Surprising contender emerges in discussions about MotoGP conflicts

Analysts speculate on potential outbursts in 2025

Crash.net contributors discuss potential rifts among MotoGP team partners this year…

Peter McLaren believes that team dynamics are most harmonious when members are not directly competing with one another for victories, podium spots, or vying for the same position in the subsequent season.

Considering this perspective, the contenders who appear to be most comparably skilled and expected to vie for the 2025 MotoGP championship are undoubtedly Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

Certainly, Ducati Lenovo is aware of the challenges that come with possessing a 'dream team' roster. It's now a matter of observing their ability to manage this situation effectively.

Bagnaia mentioned previously, "It might turn out extremely well or completely fail!"

Lewis Duncan: The most straightforward response is the Ducati team duo, yet there's an intriguing situation developing within the KTM factory team in 2025.

Pedro Acosta's move to the official team marks a new challenge for Brad Binder, as he gains a teammate capable of pushing his limits. During his debut season with Tech3 GASGAS, Acosta impressed by securing nine podium finishes, in stark contrast to Binder's two, both of which were achieved in the first race of the season.

Previously a favorite at KTM, Binder has gradually been eclipsed by Acosta, a trend that is likely to persist into 2025 unless he elevates his performance.

Binder hasn't secured a victory since 2021, and the expectations for him to excel are increasing. His reliability has been a significant advantage for KTM, aiding in his rise above Acosta in last year's rankings.

However, this approach will have its limits if Acosta consistently begins to outperform him. Should that occur, friction is likely to arise.

Alex Whitworth suggests that tension might arise between Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, as Binder was expected to be KTM's lead, yet now the spotlight seems to be shifting towards the newcomer from Spain. Moreover, he hints at the likelihood of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi reviving their competitive spirit from their 2018 Moto3 days.

Nonetheless, given the strong possibility of the two Ducati team members contending for the championship, it seems probable that Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez will find themselves in a bit of a disagreement.

The mutual regard they share appears intact, yet across 20 races, it's clear there's room for it to diminish.

Derry Munikartono: I'll be drawing parallels between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, comparing their dynamic to the famous Mclaren-Honda duo of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost back in 1988.

Marquez joined the Ducati factory squad, already spotlighting Bagnaia as their star rider. This situation echoes the moment Ayrton Senna joined McLaren, a team that had centered its strategies around Prost in 1988.

Although he's not the favored competitor, Marc Marquez's relentless determination to succeed, reminiscent of Senna's approach, is likely to challenge Bagnaia's more calculated and strategic style, akin to that of Prost.

At the start, the competition on the racetrack will be impressive yet courteous. However, as the season progresses, the intensity of the rivalry is expected to escalate dramatically, especially if issues from the track spill over into other areas.

It's common knowledge that Marc and Valentino Rossi, who guides Pecco in the VR46 Academy, have had their fair share of encounters in the past. Rossi, often referred to as "The Doctor," has openly expressed his desire to have a more significant presence in the MotoGP paddock by 2025. Coincidentally, this wish aligns with the time when his rival will be teaming up in MotoGP's top garage with the student he mentors.

Up until now, there's been a good rapport between the two racers off the circuit, paired with an incredible rivalry during races. However, when it comes down to competing for the top award in motorbike racing, one can only speculate on the outcome.

Jordan Moreland: This one's rather straightforward, curious to see if you can figure it out?

Countdown ends: Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

Following intense confrontations in 2024, the atmosphere is expected to become even more charged in 2025 and 2026, with all parties sharing the same space. Personally, I'd rather not be in the shoes of those managing Ducati during this time!

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Is MotoGP facing a seismic shift? KTM's expected supremacy sparks concerns over future narratives

Analysts forecast the next big narrative – what will stir controversy in 2025?

Journalists at Crash.net forecast which narrative might take center stage in this MotoGP season…

Lewis Duncan: The spotlight for the 2025 season will undoubtedly be on KTM's forthcoming strategies. The financial troubles faced by the Austrian brand are significantly affecting its involvement in racing events.

The company has been forced to reduce its manufacturing operations universally. Although it will proceed with its participation in MotoGP in 2025, it intends to pull out in 2026 as part of its ongoing reorganization efforts.

The possibility remains strong for the racing division to secure its future, yet the circumstances are highly changeable, and it is expected that there will be further developments before a resolution is reached.

Peter McLaren: Beyond the competition for the world championship, KTM's troubling fiscal condition presents numerous challenges for MotoGP, which is already dealing with the postponed agreement with Liberty.

Fortunately, it appears that the KTM MotoGP initiative is secure for 2025, though there's uncertainty regarding its fate in 2026 and particularly if the RC16 will persist with the upcoming 850cc regulations starting in 2027.

It is anticipated that several other makers will debut their 850cc motorcycle prototypes on the racetrack before this year concludes.

The unpredictability will undoubtedly affect the thoughts of KTM's quartet of racers – Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini, making up its most formidable MotoGP roster to date – as well as the crew involved.

Competing teams are ready to snatch up riders or crucial staff members the moment they're on the market, further compounding KTM's difficulties.

On a bright note, should KTM's search for funding lead to international racing icon Lewis Hamilton joining MotoGP, it would undoubtedly benefit the sport.

Jordan Moreland: Observing Jorge Martin's demeanor over the course of the season will be intriguing, particularly if outcomes don't meet his expectations. As a World Champion, he holds himself to a lofty standard. However, it remains to be seen whether he can steer Aprilia towards success.

Alex Whitworth suggests that while the rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez might escalate significantly, the looming threat of KTM, one of the championship's top five teams, potentially folding could overshadow much of this year's competitive discussions.

Notably, they have agreements with the most thrilling MotoGP competitor, Pedro Acosta, and also manage the contract for the top talent in the junior categories, David Alonso, via CFMoto Aspar.

KTM's potential exit from MotoGP could have a massive impact, particularly as the significant rule modifications set for 2027 draw closer.

Derry Munikartono: Discussing the rivalry called 'the battle in Red' involving Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia is something I no longer wish to engage in; I've reached my limit on the topic.

To me, the anticipated acquisition of MotoGP by Liberty Media stands out as a particularly fascinating narrative for the 2025 season.

Liberty's acquisition of Dorna, the entity overseeing MotoGP's commercial operations, hints at a promising growth path for the series, mirroring their success with Formula 1.

After purchasing Formula 1 in 2017, Liberty quickly transformed the racing series into arguably the world's most popular sports spectacle. Members of the MotoGP community are hopeful for a similar revival once they assume control of the motorcycle racing segment.

However, the examination of antitrust regulations within the European Union (EU) has introduced a snag, delaying the acquisition until mid-2025. Despite the anticipation surrounding the acquisition, it's important to hold off on celebrating Liberty Media's arrival until a decision has been made.

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MotoGP faces a shocking upheaval as experts anticipate KTM's potential dominance, raising concerns. Analysts forecast which narrative might stir controversy in 2025.

Journalists at Crash.net forecast which narrative might become a major talking point in MotoGP this season…

Lewis Duncan reports that the main topic of discussion for the 2025 season will likely be KTM's future. The Austrian company is experiencing a financial crisis, significantly affecting its racing activities.

Throughout the organization, there has been a reduction in its manufacturing operations. Although MotoGP is scheduled to continue as expected in 2025, the brand intends to exit the event in 2026 as part of its ongoing reorganization strategy.

The future of the racing division could potentially be secured, but the circumstances are constantly changing and likely to experience several developments before reaching a conclusion.

Peter McLaren: Beyond the fight for the world championship, KTM's concerning financial troubles could significantly impact MotoGP. This comes at a time when the series is already dealing with the postponed Liberty agreement.

Fortunately, the KTM MotoGP initiative appears secure for the year 2025. However, uncertainty looms for 2026, particularly concerning the fate of the RC16 with the introduction of new 850cc regulations in 2027.

By the close of this year, the majority of other manufacturers are anticipated to have a prototype 850cc motorcycle ready for testing on the track.

The ambiguity is likely to weigh on the thoughts of KTM's quartet of riders—Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini, who form the most formidable MotoGP team the company has ever assembled—as well as on the minds of the team staff.

Competing teams are quick to snatch up riders or important staff members if they become available, which exacerbates KTM's challenges.

Looking at the bright side, if KTM's search for funding leads to the involvement of global motorsport icon Lewis Hamilton in MotoGP, it would be beneficial for the sport.

Jordan Moreland: It will be fascinating to observe Jorge Martin's attitude during the season, particularly if events don't unfold as he hopes. Being the World Champion, he holds himself to high standards. However, the real test will be whether he can steer Aprilia onto a successful path.

Alex Whitworth suggests that the rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez might evolve into a significant event. However, the looming downfall of KTM, one of the five manufacturers in the championship, may overshadow nearly all discussions about the sport this year.

Notably, they presently have agreements with MotoGP's standout talent, Pedro Acosta, and, via CFMoto Aspar, they also have a contract with David Alonso, a rising star in the junior categories.

The departure of KTM from MotoGP would indeed be monumental, particularly with the upcoming rule change in 2027 drawing closer.

Derry Munikartono expressed that he is uninterested in discussing the "Red showdown" involving Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, as he feels he has heard enough about it.

In my view, one of the most captivating narratives for the 2025 season would be Liberty Media's upcoming acquisition of MotoGP.

Liberty’s acquisition of Dorna, the organization responsible for handling MotoGP's commercial operations, suggests a potential rise in the series' popularity and success, similar to what they achieved with Formula 1.

After purchasing Formula 1 in 2017, Liberty quickly elevated the series to become one of the most popular sporting events globally, if not the top. Many in the MotoGP community anticipate a similar transformation when Liberty takes control of the motorcycle racing series.

However, there is a challenge regarding the EU's antitrust investigation that has delayed the acquisition until the middle of 2025. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the potential takeover, we must hold off on embracing Liberty Media with optimism until a decision is reached.

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Surprising Name Emerges in MotoGP Conflicts Discussion

Specialists speculate on potential confrontations in 2025

Journalists from Crash.net discuss the potential conflicts that could arise between MotoGP teammates during this season…

Peter McLaren suggests that teammates have the best relationships when they aren't closely matched in skill or performance. This means they aren't directly competing against one another for victories, podium finishes, or even for the same position in the team for the upcoming season.

Considering this, the duo of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez appears to be the most balanced and competitive contender for the 2025 MotoGP championship.

The Ducati Lenovo team is aware of this challenge; it's the drawback of having a 'dream team.' Let's observe how effectively they manage it.

As Bagnaia mentioned the previous year: "This could turn out to be either really great or a complete mess!"

Lewis Duncan suggests that the simplest response would be to focus on the Ducati factory team. However, there is a developing situation at the KTM factory team that is expected to be intriguing in 2025.

With Pedro Acosta joining the factory team, Brad Binder now has a teammate who can genuinely challenge him. Acosta made a significant impact during his first year with Tech3 GASGAS by securing nine podium finishes. Meanwhile, Binder only achieved two podiums, both occurring during the season's initial round.

Formerly KTM's star, Binder is gradually being eclipsed by Acosta, and this trend is likely to persist in 2025 unless he elevates his performance.

Since 2021, Binder has not secured a victory, leading to increasing expectations for him to deliver the anticipated performance. His steady performance has consistently been a significant asset for KTM, aiding him in surpassing Acosta in the rankings last year.

However, this will have limited impact if Acosta begins to frequently outperform him. Should this occur, it is likely that tensions will begin to rise.

Alex Whitworth suggests that tensions could arise between Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta. Although Binder is considered KTM's main rider, the spotlight has shifted to the young Spanish newcomer, Acosta. Additionally, there is a chance that Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi might rekindle their competitive rivalry from the 2018 Moto3 season.

Given the strong possibility that the two Ducati factory riders will compete for the championship, it's expected that Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez might have a disagreement.

There appears to be mutual respect between them, but with 20 races, there is certainly room for that respect to diminish over time.

Derry Munikartono: I will draw a parallel between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez in MotoGP and the McLaren-Honda team in Formula 1 during 1988, when they featured Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Marquez joined the Ducati factory team, which had already established Bagnaia as their lead rider. This situation is reminiscent of when Ayrton Senna joined McLaren in 1988, at a time when the team was primarily centered around Prost.

Although Marc Marquez is considered an underdog, his relentless determination to succeed mirrors that of Senna and is likely to challenge Bagnaia. Bagnaia, on the other hand, is recognized for his precise and strategic style, reminiscent of Prost.

At the start, we can expect thrilling yet courteous competitions on the track. However, as the season progresses, tensions are likely to escalate significantly, especially if any participant chooses to take the conflict beyond the track.

It is well-known that Marc has a past with Valentino Rossi, who serves as a mentor to Pecco at the VR46 Academy. Rossi, often referred to as "The Doctor," has expressed a desire to have a greater presence in the MotoGP paddock by 2025. Coincidentally, this aligns with his long-standing rival sharing the top garage in MotoGP alongside his protégé.

To this point, the relationship between these two riders away from the track has been one of mutual respect, while their on-track contests have been thrilling. However, with the ultimate motorcycle racing prize on the line, the question arises: how might this dynamic change?

Jordan Moreland: This one's quite simple. I wonder if you can figure it out?

Countdown: 3, 2, 1… It's Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

In the wake of intense disputes in 2024, sharing space in 2025 and 2026 is likely to escalate tensions further. I certainly wouldn't envy those in charge at Ducati!

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Emerging MotoGP Talent for 2025 Set to Captivate Audiences

Analysts Forecast 2025's Top Rookie

Journalists at Crash.net have forecasted which newcomer in MotoGP will excel the most this season…

Peter McLaren suggests that the competition between Ai Ogura and Fermin Aldeguer might be intense, as they performed similarly during their first outing at the Barcelona test. Both riders secured three victories in Moto2 last year while riding the Boscoscuro chassis. However, the newly crowned champion, Ogura, ended the season nearly 100 points ahead of Aldeguer, who finished in fifth place.

Aldeguer is now equipped with the former MotoGP champion GP24 bike and has Marc Marquez’s former crew chief, Frankie Carchedi, supporting him at Gresini. Meanwhile, Ogura will be riding factory Aprilia equipment in 2025 at Trackhouse, although the RS-GP will still require significant improvements to consistently compete with the Desmosedici.

For Somkiat Chantra of LCR, his main benchmark will be the performance of fellow Honda riders. Fortunately, he can approach his races with reduced pressure, especially after having made his MotoGP debut at Buriram in front of his hometown supporters.

Derry Munikartono: I understand the reason behind Fermin Aldeguer's appeal.

Among the rookie classes entering MotoGP in 2025, Aldeguer seems to have the most advantageous setup for the upcoming season, at least on paper.

Aldeguer is set to enter the top-tier racing category with Gresini Ducati, equipped with the highly successful GP24 bike. He will be guided by crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who teamed up with Marc Marquez in the previous year.

According to Alex Whitworth, Fermin Aldeguer is expected to be the top-performing newcomer.

Among the three newcomers to the Ducati GP23, he possesses the most impressive bike. Additionally, his crew chief, Frankie Carchedi, brings a wealth of experience in mentoring young, first-year riders.

Ai Ogura has openly acknowledged that he may not be the most gifted rider and anticipates needing some time to get accustomed to MotoGP. Meanwhile, Somkiat Chantra falls slightly short in comparison to the other two riders.

Journalist Lewis Duncan notes that Ai Ogura, entering MotoGP, is not only the current Moto2 world champion but also appears to be the most prepared newcomer to advance to the top-tier racing category.

Although Fermin Aldeguer is receiving a lot of attention, his uneven performance in the 2024 Moto2 season, despite having the same equipment as Ogura, has led to questions about whether he is truly prepared.

Ogura is in a positive environment at Trackhouse, led by Davide Brivio. Brivio is known for introducing several prominent figures to MotoGP and helping them rise to stardom, including Joan Mir, Alex Rins, and Maverick Vinales.

In 2024, the Aprilia proved to be a successful racing motorcycle. However, since the project requires some adjustments, there won't be immediate pressure on Ogura to deliver top performances.

According to the records, Fermin Aldeguer appears to be the top candidate. He is equipped with the finest motorcycle from the 2024 lineup and benefits from the expertise of Frankie Carchedi, a leading crew chief, who is mentoring him during his first season.

Ai Ogura is expected to display bursts of speed, yet like Somkiat Chantra, both might require additional time to get accustomed to the Aprilia and Honda bikes compared to Aldeguer on the Ducati, in my opinion.

I believe Fermin Aldeguer will be the standout rookie of the year, and I anticipate he will astonish many in 2025.

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Yamaha has issued a warning to Jack Miller, suggesting that he needs to "change his riding style" to suit the M1 bike. The head of Yamaha anticipates that both Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller will need to adjust their techniques.

Yamaha has issued a caution to Jack Miller, advising him to adapt to the new motorcycle.

Last year, Miller was ousted from his KTM position and almost found himself excluded from the 2025 MotoGP roster entirely.

The changeover of the Pramac satellite team from Ducati to Yamaha opened up a fresh chance, providing Miller with a renewed opportunity.

According to Yamaha's leader, Maio Meregalli, his learning process is more challenging compared to his new teammate Miguel Oliveira.

Meregalli mentioned to GPOne that having experience is crucial, especially since in recent seasons they've often been competing with only one or two riders.

"We've embarked on a new project and are actively seeking as much information as possible to enhance our efforts."

"I believe that Miguel's way of riding is well-suited to the M1. However, Jack will need to make some adjustments to his riding technique."

"We had just one top choice, but their feedback was largely favorable."

"I spoke with Miguel, and he seemed pleased."

Last year, Jorge Martin was declared the MotoGP champion by Pramac, having raced on a Ducati with factory specifications.

The equipment they use might evolve, yet Pramac is now able to instill a victorious mindset within Yamaha.

"This brings an extra benefit," stated Meregalli.

"It likely would have been very difficult to come across a more suitable setup than theirs, considering their expertise, professionalism, and communication skills."

"We dove into this partnership with great energy, and I find collaborating with them to be enjoyable. There's a lot of excitement."

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Back in 2016, Ducati evaluated the possibility of signing Marc Marquez but ultimately decided against it. Reports suggest that Ducati's interest in Marquez dates back nine years.

A MotoGP paddock veteran reveals that nine years ago, Ducati decided not to pursue signing Marc Marquez.

In 2016, Marquez secured his third MotoGP title within his initial four years competing in the division.

Ducati faced another year without securing a title for the ninth time, leading them to invest heavily in bringing Jorge Lorenzo on board.

Currently, experienced manager Alberto Vergani asserts that Gigi Dall’Igna from Ducati was not fixated on hiring Marquez from Honda.

"No, because back in 2017, he chose Lorenzo instead of choosing him," Vergani explained to GPone.

In 2016, Ducati made an attempt, but they were not persuaded.

"Gigi, however, still holds the top spot as the leading figure. He is an invaluable asset to Ducati. When Marc presented himself as available [towards the close of 2023], refusing him was not an option."

"Geniuses thrive on their achievements, and that's exactly how Dall’Igna operates. Gigi and Marc are both brilliant minds who have crossed paths."

"Switching from Jorge Martin to Aprilia was a difficult decision."

Just before the Valencia test, Gigi remarked, "Marc did some unexplainable things with the GP23."

Gigi Dall’Igna is highly knowledgeable about motorcycles. The Desmosedici was developed under his guidance, making him intimately familiar with its capabilities. As a result, Dall’Igna has an unparalleled understanding of Ducati's performance.

He conducted an X-ray on Marc and decided to choose him.

A significant narrative for the 2025 season will be the partnership between Marquez and Ducati's standout rider Pecco Bagnaia in the official Ducati team garage.

The skilled duo have access to the top-performing motorcycle in MotoGP.

Meanwhile, Martin, the champion, needs to get used to the Aprilia.

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Jorge Martin on Marc Marquez: "Reviewing the data, my reaction was just 'wow'…"

Jorge Martin reveals his pick for the 2025 MotoGP championship frontrunner

Jorge Martin has acknowledged that he was struck by the performance metrics of Marc Marquez from the previous year.

Martin emerged victorious as the MotoGP champion riding a factory-spec Ducati, a motorcycle that was one year more advanced than the model Marquez rode.

In 2025, Marquez makes a comeback riding a Ducati from the factory team, while Martin faces the challenge of defending his championship title as he transitions to riding an April

Martin has evaluated which of his competitors is the top contender for the 2025 championship.

"Ultimately, it's Pecco Bagnaia who has taken the lead," he shared with Marca.

"Thus, I view Pecco as the frontrunner, yet I must be honest, after reviewing the data, I've noticed some promising aspects in Marc."

Sometimes you find yourself thinking, "Wow, the bike's performance in this place is incredibly swift."

"In some instances, particularly during races in Thailand and Malaysia, it's unclear why, but his motorcycle seemed to underperform."

"I've discussed it with him, and despite his efforts, he ultimately achieved remarkable success in his races."

"Therefore, in my opinion, the GP25 definitely has potential for enhancements, yet reaching Pecco's level presents a significant challenge."

Achieving eleven victories is astounding, and at this moment, following his back-to-back championship wins and securing the second place this year, he is currently the top contender.

"Ultimately, the current discussions won't hold significance. Let's wait and observe the outcome…"

Martin faces the daunting task of competing against the factory Ducati racers, who have the advantage of riding the top-performing bike in MotoGP.

He confessed his doubts about achieving success with Aprilia.

"I firmly believe that we'll put in our utmost effort, and I'm keeping an open mind since I need to witness it firsthand, especially how the bike performs."

"Last year, the motorcycle team secured a third-place finish in the Constructors' Championship, despite not having the top-performing bike. Since then, the focus has been on making enhancements."

"I believe I have a lot to offer the new factory, including [consistency] and efficiency."

"Undoubtedly, from our collective observations, it's evident there are instances [where their position was 15th]. Thus, there's something noteworthy.

"We need to assess our initial position and ensure the factory is fully operational. I'm confident that the collective enthusiasm and dedication of the factory team will support me, and together, we're bound to achieve great outcomes, without a doubt."

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LIVE COVERAGE: VR46 unveils 2025 MotoGP designs for Fabio di Giannantonio, Franco Morbidelli

Tune in live to see VR46 reveal their 2025 MotoGP team colors in Indonesia.

Today (Saturday), Valentino Rossi's VR46 squad will unveil its MotoGP livery for the 2025 season at a presentation event in Jakarta.

This season, VR46 will replace Pramac as Ducati's official secondary team. Fabio di Giannantonio will be upgraded to ride the factory-spec GP25s, while the newly recruited Franco Morbidelli will fill the spot left by Marco Bezzecchi, riding the GP24s.

Tune in to witness the team reveal their newest colors live from the Nusa Indah Theater in Jakarta, Indonesia, starting at 18:30 local time (12:30 CET, 11:30 UK)…

The 2025 season marks VR46's fourth year in MotoGP, entirely with Ducati, and their second year under the title sponsorship of Pertamina.

In 2022, the team experienced their most successful season yet, with Bezzecchi securing three victories and finishing third in the global championship.

In the previous year, Bezzecchi and his new teammate Di Giannantonio faced challenges with the less dominant GP23.

Bezzecchi secured the team's sole podium finish at Jerez, ending up twelfth in the rankings and the lowest-placed Ducati rider.

Ex-Gresini racing victor Diggia concluded the season in tenth place overall, having sat out the last two races to receive shoulder surgery.

For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez has faced with injuries.

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PREVIEW: Rossi unveils nuances as Fabio di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli reveal the 2025 VR46 MotoGP designs

Valentino Rossi shares, "The design this year sticks to the original theme yet introduces modifications that hold a unique place in my heart."

Fabio di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli have revealed the new VR46 team livery, marking the beginning of its partnership as Ducati's designated satellite team in MotoGP.

Launched in Jakarta, the base city of main sponsor Pertamina, the 'Act 2' paint scheme keeps the bright yellow, white, and red color scheme from the previous year, while incorporating unique elements from the racing legacy of team proprietor Valentino Rossi.

Rossi delivered a message through a video during the unveiling, stating: "The design for this year will maintain the same theme but incorporate a few alterations that hold great significance for me. I truly hope it resonates with you just as deeply as it does with me."

The modifications incorporate Rossi's iconic 'sun and moon' design from his helmet, along with his well-known number 46, presented as a 'shadow' beneath Morbidelli's 21 and di Giannantonio's 49.

"Seeing the 46 above my 21 for the first time was a deeply emotional moment," expressed Morbidelli.

"Uccio admits there's some pressure, but it's a positive thing!" di Giannantonio quipped with a laugh.

The enhancement of Ducati's position signifies that di Giannantonio will embark on his second VR46 season riding a GP25 Desmosedici of factory specification, matching the equipment of official team racers Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

2023 Gresini racing champion Diggia, who was absent for the last two races of the previous season due to shoulder surgery, believes he has currently regained about 85% of his physical condition.

Next week at Mandalika, the Italian racer will take a Panigale superbike for a spin to assess his physical readiness before the Sepang test scheduled for February 5-7.

Morbidelli, who was Jorge Martin's colleague at Pramac the previous year, has made a move to the VR46 racing team, taking over the spot left by Marco Bezzecchi, who has transitioned to Aprilia.

The previous second-place finisher from Petronas Yamaha will continue competing on the GP24 bike he used last season.

The individual, aged 30, highlighted that his primary focus is to continue his previous season's qualifying performance while also striving to enhance his tyre management skills. His goal is to achieve a podium finish for the first time since Jerez 2021.

The upcoming MotoGP team unveilings for both the Factory and Tech3 KTM squads are scheduled for January 30th.

Peter has spent two decades in the racing circuit and witnessed Valentino Rossi's entire career span. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's battles with injuries.

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Di Giannantonio aims to interfere in the battle between the pressured duo, Bagnaia and Marquez

Diggia intends to uncover some strategies and slightly disrupt the clash between the two competitors facing stress.

In the 2025 MotoGP season, VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio aims to uncover some strategies and shake up the competition between the two riders who are feeling the heat.

The duo facing immense pressure consists of Ducati's leading figures, Francesco Bagnaia and the recently recruited Marc Marquez, who are widely regarded as the top contenders for the season's championship title.

Giannantonio, entering his second season with VR46, will stand out as the sole racer riding a factory Desmosedici GP25.

"Di Giannantonio expressed his enthusiasm for growth and learning from the top competitors on the grid, showcasing what they're capable of," he mentioned during a zoom call just before the Pertamina VR46 team's unveiling in Jakarta today.

"This year, our aim and purpose is to relish each second spent on the factory motorcycle, a feat that both the team and I consider to be a remarkable accomplishment. Additionally, we strive to surpass our previous year's results by aiming for podium finishes."

"It would be incredible to measure ourselves against them [Pecco and Marc], attempt to uncover some of their strategies, and shake things up in the battle between the two competitors feeling the heat."

Ultimately, we possess identical bicycles. Thus, my aspiration is to join their ranks, to become one of the elite.

"The objective is to get as near to them as we can, and if it's feasible, why not aim to surpass them?"

"Definitely, my goal is to achieve something significant."

In discussing the evolution of his biking technique, di Giannantonio revealed that his approach to riding is a mix of the styles employed by Bagnaia and Marquez.

"In 2023, I tended to brake very hard, similar to what Pecco did. However, using last year's motorcycle made this much more challenging for me," he stated.

"Ever since Marc became a part of Ducati, upon reviewing his performance metrics, I noticed a striking similarity in our approach to managing the throttle."

"Thus, as you mentioned, I possess a bit of everything from each one."

"Considering the project and its progression, perhaps there will be three distinct approaches to our workflow."

"Moreover, I believe the optimal approach would be for us to collaborate closely, which would expedite the development process. However, Gigi will undoubtedly handle this situation excellently."

The rider from Italy, victorious at the 2023 Qatar MotoGP representing Gresini, achieved a notable fourth-place finish while riding last year's model for VR46 in the previous season. This was before he missed the last two races to have shoulder surgery.

Diggia believes he's at about 85% of his peak condition and plans to compete on a Panigale Superbike at Mandalika the following week. Afterward, he's set to head to the Sepang MotoGP trial, which is scheduled from February 5th to 7th

Franco Morbidelli, joining as a new team member alongside Gresini racers Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, will compete using a Desmosedici GP24 motorcycle this season.

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

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Franco Morbidelli aims for the top three positions, stating, "I'm aiming for third, second, or first place."

He added, "Certainly, other brands will also enhance their performance."

Franco Morbidelli anticipates that the decrease in Ducati riders on the grid will not affect his aspirations for podium finishes in the upcoming MotoGP season.

However, he is convinced that "other producers will elevate their performance."

The team previously associated with Morbidelli, Pramac, which clinched the 2024 championship with Jorge Martin, is transitioning to Yamaha, reducing the number of Desmosedicis on the grid from eight to six.

Morbidelli is transitioning to VR46, aiming to end a podium dry spell that has persisted since Jerez 2021.

When asked about the decrease in Desmosedici bikes during a Zoom call before today's Pertamina VR46 team unveiling, Morbidelli said, “I'm not certain, but I believe Ducati will still perform strongly.”

"The change from six to eight Ducatis doesn't really impact my goals, as I'm not aiming for sixth, seventh, or eighth place. My sights are set on finishing in the top three positions, so whether it's six or eight makes no difference to me."

"Certainly, other producers will elevate their performance. They're set to enhance their capabilities. Our competitors will surpass their previous year's performance, and it will be interesting to observe how the dynamics shift."

"Our aim is to elevate the team's performance as much as possible, utilizing the resources available to us. We have two sets of resources, my own and naturally, those of Fabio’s [di Giannantonio, GP25], both of which are strong contenders for the leading positions. We're dedicated to achieving this goal."

In 2020, MotoGP championship second-place finisher Morbidelli was unable to participate in the previous year’s pre-season tests because of a head injury sustained during a training session on a superbike.

His performance progressively enhanced, compensating for previous setbacks and peaking with a fourth-place finish at Mandalika. Continuing on the Desmosedici GP24 this year, what areas offer potential for further improvement?

"Initially, I need to verify the areas where it seemed I made progress last year, like in qualifying," responded Morbidelli.

"During the previous year, my performance in the qualifying rounds was lacking significantly. I often found myself beginning races from the third or fourth row, which made it extremely challenging to contend for a position on the podium from such a disadvantageous starting point."

"In the final two races, it appeared that I managed to enhance my performance, securing P4 and P5 starting positions. First and foremost, we need to validate that progress and then aim to surpass it. While P4 and 5 are respectable positions, they are not optimal."

"Last year, my performance was significantly influenced by my ability to qualify, but naturally, there are other aspects like managing tyre wear during the race that I also need to work on."

During the latter part of the previous season, Morbidelli secured positions within the top six in 13 races, including both Sprint and GP events, ultimately finishing ninth in the overall rankings.

What are his objectives for the year 2025?

"He expressed his desire to build upon the strong performances showcased from the mid-point of last season through to its conclusion, aiming for further improvement."

"We made significant progress. Like I mentioned earlier, our starting point was somewhat behind, but we maintained a strong speed in almost every race during the latter half."

"I'm aiming to enhance the aspects I overlooked last year in order to contend for podium finishes and top spots, and to elevate our team's colors to the highest level possible. The team has earned that."

Last year, VR46 celebrated a solitary podium finish courtesy of Marco Bezzecchi in Jerez. However, the team enjoyed greater success in 2022, securing three race victories and finishing third overall in the world championship, led by Bezzecchi's impressive performances.

Bezzecchi has secured a position as a factory rider with Aprilia for the 2025 season, paving the way for Morbidelli, the most senior member of the VR46 Academy, to potentially join a VR46 team for the first time.

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the racing circuit, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the health struggles faced by Marc Marquez.

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