcelona with a noticeable strong sensation at the front and a lack of stability at the back, and this impression persisted.

Bezzecchi remarked, "This bike is handling differently than the one I rode last year," when talking about the GP23 Ducati. He added, "Naturally, the back of the bike still needs some tweaking."

"We faced this issue previously in Montmelo, with a lot of activity and changes happening, particularly."

"It seems to be a combination of the tires and the bike's electronic systems."

In general, I believe I need to spend more time on the bike to determine whether the issue lies with the tyres or the bike itself. Right now, it seems to be a combination of both.

He mentioned, "When it comes to braking, I immediately felt really confident. I'm braking hard and I'm pleased about it because I lost some of this aspect of my riding last year."

"As soon as I got on the bike, I noticed excellent stability in the front, which enabled me to apply the brakes with considerable force."

"We need to focus on improving everything else. Specifically, we have to address the aerodynamics and electronics, as the latter is particularly crucial."

Are you satisfied with the engine's performance?

"Certainly, having power is beneficial."

How does it stack up against the one you rode a few months back?

"Two motorcycles from Italy… Italians excel at crafting engines!"

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Jorge Martin has been taken to the hospital for evaluation following a significant highside crash during the Sepang MotoGP Test. After two falls at the event, Martin is experiencing discomfort in his left foot and right hand.

Current MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin faced a disastrous beginning to the 2025 preseason tests as he experienced two highside crashes on his Aprilia within the first few hours at Sepang.

The incidents both happened at the narrow initial right-left sequence of turns.

The second highside occurred when Martin unexpectedly lost control of the rear of his RS-GP as he transitioned from a right to a left turn while approaching Turn 2.

As the tire caught traction, the Spaniard was launched into the air, hitting the ground heavily on his feet before falling face-first onto the asphalt.

The session was temporarily halted with a red flag as he was brought to the medical center. He is set to be moved to a nearby hospital for additional examinations.

Aprilia announced that Jorge Martin, following an accident at Turn 2, has been transported to the circuit's medical center. He will receive additional medical examinations, and we will provide an update once we have an official report on his condition.

A subsequent update stated: "Jorge will be transported to Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, which is 6 kilometers from the circuit, for medical evaluation. Currently, he is experiencing pain in his left foot and right hand."

Martin had finished only 13 laps and was positioned 21st when he experienced his second crash.

Fabio di Giannantonio, representing VR46, experienced a fall at the fifth turn but fortunately emerged without injury.

I'm

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Test – Day 1: Live Coverage

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the first day of the 2025 Official MotoGP test at Sepang, happening on Wednesday. All MotoGP riders are hitting the track for the initial time this year, with the testing session scheduled from Wednesday through Friday.

Newcomers Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra, along with Yamaha's factory test riders and permanent race riders, participated in a three-day Shakedown test at the Malaysian track over the weekend.

Apart from Chantra, the Honda racing team had other riders like Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco, who were also allowed to participate in the shakedown. However, they chose not to join in.

The group, which includes current titleholder Jorge Martin and newcomer Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo, will be getting back on a MotoGP bike for the first time since their last ride in Barcelona in November.

There are only five days allocated for official pre-season testing before the 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Thailand on February 28. These test sessions include three days at Sepang followed by two days at Buriram.

The testing sessions at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, with practice starts occurring afterward.

The second section of the initial series of sharp turns is a left-hand corner known as Turn 2.

Jorge Martin has experienced another crash, occurring this time at the second turn. The red flags have been raised.

Following an earlier crash, world champion Jorge Martin has returned to the race and is aiming to better his 21st position.

Franco Morbidelli tops the list with 22 laps completed, while Jack Miller and Pedro Acosta have each completed 18 laps.

To put it differently, it's essentially the entire distance of a grand prix, though it was divided into shorter segments earlier today.

It

Franco Morbidelli advances to 6th place, positioning himself between Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo.

Newcomer Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini remains the leading GP24 and Ducati competitor, securing the third position right behind the Pramac racers.

Lower in the rankings, Francesco Bagnaia currently occupies the 11th spot, while Jorge Martin, the Aprilia world champion, is in 21st place following his fall at Turn 1.

The present list of the leading ten:

Jack Miller, representing Pramac Yamaha

Miguel Oliveira, riding for Pramac Yamaha

Fermin Aldeguer, a member of the Gresini Ducati team

Alex Rins, representing Monster Yamaha

Marc Marquez (racing for Ducati Lenovo)

Fabio Quartararo, who races for Monster Yamaha

Pedro Acosta (KTM team backed by Red Bull)

Luca Marini, a rider for Honda Castrol

Augusto Fernandez, part of the Yamaha testing team

Alex Marquez, who rides for Gresini Ducati.

One of Alex Rins' bikes features a gleaming, unpainted chassis on the right, while the bike to the left, which is his regular model, sports the traditional black frame.

It's not unexpected since they have already spent two days at the Shakedown, but currently, all four Yamaha riders are among the top six performers.

At 11:20 AM, the Pramac Yamaha team is leading with a one-two finish. Jack Miller has reclaimed the top spot by clocking a time of 1 minute and 58.623 seconds, placing him 0.294 seconds ahead of his teammate, Miguel Oliveira.

This morning, Johann Zarco is taking his initial MotoGP laps of the year, similar to Marini and Mir, as he did not participate in the Shakedown.

The LCR racer has been testing two separate Honda bikes and is presently positioned in 12th place.

Pedro Acosta, now a rider for the new KTM factory team, advances to sixth position, trailing by 0.735 seconds, making him the fastest on an RC16.

The weather is creating an urgent situation in this area.

The sky is cloudy, the wind is strong, and the temperature is relatively cool for Sepang. Rain could start falling at any time.

The display indicates that current world champion Jorge Martin has had an accident at the first turn. The rider is unharmed.

Sepang MotoGP Official Test: Lap Times Recorded at 11am – Click Here

Marc Marquez did not enhance his performance in his second attempt, maintaining his position in 4th place with a gap of 0.327 seconds.

Luca Marini heads to the pit lane, maintaining his position in 6th place. Marini's bike features the updated paint scheme, but it includes the black rear seat unit from the prototype, which lacks any winglets and was previously utilized by Aleix Espargaro during the Shakedown.

Marc Marquez begins his second attempt.

This morning, the Factory Aprilia team shared insightful details about their upcoming plans.

– Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi will have access to three motorcycles each, making a total of six motorcycles in their garage.

– In the morning, the riders will begin with the initial RS-GP25 model that was trialed in Barcelona, followed by the RS-GP25 version that the Noale Racing Department subsequently refined.

– The main aim for today is to help the riders get accustomed to the bike, after which the focus will shift to optimizing both the mechanical and electronic setups. Throughout the day, they will also test new components that have been introduced across all areas.

– The testing plan for the upcoming days has already been established but will be adjusted based on the outcomes of today's activities.

The official test roster includes only two test riders: Andrea Dovizioso from Yamaha and Augusto Fernandez.

The additional test riders who were present at the Shakedown are not anticipated to come back.

This is yet another indication of the commitment Yamaha is demonstrating.

With slightly more than 30 minutes elapsed, Miguel Oliveira, who didn't make much of a splash on the timesheets during the Shakedown, has now placed his Pramac motorcycle in the leading position.

Newcomer Aldeguer holds the second position, while Alex Rins secures third place, and Marc Marquez, who is just beginning his initial laps of the year, finds himself in fourth.

Discussing the Yamaha motorcycles, it appears that they maintain one bike with recent components and another with features expected in the latter part of 2024.

The Pramac bikes are most distinguishable by their colors: one bike, used by Miller and Oliveira, is painted black, while the other features the complete race design.

At Monster, each of the four motorcycles sports its complete set of colors, yet Quartararo and Rins each have one bike equipped with the latest chassis, which remains unpainted.

Fermin Aldeguer, racing for Gresini Ducati, currently leads with a lap time of 1 minute and 59.140 seconds. This performance is being compared to Fabio Quartararo's best Shakedown lap, which was completed in 1 minute and 57.794 seconds.

Current titleholder Jorge Martin and last season's second-place finisher Francesco Bagnaia have already hit the track, while Bagnaia's new partner, Marc Marquez, has not begun his testing sessions yet.

Jack Miller is leading in speed, closely followed by newcomer Fermin Aldeguer, with both having participated recently in the Shakedown.

One of the initial riders to hit the track was Honda's Luca Marini, who did not participate in the Shakedown event but was the first to start riding today.

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Results from Day 1 of the 2025 Official Sepang MotoGP Testing (Wednesday)

Here are the lap times recorded on the first day of the 2025 Official Sepang MotoGP test held on Wednesday.

Top Speed Achieved During Shakedown Test

Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, recorded a time of 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on

Sepang MotoGP Official Records

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia recorded a time of 1 minute 56.337 seconds in 2024.

Quickest lap of the race: Alex Marquez achieved a time of 1 minute and 58.979 seconds in 2023.

Following a three-day practice session for newcomers, official test riders, and Yamaha and Honda racers, the Sepang MotoGP Test officially kicked off in Malaysia. This event, which started at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, includes all the riders and teams participating in the 2025 season.

The initial goal is to surpass Fabio Quartararo's leading Shakedown time of 1 minute and 57.794 seconds, recorded on Sunday.

Formal assessments are conducted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and are succeeded by practice starts.

Following the test session at Sepang, there will be just one final official test scheduled at Buriram on February 12-13, ahead of the start of the Thai season on February 28.

The engine specifications for Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will be locked in from the Thai Grand Prix through to the end of 2026. This decision aims to cut down on development expenses as the industry gears up for the upcoming 850cc era starting in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha have the liberty to proceed with developing their engines, thanks to their D concession status.

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For two decades, Peter has been involved with the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's injury challenges.

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Pramac promises to instill Ducati's "mindset" in Yamaha

"They're very receptive to our perspective on racing"

The head of the Pramac team, Gino Borsoi, claims that his team will introduce Ducati's "best mentality" to Yamaha's MotoGP initiative in 2025.

From 2004 until the close of 2024, Pramac acted as a satellite team for Ducati and secured the riders' championship in the previous year with Jorge Martin.

In the past few years, Pramac has formed a strong partnership with the factory in Bologna, deploying two factory bikes and playing a crucial part in their development process.

Although there was an opportunity to continue its partnership with Ducati until after 2024, the decision was made to partner with Yamaha instead. This choice came after Ducati reversed its prior plan to advance Jorge Martin, opting instead to bring Marc Marquez on board to team up with Francesco Bagnaia in 2025.

Pramac's leader, Borsoi, has mentioned that with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira riding the two factory M1 bikes, Yamaha is "very attentive to our racing perspective."

Borsoi mentioned to GPOne that having a significant number of Italians within the Yamaha team and organization makes communication more straightforward.

Communicating and getting to know one another was easy, and they gave us a warm welcome immediately. They embraced us, making us feel like family effortlessly and without any issues.

"Actually, I have to mention that they are paying close attention to our perspective on racing, including our approach to weekend events."

"We are available to assist with whatever they need."

"Our mindset is influenced by Ducati, which is currently leading the way. However, I am confident that over time, we will gradually achieve the outcomes that Yamaha is entitled to and return it to the top position."

After two consecutive years of competing for the world championship, Borsoi acknowledges that he is "beginning anew" with Yamaha in 2025, as the Japanese brand aims to climb the rankings.

"I have spent many years consistently competing at the forefront, even before my time with Pramac," Borsoi remarked.

"Perhaps I became too accustomed to it, but beginning anew requires learning, rebuilding the foundation, and recognizing the challenges involved in reviving a project like Yamaha."

"This experience might help me improve in the future, so I embrace this challenge eagerly, especially since Yamaha has been very welcoming to us."

"They are eager to return to their desired position and are putting in substantial financial resources to achieve it."

"This seems to be the first instance where Yamaha has put in such a significant financial investment. They've brought in numerous technicians and are undertaking many innovative initiatives."

"This project is thrilling, and if we achieve success, it will be another historic milestone for us, similar to what we accomplished with Ducati."

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KTM's latest MotoGP team leader adopts a "straight talk policy"

"He's incredibly direct and approachable"

Brad Binder has expressed his approval of Aki Ajo taking on the role of team manager for KTM's MotoGP factory racing squad, appreciating the Finn's straightforward approach.

Ajo has been closely linked with managing KTM's official teams in both the Moto2 and Moto3 categories, nurturing talents such as Marc Marquez, Binder, and Pedro Acosta, who progressed through his squads before advancing to MotoGP.

Binder secured the Moto3 championship in 2016 with Ajo Motorsport and was a contender for the title in Moto2 with the team from Finland before making his MotoGP debut in 2020.

Discover further: Amidst internal turmoil, KTM's MotoGP initiative remains steadfast.

Binder is thrilled about Ajo stepping in as the new team manager for the factory squad in 2025, taking over from Francesco Guidotti. He admires Ajo's straightforward and direct management style.

"Truthfully, having Aki as a teammate is quite amazing for me since, as you know, we've already shared a few years together in both Moto3 and Moto2," Binder expressed after KTM's 2025 unveiling event.

"I'm quite fond of his unique approach to doing things."

In my experience, he's incredibly direct and approachable, always open for a conversation whether it's about something you believe is correct or incorrect, or just to discuss current situations.

"Aki always has a straightforward approach, ensuring that whatever he communicates is honest and genuine. It's going to be awesome, and I'm really excited about it."

Binder concluded the 2024 season in the sixth position overall, emerging as the leading KTM competitor, despite achieving just two podium finishes, both during the season's first race in Qatar.

The individual from South Africa mentioned that when faced with challenges, his instinct was to increase his efforts, yet he recognizes the importance of altering this strategy by the year 2025.

"Binder mentioned, 'In my career, there have been several instances where my desires exceeded what I actually received at those moments.'"

"Whenever I encounter obstacles, my immediate response is to put in more effort."

"Clearly, putting in more effort last year didn't yield the desired results, as it seemed I spent more time falling off than actually riding the bike at the start of the year."

"Indeed, it was quite an educational journey for me, definitely, and now I've gained a much better grasp on how to manage situations when they don't unfold as favorably as I'd anticipated."

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Jack Miller: Yamaha's Comprehensive Approach to 2025 MotoGP Bike

Australian Commends Yamaha's Off-Season Efforts in Preparation for Upcoming Season

Jack Miller mentions that Yamaha is thoroughly exploring every possibility in the development of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycle as the pre-season trials kick off.

The Australian is making a comeback to Pramac in 2025 following a challenging two-year stint with KTM's main team and will be handling Yamaha equipment for the first time ever in his professional journey.

Miller, who was already seen on the Sepang circuit earlier this week during the shakedown, is joining the Yamaha team while it's in a phase of development. However, he expresses confidence in the efforts the engineering team has put in throughout the offseason.

"He conveyed to Sport TV his conviction that the team has dedicated immense effort, starting from our Barcelona test at the previous season's conclusion up to our current status."

"I'm convinced we're in the phase of construction, which definitely means we're facing many days of diligent effort ahead."

"Thankfully, we have additional days for testing and a plentiful supply of parts from Yamaha."

"They are exhausting every option in their efforts to restore the M1 to its leading position."

Miller expresses that it's a tremendous privilege to ride for Yamaha, a brand he admired since his childhood. He's also eager to repay the faith of those who have gambled on his potential.

Last year, there was a moment when it seemed Miller's career in MotoGP was coming to an end, until an opportunity arose with the Pramac team during the summer.

"He expressed his anticipation."

"Facing a fresh challenge in mastering a new motorcycle."

"Therefore, I'm eagerly anticipating this opportunity, and truly, rejoining the Pramac team gives me a sense of returning home, it's very inviting."

"Eager to honor the confidence and risks that others have placed in me."

Collaborating with Yamaha brings me immense joy. Given its status as a colossal enterprise, I've always admired it from a young age. Now, having the opportunity to pilot the M1 is an incredible privilege for me.

"I am excited about playing a minor role in Yamaha's future achievements."

The initial formal pre-season trial kicks off this week, spanning from February 5th to 7th in Malaysia, followed by two concluding days of testing in Thailand on February 12th and 13th.

As a manufacturer with concession privileges, Yamaha will have the liberty to conduct tests throughout the season using its racing team riders.

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