Valentino Rossi experiences a crash but secures a podium finish in the 2025 100km of Champions in Americana

The race in Americana excited Tavullia on Friday evening

On Friday evening, Luca Marini emerged victorious in the Americana race held during Valentino Rossi's yearly gathering in Tavullia.

A lineup of elite motorcycle racers has gathered at Rossi's ranch for a two-day dirt track racing event.

Marini clinched the win in the inaugural race, known as the Americana, which was a swift three-lap circuit of the track.

Journalist Ricard Jove reported that Marini achieved a top lap time of 46:032.

Tras avanzar a través de varias rondas eliminatorias, @Luca_Marini_97 se corona campeón de la carrera Americana de hoy, con @FrankyMorbido12 en segunda posición y @ValeYellow46 asegurando el tercer lugar. Todos los pilotos del podio son miembros de @VRRidersAcademy. La competencia continuará mañana con una extenuante carrera de 100 km.

Franco Morbidelli secured the runner-up position, recording his quickest lap at 46.774.

Rossi secured a spot on the podium with a top time of 46.453.

Lorenzo Baldassarri secured a fourth-place finish, recording his quickest lap at 47.156.

Rossi was poised to secure a second-place finish but a collision in the last turn caused him to drop to third, reports GPOne.

Check out this Instagram update shared by Valentino Rossi (@valeyellow46)

Marini, the standout rider from Honda in the MotoGP, topped the speed charts during Thursday's practice session, and then secured the pole position for the race on Friday.

He also secured victory at the Americana the previous year.

He aims to begin 2025 on a high note, hoping it will invigorate his second season with the Honda factory team, following an unremarkable start.

On the second day of the event at the VR46 ranch in Tavullia, which occurs on Saturday, the 100km of Champions is scheduled to happen.

MotoGP competitors Pedro Acosta, Miguel Oliveira, Pecco Bagnaia, and Enea Bastianini team up with Marini and Morbidelli for the event.

Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd, victors of the Isle of Man TT race, are participating again this year.

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Thrilling team combinations announced for Valentino Rossi's Champions 100km

Complete lineup of riding pairs for this Saturday's spectacle in Tavullia

Here are all the team combinations for the upcoming 100km of Champions event happening this Saturday at Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia.

Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta team up for Valentino Rossi’s prestigious 100km of Champions event 🏁A dynamic duo!📸 Snapshot by Michael Dunlop pic.twitter.com/brkVo2YGta— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 10, 2025

On Friday evening, Luca Marini emerged victorious in the Americana race, which spanned three laps.

However, the highlight arrives on Saturday as pairs of riders compete in the 100km of Champions race.

Rossi and his sibling Marini are set to join forces.

Graduates from the VR46 academy, Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, will team up as MotoGP stars.

Certainly, the pairing that stands out the most is that of Isle of Man TT champion Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta!

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EXCLUSIVE: MotoGP's latest entrant aims to distinguish itself from established powerhouses

Crash.net's Lewis Duncan engages in a conversation with Davide Brivio about Trackhouse Racing's aspirations

The Trackhouse team, led by Justin Mark, is not content with merely participating. By its second year in 2022, it was already achieving victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.

In that season, Ross Chastain secured his place in the ultimate championship playoff by an unforgettable maneuver where he propelled himself from 10th to fifth position at the finale in Martinsville, a move that has etched itself into motorsport lore and is guaranteed a spot in highlight compilations.

In 2023, at the Chicago street race, the squad co-owned by global music sensation Pitbull made a grand appearance with Supercars legend Shane Van Gisbergen, who triumphed in his first NASCAR race.

Several months down the line, Trackhouse made an unexpected move by declaring its intentions to join the MotoGP World Championship in 2024. Marks had been considering this decision for some time, but the unexpected dissolution of the RNF team, caused by the main sponsor CryptoDATA's decision to sell the team and exit MotoGP under dubious circumstances, presented Trackhouse with an irresistible opportunity.

The organization assumed control of the RNF operation, underwent a rebranding process, deepened its relationship with Aprilia, and introduced an American-owned team to the MotoGP lineup.

During its debut season in the top tier, it secured its initial sprint podium in Germany thanks to Miguel Oliveira – who will transition to Pramac Yamaha in 2025. Raul Fernandez clinched a sixth-place finish at the Catalan Grand Prix, a remarkable achievement especially considering he had crashed from the lead in the sprint just a day prior, marking a significant highlight of the season.

On the other hand, Trackhouse ended up in ninth place in the team standings, outperforming only the underperforming Honda teams. Oliveira's season was marred by injury during the latter half, and Fernandez's mid-season transition to the clearly inferior RS-GP24 had him struggling to catch up for the remainder of the season.

Davide Brivio discusses Trackhouse's aspirations in MotoGP

The common stereotype of Americans embracing a bold and loud demeanor wasn't fully met by Trackhouse during their initial appearance in MotoGP, especially in terms of their performance on the circuit.

In the background, Trackhouse made some waves by hiring ex-Yamaha and Suzuki team chief Davide Brivio, who had been with Alpine from 2021 to 2023, and secured one of the most surprising acquisitions of the off-season.

In what seemed like a surefire scenario for an American team to introduce the first full-time MotoGP rider from the United States since 2015, Joe Roberts was left out in the cold, metaphorically thumb-twiddling, as the opportunity passed him by. Despite circulating speculations involving Jack Miller and Sergio Garcia, the team ultimately chose Ai Ogura, sealing the deal with a two-year agreement.

By this stage, the rider from Japan had crafted a strong season, securing two victories. Despite sitting out the Austrian Grand Prix due to an injury, his momentum remained unaffected. He clinched his third victory at Misano, and his steady performance, along with the difficulties his team-mate Garcia faced after being turned down by MotoGP, positioned him strongly to clinch the Moto2 championship. His championship victory was sealed at the Thai Grand Prix, by which time Trackhouse's decision to sign him for 2025 had proven to be exceptionally prescient.

Reflecting on his inaugural year leading Trackhouse, Brivio shared with Crash, "We owe our gratitude to Ai, for securing the championship, he affirmed our decision was a wise one!"

The unexpected aspect of Ogura's agreement with Trackhouse didn't lie in the team's choice to team up a Japanese racer with a Spaniard over selecting an American for one of the RS-GPs. Rather, it was the mere availability of Ogura for such a deal that caught many off guard.

Honda had been patiently anticipating Ogura's interest in advancing to MotoGP, but the team's recent underwhelming performances made him wary. Ogura's departure from the Honda Team Asia configuration in Moto2 for the 2024 season was a clear indication of his desire to find the most suitable path to the premier class, rather than the simplest one. Brivio noted this particular aspect during the deliberation period.

"In Ai, we witnessed a true warrior, someone with resilience. Despite occasionally stumbling at the outset, he perseveres and bounces back,” Brivio remarked.

"Additionally, his approach to riding appears to be a promising foundation for a MotoGP riding technique."

"We appreciate his demeanor as well; he comes across as a dedicated individual, someone who is concentrated on their tasks – a diligent, earnest worker. There are a few aspects such as these."

Ogura's relaxed attitude towards his racing became apparent during his initial MotoGP test in Barcelona in November. Many newcomers often discuss the distinct difference between carbon fiber brakes and the steel brakes that are standard in Moto2.

For Ogura, the situation wasn't particularly dramatic. Similarly, the intense speed of MotoGP motorcycles didn't shock him as much as he anticipated.

The upcoming successor to Maverick Vinales or Joan Mir?

Every time Ogura hits the racetrack, he will confront the legendary legacy of Japanese MotoGP. Since Takaaki Nakagami has been representing Japan in the sport from 2018, Ogura appears to be the first rider from the nation in years who seems capable of achieving greatness.

Trackhouse acknowledges this, yet their expectations for him in the first year are reasonably tempered.

Brivio, who has a history of supporting emerging talents, will ensure that their needs for growth are met, given his understanding of what it takes for them to thrive.

At Suzuki, Maverick Vinales was handpicked by the team directly from Moto2 for their MotoGP comeback in 2015. By the following year, Vinales had begun to secure victories, though the ambition of creating a dedicated Suzuki racer, in Brivio's words, didn't fully materialize as Vinales was lured away by Yamaha for the 2017 season. However, Brivio successfully shaped Alex Rins into a winner of several races, and Joan Mir clinched the first world championship for Suzuki in two decades in 2020.

Brivio acknowledges that Suzuki's approach emerged from a need, explaining, "To speak frankly, after a considerable period, we were essentially a newcomer… not in the sense of being a new manufacturer but in initiating the project, which made it challenging to gain the trust of leading riders at that moment. Therefore, due to multiple factors, we opted to pursue a strategy centered on nurturing young talent."

However, Brivio finds joy in nurturing novice riders. With Trackhouse, he's actively pursuing this path.

"Brivio shared that at Trackhouse, they reached a juncture where they felt the need to take action with an eye on the future, which made deciding particularly challenging, especially when considering Miguel, about whom they genuinely had no grievances."

"His contribution, how he conducted himself within the squad, and everything else [was excellent]. It essentially boiled down to a project, the concept of an alternate project, without any personal connections to the riders.

"Ogura, who is new to the scene, alongside Raul, who is also of a young age and believed to possess significant unshown talent. He has the capability and youthfulness, embarking on his fourth season in MotoGP.

"We decided to entrust him with leading the team, believing it's now his time to prove himself. It remains to be seen whether he will meet our expectations."

"Thus, it's an endeavor. Raul, youthful yet seasoned; Ai, a newcomer with promise, aiming to construct something for Trackhouse's future years."

Could Trackhouse's strategy lead to unintended consequences?

The clear risk in supporting emerging talents and nurturing their development is that, in time, they become targets for competitor brands. Brivio saw this happen directly with Vinales at Suzuki; Joan Mir was presented with opportunities from Ducati but chose to remain with Suzuki. Forecasting a rider’s decision-making process is challenging.

Brivio is well aware that by 2027, Ogura might receive several enticing proposals from manufacturers that could be difficult for him to turn down.

However, in contrast to numerous satellite teams, Trackhouse doesn't envision itself as a breeding ground for new talent. Observing Pramac's success, especially with the remarkable Jorge Martin, and their utilization of their partnership with Ducati to secure the 2022 championship, Trackhouse aims to transform itself into an equally appealing option for racers.

"Truthfully, our intention isn't to develop riders for a factory team," Brivio admits. "However, it's clear to us that there's a risk involved since currently, every rider aspires to join a factory team. Whether this turns out to be a wise choice hinges on various circumstances."

"One potential goal we might set for ourselves is to elevate a standalone team to such a level where its riders face a tough decision about whether to stay or go."

"However, we are fully cognizant of this hazard. We understand that should AI prove beneficial, it's likely that by 2027, someone might attempt to recruit him."

"The objective is to ensure he remains with us, by providing him satisfaction and equipping him with a competitive motorcycle to achieve favorable outcomes, thereby retaining him. Currently, what's unfolding with Pramac, as they contend for the championship title, is quite fascinating. I believe that Pramac's potential victory in the championship could influence the riders to reflect more deeply on their decisions."

"Moreover, consider whether it's preferable to join an independent team that has a high-quality motorcycle, or to sign up with a factory team where the future isn't as clear? I'm content with the achievements of Pramac."

I expressed to Paolo [Campinoti], "you represent the aspirations of all the independent teams since we're all watching you as an example of what an independent team is capable of achieving." My wish is that going forward, the gap between factory and independent teams will narrow, particularly now as we move into a period where manufacturers are beginning to treat independent teams on equal footing.

"Aprilia is set to join KTM, Honda, and Yamaha in fielding four factory motorcycles each. This development leaves Ducati as perhaps the only team without newer models in competition. The move towards equipping more teams with the latest bikes is expected to narrow the performance divide between factory teams and independent entrants. Observers are keen to witness how this shift will alter the competitive landscape going forward."

Whenever Trackhouse brings on a new member, they greet them with the phrase 'Welcome to the House'. Their goal, inspired by Pramac, leans heavily towards creating a welcoming and desirable atmosphere that their riders would be happy to consider their long-term home.

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Yamaha secured Jorge Lorenzo as a precaution in case Valentino Rossi decided to transition to Formula 1. "What would happen if he departed? If he decided to move on from us?

Yamaha's decision to bring Jorge Lorenzo on board was largely driven by concerns over Valentino Rossi potentially transitioning to Formula 1.

Between 2004 and 2006, Rossi had the opportunity to test drive Ferrari's Formula 1 vehicles, during which time he mentioned that Stefano Domenicali, the head of the manufacturer at that period, was keen on having him transition to racing.

Rossi, at the age of 27, claims he received a proposal to race for the Ferrari-affiliated Minardi team in Formula 1, with the aspiration of eventually joining the prestigious Ferrari squad.

Former Yamaha chief Lin Jarvis has recently acknowledged that the decision to recruit Lorenzo was a strategic move to compensate for Rossi's departure to Formula 1.

"Jarvis shared with MotoGP World that when Vale joined, we secured victories in 2004 and continued our winning streak into 2005. However, post-2005, Valentino seriously contemplated switching to Formula 1."

"Thus, it became a journey of reacquainting with MotoGP for Yamaha, where we triumphed in the first two years. But then the question arose, what would happen if he departed? If he decided to abandon us?"

"We needed to find the upcoming champion, someone we could nurture and develop alongside."

"In fact, Jorge began his riding career with us in 2008, though we had already signed a contract with him back in 2006!"

"We hired him in preparation for the possibility of Valentino moving to Formula 1, ensuring we had a successor since it was clear that Lorenzo had exceptional talent."

The legendary rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo

The era when Rossi and Lorenzo were Yamaha teammates was marked by their well-known competition.

A barrier was erected within the Yamaha workshop to prevent data exchange, symbolizing the strained relations between parties.

Infamously in 2015, Rossi accused Marc Marquez of causing him to lose the championship, which ultimately went to Lorenzo.

"Jarvis noted that upon Jorge's arrival in 2008, he secured a third-place finish in 2009, improved to second place the following year, and by 2010, he had clinched

"This led to the issue of Valentino agreeing to it."

"Thus, Valentino made a move to Ducati during that period. He joined Ducati for the seasons of 2011 and 2012, marking the initial major shift.

In 2011 and 2012, Valentino's stint with Ducati did not yield success, leading to his return to our team in 2013.

"Thus, the tables turned. Valentino regained his position when Jorge was reigning supreme."

"In yet another daring decision, Jorge ultimately chose to depart."

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Jorge Martin: With Pecco Bagnaia outperforming Casey Stoner, what does that mean for my standing?

"When it comes to my skills on the track, I see no reason to feel inferior to racers of the past."

Jorge Martin has expressed his desire for a legendary figure like Casey Stoner to have been part of his battle for the MotoGP championship.

Martin clinched the 2024 top-tier championship, outperforming Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

He maintains that the significance of his accomplishment will greatly depend on the caliber of his competitors.

"Clearly, my desire was to compete for a world title against the best, like Valentino Rossi, and Marc Marquez, who's already making his mark," Martin expressed to AS.

"For instance, facing Stoner and numerous others during the period of my childhood when I would observe motorcycle races from the comfort of my home."

"I had envisioned myself in this role, and now, I've achieved it.

"Ultimately, this era belongs to Pecco, the rival I've had to overcome. Similarly, Marquez presents another challenge I've had to face."

"In my opinion, Marquez ranks among the greatest in history, alongside Valentino, with Pecco also joining this elite circle."

"In my opinion, given his achievements, he has already outperformed Stoner, for instance.

"And I've managed to outperform Pecco, so what does this place me?"

It's not about boasting. I remain humble and aware that there's much more for me to achieve, yet it's evident that I see myself as being on par with them in terms of athletic ability.

"The significance of winning a championship is determined by the caliber of your competitors. Therefore, if the competitors are strong, the championship holds greater worth; conversely, if they are weaker, its value diminishes."

"In the current period, with riders like Marquez and Pecco, the competition is extremely intense. The significance of winning this championship is immense."

"However, when considering the realm of marketing or the benchmarks set by Valentino, achieving similar figures, whether in audience size or sales, seems nearly unattainable, but ultimately, that's beyond my control."

"I'm aware that when it comes to my riding skills, I stand shoulder to shoulder with riders from past generations."

Stoner secured victories in the MotoGP championship twice, first in 2007 riding for Ducati and later in 2011 with Honda.

Before Bagnaia's victory in 2022, the manufacturer Ducati had experienced 15 years without a title.

Bagnaia's successive championships allowed him to equal Stoner's record.

Rossi boasts a total of nine world championships, and Marquez aspires to match that figure during this season.

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Unexpected victors overshadow Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini at the 100km of Champions

Outcomes from the 100km of Champions event hosted by Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini missed out on winning the 100km of Champions, unexpectedly overtaken by triumphant challengers.

Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre emerged victorious in Tavullia during Rossi's yearly celebration event.

The victorious pair completed the circuit in 1 hour, 43 minutes, 59.623 seconds.

Rossi and Marini secured the second place, whereas Elia Bartolini and Lorenzo Baldassarri rounded out the top three finishers.

Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi impressively secured the sixth position.

JD Beach and Sammy Halbert, both from the United States, secured the

The duo from Britain, Davey Todd and Ryan Vickers, finished in 17th place

Pedro Acosta and Michael Dunlop, undeniably the most notable duo, ended up in the final position.

Moreira and Chareyre's unexpected victory concluded Rossi's annual event in his native town. On Friday evening, Marini clinched the Americana three-lap race.

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Ducati showing interest in “worried” Pedro Acosta due to KTM's financial difficulties

Acosta's manager cautions KTM about competition for the rider

Every MotoGP team, Ducati included, has their eyes on Pedro Acosta, his agent has cautioned KTM.

Acosta impressed in his debut season last year, performing well enough to secure a promotion to KTM's official team garage for 2025.

KTM has encountered financial difficulties, opting for self-management due to debts surpassing €1.8 billion. Despite this, they maintain that their racing operations remain stable, and they have successfully attracted renewed interest from potential investors.

Albert Valera, Acosta's manager, shared the details of his client's circumstances with Motorsport.

"He mentioned that as of now, the plans for 2025 are unchanged unless there's a downturn in circumstances and KTM provides further updates."

"However, the communication emphasizes their continued participation in the world championship, relying on the MotoGP racing project to bolster KTM's market presence."

However, competitors such as Ducati are eagerly vying for Acosta's endorsement.

"His manager mentioned, 'I communicate with numerous factories on a regular basis due to our strong connections and the ongoing daily interactions we have.'"

Every manufacturing plant has reached out to me, inquiring about Pedro's condition, expressing their hope that he remains unaffected by the current circumstances. They've offered their support and extended their best wishes to us.

"I am confident that once we find ourselves needing to seek another option, all the factories will be ready to support Pedro."

"Pedro is a gem, at the age of 20, he has demonstrated significant talent, making him a highly sought-after addition to any team."

Acosta's supervisor expressed shock at the abrupt financial decline of KTM, just months after committing their future to the company.

"When we entered into the agreement in May, there was no indication that this could happen. We were led to believe that KTM was a powerhouse with significant financial resources. This has been completely unexpected for us," he stated.

The announcement has been tough to swallow. Fortunately, based on the information provided, the project will proceed in MotoGP, ensuring there's no risk of being without a motorcycle for the upcoming year. However, questions remain about the competitive conditions we'll face.

In May, we entered into an agreement with a successful project, partnering with a firm that had been raking in profits in the tens of millions and conveyed a strong message about their capability to challenge the prevailing force in MotoGP, namely Ducati.

Yet now, the situation is entirely different. In just half a year, a complete transformation has occurred, leaving us puzzled about what exactly transpired.

"The situation with KTM is troubling, and it would be ridiculous to pretend otherwise. Acknowledging this is crucial, and it's clear that both Pedro, myself, and his family and circle are deeply troubled by the current state of affairs."

The rapport remains strong, as it has traditionally been. We maintain communication with the racing department, with Pit Beirer being the prominent figure leading the project. It seems likely that Pit was not fully aware of our circumstances during our contract discussions with him in May.

"I am of the opinion that KTM's poor handling has adversely affected the whole MotoGP racing team."

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Unexpected victors upset Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini in the 100km of Champions event

Outcome of Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions race

Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini missed out on winning the 100km of Champions as unexpected competitors claimed the victory.

Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre emerged victorious in Tavullia during Rossi's yearly celebration event.

The pair that won completed the circuit in 1 hour, 43 minutes, 59 seconds, and 623 milliseconds.

Rossi and Marini secured second place, with Elia Bartolini and Lorenzo Baldassarri finishing in the top three.

Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi finished in sixth place, a remarkable position for them.

JD Beach and Sammy Halbert, both hailing from the United States,

The British duo, Davey Todd and Ryan Vickers, secured the 17th position.

Pedro Acosta and Michael Dunlop, who were perhaps the most attention-grabbing duo, ended up in the last position.

Moreira and Chareyre's unexpected victory marked the conclusion of Rossi's annual event in his hometown. On Friday evening, Marini clinched the win in the Americana three-lap race.

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Ducati is keeping a close watch on Pedro Acosta as KTM faces financial difficulties. Acosta's manager has cautioned KTM that there are other interested parties willing to pursue the rider.

Pedro Acosta is attracting attention from all MotoGP manufacturers, including Ducati, according to a warning from his manager to KTM.

In his debut season last year, Acosta performed exceptionally well, securing a promotion to KTM's factory team for the 2025 season.

KTM has encountered financial difficulties, leading the company to enter self-administration with liabilities amounting to a minimum of €1.8 billion. Despite this, they assert that their racing activities remain unaffected. Furthermore, they have gained fresh optimism from potential investors.

Albert Valera, who manages Acosta, discussed his circumstances with Motorsport.

He stated that as of now, there are no changes planned for 2025, unless conditions deteriorate and KTM provides new information.

The implication is that they remain contenders in the world championship and that the MotoGP racing initiative is crucial for enhancing KTM's market influence.

Competitors, such as Ducati, are eager to sign Acosta.

His manager stated, "I frequently communicate with numerous factories due to our strong relationship and regular interactions."

Every factory has reached out to inquire about Pedro's well-being, expressing hope that this situation doesn't impact him. They've offered me support and extended their best wishes to us.

"I'm confident that once we reach a point where we need to find another option, all the factories will be willing to support Pedro."

"Pedro is a real gem. At just 20 years old, he's already demonstrated significant talent, and any company would be thrilled to have him on board."

Acosta's manager expressed his shock at KTM's unexpected financial troubles, which came shortly after they had committed their future to the company.

"When we signed the contract in May, no one alerted us to this potential issue. We were led to believe that KTM was a major player with significant financial resources. This has completely taken us by surprise," he stated.

Receiving this news has been challenging. Fortunately, according to the information we have, the project will go on in MotoGP, meaning there is no risk of not having a motorcycle for the upcoming year. However, we are curious about the circumstances under which we will be able to compete.

In May, we entered into an agreement with a successful project and a company that had been making significant profits, amounting to tens of millions. They confidently conveyed that they were well-equipped to compete against the dominant force in MotoGP, which is Ducati.

Yet, this is not the situation today. Over the past six months, things have shifted dramatically, leaving us questioning what has occurred.

"This issue is a source of concern for us, and it would be foolish to ignore the clear reality. I believe it's important to acknowledge this honestly. Naturally, both Pedro and I, along with his family and those around him, are worried about KTM's present circumstances."

"The partnership remains strong, as it has always been. We maintain communication with the racing team, led by Pit Beirer. I recognize that Pit might not have been aware of the circumstances we faced when we discussed the contract with him back in May."

"I think that KTM's poor management has negatively impacted everyone involved in the MotoGP racing department."

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

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Jorge Martin expressed that Pecco Bagnaia has outdone Casey Stoner, prompting Martin to question his own standing. "When it comes to riding skills, I don't feel inferior to riders from past generations.”

Jorge Martin has expressed that he would have liked a legendary figure like Casey Stoner to be part of his MotoGP championship fight.

Martin narrowly defeated Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to win the 2024 top-tier championship.

He argues that the level of competition is crucial to how legendary his accomplishment will be perceived.

In an interview with AS, Martin expressed his desire to compete in a world championship against top riders like Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, who is currently racing.

"As an example, during my childhood, I watched motorcycle races from home, including those featuring Stoner and several other riders from that era."

"I aimed to be in this spot, and now I've achieved that goal."

"Ultimately, these are the current times, and now Pecco is the rider I've had to compete against. Additionally, there's Marquez, who has also been a key competitor for me."

"In my view, Marquez ranks among the all-time greats alongside Valentino, and Pecco is starting to join their ranks."

"Given his current achievements, I believe he has already exceeded what Stoner accomplished."

"And I've managed to surpass Pecco, so what does that mean for my standing?"

"It's not about boasting. I remain grounded and understand there's still much for me to accomplish, but I do believe I am on par with them in terms of athletic ability."

"The worth of a championship is determined by the competitors you face. When the competitors are strong, the championship holds greater significance; if they are weaker, its value diminishes."

"In today's racing era, featuring competitors like Marquez and Pecco, the skill level is exceptionally high. This makes the championship incredibly valuable."

"However, when it comes to marketing or the influence that Valentino had, achieving those audience or sales figures will likely be nearly unattainable. Ultimately, I have no control over that."

"I'm confident that my riding skills are on par with those of riders from any other time period."

Casey Stoner secured two MotoGP championships, first in 2007 riding for Ducati and again in 2011 while racing with Honda.

Bagnaia's victory in 2022 ended a 15-year championship drought for Ducati.

With his back-to-back championships, Bagnaia matched the number of titles won by Stoner.

Rossi has a total of nine world championships, and this season, Marquez aspires to match that number.

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Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, two motorsport legends, come together again on the same circuit

Gathering of legendary figures in motorsport in Italy

Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, both icons in motorsports, came together on the racecourse in a memorable encounter.

Record-setting Isle of Man TT racer Dunlop is participating in Rossi's yearly 100km of Champions event in Tavullia this weekend.

Participants from different competitions gather at Rossi's annual event, and the presence of TT standout Dunlop, along with Davey Todd, brings an additional level of excitement.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop share a moment at the ranch 🤝 View the photo here: pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

On Thursday, Dunlop and Rossi hit the circuit for a free practice session, marking another instance of the duo competing closely on the track, even though their careers have significantly diverged.

During the previous summer, Monster Energy orchestrated a unique track event at Silverstone, uniting Dunlop and Rossi for the occasion.

John McGuinness achieved a personal record lap around Silverstone on that day, and remarked, "This guy from Italy zoomed by me on the back straight…

Someone mentioned Valentino Rossi, and I thought, 'he's quite speedy, I'll follow his lead'.

He pulled me along to complete the quickest circuit I've ever achieved at Silverstone.

"I clenched onto the screen with my teeth, doing my best to maintain my grip!

My attention was primarily focused on observing him. He's unrivaled globally.

In 2009, the renowned Rossi made a trip to the Isle of Man TT, where he completed several practice rounds.

After the event, he commented, "The track was impressive and thrilling, especially considering its high speed and risk factor."

"It's astonishing to navigate a route like this at full speed on a Superbike – one wouldn't anticipate such a path to serve as a racing circuit. It certainly requires immense courage!"

"During the initial lap, it's not feasible to exert full effort right away. My goal is to complete five or six laps to gain a deeper understanding."

This weekend in Tavullia, the atmosphere is much more relaxed as stars from the Isle of Man TT return the visit.

Dunlop and Todd are set to compete with Rossi and other MotoGP competitors such as Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Marco Bezzecchi this Friday and Saturday.

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Jorge Martin's supporter acknowledges that Ducati's decision to pick Marc Marquez is "comprehensible."

Jorge Martin has to come to terms with being overlooked by Ducati.

A confidant of Jorge Martin has admitted that it makes sense for Ducati to choose Marc Marquez.

Last year, the official Ducati squad decided not to choose Martin, who later went on to win the MotoGP championship.

The champion will switch to racing for Aprilia, a competing manufacturer, as Marquez joins the official Ducati team.

Pramac's sporting director, Fonsi Nieto, described Martin's rejection as a challenging time for him in an interview with Europa Press.

"I often mention that Jorge has faced three challenging periods during his MotoGP journey: the accident in Portugal, which left him shattered to the point of considering retirement; the selection of Enea Bastianini; and the choice of Marquez."

"He has faced some of the toughest challenges, but he managed to turn them into motivation, which isn't always a simple task."

Currently, Ducati is experiencing a period of success and is determined to keep striving for victories. However, it hasn't been a straightforward decision for them to part ways with a world champion rider like Jorge.

"However, considering it's Marc Marquez, an eight-time world champion with significant influence, it might be understandable why they opted for Marquez."

"You can never overlook Marc, as he ranks among the top riders of all time."

From the moment he first competed in the championship, he's been a consistent contender for the title.

"There will be an exciting competition between Pecco Bagnaia and him, involving the Ducati."

"I wish Jorge is battling alongside them too."

Pramac's rider Nieto witnessed Martin, an independent team competitor, surpass Bagnaia, the leading talent of the official Ducati team and the current titleholder.

Nieto described defeating a formidable opponent like Ducati in a head-to-head competition as an extraordinary achievement.

"There is greater value in accomplishing this as a satellite team."

"Ducati operates as the main manufacturer, employing a significantly larger workforce."

"However, we were stronger and more cohesive, convinced from our winter training sessions that we could secure the championship victory."

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