EXCLUSIVE – Brad Binder examines the unique way Pedro Acosta rides

"It's exciting to have him join as a teammate. He has a few skills that he does exceptionally well."

For his sixth season in MotoGP, Brad Binder will welcome a new teammate. Pedro Acosta, who was a standout rookie last year, is moving up to the factory Red Bull KTM squad, taking over the spot previously held by Jack Miller.

Acosta will join his fourth different MotoGP teammate in Binder, following previous partnerships with Pol Espargaro, Miguel Oliveira, and Miller. However, Binder is the first teammate with a notable age gap, as Binder is 29 and Acosta is 20.

In earlier racing classes, I've worked with teammates who were younger than me, but moving into MotoGP, this will be the first experience of its kind, Binder mentioned to Crash.net. "Pol was a few years my senior, while Jack and Miguel are roughly my age."

"In any case, I'm eagerly anticipating it."

"Without a doubt, Jack has been a fantastic colleague, and I've really enjoyed working with him over the past few seasons. However, I believe Pedro offers a fresh dynamic to the team."

"His unique way of riding is impressive, and his methods are exceptionally precise. It's going to be exciting to have him on the team."

Binder achieved a milestone by securing KTM’s inaugural MotoGP victory in just his third race. This triumph occurred a year before Acosta made a sensational entry into the grand prix circuit, clinching the Moto3 championship as a rookie in 2021.

Last season, they encountered each other on the racing circuit when Acosta's advancement to the main KTM team for 2025 became almost inevitable, thanks to his achievement of five podium finishes and four Sprint podiums while with Tech3.

Binder achieved his only podium finishes during the initial round in Qatar. However, he managed to surpass Acosta, securing his position as KTM’s leading racer by finishing fifth in the overall world championship standings.

When asked to clarify what he meant by Acosta's unique way of riding, Binder elaborated:

"There are specific skills he excels at, especially when it comes to braking. He consistently knows just how far to push the limits without exceeding them and manages to bring the bike to a stop at precisely the same spot every time!"

"One remarkable aspect of his riding technique is how effectively he can maneuver the bike."

"I'll meet up with Jack outside of the racing environment."

Binder's aggressive and uncompromising approach during races is quite different from his relaxed and friendly demeanor when he's not on the track.

Similar to numerous other racers, the athlete from South Africa resides in Andorra throughout the European racing season, with Miller being one of his nearby residents.

Binder commented on the Australian's move to Pramac Yamaha, noting, "I might not see Jack as often at the MotoGP circuit, but I am confident that our relationship off the track will remain the same."

"When we're away, especially in Andorra, we often spend a lot of time together. Our homes are just about 300 to 400 meters apart, making it very convenient. I believe it will be exciting for him as well, offering a fresh experience and a new endeavor."

Beyond the allure of a MotoGP event, a rider's existence is largely governed by an unyielding schedule of training.

According to Binder, the simplest activity to engage in while in Andorra is cycling. "There's a small café nearby, and nearly every day, a group of four or five people is eager to go for a ride," he remarked.

A message simply appears in the group chat asking, "8 or 9 o'clock?" That's essentially the usual routine. The trail includes some incredibly steep ascents, which are awe-inspiring. It takes about an hour and a half to climb up, but only 20 minutes to return home!

"Competing in races involves a very narrow margin. It's a situation where you're either fully involved or not at all." Binder, who started competing on the world stage in his early teenage years, mentioned that he has never considered any alternative career paths outside of being a professional motorcycle racer.

"I'm almost certain, about 95%, that I'd be working in engineering alongside my father," he mentioned.

As kids, we always handled the maintenance of our bikes ourselves, and even now, I continue to do the basic tasks at home, such as replacing tires, brake pads, oil, and other similar things.

"It's the most significant activity I love doing outside of racing."

"Definitely, at some point in my professional journey, after my racing days have concluded, that will be my next focus."

In a similar vein, what is Binder's opinion on what sets apart riders who succeed in reaching MotoGP from other skilled young riders who do not make it?

"Indeed, it's quite a delicate balance," he responded.

Throughout the years, it's common to witness some young athletes dominate their competition when they first start. However, after a while, they seem to lose their way for a few seasons, and that's the end of their momentum.

"Motorsport is an all-or-nothing endeavor. There is no middle ground. You either succeed, or you need to look for a different career."

"It's crucial to ensure that any 'rough patches' you encounter—since everyone experiences them—are kept brief."

"If they continue for an extended period, the outcome is unpredictable."

Binder, who clinched the Moto3 World Championship title in 2016 and finished as the second-place competitor in the Moto2 category in 2019, is gearing up to begin his 14th year in grand prix racing, set to commence in Thailand

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the racing scene, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is now closely following the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's injury challenges.

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Francesco Bagnaia dedicated significant time to reviewing his errors and less successful races. He noted that he still struggles a bit with left-hand turns.

Eleven Grand Prix victories. Eight races without scoring any points. A total of ten points.

In Francesco Bagnaia's 2024 MotoGP season, the Italian rider secured more Grand Prix victories than the rest of the field together. However, he ultimately fell short by ten points, losing the championship to Jorge Martin.

At the Ducati Lenovo team's launch event this week, two-time champion Bagnaia admitted that he has dedicated a significant amount of time to studying and revisiting his errors and least successful races from the previous year.

Bagnaia concluded that he needed to be more patient in certain situations, even though the reasons for his lack of scores differed.

He expressed a desire to consistently be at the forefront. However, he acknowledged that there are times when exercising patience is advantageous, given the lengthy nature of the championship.

"Indeed, it's possible to earn or lose a significant number of points each weekend. Additionally, not all of those instances were due to my mistakes."

"Had I been more patient in several instances and avoided accidents, perhaps securing 13 points would have sufficed to clinch the title."

In instances like the confrontations with the Marquez brothers in Portimao with Marc and in Aragon with Alex, exercising patience might have been beneficial. However, there were also times when Bagnaia crashed independently while maintaining a composed riding style.

"It's often challenging to foresee outcomes, as I've experienced losing control at the front even when I was composed. Instances like the final lap in Barcelona's Sprint and in Malaysia highlight this complexity. It's puzzling, but I'll keep trying to make sense of it."

The situation isn't about the team needing to get better individually; rather, we must find ways to enhance our performance collectively in certain scenarios.

"It should happen naturally, simply performing our duties without feeling stressed at times, just going about our tasks as usual and everything will become smoother."

Bagnaia pointed out that he experienced just nine spills throughout the season, placing him 17th on the list for the most falls during the previous year.

The issue highlighted by the title is that seven of the incidents occurred during competitions, with one retirement due to a technical problem in the Le Mans Sprint.

He clarified that the goal isn't to alter the overall strategy, but rather to make adjustments during the races.

"If we consider the statistics, I had fewer crashes than many other riders last year. However, seven out of my nine crashes occurred during races, which is an area I need to work on improving."

"In terms of racing, Bagnaia was frequently unbeatable last season, achieving commanding back-to-back wins at Assen, Austria, and Barcelona."

Nonetheless, the Italian admitted there is still a specific aspect where he could enhance his skills.

Altering one's riding style is a challenging and lengthy endeavor. However, he expressed a desire to enhance his performance from the initial test by striving to be as competitive on left turns as he is on right turns.

"This is already positive because I feel extremely confident on the right turns. However, I lack something on the left turns, so I will work on improving in that area."

This is entirely different from his new teammate, Marc Marquez, who is well-known for his exceptional skills in left-hand turns and on tracks that run counterclockwise, including COTA, Sachsenring, Aragon, and Phillip Island.

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Peter has spent two decades in the paddock and has witnessed the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in the narrative surrounding Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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VIEW: Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia participate in their inaugural interview as colleagues on the Ducati MotoGP team. The duo comes together for an initial discussion as team-mates under the Ducati banner.

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have conducted their inaugural joint interview as teammates for the factory Ducati MotoGP team. You can view the interview below.

On Monday, January 20th, the Ducati factory team kicked off its 2025 season at a presentation held in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.

Explore further: Why Ducati's MotoGP superteam is bound to face challenges

This event was notable as it was the debut of eight-time world champion Marc Marquez wearing the complete factory Ducati colors. Alongside his teammate Bagnaia, they unveiled the brand's 2025 livery.

On Tuesday, the two athletes participated in their inaugural race together as teammates in a downhill skiing event. Following the competition, they sat down for an interview with TNT Sports' Gavin Emmett.

View it underneath.

Last summer, Ducati initially intended to elevate Jorge Martin to its official team to join forces with two-time premier class world champion Bagnaia.

When Marquez openly declined the offer to ride a factory Ducati with the Pramac team, it led the management of the Italian brand to reverse their decision.

As a result, Martin, who later became the 2024 world champion, also secured a contract with the factory Aprilia team.

Pramac has ended its collaboration with Ducati and will team up with Yamaha for the 2025 season.

Due to recent changes, Ducati's presence in the lineup has decreased from eight riders to six. This season, only three GP25 motorcycles are being raced by Bagnaia, Marquez, and VR46 team member Fabio Di Giannantonio.

In the previous year, Ducati achieved unprecedented success in MotoGP by securing victories in 19 out of 20 grand prix races, which resulted in a commanding 395-point advantage in the constructors' championship standings.

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Gigi Dall’Igna: "Top riders", but "perhaps impossible" to surpass last year's achievements

Gigi Dall’Igna discloses plans for a new swingarm, chassis, and fairing for the forthcoming MotoGP trials.

Ducati Corse's general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, acknowledges that even with top-tier riders like Francesco Bagnaia and the newly joined Marc Marquez, it will be challenging to achieve the level of supremacy in MotoGP that they experienced last year.

In any case, his main priority is achieving victory in the overall 'war' rather than in each individual 'battle'.

During the team's launch event this week, Dall’Igna expressed his belief that improving upon last year's performance might be a complex and possibly unattainable goal.

"Certainly, we have the potential to enhance our performance in order to reach our primary objectives of securing the riders' and constructors' titles."

"The priority isn't outperforming last season; what truly matters is securing victories in both championships."

Last year, Ducati faced defeat in only a single grand prix, while its racers often dominated the podium and secured the first four spots in the world championship rankings.

The manufacturing plant clinched the constructors’ title with an impressive lead of 395 points, which is over twice the amount achieved by the second-place KTM.

However, as the official team welcomes six-time top-tier champion Marquez and two-time champion Bagnaia, Ducati is parting ways with the newly crowned champion Jorge Martin, along with race winners Enea Bastianini and Marco Bezzecchi.

Pramac's transition to Yamaha is decreasing the number of Desmosedici bikes on the grid to six.

The pair from Ducati Lenovo are widely regarded as the top contenders for the championship before the season starts.

Dall’Igna stated, “In my opinion, we have the top two racers on the track for 2025.”

Pecco is an exceptional motorcyclist who led us to victory in the riders' championship in 2022. He managed to maintain his status in the subsequent year and consistently competes for the world championship until the very end.

"Marc is considered not just one of the top racers in modern MotoGP, but possibly one of the greatest of all time."

"He suffered a significant injury but joined us at Gresini last year and achieved incredible feats. We feel truly honored to have him as part of our team."

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

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Manager of Jorge Martin asserts "there are no ego issues"

Jorge Martin's team responds to Ducati's remarks

Jorge Martin's representative, Albert Valera, stated that the 2024 MotoGP champion is not concerned with ego issues and is unfazed by remarks regarding Ducati's team for 2025.

Initially, Martin was poised to become part of Ducati’s official team this season. However, the company decided to change course and elevate Marc Marquez to that position. This decision came after Marquez declined a factory bike offer with Pramac and hinted at possibly switching to a competing manufacturer.

After joining Aprilia, Martin clinched the 2024 championship riding a Ducati managed by Pramac.

Ducati acknowledged that it was a difficult choice to allow Martin to leave. Meanwhile, Gigi Dall’Igna recently described Marquez as "the superior rider."

Reacting to the situation, Valera stated to Motorsport.com, "Ego issues are not something we deal with."

"An excessive ego can cloud your judgment and disrupt your sleep, leading you to squander time by reacting angrily to remarks such as these."

"If there's any cyclist who remains unaffected by such matters, it's Jorge, and that gives me a great sense of peace."

"We do not concern ourselves with remarks like these."

"When Ducati turned us down, Jorge didn't feel angry; he felt calm, and that mindset enabled him to approach the remainder of the season effectively."

Understanding his upcoming racing plans, having the assurance of happiness, securing his future, and concluding his journey with Ducati, regardless of the outcome, were the true keys to his championship victory in 2024.

Although Martin is anticipated to head the Aprilia team at the factory unit this season, Valera mentions that his racer has not requested to take on the role of team leader.

"He mentioned that Jorge is someone who treats others with a lot of respect and doesn't struggle with issues related to ego."

"He has never sought the title of leading Aprilia rider. In fact, he understands the importance of having a talented teammate to jointly advance the project."

Last week, Aprilia kicked off its 2025 season, with Martin revealing the #1 plate on the RS-GP motorcycle he will be competing with this year.

During the launch event, Ducati dismissed the concern, with Dall’Igna commenting that "in this situation, it's merely a figure."

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KTM's prospects look promising with an anticipated investment approaching €1 billion. There are speculations that KTM's investors will play a crucial role in ensuring the brand's longevity.

KTM's efforts to attract new funding from outside investors appear to have gained momentum, with speculated investments reportedly amounting to approximately €900 million.

In an effort to avoid going bankrupt during a significant financial crisis, the Austrian company began self-administration at the end of November.

Numerous strategies have been implemented to secure survival, such as halting production until February, decreasing the number of employees, and cutting down on racing operations by 2025.

A creditors' meeting held in December determined that KTM's restructuring efforts could proceed. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the company's future in MotoGP, amid Austrian media reports indicating that KTM may "plan" to exit the championship, potentially as soon as 2026.

KTM has announced that their MotoGP initiative will proceed as scheduled in 2025, despite the absence of their GASGAS and Husqvarna brands from the grand prix racing lineup.

Recently, KTM has attracted considerable attention from external investors who are interested in helping the company secure the funds required to settle 30% of its liabilities, which amount to a confirmed total of €1.8 billion.

A recent article from GPOne suggests that KTM investors have reportedly committed approximately €900 million.

Existing stakeholders Bajaj Auto and CFMoto are reportedly planning to boost their financial stakes. Additionally, GPOne has indicated that a number of private equity companies may participate as well.

Recently, KTM has experienced an upswing in its circumstances, leading to an increase in its stock prices.

KTM is scheduled to meet with its creditors on February 25 to discuss and vote on its proposed restructuring plan.

During the Aprilia event held last week, the CEO of the Italian company mentioned that KTM's current predicament serves as a cautionary tale for MotoGP. It demonstrates that numerous aspects of the series remain excessively costly.

Rivola also conveyed his assurance that KTM would not be compelled to exit the MotoGP lineup despite facing a financial crisis.

Earlier this month, KTM motorsport chief Pit Beirer announced that the company was implementing a detailed 100-step strategy aimed at revitalizing its racing operations. Part of this plan involves cutting down the number of factory riders to 40 by the year 2025.

The company began its 2025 season by winning the Dakar Rally.

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Analysis: The buzz around Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez is set to significantly impact motorsport in 2025

In 2025, two of the most renowned figures in global motorsport, Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez, will make major changes in their careers as they aim to solidify their places in history

Today is Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and this particular off-season has been unusually vexing. If you speak to professionals in the motorsport industry, many would agree that the winter break always seems too short.

This remains accurate. The MotoGP season officially concluded on November 19 after the test session in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Formula 1 extended its season into the second week of December. The MotoGP season is set to kick off in a little over a month in Thailand, while Formula 1 will begin its season a few weeks later in March. Together, these two premier motorsport series are slated to have a combined total of 46 races in 2025.

Explore further: The reasons behind the unavoidable conflict within Ducati's MotoGP powerhouse team

However, as we approach 2025, there is an enthusiasm we haven't experienced in some time.

It’s undeniable that since the thrilling events of the 2021 season, Formula 1 has lacked a truly captivating contest for the drivers' title. Red Bull and Max Verstappen have cruised to victory four consecutive times. Although they faced some competition in the latter part of last year, their overwhelming success in winning seven out of the first ten races made the final result fairly expected.

In recent years, MotoGP has experienced its championship races reaching their climax in the final moments. Yet, despite this thrilling potential, the excitement surrounding these contests hasn't quite matched expectations. The 2022 showdown between Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo was largely unremarkable, as Bagnaia benefitted from a steady drop in Yamaha's performance. Similarly, the most recent duels between Bagnaia and Jorge Martin have not been particularly memorable or considered among the top title clashes in the sport's history.

Without diminishing anyone's accomplishments, the influence of a star is crucial to any championship story. Valentino Rossi's initial five premier class victories were achieved with ease, yet he remained the central figure. His charisma, his competitive interactions on the track, and his exuberant celebrations all fascinated fans.

In his initial five MotoGP championship victories, he secured three of them with a lead exceeding 100 points. In the other two seasons, he maintained a solid advantage. Nonetheless, those periods were marked by unforgettable events both on and off the racetrack, which have since become highlights. His switch from Honda to the less favored Yamaha team in 2004, where he replicated his success, only boosted his status as a superstar.

The 2008 championship victory was also impressive, but the competitors he faced were becoming more formidable, leading to intense rivalries and thrilling moments. This was particularly evident during his 2009 championship battle with his Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo. Although he had a shot at securing a seventh title, the certainty of victory was waning, and his reactions to these challenges made the competition even more compelling.

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Formula 1 arguably experienced more exciting championship contests, with the years 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 all being particularly unforgettable seasons.

For numerous individuals, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' overwhelming success from 2014 to 2020 stands as a significant chapter in the history of Formula 1. Similar to Valentino Rossi, Hamilton's repeated victories not only enhanced his fame but also attracted global interest. This mirrors the era of Michael Schumacher's dominance in the previous decade.

Despite his immense popularity as a racer, Max Verstappen lacks the legendary presence that figures like Rossi or Schumacher have.

Lewis Hamilton Joins Ferrari

This week has clearly demonstrated that while fans enjoy thrilling races, they are even more captivated by big moves from their favorite stars. Marc Marquez’s debut as a factory Ducati rider has sent excitement levels soaring among fans, and Lewis Hamilton taking the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car at Maranello on Wednesday for the first time has set social media ablaze. The official F1 Twitter account’s post about the event has garnered 1.7 million impressions within just a few hours, and Hamilton’s initial photo from Maranello has become F1's most liked image on Instagram. Additionally, a large crowd gathered in Maranello to witness his first laps.

There’s no denying it: this is an incredibly thrilling period for motorsport, particularly as these events were unimaginable just a few years back.

There are numerous similarities in the racing journeys of Marquez and Hamilton. Hamilton had already made a name for himself as a prodigy when he entered Formula 1 in 2007, which was just a year before Marquez launched his grand prix career in the 125cc World Championship. Both athletes experienced swift and captivating ascents in their respective sports.

In 2013, Marquez entered the MotoGP scene for the first time, coinciding with Hamilton's controversial and much-discussed switch from McLaren, where he clinched the world championship in 2008, to Mercedes. At that point, Mercedes had only secured one grand prix victory since acquiring the former Brawn GP team in 2010. However, this year turned out to be the beginning of an era of dominance for both athletes.

Marquez achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a world champion in his debut season. In 2014, as Formula 1 transitioned to hybrid engines, Hamilton secured his second championship, and Marquez also clinched his second title. Hamilton went on to claim his third championship in 2015, with Marquez following suit in 2016. Between 2017 and 2019, both Hamilton and Marquez dominated their respective sports. The trend likely would have continued in 2020 if Marquez hadn't severely injured his arm in the first race of the season.

Both experienced similar career trajectories, with successes and downturns occurring simultaneously. The introduction of F1's ground effect regulations in 2022 posed challenges for Mercedes, leaving Hamilton without a victory for two years. Meanwhile, Marquez made his return to racing in 2021, securing three wins. However, he was sidelined for a significant portion of 2022 to undergo a fourth surgery on his arm to realign the bone to its proper position.

In peak condition for 2023, he was given an underperforming bike by Honda, allowing him to secure only a single podium finish. With slim prospects of Honda improving by 2024, he decided to terminate his factory contract a year ahead of schedule to switch to Gresini Ducati for the upcoming season. Similarly, at the beginning of the previous year, Hamilton chose to prematurely conclude his extended agreement with Mercedes before the season kicked off, opting instead to sign with Ferrari for 2025.

In 2024, Marquez returned to the winner's circle, claiming victories on a Ducati from the previous year for the first time since 2021, while Hamilton similarly ended his winless streak that had persisted since that year.

Looking ahead to 2025, both athletes will don red attire—Hamilton with Ferrari and Marquez with the official Ducati team—as they aim to enhance their illustrious careers, having returned to peak performance the previous year.

Liberty Media's purchase of MotoGP is currently paused due to an investigation by the EU. However, if Marquez and Hamilton achieve success wearing red this year, it will greatly benefit the company. Liberty Media is eager to capitalize on the fact that it holds some of the most significant assets in motorsport.

Naturally, victory is not assured for either individual. Hamilton, being eight years senior to Marquez, is nearing the conclusion of his Formula 1 journey, while Marquez still has some time left in his MotoGP career. Both athletes will encounter significant challenges, not only from within their teams, with Hamilton contending against Charles Leclerc and Marquez against Francesco Bagnaia, but also from external competitors.

The advancements of both entities will be a hot topic each week during this season, likely encouraging more casual viewers to follow along consistently. If both manage to clinch their respective championships, they will be celebrated as significant comeback tales, though for distinct reasons. Consequently, 2025 would be remembered as one of the standout years in motorsport history.

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Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia face off in the inaugural race of 2025, each experiencing a unique set of challenges. "I knew even before the alarm went off that the race wouldn't end in my favor!"

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have already faced off in their initial race of the season.

The new Ducati team members faced off against each other on the ski slopes in Italy.

🎿 A key race in 2025 for the #DucatiLenovoTeam 😂#ChampionsOnTrack #Ducati #GoDucati #madonnadicampiglio pic.twitter.com/ujQxYUVOpC— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) January 21, 2025

Bagnaia grinned while talking about how much they relished skiing during a shared interview in the mountains.

Marquez mentioned that he understood he would not win the race even before the alarm went off.

"I usually don't ski at all! In my entire life, I've probably gone skiing around 10 times."

"I began skiing quite late in life, around the age of 23 or 24, simply as a pastime."

Marquez humorously brought attention to his recent contract with Ducati Lenovo.

"The agreement clearly states 'no skiing,'" he remarked.

"However, since everyone is okay, you are free to mention it!"

"We had a great time. We organized a sort of race, and we really liked it. Our performance kept improving."

At the 2025 bike launch event in Italy, the atmosphere between Ducati's leading rider Bagnaia and their high-profile newcomer Marquez was cheerful.

There will be close observation to see if the atmosphere in the garage remains as agreeable.

Bagnaia and Marquez are anticipated to compete against each other for the 2025 championship, with both riders having access to the same level of equipment.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez share the story behind a notable photograph. They first encountered each other in 2010.

Francesco Bagnaia has shared the backstory of a popular photo from 2010, capturing his first meeting with Ducati MotoGP teammate Marc Marquez.

Two-time MotoGP champion Bagnaia will team up with Marquez at the Ducati factory team in 2025. This week in Italy, they revealed the brand's colors for the upcoming season.

Find out why tensions are bound to arise within Ducati's MotoGP powerhouse team in 2025.

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

The duo had previously faced off in 2024 during a contentious incident at the Portuguese Grand Prix and once more at the Spanish GP in a direct competition for the win. However, during their inaugural joint interview, they maintained a friendly demeanor.

At the event held at Madonna di Campiglio and moderated by TNT Sport commentator Gavin Emmett, Marquez and Bagnaia were questioned on various subjects.

A notable instance involved a popular photo of the duo captured in 2010. At that time, Marquez was competing in the 125cc category, while Bagnaia had not yet entered the grand prix racing scene.

Bagnaia recalled that particular day.

During the time he clinched his initial championship, I vividly recall that particular day. We were present for what was likely the second or third test of the season with the Monlau Competicion team in Barcelona. Marc was also there as he was practicing with the supermoto.

"He simply dropped by to greet us. That season, I was sharing the garage space with Lorenzo Baldassarri."

"I requested a photo since he was a young Spanish racer who had performed exceptionally well with KTM the previous year. My crew chief mentioned that we should keep a close eye on him this season because he believed we would achieve success. And indeed, he succeeded."

Explore further: The impact of Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez's popularity on motorsport in 2025.

In his third year in the 125cc category, Marquez clinched the championship title on a Derbi by securing 10 race wins. He then advanced to the Moto2 class in 2011.

When questioned regarding the identical photograph, Marquez stated: “I don’t recall the specifics of that day, but I do remember that he was racing for Monlau, and I had a close connection with Monlau Competicion.

"However, I couldn't recall the specific day."

Marquez attended the event to back his younger sibling, Alex Marquez, who was likewise participating in tests with the Monlau Competicion crew.

In 2013, Bagnaia entered grand prix racing at the same time Marquez made his first appearance in the MotoGP category, where he ultimately claimed his inaugural premier class championship.

Bagnaia did not achieve his first grand prix victory until 2016, when he won twice riding a Mahindra. He then advanced to Moto2, where he claimed the championship title in 2018.

He first appeared in MotoGP in 2019 with Pramac Ducati, then joined the main Ducati team in 2021, ultimately securing the championship titles in both 2022 and 2023.

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Ducati hints at "risk" involved in GP25 development during Sepang test

Gigi Dall'Igna talks about the latest Desmosedici

Gigi Dall’Igna chose not to disclose any details regarding the technical modifications for the Ducati GP25.

He did, nonetheless, disclose several new components that are set to be introduced in the forthcoming pre-season testing sessions in Malaysia and Thailand.

This year, MotoGP will feature three factory-spec Desmosedici bikes, which is one less than before.

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, who both ride for the Ducati Lenovo team, along with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio, are set to gain an advantage by competing on the top-performing bikes in MotoGP.

Dall’Igna stated that the goal for this year is to improve the existing bike rather than creating an entirely new model.

"The bike from last year brought us much satisfaction and excellent outcomes. Therefore, we have focused on implementing new solutions and making further advancements on that model."

"Discussing the upcoming tests set to begin in two weeks, there's a lot of fresh material for us to experiment with. We are introducing a new swingarm and chassis. Additionally, we have a brand-new fairing and several other components that have been modified and refined."

"We need to experiment with each of these components. However, we'll be very rigorous in choosing only those that truly prove effective and show a significant impact."

"We might set aside the parts we're uncertain about for now, and consider revisiting them later in the season."

"There is a lot to consider and analyze, especially in light of our rivals' actions."

"I enjoy embracing technical challenges. Throughout my life, I've consistently taken risks, but it's important to approach them wisely. You should seize opportunities to take risks when the timing is right…"

The Sepang testing sessions will kick off with the Shakedown running from January 31 to February 2. During this period, Ducati will be represented on the track solely by test rider Michele Pirro and newcomer Fermin Aldeguer.

The remaining Ducati MotoGP team, which features Fabio di Giannantonio as a third rider with factory specifications from VR46, will participate in the Official test scheduled from February 5th to 7th.

As MotoGP manufacturers prepare for the challenge of creating new 850cc bikes for the year 2027, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will have their engine designs locked in place from the start of the season in Thailand through to the conclusion of 2026.

A single aerodynamic body modification during the season will still be permitted, and there will be no limitations on the development of the chassis.

Yamaha and Honda are not subject to the engine design freeze at the moment because they rank at the bottom of the table in the D concessions category.

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. He is a key figure in reporting on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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EXCLUSIVE – Joan Mir Reflects: "My 2019 ICU Stay Deserved a Documentary!"

"Toprak's Achievement Was Undoubtedly Spectacular"

A competitor who deeply admires Toprak Razgatlioglu's remarkable success in defeating a severe lung injury to clinch the previous year's WorldSBK championship is Joan Mir, a one-time adversary in the Red Bull Rookies competition.

An often overlooked incident in Mir's professional journey occurred when the would-be MotoGP titleholder was admitted to the hospital following a severe testing crash at Brno in August 2019, during his first season at the top level.

A malfunction led to Mir's Suzuki going out of control at a speed of 300km/h, heading into Turn 1. This incident resulted in his GSX-RR flying beyond the trackside barriers, prompting immediate response from ambulance crews to assist Mir.

Mir was flown to a nearby hospital where doctors identified a ‘lung bruise’ as the cause of his condition. After he went back to Spain, he was immediately moved to a different medical facility in Barcelona to receive additional care.

"In the ICU, I recall it took me a whole week before I could stand up again," Mir, who currently rides for factory Honda, shared with Crash.net.

"The issue is that our production was quite limited, and the cameras didn't capture the actual events as they unfolded."

"We didn't produce a documentary! However, that doesn't imply it was easy," he said with a smile.

Following an absence from two races, Mir made a comeback to MotoGP competition and subsequently achieved his highest finish of his debut season, securing fifth position at Phillip Island.

However, the recovery process, both physical and mental, was prolonged.

He went on to say, "The difficulty was immense. My energy was completely drained since staying in the hospital for a week or two means you cease all activities and end up losing weight."

"Additionally, returning to cycling proved difficult due to my mishap being caused by a technical issue."

"Thus, you must regain confidence in the motorcycle. It posed a significantly tough obstacle."

"Even after two months, traces of blood remained"

"Even after two months, there were still traces of blood and air bubbles present in the lungs.

"It was challenging. An extremely brutal accident. Likely one of the most severe I've witnessed."

"It would have been wise to create a documentary [to capture everything]! However, when you're in the midst of it, events unfold rapidly."

"Reflecting on the past often reveals the challenges you faced."

Merely a season after, Mir clinched the title of MotoGP champion in 2020.

"A year on, that's incredible," he said with a smile.

Razgatlioglu's accomplishment last year was also described as 'fantastic'.

The Turkish racer was on his way to securing BMW’s inaugural WorldSBK championship title when he encountered a severe crash against a barrier at Magny-Cours, which resulted in a punctured lung. This incident broke his impressive 13-race winning streak and sidelined him for two events.

Nonetheless, Razgatlioglu made a comeback to seize the championship.

"Mir expressed admiration for Toprak's incredible achievement in securing the championship despite the heightened challenges."

"I sincerely extend my congratulations to him. He emerged as the most formidable competitor in the previous season."

"I'm truly delighted on his behalf. We've been acquainted since our days at the Rookies Cup back in 2014, and he's genuinely a good person."

Defending MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin clinched the 2014 Rookies Cup, edging out Mir, while Razgatlioglu secured a victory in one of the races, finishing sixth overall.

In 2015, Martin entered the Moto3 global championship during the same period Mir was securing victories in the CEV Junior series and marked his Grand Prix debut through a wild-card entry.

In the meantime, Razgatlioglu embarked on a unique journey that culminated in securing two World Superbike championships, starting with a victory in the European Superstock 600 Championship.

Razgatlioglu's name keeps popping up in connection with MotoGP, and should BMW decide to enter the top tier, he may rejoin the lineup with Martin and Mir.

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Peter has spent two decades in the racing circuit, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and Marc Marquez's health struggles.

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Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez's perspective on competing for the championship emphasizes the urgency of contention. "If you're not battling for the title, someone else will claim your spot!"

Historically, Marc Marquez greeted newcomers to the Repsol Honda MotoGP team with a clear message that success was anticipated.

Upon Jorge Lorenzo joining to create a highly anticipated 'dream team' in 2019, Marquez clarified, "A dream team is defined by winning the triple crown."

At Marquez's last Honda unveiling, where he appeared with a new teammate and past champion, Joan Mir, Marquez made a statement:

"Each of us must succeed in races – it's obligatory when you don these hues."

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The dynamics have shifted, as Marquez joins the Ducati Lenovo squad as the fresh face, teaming up with the equally accomplished Francesco Bagnaia in what's being called a 'dream team' for the 2025 season.

When questioned about the potential of competing against Marquez for the championship at Monday's team introduction, Bagnaia found that the Spaniard was able to complete his thought before he could.

Bagnaia started by saying, "Donning the red suit means you must – he [Marquez] is aware that this year…"

Marquez, sporting a playful grin, interjected, "You have to battle for the title! Otherwise, someone else will snatch your ride!"

Elaborating further, two-time champion Bagnaia, who came close to securing a third title but was edged out by Jorge Martin in the previous season, concurred that Marquez is likely to be his primary rival, yet he remained open to the possibility of an unexpected challenger.

"Identifying the competitor each season can be challenging."

"However, considering the bike's capabilities and based on last year's performance, Marc is undoubtedly going to be a tough competitor, indeed the primary challenger."

"Since he has an additional year of familiarity with our bicycle, the latest model will definitely be a better fit for him as it marks an upgrade over last year's version."

"Last year, he was excelling, consistently securing spots on the podium and clinching victories in three races."

"I believe he's going to be the primary competitor, and as the season progresses, we'll identify who the other challengers are."

"It's possible there's another, yet I believe the primary contenders are ourselves."

Marquez: "Primary goal is to be among the top three for the championship"

Marquez, while recognizing the importance of competing for the championship under the factory banner, maintains that achieving a position within the top three of the world championship, similar to last year's accomplishment, would be fulfilling.

"Clearly, my colleague has consistently secured either the first or second spot over the past four years, indicating his exceptional strength. It's only natural to expect him to lead, particularly in the initial races," Marquez stated.

He emerged victorious in eleven competitions. True, he had his share of errors, but victory in eleven races doesn't come without taking risks. Ultimately, it boils down to finding a balance.

"However, as I've mentioned, my goal is to absorb knowledge from him, to grasp how I can elevate my performance to its peak within the Ducati Lenovo team using my unique riding approach. From there, we'll see what happens."

"Aiming for a spot among the top three by the championship's conclusion is our primary goal. Naturally, our sights are set on clinching the title, but securing a position in the top three remains our foremost objective."

Marquez, the victor of six top-tier championships between 2013 and 2019, also stated:

The goal of the team is to attempt victory. Should Pecco be unable to secure a win, I will make an effort to do so. Conversely, if I cannot clinch a victory, he will strive to achieve it.

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the racing circuit, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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