Casey Stoner looks back on his 2007 season with Ducati, noting that the bike wasn't particularly strong in any specific area. However, despite the challenges, Stoner managed to lead the 2007 MotoGP season successfully.

Casey Stoner claims that the Ducati GP7, which he used to dominate the 2007 MotoGP season, "wasn't particularly outstanding in any aspect," but it "got the job done for me."

In 2007, the Australian rider switched to Ducati for his second season in the top-tier category, following a debut year with LCR on a Honda in 2006 that was marked by speed and frequent crashes.

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Ducati performed consistently well during its initial four years in the category, but it was Stoner who shocked everyone by securing 10 grand prix victories and clinching his first MotoGP championship, finishing 125 points ahead of Honda's Dani Pedrosa.

In the rankings, the next Ducati rider after Stoner was Loris Capirossi, who finished in seventh place. Interestingly, Capirossi's single victory came at the Japanese Grand Prix, the same event where Stoner secured his championship title.

In a recent appearance on the Ducati Diaries podcast, Stoner shared his thoughts on the challenges he faced with the GP7, even though he was able to achieve great success with it.

"It didn't excel at much, except when it came to fourth and fifth gear," he started.

"It struggled to navigate the corners effectively. However, it performed well and remained stable when braking."

"Certainly, there was no question about it. While it didn't excel in braking power, it offered remarkable stability, making it likely the most stable bike I've ever ridden when it comes to braking."

"That was definitely a great aspect of it. When you hit the fourth, fifth, and sixth gears, it really showed its true potential."

"In the initial three gears, we would completely lose out. On any track where quick acceleration and powering through corners were crucial, we faced significant challenges and had a tough time keeping up."

"We aimed to reduce the weaknesses and enhance the strengths. The strengths were clear to everyone: its impressive top speed, and with that speed, we achieved stable braking."

"In essence, our strategy was to position ourselves at the front of the races as often as possible, forcing others to put in the effort. If our qualifying rounds didn't go well or we weren't leading early on, catching up was a significant challenge. This was particularly true because if others managed to maintain a series of uninterrupted laps, it became difficult for us to take full advantage of our bike's capabilities."

"In essence, we attempted to fully leverage that advantage and managed whatever we could while navigating the corners, as it was extremely challenging to make the vehicle turn."

"With such stability, the bike was running too low and lacked sufficient pitch. Eventually, I managed to convince them to make adjustments in the later years. Although we lost the speed advantage, we improved the bike's ability to turn."

"That year was definitely tough, but it worked out for me in the end. My team performed incredibly well, matching my efforts every step of the way."

He expressed feeling extremely fortunate to have had the chance to compete with a factory team. He explained that he had recently secured a deal with Yamaha, but for two consecutive years, they unexpectedly withdrew the contract at the last minute, leaving him without a ride for the following season.

"Luckily, we entered into an agreement with Ducati. I was driven to demonstrate to Yamaha that they made an error by removing that opportunity."

"My objective for this year is to achieve a few podium finishes and hopefully secure at least one victory."

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Uncovered: The Astonishing Net Worth of Marc Marquez

Insights Shared on Marc Marquez's Significant Fortune

The financial worth of Marc Marquez has been disclosed in Spain, and the figures are astonishing.

Forbes, the renowned business and finance publication, has included the MotoGP star in its list of Spain's wealthiest individuals for the year 2024.

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While Marquez has not yet made it into the list of the 100 wealthiest Spaniards, he is considered one of the wealthiest individuals in the sports world

According to La Vanguardia, Marquez has a fortune of 80 million euros.

Among athletes, only tennis icon Rafael Nadal, with a net worth of €310 million, and football players Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos, each possessing €100 million, have amassed greater wealth than Marquez.

According to the report, Marquez's fortune primarily comes from his sponsorships. He collaborates with companies such as Red Bull, as well as others.

Marquez stands out as the most prominent figure in the current MotoGP lineup.

Nonetheless, he willingly accepted a financial loss last year when he decided to leave Honda with one year still left on what was the largest rider contract in the sport.

Choosing not to receive the reported €15 million to €20 million for his last year with Honda has not affected his total wealth.

Switching to Gresini Ducati significantly boosted Marquez's performance on the track, following a challenging period with Honda.

This year, Marquez's return to winning races with the Gresini team helped him secure a spot with the official factory Ducati team for the 2025 season.

Competing with the leading team on the finest equipment might help Marquez win another championship, which would positively impact his financial status.

While specifics about Marquez's salary for the 2025 season as a factory rider are still unknown, he will not be the top-earning rider on the 2024 roster.

Fabio Quartararo secured the prestigious €12 million annual contract with Yamaha earlier this season.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a range of events including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Aleix Espargaro: "My hope is to be remembered as…"

Long-time MotoGP competitor announces retirement

Aleix Espargaro expresses a desire for his MotoGP career to be remembered as a testament to the idea that "dedication can surpass natural talent," as he steps into retirement.

The 35-year-old ended his MotoGP career after last week's 2024 season finale in Barcelona, where he had initially started competing in the world championship back in 2004.

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Espargaro first appeared in MotoGP in 2010 with Pramac. He then became a regular participant starting in the 2012 season, racing for teams such as Aspar, Forward Racing, Suzuki, and eventually Aprilia throughout his career.

Espargaro achieved his greatest accomplishments with Aprilia, claiming his first grand prix win in Argentina in 2022 and securing two additional victories in 2023.

In an interview with Crash.net following his gritty fifth-place finish in his recent race, Espargaro was questioned about his preferred legacy. He responded, "There's a common saying that suggests hard work surpasses talent."

"I've always genuinely believed this to be the case. Throughout my career, I often sensed that I wasn't as naturally gifted as many of my colleagues."

"By dedicating yourself fully, utilizing all available resources and the support of a strong team, along with being clever and diligent, you can achieve your goals."

"I hope to be remembered as someone who always persevered."

Espargaro might still compete in a race as a wildcard entry in 2025, thanks to his role in testing with Honda. However, after the Solidarity GP, he mentioned that this wasn't something he was currently considering.

Discussing his feelings following his final race, Espargaro expressed: "I feel very calm now – once I crossed the finish line, I experienced a great sense of relief."

"Clearly, I will greatly miss both Aprilia and my RS-GP. However, I no longer wanted to continue racing."

"I feel an immense sense of relief. I'm extremely happy and proud of how far I've come since arriving here as a youngster, the accomplishments I've reached, and the family I've built."

"I believe it's time to start a new phase in life. I've reached my limit."

"In life, recognizing the right moments is crucial, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to bid farewell in this way."

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I secured four championships alongside Valentino Rossi – here's the key to his success.

"He taught me a valuable lesson…"

According to a close associate who witnessed his prime years, Valentino Rossi's dedication to extensive study sessions and frequent meetings played a vital role in his achievements.

Despite Rossi's playful and lively demeanor, he displayed a cold and strategic approach when it was time to focus on his tasks.

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This is the trait that Davide Brivio recalls vividly.

In a conversation with Relevo, Brivio mentioned, "While I was with Yamaha and he was with Honda, we persuaded him to join our team."

"He was driven by a mindset that focused solely on victory; finishing in second place was simply unacceptable to him."

He introduced a new strategy at Yamaha, emphasizing a mindset focused on constantly striving for victory and reaching the highest level of performance.

Valentino excelled in his professionalism both in the garage and while riding the motorcycle. His approach was highly professional.

He put in extensive work hours, attended meetings, and studied diligently, but beyond that, there was time to enjoy dinners and have a good time.

"He maintained a high level of professionalism while being quite enjoyable to be around, teaching me that it's possible to balance both qualities effectively."

In 2004, Rossi switched from Honda to Yamaha after winning the MotoGP championship, making a bold move in his racing career.

During his initial two seasons with Yamaha, The Doctor, working with team manager Brivio, secured additional championship titles.

'Most importantly, we enjoyed ourselves'

Brivio recalled the initial win and the inaugural world championship as standout moments in their partnership.

"Races such as those held in Barcelona in 2009 and Laguna Seca in 2008…"

However, there was also a spirited energy, especially noticeable when Jorge Lorenzo became part of the team.

Brivio emphasized that Lorenzo joining Yamaha was a significant occasion.

Valentino was the individual who transformed Yamaha's history and naturally considered himself somewhat of a top figure.

"When a top contender is already present and another top contender shows up…"

"It turned out to be a positive experience. He handled it effectively."

Rossi and Lorenzo famously erected a barrier in their garage to conceal information from one another while fiercely competing for the MotoGP championship.

"Valentino holds a unique and cherished position in my heart," Brivio expressed.

"We achieved four championships and accomplished numerous tasks as a team, but most importantly, we truly enjoyed ourselves."

James spent ten years working as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Joan Mir criticizes Honda's MotoGP test for being ineffective: 'Our expectations were higher'

The 2020 world champion expresses disappointment over the absence of new developments at the Barcelona trial.

Joan Mir expressed that Tuesday's MotoGP testing session in Barcelona was unfruitful for both him and Honda, noting that their attempts were repetitions of previous efforts.

Honda wrapped up its most challenging season in MotoGP this past weekend at the Solidarity Grand Prix, finishing at the bottom of the constructors' championship with merely 75 points.

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Leveraging its position as a concession maker, it has advanced its RC213V, especially towards the end of the season by deploying a new aerodynamic package that enhanced its turning capabilities. However, it remains significantly distant from reaching podium contention.

During the formal evaluation following the San Marino Grand Prix, Honda introduced various upgrades, among them aerodynamic improvements, resulting in an enhanced performance.

During this week's testing in Barcelona, where Mir placed 15th following 67 laps, he found himself feeling dismayed due to what he perceived as a scarcity of new developments.

"I'm quite dissatisfied. The day didn't go as successfully as I hoped," he remarked.

"Every attempt we made was a repetition of past efforts. There were no fresh enhancements to boost our speed."

"Our efforts were focused on utilizing our regular package and a previously employed package that had proven ineffective."

"Thus, the day didn't go as anticipated. I'm holding onto the hope that we'll see additional improvements next week in Jerez."

In response to a question from Crash.net regarding whether he believed Honda was putting in sufficient effort, he stated, "That was my initial belief, however, the truth is we had anticipated greater progress."

Mir explains that Honda informed him the lack of new items for testing was due to "scheduling issues; they weren't delivered on time."

The 2020 world champion emphasized that the post-season test, which Honda failed to utilize for unveiling a new bike, represents one of the year's critical moments.

"Typically, significant moments throughout the year include the Misano test, where we got some aerodynamics that proved effective, along with a variation in engine configuration," he explained.

"In this instance, whether it's Valencia or Barcelona, the final trial of the year is always critically significant."

"In the past, Honda typically showcased two bicycles at the manufacturing site, with the expectation of revealing a new bike as well. Unfortunately, this hasn't happened yet, but I'm optimistic it will soon."

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Moto2 titleholder Ai Ogura admits to feeling anxious during his first test run alongside MotoGP legends

‘It wasn’t as shocking as I anticipated…’

Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura confessed to feeling "anxious" as he rode alongside MotoGP's elite racers during his inaugural test for Trackhouse Racing at Barcelona on Tuesday.

The rider from Japan inked a two-year agreement with the Aprilia satellite team during the summer to ascend to MotoGP by 2025, a contract that has significantly appreciated in value following his victory in the Moto2 championship.

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On Tuesday, following the Solidarity Grand Prix, Ogura participated in his first MotoGP test, where he rode the 2024 model of the RS-GP for a total of 86 laps.

He concluded the day as the second fastest among the three newcomers, ranking 21st overall, despite experiencing a minor fall at Turn 2 during the early part of the session.

Reflecting on his initial experience riding a MotoGP motorcycle, Ogura remarked, "Naturally, seeing the other racers on the track, along with some cameras, does cause me some anxiety. However, it was something I could handle."

When questioned about the principal distinction between Moto2 and MotoGP, he highlighted mastering the technique of stabilizing the motorcycle through throttle control as the primary challenge he needs to understand.

He also mentioned that his current greatest challenge is entering corners.

“Perhaps managing the throttle to maintain the bike’s stability and achieve smooth acceleration was the toughest aspect for me. It feels somewhat distinct.

"Initially, my focus is on improving my braking technique, specifically the entire phase from the moment I start braking until I begin to accelerate again. I aim to gain a deeper understanding of this aspect and prioritize making adjustments here first."

Newcomers frequently mention being taken aback by the strength of MotoGP engines and the efficiency of carbon brakes when they initially transition from Moto2.

However, Ogura experienced things differently, stating, "It was fine. I anticipated being more taken aback, but by the second or third lap, I had already adjusted to the pace."

"There's not much distinction between the steel brakes and the carbon brakes. It's not a big deal for me."

Ogura plans to ramp up his physical preparation during the winter months to handle the transition to MotoGP, though he mentioned not feeling overly fatigued after completing 86 laps on Tuesday.

"Today, I managed to complete 86 laps, with my longest continuous stretch being, I believe, around 10 laps," he mentioned.

"For this particular race, I was in good shape; I didn't have any physical issues."

"However, I didn't manage to complete 20 consecutive laps today, so it remains to be seen. Nevertheless, I'm feeling good after today's session, and I plan to increase my training intensity this winter compared to last year."

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Pedro Acosta: "At times, the motorcycle tends to get somewhat wild."

"Now, it's somewhat more stable, which is crucial."

On his inaugural day as a MotoGP rider with a factory team, Pedro Acosta dedicated his efforts to stabilizing and soothing his KTM as he embarked on the 2024 rookie season.

The most noticeable advancements focused on aerodynamics, as the racer who finished in the top three five times equipped his RC16 with various fairings, including one particularly radical design that had a very small windscreen.

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Acosta revealed that he experimented with approximately four to five distinct fairings. He mentioned that Brad [Binder] concentrated more on the electronics aspect. He expressed satisfaction over reaching some determinations, noting that achieving clarity in aerodynamics is not always straightforward.

We experimented with various approaches, and upon reviewing the results at the back with my usual fairings, the outcome was favorable.

"The bicycle exhibits a slightly more serene demeanor, which is crucial. Ultimately, as observed on television, our bicycle experiences significant tremors, complicating traction and other aspects."

Acosta led the pack initially but then dropped to the ninth position, trailing by 0.768 seconds. His new teammate, Brad Binder, emerged as the top KTM rider, securing sixth place with a 0.705-second gap.

"Acosta elaborated, stating their focus wasn't on improving traction at the back."

"The issue was primarily at the front end, as we're often lifting the bike into wheelies and experiencing significant shaking in the handlebars. At times, this causes the bike to behave somewhat erratically."

"We also concentrated more on the aspects related to electronics."

Acosta's upcoming appearance is scheduled for February at Sepang. What is he looking to discover in Malaysia?

"Greater strength, enhanced maneuverability, I desire a more stable bike, I seek better traction, essentially, I yearn for it all!" he responded.

"However, enhancing grip and making it somewhat more stable would certainly please me."

Peter has spent two decades within the racing circuit, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal from the scene and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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MotoGP 2025: Identifying Every Rider's Chief Mechanic

The complete list of rider and chief mechanic combinations for the MotoGP 2025 season

The lineup for the 2025 MotoGP season has experienced significant changes, as several competitors have either moved to different teams or entered the competition for the first time.

A shift in teams often brings about a change in crew chief for certain groups, whereas others, remaining in their current positions, greet new trackside engineers in their workshops.

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Here are the team assignments for crew chiefs and riders for the year 2025.

Team Ducati

Marc Marquez paired with Marco Rigamonti, and Francesco Bagnaia teamed up with Cristian Gabarrini.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has joined the factory Ducati team, marking his third consecutive season with a new crew chief.

Upon departing from Honda and Santi Hernandez at the close of 2023, Marquez teamed up with Frankie Carchedi at Gresini for the 2024 season. However, his move to the official Ducati team meant he wouldn't maintain this partnership, as the Italian team chose to match him with Marco Rigamonti, who previously served as Enea Bastianini's crew chief.

Previously, Rigamonti collaborated with Andrea Iannone at both Ducati and Suzuki, in addition to partnering with Johann Zarco at the Avintia and Pramac Ducati teams.

Gabarrini has served as the dedicated crew chief for Francesco Bagnaia throughout his tenure as a MotoGP champion and has also collaborated with former champions Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

Honda racing team

Joan Mir – Santi Hernandez

Luca Marini – Christian Pupulin

Following Marc Marquez's departure from Honda to join Gresini Ducati at the conclusion of the previous year, Joan Mir assumed the role of his former crew chief, Hernandez.

Luca Marini will now have Christian Pupulin as his crew chief, taking over from Giacomo Guidotti. Guidotti has joined Pramac to work alongside Jack Miller, and Pupulin comes from a background of collaborating with the Australian during his time at KTM.

Aprilia Racing Team

Jorge Martin – Daniele Romagnoli

Marco Bezzecchi – Francesco Venturato

Jorge Martin, the newly crowned MotoGP champion, transitions to the official Aprilia team, accompanied by Daniele Romagnoli from the Pramac team.

Marco Bezzecchi has moved on from Matteo Flamigni at VR46 to collaborate with Francesco Venturato at Aprilia, who served as Maverick Vinales' performance engineer for the current year.

KTM Factory Racing Team

Pedro Acosta and Paul Trevathan

Brad Binder alongside Andres Madrid

Pedro Acosta, although a newcomer in the KTM team's garage, has brought along Paul Trevathan from Tech 3 to serve as his crew chief. Meanwhile, Brad Binder continues his partnership with Andrea Madrid.

Gresini

Fermin Aldeguer teams up with Frankie Carchedi, while Alex Marquez collaborates with Donatello Giovanotti.

Fresh to the MotoGP scene, Aldeguer is teaming up with Marc Marquez's ex-crew chief Frankie Carchedi for this season, as Alex Marquez sticks with Donatello Giovanotti for his team support.

Yamaha Racing Team

Fabio Quartararo partnered with Diego Gubellini, and Alex Rins teamed up with David Munoz

Fabio Quartararo continues his collaboration with Diego Gubellini, his partner since his 2019 MotoGP entrance, while the former crew chief for Valentino Rossi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, David Munoz, joins forces with Alex Rins, taking over from Patrick Primmer.

VR46 Team

Franco Morbidelli teamed with Matteo Flamigni; Fabio Di Giannantonio paired with Massimo Branchini

Veteran technician for Valentino Rossi and previously in charge of Marco Bezzecchi's team, Matteo Flamigni, is teaming up with Franco Morbidelli as he transitions to VR46. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to work with his fourth different chief mechanic in as many years, Massimo Branchini.

In 2024, Morbidelli had Branchini as his crew chief while at Pramac.

Tech3

Enea Bastianini is paired with Alberto Giribuola while Maverick Vinales teams up with Manuel Cazeaux.

Enea Bastianini's transition to the Tech3 KTM team next season will reunite him with Alberto Giribuola, his previous crew chief from their 2022 collaboration at Gresini.

Maverick Vinales has teamed up with Manu Cazeaux, bringing him over from Aprilia.

Pramac Racing Team

Miguel Oliveira and Luca Ferracioli, Jack Miller paired with Giacomi Guidotti.

Pramac is introducing an entirely fresh team for its inaugural season with Yamaha in 2025, which includes the addition of two new chief mechanics. Miguel Oliveira will be collaborating with Luca Ferracioli, previously associated with Luca Marini during his rookie season in 2021.

Giacomo Guidotti parts ways with Honda to collaborate with Jack Miller in the coming year.

Trackhouse

Raul Fernandez and Noe Herrera team up with Ai Ogura and Giovanni Mattarollo.

Newcomer to MotoGP, Ai Ogura, is set to collaborate with Giovanni Mattarollo, who previously served as the crew chief for Miguel Oliveira. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez will maintain his partnership with Noe Herrera.

LCR

Johann Zarco – David Garcia

Somkiat Chantra – Klaus Nohles

Johann Zarco continues his collaboration with David Garcia in his sophomore year at LCR Honda, as newcomer to MotoGP, Somkiat Chantra, partners up with Takaaki Nakagami's previous crew chief, Klaus Nohles.

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Franco Morbidelli discusses VR46 debut: "There's something truly special here"

"We possess something extraordinary, and it's crucial we leverage it"

Franco Morbidelli is enthusiastic about utilizing his remarkable connection with VR46 as he joins Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP squad for the 2025 season.

The racer from Italy, who became the first world champion for the VR46 Academy in Moto2 2017 and secured a victory in MotoGP in 2020, is transitioning to a new team from Pramac.

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In addition to being in a well-known environment, Morbidelli stands out as one of the select riders who will maintain the same model of motorcycle in 2025.

This year at Pramac, Morbidelli was equipped with the same factory Desmosedici GP24 that his team-mate Jorge Martin used to clinch the championship. However, Morbidelli was unable to participate in any pre-season testing because he suffered from head injuries.

The ex-Yamaha contender who once vied for the championship secured a podium finish in the Sprint at Misano, placed fourth in the Indonesian Grand Prix, and ended up ninth in the overall rankings.

He kicked off his journey with Pertamina VR46, securing a seventh-place finish, trailing by 0.762 seconds, during the Barcelona test on Tuesday.

"Today mattered a lot in terms of familiarizing myself with my colleagues for the upcoming year," noted Morbidelli.

This group also consists of Matteo Flamigni, previously the chief mechanic for Marco Bezzecchi and once an electronic engineer for Rossi.

"Morbidelli expressed, 'Having been acquainted with numerous team members for a long time, it's truly a privilege to collaborate with them.'"

"Since my childhood, I've been a fan of Matteo. He achieved historical milestones alongside Vale as his electronics engineer, and we shared a great connection."

Morbidelli also mentioned, "My respect for everyone in the team, along with our mutual understanding, creates something truly special that we should leverage to its fullest potential.

"It's essential to utilize it as a means of quickly establishing connections and relationships to accomplish our goals."

The launch on Tuesday went quite well initially.

"Morbidelli described the initial day as outstanding. He mentioned that they made several adjustments to the motorcycle to grasp what was occurring, aiming to foster understanding amongst himself and his team.

"This will be the key factor for the upcoming year. The more we understand each other during these challenging moments, the more effectively we will perform and respond during the racing weekends."

"I enjoy the ambiance; it has everything necessary for success. We put in a lot of effort, and I chose not to switch to the soft tire towards the end because it was too chilly to better our lap time. All in all, it was an excellent beginning."

What about the unique leather materials?

"Gorgeous. I'm eager to see more pictures since it was truly delightful."

Fabio di Giannantonio, Morbidelli's teammate, was absent from the test because he recently underwent surgery on his shoulder.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of the paddock, including 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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Why Honda MotoGP's 'less than optimistic' test outcomes aren't causing Zarco stress

LCR competitor shares thoughts on MotoGP testing in Barcelona

Johann Zarco has remarked that his experience testing the 2025 Honda model during the MotoGP off-season trials in Barcelona didn't yield optimistic results, yet he remains composed and is not overly concerned about the situation.

Honda factory team competitor Joan Mir expressed disappointment over the absence of fresh components at Tuesday's Barcelona trial by the Japanese brand.

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The 2020 global champion mentioned that all the enhancements he attempted for 2025 were ones he had previously experimented with this year, anticipating the addition of newer components.

In the trials, Zarco secured the 10th position out of all participants, completing 65 laps and notably outpacing his fellow HRC competitors. However, he also expressed dissatisfaction with the progression of the motorcycle he was testing.

He started by saying, "We introduced something fresh, alongside a new bicycle, but the outcome wasn't quite favorable."

"Hence, it might be wise to consider alternate paths for February. Personally, transitioning between my race bike and the new model, I focused on adapting my riding technique to maximize the bike's potential."

"Today was great because I focused on brief, high-quality runs which felt amazing. We experimented with various techniques that resulted in positive experiences."

Overall, the day went well, but considering Honda's ambitions for the upcoming year, we need to schedule a discussion to evaluate and decide whether to continue in the direction they chose today or not.

"I believe they will not proceed with it. Generally, from what we've observed in comparison to other motorcycles, the focus is on enhancing our engine."

"It stands as a crucial aspect since our bike isn't the quickest, making it vital to possess significant power for battling on the straights and securing advantageous spots for overtaking maneuvers during braking."

"The vulnerability of our bicycle lies in the control of rear traction."

"We haven't made any progress yet. The grip control could be beneficial for speeding up as well as for the braking section, which is where we're struggling."

Zarco experimented with a new chassis among other updates, but he mentions it detracted from the strengths of the RC213V and failed to enhance its traction, which was a known issue.

However, he isn't rushing to sound the alarm just now since he believes that experimenting with something that failed still benefits Honda.

"He mentioned that it was removing the positive aspects."

"Our shortcomings weren't addressed. This signifies something. Hence, I'm not allowing it to stress me out, as our pace wasn't significantly reduced.

"As we currently lag behind a Ducati in speed, our forthcoming actions need to enhance our lap times."

"For me, it was a beneficial day because we completed numerous productive laps and focused on improving my skills, which gave me a positive sensation."

"The feedback we received from testing various parts of the bike was positive and provided a wealth of crucial information that will be analyzed throughout the winter."

"The project isn't exactly new, but the changes they made weren't beneficial for the users."

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The overlooked standout from the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP trials

Crash.net examines the post-season Barcelona trials in the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast

Significant alterations were noticeable on the track during the post-season MotoGP test in Barcelona, which took place earlier this week for the 2024 season.

Amidst the widespread attention on Jorge Martin's inaugural run on the Aprilia as the new world champion and Marc Marquez's initial appearance in the factory Ducati team, another racer subtly made a strong impression during his initial outing on a KTM.

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Maverick Vinales has transitioned from Aprilia to join the KTM team at Tech3 for the 2025 season, managing an impressive 12th place finish among the official RS-GPs as he adapted to the RC16.

In this episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the panel delves into Vinales' early reactions to the motorcycle and what insights we can gather from his inaugural run with the KTM.

"Vinales found the engine power captivating right after his move from Aprilia," noted Peter McLaren, the Editor for Crash MotoGP.

"He likely achieved the highest speed during the trial. He also enjoyed the initial bursts of speed, particularly because KTM's starting capability is among the finest in MotoGP, possibly surpassing even that of Ducati."

"He took great pleasure in that experience. Although he had his reservations about the high-speed turns, an area where the Aprilia excelled, he mentioned that it still felt quite satisfactory."

"In the initial stages, during the testing phase, it's crucial to proceed with caution regarding the grip levels. This is particularly important for any manufacturer experiencing a deficiency in grip – a common issue as many are in search of some form of grip or traction improvement."

"It's important to proceed with caution when drawing conclusions from a Tuesday trial, especially after a full day of tire activity on the track. However, Vinales mentioned that his initial reaction was highly favorable."

Jordan Moreland, the social media manager for Crash, commented, "He appeared quite self-assured. It seemed like a perfect match."

Maverick has a unique flair that makes him appear impressive on any motorcycle he rides, whether it was while riding the Suzuki, Yamaha, or Aprilia, he always managed to look stylish.

"I believe he's an excellent addition due to his vast experience. Despite being tagged as unpredictable and it being uncertain how he'll perform from one week to the next."

"However, I mentioned earlier that there will be a weekend next year when he'll be in the thick of the battle, vying for a victory."

In his briefing, Crash Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan described it as "natural."

"It's been a while since Maverick has shown such joy. He was truly satisfied with the motorcycle, appreciating every aspect of it. He views himself as the top contender in starting races within MotoGP, especially based on the data he's observed, and he was thoroughly impressed by KTM's capabilities."

"He's visibly thrilled about the shift to KTM. He had consistently shown a strong desire to test out the bike, and now that he has, it seems he's genuinely eager about the future possibilities."

Clearly, we must approach Maverick's statements with some skepticism as he expressed confusion over the weekend about his performance during the Americas GP. He remains puzzled about why he performed so well there, as well as in Portugal, considering those events as anomalies.

"Is the issue with him or the motorcycle? Considering the performance of Aprilia after that moment before it began to decline, it's challenging to determine. That's the major dilemma facing Maverick."

"He seems overly sensitive to me. It's evident that he excels when conditions are ideal, but once they deviate, his performance significantly declines. This has been particularly noticeable with the KTMs this season."

"When they perform well, they're leading the pack. However, when they struggle, like in the last weekend's qualifying: Acosta advanced to Q2, yet the subsequent KTM ranked 18th."

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Pecco Bagnaia's decisive mistake in the championship race didn't occur in 2024

This year, in the MotoGP championship, Pecco Bagnaia was defeated by Jorge Martin, the same competitor he outpaced in 2023.

In the 2024 MotoGP championship, the battle for the title once again came down to Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, marking the second consecutive year these two competitors faced off for the crown. This time, however, the outcome was different, with Martin clinching the championship over Bagnaia, showcasing significant improvement from his performance the previous year.

At first glance, throughout both 2023 and 2024, Bagnaia and Martin appeared to be on par with each other to such an extent that it seems justifiable for each to have secured one championship title over the two seasons.

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Nonetheless, it could be argued that the confrontations in both years might not have occurred if not for a crucial error made by Bagnaia.

Following the 2023 Catalan Sprint, Bagnaia was at the forefront of the championship, holding a 62-point lead over Martin. He stood out as the sole competitor who could match the speed of the Aprilia team members — Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales — during the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in September. At that stage in the season, he was performing exceptionally well, evidently distinguishing himself as the top contender in the competition.

However, the course of events shifted dramatically when Bagnaia fell at the second turn, and Brad Binder, despite reasonable efforts, could not dodge the Italian as he made his way into the third turn during last year's Catalan Grand Prix.

There's no denying that the accident significantly eased Martin's task of narrowing the distance to Bagnaia in the season's latter stages. Indeed, one could say that if it weren't for that mishap, Martin might not have genuinely been in the running for the championship in 2023.

Indeed, his entry into the title race was a consequence of the incident in turn two that led to Bagnaia's physical setback during the next week's San Marino Grand Prix and affected his confidence in the subsequent Asian races.

Certainly, 2023 had its fair share of unexpected events, but their significance largely stemmed from the crash in Catalunya. This incident not only awarded Martin valuable points but also, crucially, provided him with momentum.

Throughout the remainder of the season, Bagnaia found himself frequently playing catch-up, striving to match Martin's performance — achieving this with varying degrees of success at different times.

In 2023, Bagnaia clinched the title due to both his outstanding performance and the errors committed by Martin.

Consider the incident at the Indonesian Grand Prix, the decision-making regarding tyres at the Australian Grand Prix, and notably, the intense finale in Valencia that culminated in a collision with Marc Marquez.

Certainly, Martin also experienced his share of bad luck, particularly noticeable in his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix, the reasons for which remain largely unclear. However, this did not impact him as significantly as his experiences in Indonesia or Valencia.

Martin's success lies in his ability to recognize and enhance his weak points in 2023, leading to a significant improvement in 2024. Achieving 32 podium finishes out of 40 races is an impressive achievement, despite only securing victories in three Grand Prix events this year.

In the eight races where he didn't make it to the podium, one notable instance was during the Texas Sprint, amidst Ducati's most challenging rear tyre vibration problems of the season. Despite this, he managed to outperform Bagnaia in both races that weekend. Another event saw him just missing the podium with a fourth-place finish in the Barcelona Sprint, a race where Bagnaia did not finish due to a crash. Four incidents of him not placing in the top three — at the Spanish Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Italian Sprint, and Indonesian Sprint — were due to crashes, interestingly all competitions where Bagnaia emerged victorious. At the San Marino Grand Prix, Martin ended up in 15th place after a bike swap, a race where Bagnaia secured a second-place finish. Lastly, Martin achieved a fourth-place finish in the Japanese Sprint after starting 11th, a result of a crash in Q2.

During the competitions where Martin experienced crashes, he was at the forefront in Spain, Germany, and Indonesia, and was trailing just behind Bagnaia in Italy as the runner-up. At the time he switched to his wet weather motorcycle in San Marino, Martin was positioned just after Bagnaia.

Beyond the previously mentioned races in Texas, Martin consistently challenged for a podium position throughout 2024, frequently achieving that goal.

In 2024, Martin secured a spot on the podium 32 times, with half of those finishes being runner-ups. Bagnaia clinched the victory in nine of those races.

This demonstrates Martin's capacity for calmness, a quality he lacked in 2023 due to his immaturity and self-doubt. These weaknesses caused Martin to falter in places like Indonesia and Australia, though such errors became significantly less frequent by 2024.

In 2023, Martin may have attempted to catch up to Marc Marquez at Aragon; by 2024, Martin understood that Marquez was not the competitor to focus on. In 2023, Martin could have continued striving to outperform Bagnaia in Malaysia; by 2024, Martin accepted that securing second place was satisfactory.

Throughout 2024, numerous examples demonstrated that Martin's ultimate triumph was due to consistently outperforming Bagnaia, who, despite winning nearly four times as many Grand Prix races as Martin, often found himself in the position of the pursuer.

What contributed to Martin's display of remarkable composure? Last year, he strategically navigated his path to securing a world championship.

The key moment unfolded in Catalunya 2023, marked by Bagnaia's accident. This incident unexpectedly thrust Martin into the spotlight for the championship race towards the end, revealing to him firsthand why he wasn't prepared to clinch the title in 2023. It highlighted the aspects he needs to improve on to enhance his prospects for victory in 2024.

Had Martin not remained closely behind Bagnaia towards the end of 2023, he wouldn’t have experienced the intense competition for the championship, thereby missing out on the opportunity to see his response to such stress. This experience was crucial; without it, his off-season advancements wouldn’t have been possible since they were based on insights gained throughout 2023. Entering 2024, he might have retained his quickness, yet lacked the essential mindset that proved critical in securing this year’s championship.

Could that have altered the results of 2024? It's conceivable, though naturally, there's no way to know with certainty.

Ultimately, in 2023, Bagnaia provided Martin with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge needed to secure the championship in 2024. However, it remained Martin's responsibility to correctly understand and apply these insights.

Now, in a peculiar twist, Martin's triumph in 2024 unexpectedly provides Bagnaia, a three-time World Champion, an opportunity to grasp similar teachings.

The factors leading to Bagnaia's failure to secure the championship this year are clear. It wasn't due to Brad Binder's aggressive racing in Jerez, a mechanical problem in Le Mans, or Alex Marquez's oversight in Aragon. The critical setbacks were the front-end crashes in Catalunya, Silverstone, and most notably, Misano.

As time progresses, it will become clear if Bagnaia is capable of achieving similar improvements to Martin during the forthcoming winter season.

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

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