Jorge Martin rushed to the hospital following two falls during the Sepang MotoGP test, while Raul Fernandez sustains a broken metacarpal.

BREAKING UPDATE: Jorge Martin sidelined for Sepang test following severe accident injuries

Defending MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin experienced a disastrous beginning to the 2025 pre-season testing, encountering two highside crashes on his Aprilia during the initial hours at Sepang.

The accidents happened during the sharp initial bends.

After his initial tumble, Martin managed to get back on his bike and return using a maintenance path.

The subsequent event occurred just after Martin had navigated the right turn of Turn 1. As he transitioned his RS-GP to the left to enter Turn 2, he encountered a loss of control at the rear.

The Spanish man was catapulted upwards, flipping in the air before forcefully landing on his feet and subsequently crashing face-first onto the pavement.

Jorge Martin experienced a dramatic highside crash at the second turn 😳#MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/NmhUuWQPq8— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 5, 2025

The meeting was momentarily halted as he was transported to the medical center via ambulance. He has since been moved to a nearby hospital for additional examinations.

Considering the magnitude of the crash, it would be unexpected for Martin to make a comeback to the circuit immediately on the first day. Furthermore, his participation in the remaining testing sessions remains uncertain until the outcomes of the medical examinations are revealed.

Aprilia announced: "Following an incident at Turn 2, Jorge Martin has been transported to the track's medical facility. He is scheduled for additional health assessments, and we will provide an official health update as soon as it becomes available."

An updated statement announced: "Jorge is scheduled to be transported to Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, which is 6 kilometers away from the circuit, for medical examinations. Currently, he is experiencing pain in his left foot and right hand."

Martin had finished only 13 laps and was in the 21st position when he experienced his second crash. This happened as he commenced his first fast lap during his third attempt.

April's initial day took a further downturn

The day for Aprilia took a further hit just after 1pm, when Trackhouse announced that Raul Fernandez had sustained a fracture in the metacarpal bone of his left hand.

Fernandez suffered a fractured toe during what seems to be an incident on an out-lap, however, the primary concern is his hand injury. Consequently, he will be unable to participate in the remainder of the testing session.

The Spanish rider sustained injuries on the first day of the Sepang test last year, leading him to miss the remainder of the event because of significant bruising to his hip and pelvis.

Ai Ogura, the newcomer on Fernandez's team, luckily emerged unscathed from a high-speed crash at Turn 1.

By midday, Ogura had emerged as the quickest rider on an Aprilia, securing the 18th spot, with Martin's teammate from the official team, Marco Bezzecchi, trailing behind him.

This morning, VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio escaped injury after crashing at Turn 5 (as shown in the image), and it's also been reported that Pedro Acosta, who recently joined Red Bull KTM, experienced a fall.

Peter has spent two decades in the racing circuit, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Outcomes – Day 1 (Wednesday)

Concluding lap times for the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official test, recorded at 6pm on Wednesday.

UPDATE: Following the conclusion of testing, di Giannantonio experienced another crash at Turn 5 during the practice starts, resulting in a fractured left collarbone. He will be returning to Italy this evening.

Updates on results every hour…

Monster Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo leads the pack on a breezy first day at the Official Sepang MotoGP test as the fastest shakedown rider.

Ducati's new team member Marc Marquez clinched an impressive second place finish, outpacing the GP24 bikes of his sibling Alex Marquez, newcomer Fermin Aldeguer, and Franco Morbidelli.

Joan Mir secures a sixth-place finish for Honda. Leading the effort for KTM, Pedro Acosta finishes 11th, while newcomer Ai Ogura emerges as the best-performing RS-GP rider for Aprilia, landing in 16th on a challenging day for the team.

Raul Fernandez, a member of the Trackhouse team, has incurred a hand fracture and is set to fly back to Spain this evening. Meanwhile, current world champion Jorge Martin is continuing to receive medical evaluations in the hospital.

Today also witnessed crashes involving di Giannantonio, Ogura, Acosta, Enea Bastianini, and Morbidelli.

Rider has moved up X spots from the previous hour.

Rider maintains the same rank as the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest Trial Run Duration

Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha clocked in at 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on Day

Authoritative records from the Sepang MotoGP

Top Circuit Time: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute 58.979 seconds (2023)

Rider has moved up X spots since the last hour.

The cyclist remains in the same spot as they were an hour ago.

˅X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest time recorded during Shakedown Test

Fabio Quartararo, representing Yamaha, clocked in at 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on Day

Established Records at the Sepang MotoGP

Top circuit time: Francesco Bagnaia achieved a time of 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez achieved it in 1 minute and 58.979 seconds (2023).

Following a three-day introductory session for newcomers, official test riders, and competing racers from Yamaha and Honda, the Official Sepang MotoGP Test, which includes all riders and teams for the 2025 season, kicked off at 10am on Wednesday in Malaysia.

The initial goal is to surpass Fabio Quartararo's leading Shakedown lap of 1m 57.794s recorded on Sunday.

Formal assessments are scheduled from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with practice launches occurring afterwards.

Following the Sepang trials, just a single official test remains, scheduled in Buriram on February 12-13, ahead of the season's inaugural race in Thailand on February 28.

From the Thai Grand Prix onwards, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will have their engine designs locked until the conclusion of 2026. This move aims to cut down on development expenses before transitioning to the upcoming 850cc phase in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha presently have the liberty to progress with their engine innovations, thanks to their D-level concession status.

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Alex Marquez believes that the true capabilities of the factory MotoGP bikes have not been fully demonstrated. He stated, "We're performing well but staying grounded."

Alex Marquez expressed that it would be ideal for the 2025 MotoGP season to kick off immediately, given his impressive performance in recent tests. However, he cautioned that the true capabilities of the manufacturers are yet to be fully revealed.

The Gresini team member has taken over the GP24 Ducati, a motorcycle that was a powerhouse last year, securing victories in 19 out of 20 races and earning the brand its third consecutive world championship.

After beginning his 2023 season impressively as a Ducati rider on the GP22, Marquez faced challenges in 2024 when he transitioned to the problematic GP23 model.

During the Barcelona test last November, Marquez led the pack on the GP24. At the Sepang test on the second day, he secured the third-fastest time, trailing the top pace by only 0.130 seconds.

At present, Marquez holds the position of the second-fastest Ducati rider in the test, trailing only behind Franco Morbidelli, who led on the second day. However, Marquez believes that his lead will soon diminish.

Marquez expressed that it would be ideal to participate in the Thailand race as early as tomorrow.

"That would be ideal. However, I believe they will continue to make progress. The Ducati team at the factory was definitely experimenting with various components."

"Tomorrow might be the last day, but particularly in Thailand, they will consolidate everything, revealing the true capabilities of not only Ducati but also KTM and the other manufacturers."

"We're performing well, moving quickly, and maintaining strength."

"However, we must stay grounded as the pre-season has a long way to go."

Alex Marquez highlights Ducati's advantage

Marquez observes that the GP24 shows a significant enhancement in corner-entry performance compared to the GP23. Additionally, he mentions experiencing "a slight increase in sensation" during acceleration, thanks to the GP24's ride height mechanism.

"I feel most at ease particularly when entering corners," he mentioned.

"In 2023, I struggled with braking points, mainly because there was excessive weight at the front, which resulted in pressure from the rear."

"This motorcycle is truly designed for this specific rear tire, making it much easier to enter turns and maintain the bike's balance."

"[Using the ride height device] during certain accelerations, you notice a slight improvement, allowing you to apply more torque since there is a reduction in front wheel lift."

"In certain sections, like Turn 3 in Thailand, it will offer a significant advantage. However, even a gain of just 0.003 seconds is always appreciated."

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Joan Mir's fastest lap during the Sepang MotoGP test was thwarted due to his bike running out of fuel. On Thursday at Sepang, Honda showed encouraging progress.

Honda's Joan Mir believes that during the MotoGP Sepang test on Thursday, he could have improved his time by three-tenths of a second if he hadn't run out of fuel on his final fast lap.

On Wednesday, the Japanese company seemed to start strong, with 2020 world champion Mir placing sixth on the timesheets and stating it was his best testing day with Honda to date.

The impressive performance carried over into the second day of testing at Sepang, where Mir maintained his position in sixth place. He managed to enhance his time from 1 minute and 58.1 seconds to 1 minute and 57.791 seconds, nearly a full second quicker than his qualifying lap at last year's Malaysian Grand Prix.

He might have achieved an even faster time if he hadn't run out of fuel at the final turn during his best lap, which prevented him from securing a position in the top four.

On Thursday, Mir concentrated on testing the engine and is of the opinion that the 2025 model shows improvement. However, he acknowledges that it still requires an increase in power.

He mentioned that they tested the final 2024 setup alongside the latest engine specifications for this year.

"Initially, making the decision was challenging, as we installed the engine and it likely didn't suit my preferences very well."

"In the morning, I wasn't particularly pleased, but we dedicated significant effort to adjusting the electronic aspects. Our goal was to ensure the engine was properly configured, focusing on elements like engine braking and throttle management."

"It's a new engine, yet it retains the characteristics of last year's model. The overall feel is quite alike. Ultimately, I was pleased and I've already mentioned that, in my opinion, the 2025 version is superior or, to put it differently, holds more promise."

"We managed to enhance our lap time compared to yesterday. However, I encountered a fuel shortage at the final corner. Consequently, I reached the finish line with the bike running at reduced power."

"We were just three-tenths behind, which means we're quite close despite the issue. Overall, I'm pleased with our progress, but there are still some areas that need improvement."

"For instance, when the track heats up, we all face difficulties. We lag behind the rest."

"We are lagging behind in lap times compared to our competitors. They seem to manage this aspect more effectively. For some reason, our bike begins to skid slightly, complicating matters for us, especially when the temperature rises."

"We need to address that issue. Tomorrow, we'll focus on refining the electronics and configuration. I believe there's still room for improvement."

Joan Mir highlights continued issues with Honda

The problems with rear grip that have been troubling Honda for several years were not resolved by the new engine that Mir favored.

"Our acceleration has slightly improved, but the main focus is on enhancing the top speed," he mentioned.

"We increased our speed by 1 kph on the straight, but we likely need an additional four or five kph."

"That's the situation right now. Yesterday, we were somewhat content with a less powerful engine, but today, with a bit more horsepower, the bike is easier to handle. It's an improvement."

Luca Marini, who finished 15th on Thursday, dedicated his day to evaluating new aerodynamics and feels that the newest version represents a noticeable improvement.

"Today's agenda centered entirely on aerodynamics. I experimented with various setups, including fairings and wings, and I'm pleased because we ultimately discovered the ideal balance," he remarked.

"We need to determine whether it will be ready for Buriram or if we’ll have to kick off the season using the previous package. The old package is still excellent, as it took us all day to find an improved balance with the previous fairing."

"We'll find out soon enough. The improvements in turning are significant, and there's been no sacrifice in acceleration, wheelie control, or braking ability. Overall, it was an excellent achievement."

Statements made by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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Additional time on the track doesn't benefit Fabio Quartararo in MotoGP tests

The Yamaha racer asserts that his impressive testing speed isn't due to spending more time on the track.

Fabio Quartararo feels that participating in the shakedown hasn't provided him with any benefits, as he maintained impressive speed on his Yamaha during Thursday's Sepang MotoGP test.

Yamaha's new M1 had a promising beginning in the pre-season testing for the 2025 season, as Quartararo recorded the fastest time on the first day at Sepang and secured the second position on the following day.

Over the two-day period, three out of the four factory M1 motorcycles consistently ranked within the top 10. Quartararo made significant progress, enhancing his time from 1 minute and 57.555 seconds to 1 minute and 57.324 seconds on Thursday.

The Yamaha race team had an additional two days on the track by participating in the shakedown. However, Quartararo feels that this is not a factor in their impressive performance on the timesheets this week.

When questioned about whether his impressive speed was due to additional time on the track, he replied, "I don't believe that's the case. On the second day of the shakedown, I managed a time of 1 minute and 57.7 seconds, and I achieved this while it was raining."

"I believe it doesn't actually provide any benefit."

"In my opinion, it's beneficial for my physical fitness because there's no opportunity to ride the GP bike during the winter, so it was advantageous for me to do it."

"Frankly, after completing so many laps on this track, I'm really glad that tomorrow is the final one and we'll be switching to a different track."

On Thursday, Quartararo concentrated primarily on adjusting the electronics with the aim of enhancing the Yamaha's rear grip. However, he admitted that they "didn't really achieve" the improvements he was hoping for in this regard.

Although the rear grip has gotten better in high-speed turns, Quartararo acknowledges that it remains an issue in areas requiring low-gear acceleration. This will make the upcoming test in Buriram next week more challenging.

When questioned about whether the rear grip had gotten better, he responded, "In certain aspects, it has; in others, it hasn't."

"It's a toss-up. Our riding technique has improved significantly, but we're still struggling with traction."

The Buriram test is expected to be more challenging, but our engine has improved in speed compared to last year.

"I believe this will be beneficial. However, we face significant challenges with rear grip, particularly when navigating through low-speed corners."

"When navigating fast corners, the traction isn't too problematic. However, we face significant challenges when accelerating from very slow corners."

"The primary objective for Buriram is to concentrate on this, and during the four days we have spent here, it has been the central focus of our testing efforts."

Yamaha has been exploring a range of new innovations, with one of the most noticeable being a new chassis design compared to the one they tested in Barcelona last November.

Quartararo doesn't think the new model is inferior, but he favors the older version because it suits his riding style better.

He expressed a preference for the older black version from the Barcelona test, though he mentioned that the newer version isn't bad and isn't worse than the older one.

The way I ride makes me more comfortable with last year's model. However, during testing, I was also very quick with the new model, and they are really quite similar. If I had to pick, though, I'd go for the black one.

Remarks shared by Crash MotoGP's Editor, Peter McLaren

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2025 MotoGP Sepang Official Test: Fabio Quartararo Outpaces Marc Marquez on Opening Day

Eventful Initial Day of Malaysian Testing Sessions

On the first day of the 2025 MotoGP Sepang test, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo was ahead of Marc Marquez, while the current champion, Jorge Martin, experienced a severe crash.

Quartararo dominated the initial day of testing at Sepang, consistently leading the timing charts after participating in the previous week's shakedown sessions on the track.

The Yamaha team's racer concluded the day at the top of the timesheets, clocking in at 1 minute and 57.555 seconds, as he conducted tests on three different M1 models.

Yamaha is fielding a total of 12 motorcycles, distributed among its factory team riders, Pramac, and test rider Augusto Fernandez, in an effort to climb up the rankings.

Quartararo was in the lead at the two-hour mark with a time of 1 minute 57.999 seconds, later enhancing it to 1 minute 57.754 seconds.

With slightly more than 30 minutes remaining, Quartararo established a new standard with a lap time of 1 minute and 57.555 seconds, marginally exceeding a second from the all-time fastest lap at Sepang.

In the latter stages of the competition, the reigning world champion faced a strong challenge from Ducati's official team member, Marc Marquez. Marquez recorded a time of 1 minute and 57.606 seconds over the course of 54 laps, riding the team's

He outpaced his brother Alex Marquez, who rides for Gresini Ducati and momentarily took the lead on Wednesday, while their newcomer teammate Fermin Aldeguer trailed by 0.297 seconds, finishing fourth.

Aldeguer participated in the shakedown last week, which explains his remarkable standing on the first day.

The headline on Wednesday centered around the significant accident involving current world champion Martin, who was thrown off his Aprilia at Turn 2 earlier in the day.

Martin, who experienced two crashes on his second day riding for Aprilia, has been transported to the hospital for additional examinations.

During a day marked by numerous crashes in the test sessions, several competitors experienced falls. Among them was Franco Morbidelli of VR46 Ducati, who, despite the mishap, escaped injury and secured the fifth position riding his GP24.

Joan Mir led the Honda riders by finishing sixth, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46, who was back after skipping two rounds in 2024 for shoulder surgery.

Jack Miller secured the eighth position for the Pramac Yamaha team, followed by Johann Zarco from LCR Honda and Miguel Oliveira, who is also part of the Pramac team, riding the other M1.

Pedro Acosta emerged as the top KTM rider, finishing 11th despite experiencing a minor fall earlier in the day.

He led his team member, Brad Binder, and Maverick Vinales from Tech3 KTM. On his official Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia placed 17th with a time of 1m58.947s, followed closely by Marco Bezzecchi in 18th position for Aprilia.

Trackhouse Aprilia's Raul Fernandez experienced a severe accident on the first day at Sepang, leading to an injury that has sidelined him. He is currently en route to Barcelona to undergo surgery.

Complete results from the first day of testing at Sep

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Michelin responded to claims that a tire defect led to Jorge Martin's test crash, asserting that "the tire is not problematic."

Piero Taramasso from Michelin stated that there were "no issues" with the tires used by Aprilia's Jorge Martin during his severe crash on the first day of the Sepang MotoGP test.

The current world champion experienced two crashes in rapid succession at the beginning of the first day of the Sepang pre-season test. The second incident was a severe highside that resulted in several fractures.

Due to his injuries, Martin will miss the rest of the test and potentially the rest of his pre-season. He is returning to Spain for surgery scheduled for Friday.

On Wednesday, Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, informed reporters that according to the team's data, both the rider and the bike were functioning properly, and the tyres were within the optimal performance range.

Without directly accusing Michelin of being at fault for the accident, Taramasso has supported the tire company, claiming their investigations revealed no issues with Martin's tires.

"When accidents occur, it's crucial to investigate the cause, and understandably, the tyres are integral to both the bike and the entire setup," he explained to Sky Italy on Thursday.

"We examined the back tire of Jorge's vehicle and confirmed that it was produced last year. It had not been subjected to any heating, which meant it retained all the characteristics needed for optimal performance. This is precisely why we chose to bring it to this event."

"After examining the tire following Jorge's runs, we found it performed effectively. The tire's appearance indicates that it functioned well on both the left and right sides."

"When tires fail, they typically appear glossy and slick, but Jorge's tire did not show those characteristics."

"Additionally, when examining the lap times: initially, he completed the first four to five laps at a pace similar to the other racers. During his second attempt, he was quicker than competitors such as Francesco Bagnaia and Brad Binder."

"He experienced two crashes, which is unusual because he managed to continue for 13 laps. Typically, when a tire isn't performing well, riders return to the pit and request a change after just two or three laps."

As Massimo Rivola correctly pointed out, the pressure and temperature levels were appropriate.

"From the standpoint of the tires, everything was functioning smoothly. Based on our observations and the data available, we haven't encountered any issues."

In spite of the fractures, Aprilia announced on Thursday that Martin did not sustain any major injuries. The brand is optimistic that he will be prepared for the season's opening round in Thailand later this month.

If Martin is unable to participate in the second test at Buriram next week, he'll enter his inaugural season with the official Aprilia team as the current world champion, having logged just 90 laps on the RS-GP.

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Brad Binder discusses advancements in emulating Pedro Acosta’s riding technique on the KTM. Brad Binder provides insights into his Thursday testing session at Sepang.

Brad Binder confessed that he plans to emulate certain aspects of Pedro Acosta's riding techniques to get more performance out of his KTM.

After the second day of the official MotoGP test in Sepang, Binder managed to achieve the 11th-fastest time. He has been trying out some of the techniques for entering corners that Acosta mastered during his impressive debut season last year.

This season, Acosta will be teaming up with Binder in the official team garage to motivate the veteran rider to perform at his best.

When questioned about mimicking Acosta's approach into the corners, Binder responded, "I've been attempting to shave off a few meters in various places."

"When I try to exert effort, I tend to fall back on familiar habits. It's an area for improvement moving forward."

"I’ve already noticed advantages in my riding technique and how I bring the bike to a halt, particularly by adjusting the front angle to be sharper and sooner."

"I've discovered some interesting aspects to experiment with."

Brad Binder provides insights on KTM's testing progress. Reflecting on Thursday's test session at Sepang, Binder remarked, "The morning began on a positive note as we conducted consecutive runs, experimenting with various engine setups. It was a fascinating experience."

"In the afternoon, we experimented with different suspension configurations. We discovered some elements that slightly enhance the potential."

"This evening, we will gather and organize everything."

The recently observed tail on the KTM has not fully resolved the vibration problems.

"It's still being developed. According to Binder, the balance appears to be improving for certain challenges we face."

"We still have to put in effort to gather the necessary information."

Binder observed last year that his rear tire was exerting pressure on the front, but this issue has not come up again in Sepang.

"Oddly, this track feels alright," he remarked. "At least for now!"

"However, this test can be misleading. The traction is excellent. To truly understand it, you should try it on a track that hasn't been used."

"However, the front part has been comfortable."

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Trackhouse leader responds to Raul Fernandez's unusual accident in Sepang

Davide Brivio comments on the recovery timeline for the injured Raul Fernandez

Trackhouse MotoGP team leader Davide Brivio described Raul Fernandez's crash that concluded the test at Sepang as "somewhat unusual."

On an eventful opening day of Aprilia's pre-season, marked by the current world champion, Jorge Martin, being transported to the hospital following a significant accident, Fernandez has been ruled out of further participation due to a crash at Turn 9.

Fernandez is set to return to Barcelona for an operation after sustaining a break in the metacarpal bone of his left hand and a fractured little toe.

"Interestingly, he was quite composed and unhurried," Brivio shared with MotoGP's After the Flag.

"Regrettably, he encountered an accident while braking into Turn 9."

He has now sustained a broken left hand. We are arranging his return to Barcelona, where he aims to undergo surgery at the earliest opportunity.

He's hoping to make a return to Thailand – that's typical of racers.

"However, we'll pay attention to the medical professionals' advice, and observe the surgery's outcome. By conducting all the necessary tests, we'll have a clearer understanding of the situation in the next few days."

Trackhouse remarks on Raul Fernandez's comeback

Fernandez was absent from the entire initial pre-season test last year following an accident.

"Brivio mentioned that he is keen on attending the Buriram test because, according to Raul, he experienced a comparable injury about three to four years ago."

Within just a few days, he returned to cycling and, to my knowledge, secured a victory in a competition.

"He is optimistic about achieving similar results. However, as mentioned, his return to Barcelona is imminent, and it's likely he will consult Dr. [Xavier] Mir for the operation. We'll heed his advice, proceed with additional evaluations, and monitor the progress closely."

Martin's health status remains uncertain, which might lead Aprilia to conclude the Sepang trials with just half of its quartet of competing racers.

Nonetheless, Brivio indicates that newcomer Ai Ogura's testing schedule will remain unchanged.

"He reported no variation," he mentioned, referring to Ogura, who ranked 16th following the first day's completion of 58 laps.

"We're also thoroughly satisfied with our collaboration with him and his approach to this MotoGP season.

"We describe his current phase as a form of education. There are numerous aspects he must grasp, comprehend, become aware of, and explore."

"That's our focus now. Following a three-day adjustment period, our efforts are currently on testing worn tyres, tweaking the electronic configurations, and understanding the bike's performance as the tyres wear down, among other aspects."

"There's a lot to grasp, yet it's refreshing to observe his method. He remains composed, inquires, and seeks comprehension. Up to this point, it's been favorable."

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Pecco Bagnaia expresses amazement over the striking resemblance to Marc Marquez. "To be truthful, it's astonishing that this is the first time in my career that I have…"

For the first time this winter, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez will join forces as teammates to develop the factory Ducati setup for the upcoming 2025 MotoGP season.

One of the crucial choices remains the engine specification, which must be finalized before the first race in Thailand and will be used throughout the entire season once approved.

In 2025, it becomes even more significant due to the halt in development for the 2026 season. This means that the engine chosen for 2025, set to be finalized soon, will be utilized for two consecutive years.

"This examination holds significant value as its findings will remain relevant for two years," stated Bagnaia. "Therefore, it's crucial to approach this decision with a calm mindset, as there's no need to hurry."

"You might achieve an impressive lap time on the new bike, but that could be due to having fresh tires. Therefore, every choice needs to be carefully considered, and I believe we're performing exceptionally well."

Due to the significance of this test, Bagnaia feels optimistic because his observations and feedback align closely with those of his new teammate, Marc Marquez.

Bagnaia expressed amazement, saying it's remarkable that for the first time in his career, he shares the exact same sentiment as his teammate.

"This is beneficial as it significantly aids the engineers in their development efforts. Both individuals indeed have a positive impression of the new engine, yet they share similar inquiries regarding certain aspects of it."

Marquez shared a similar sentiment regarding the feedback from each rider, as he faces his own challenges this year transitioning from the Desmosedici GP23 to the GP25, while nearly bypassing the GP24 altogether.

He mentioned to After the Flag that this is among the toughest challenges for him.

"When I switch between bikes, each feels like a completely new experience. This requires me to maintain a high level of focus and accuracy."

"Currently, our observations align closely with Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia], which is significant."

Bagnaia is uncertain about his engine choice for 2025 and remains split on which engine specification to prioritize.

"Currently, it's a toss-up," he mentioned. "The GP24 is an excellent foundation, and we all believe there is still room for improvement."

The GP25 excels in straight-line speed and quick acceleration. Achieving maximum velocity is possible only when the bike exits corners effectively, which it does due to its smoothness. This allows for precise control of acceleration using the throttle.

The GP24's braking capabilities were extraordinary, as we achieved remarkable results that are currently hard to match with the GP25, even though we are working to narrow the difference.

Bagnaia mentioned that the advantages he is experiencing in acceleration due to the engine's smooth performance are outweighed by the drawbacks he faces in braking with the updated engine.

"The difference in acceleration isn't comparable to the disparity you might see with braking and entering," he explained.

"We need to find a balance because right now, the speed we're gaining is slightly outweighed by the braking performance we're losing."

Certainly, Bagnaia's hesitation is echoed by Marquez, who mentioned on After the Flag: "We still need to fully comprehend the situation as we have to choose the path forward, considering the season begins in only three weeks."

"We need to make another attempt tomorrow and assess everything."

Marquez mentioned that they have a particular task, which involves determining the direction for the year 2025, with a focus on the engine and aerodynamics. He noted that Ducati aims to be very accurate in this process, while also being cautious to ensure they make the right choice.

He stated, "It's crucial for us to be absolutely certain about the path we are taking. We are aware that the GP24 package is competitive, and we must be completely confident or identify a distinct advantage with the GP25, as once the engine is approved, it will be in use for two years."

"It's important for you to grasp this clearly."

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In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net staff after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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Marc Marquez discusses the reasons behind his fall during the MotoGP test at Sepang. "I was attempting a time attack with a new tire, but unfortunately, I lost control and crashed at turn nine."

It is unusual to see Marc Marquez or a factory Ducati positioned in 14th place on the timesheet. However, on the second day of this week's MotoGP test at Sepang, that is exactly where the newest member of the Ducati Lenovo Team found themselves.

Marquez referred to his accident, which occurred while he was slowing down for the low-speed ninth turn, as "typical."

Marquez explained to the After the Flag program on MotoGP.com that he experienced an ordinary fall at turn nine, which is the circuit's slowest corner.

"[Towards the end of the session] I fitted a fresh tire to attempt a fast lap," he mentioned, "but unfortunately, I ended up crashing at turn nine."

Marc Marquez Provides Update on Ducati Testing Strategy

Despite Marquez experiencing a crash, he was still able to complete all the tasks that he and the Ducati team had scheduled.

"We completed all the tasks we had scheduled for today," he stated.

Throughout the day, I exercised a great deal of caution because our task is quite clear: we need to explore the path forward for 2025, focusing particularly on the engine and aerodynamics. Ducati aims to be meticulous and cautious in this process, as they are committed to making the right choices.

"Today, we experimented with numerous elements. I believe we have a grasp on the right direction, but we need to verify it again tomorrow."

Marquez is switching teams and crews for the second consecutive season, but the eight-time World Champion is confident he is adjusting smoothly to his new environment.

Marquez expressed satisfaction with how he is settling into his new team. He mentioned that he hasn't had much opportunity to get to know his teammates because they are busy working throughout the day. When he takes a break, he usually talks to the engineers, and they often have to make adjustments to the bike, leaving little time for socializing with the crew.

"Currently, I am feeling fine with Marco Rigamonti."

"While we haven't collaborated extensively yet, most of the concepts and resources we need to test are provided by the engineers. However, I appreciate his smart approach to organizing the day."

Marquez mentioned that he has been feeling somewhat unwell physically this week, though he is uncertain whether it's due to an illness or simply insufficient rest.

"I am not feeling well today," he mentioned on Thursday.

"I'm unsure whether I'm falling ill or just experiencing a lack of sleep. We'll find out tomorrow, as I only managed to get five hours of rest due to jet lag last night. Let's see then if it's an illness or simply insufficient sleep."

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Enea Bastianini discusses the "unusual" characteristic of the KTM MotoGP bike that he needs to get used to. The Tech3 racer is gradually getting accustomed to the RC16 during test sessions.

Enea Bastianini describes the braking assistance provided by the KTM MotoGP bike as "a bit unusual," noting that it's "something new for me" when compared to his previous experience with the Ducati.

The racer, who has clinched victory in seven grand prix events, is recognized as one of the most aggressive brakers in the current MotoGP scene. This skillset complemented the Ducati bike he used to ride exceptionally well.

After spending two days testing the KTM in Malaysia this week, Bastianini observed that the RC16 has an exceptional braking capability, which he finds quite unusual.

When questioned about his favorite aspect of the bike, he responded: "What I enjoy the most is the ability to really push hard with the brakes."

"There were times when I lost control of the front on the older bikes, but with this one, if you ride more aggressively, the bike provides better support."

"This is unfamiliar to me, and it feels somewhat odd."

"I need a bit of time to figure out which aspect I need to focus on improving, as this feature of the bike is incredibly powerful."

Bastianini has faced challenges this week at Sepang, as he ended Wednesday about a second behind his teammate Maverick Vinales.

On Thursday, Bastianini mentioned that he "struggled" during the morning session as various adjustments made to the bike were unsuccessful.

Throughout the day, KTM worked to help Bastianini feel more at ease on the bike. By the end of the session, the Italian rider finished in 17th place, trailing Vinales by just under a tenth of a second.

"This morning, I experienced hardship," he stated.

"I experienced hardship because I implemented numerous changes, yet none of them were successful."

"In the afternoon, adjustments were made to the bike and I tested some new strategies, which boosted my confidence."

"Eventually, I began my task after obtaining some details, and I was able to pass that information on to the team."

"In the end, I was able to keep up with the other riders during the time trial and also maintained a similar speed."

"We have to put in more effort. It's likely that tomorrow we'll need to complete several laps and focus on time trials, as that's crucial and something I'm currently lacking. The main strengths of this bike differ significantly from my previous one."

"I occasionally make errors, but I have the opportunity to get better. There's still time for me to do so."

"We only have one more day remaining here, but after that, we'll be heading to Thailand, which is crucial since I'm slightly lagging behind."

Describing the adjustments that improved his comfort while riding, he mentioned: "I altered something on the swingarm because I attempted some past modifications, but they turned out to be ineffective."

"We took a different route, which turned out well. However, we need to explore more adjustments for tomorrow, possibly including changes to my seating position on the bike."

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