Bagger racing, led by a former Superbike champion, is slated to arrive in Europe in 2025.

Debut of Bagger category anticipated in Europe.

Ex-MotoGP and World Superbike competitor Ruben Xaus plans to introduce Bagger racing to Europe in 2025 by establishing the Bagger Racing European Cup.

The popularity of bagger racing surged when it was initially introduced in the United States as part of the MotoAmerica lineup, under the title 'King of the Baggers.'

Over time, it has evolved into one of the fiercest motorcycle racing series in the United States and has gained significant popularity among fans.

The excitement surrounding this development prompted Harley-Davidson and Dorna Sports to form a fresh strategic alliance, which was announced following the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix in November.

Although no arrangements have been made so far, Harley intends to compete with its Bagger motorcycles during the grand prix events.

The establishment of the Bagger Racing European Cup means that bagger racing in Europe is expected to become a reality in 2025, independent of this collaboration.

The series is being led by Xaus, who finished as the runner-up in the 2003 World Superbike Championship and has also secured a podium finish in MotoGP. This year, he competed in and won the Bagger Racing League in North America.

Few details about the Cup have been disclosed so far, including its schedule.

According to a press release regarding the Cup, it will be accessible to any machine "capable of being equipped with market-available bags." This allows brands such as Harley, Honda, Triumph, Ducati, and others to participate.

The event series will be coordinated by Xaus, supported by the Andorran Federation, and officially approved by FIM Europe.

Xaus expressed his thoughts on the Cup, stating, "I discovered a receptive environment for this project within FIM Europe, which welcomed it with great enthusiasm."

I believe that this championship has the potential to enhance the events it will be part of, boosting both their entertainment quality and overall appeal.

"We are currently working on finalizing the schedule, which we plan to officially announce soon. This schedule will feature the major countries in Europe."

"The rules will be straightforward and accessible to everyone. Our aim is for the participants in the championship to enjoy themselves and have a great time."

The Cup will include two races each round, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. The schedule for the weekend is structured around a free practice session, which is then followed by a qualifying session.

The organization of race events will be handled by Sh Services and Gestion A L Instant sl.

"I always feel a great sense of satisfaction whenever we successfully expand our range of sports titles," stated Alessandro Sambuco, the Secretary General of FIM Europe.

Introducing a new title reflects the vitality of our organization and shows that there is trust in the services provided by FIM Europe.

"What sets us apart from other sports entities outside the global sports framework is what we provide: clear sporting regulations, safety in athletic activities, insurance protection, and organizations equipped to handle any scenario."

"The Baggers will provide riders of all ages, from the young to the elderly, with the chance to compete in a secure and lively setting. Additionally, due to the new promoter, there will be engaging entertainment that complements the race."

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"The moment George was chosen, it spelled the end, just as I mentioned then. That's the reality." – Doubts about Lewis Hamilton were evident from the choice made for George Russell.

Former Formula 1 team leader Peter Windsor has harshly criticized Mercedes for their diminishing trust in Lewis Hamilton, targeting Toto Wolff's choice to swap Valtteri Bottas for George Russell.

Following a five-year stint at Mercedes, Bottas was replaced for the 2022 Formula 1 season, paving the way for Russell to be promoted from Williams.

During their collaboration, the Hamilton-Bottas duo consistently secured the F1 constructors' championship, with the British racer clinching four drivers' championships in that timeframe.

Nonetheless, as Hamilton grows older and Bottas faces challenges in delivering top performances regularly, Russell was selected for the 2022 season.

Windsor, having served as a team manager for both Ferrari and Williams, was questioned about Wolff's remarks concerning the notion that Hamilton might depart from the team, pointing out that "everyone has a shelf life".

Windsor has the impression that Wolff was getting ready to substitute Hamilton with Russell the moment Russell moved up to Mercedes.

"When he dismissed Valtteri Bottas, the driver he previously supported and managed, and brought in George Russell, wasn't that Toto essentially expressing his belief that Lewis doesn't have much left in the tank?" Windsor remarked.

"We need someone who can drive faster than Valtteri. He's set to replace Lewis'. This transition took place in 2022. It's not surprising that he's now attempting to articulate what's been visually apparent.

"It's understood. Despite his backing for Valtteri over the years, the moment he was gone, that was the end of it. The support ceased."

Windsor is of the opinion that Hamilton's tenure with Mercedes effectively ended when Russell became part of the team, emphasizing again his stance that Bottas would have been a better choice to remain for the 2022 season.

"In his opinion, letting Valtteri go was a mistake," he continued. "They ought to have retained Lewis. If they’re committed to Lewis, they should fully support him or not at all. They should have maintained the pairing of Lewis and Valtteri.

As soon as George was placed in that position, I remarked then that it was essentially the end, and indeed, it is.

"In line with my forecast at the close of 2022, Lewis' professional journey had indeed come to an end."

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Max Verstappen's exceptional performance under rainy conditions in Brazil has drawn comparisons to legendary wet-weather races by Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

Max Verstappen's prowess in rainy conditions has drawn comparisons to Formula 1 greats Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

Verstappen's remarkable win from 17th position in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was a crucial moment in his journey to securing his fourth consecutive world championship title, earning him accolades from numerous figures within the racing community.

Former Formula 1 driver and current analyst Karun Chandhok hailed Verstappen's unparalleled performance as a "tour de force" amid challenging weather, comparing it to some of the most memorable rain-drenched races in history.

"Chandhok expressed his admiration on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, stating, 'It was incredibly remarkable.' He noted that on days with such conditions, visibility becomes a significant obstacle, explaining that on the first lap, drivers are essentially navigating through a dense mist of spray."

Max appeared to be the only driver who managed to navigate the congested field with ease, showcasing his skill and self-assurance where others struggled. Lando was notably held up behind George, and numerous racers found themselves unable to advance through the group.

"Max emerged as the sole contender to make a breakthrough. It's important to note that he began the race two positions down from Lewis Hamilton, who is renowned for his expertise in rainy conditions. Yet, on this occasion, Verstappen was the only one who managed to navigate through the field."

"He seemed intent on sending a clear message the moment he took the lead, not merely content with staying ahead. His performance brought to mind the likes of Senna’s dominance at Donington in 1993, Schumacher’s outstanding drive in Spain in 1996, and Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable victory at Silverstone in 2008. It was about more than just winning; it was about completely overpowering the competition."

"He gained a 19-second lead over the group following the late Safety Car and red flag incident. He completely vanished from view, making a very significant statement."

Regarding the difficulties of driving in rainy conditions, Chandhok mentioned, "Operating a race car involves maintaining a delicate balance between traction and velocity, essentially teetering on that edge."

"Clearly, when the track is wet, resulting in reduced traction, your speed decreases, but it also makes the margin for error much narrower. Balancing becomes significantly more challenging in these conditions."

"I believe that's where the exceptional drivers shine, skillfully managing to teeter on a fine line, almost as if balancing on a single fingertip, while they let the car gracefully glide and sway. Yet, they maintain confidence in their control and in achieving the desired lap time."

It's impossible to overemphasize the challenge. Observing numerous racers veering off track, including top talents, highlights the difficulty. Notably, Alonso crashed into the barrier during qualifying. Numerous skilled drivers faced considerable difficulties in maintaining control and remaining on the course.

"I can't recall a single moment when Max veered off course. Not even a slight mishap. He appeared to be in complete control during the entire race."

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Lewis Hamilton plans to conclude his partnership with Monster to switch to Ferrari in Formula 1

The seven-time world champion will embrace Ferrari's energy drink sponsorship

Lewis Hamilton's enduring partnership with Monster Energy is scheduled to conclude in 2025, in anticipation of his move to Ferrari in Formula 1.

Before the 2024 Formula 1 season kicked off, Hamilton revealed his plans to end his association with Mercedes by the year's end, with an intention to switch alliances to Ferrari.

The British driver made the move to Mercedes from McLaren in 2013, subsequently securing six out of his seven world championships.

Since 2017, Hamilton has been affiliated with Monster, and this partnership extended into 2024. At that point, the brand ended its association with Mercedes to collaborate with McLaren instead.

Hamilton's partnership with Monster played a key role in the 2019 event where he swapped rides with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi in Valencia.

SportBusiness reports that Hamilton's move to Ferrari will involve a new sponsorship deal with the energy drink brand, Celsius.

Celsius, a U.S.-based energy drink brand, is a sponsor of the Ferrari Formula 1 team and supports several NASCAR teams in the United States. The company also has Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc serving as a brand ambassador.

According to SportBusiness, an agreement between Celsius and Hamilton has not been finalized, but they are nearing a deal.

This week, Speedweek published an interview with KTM's motorsport head, Pit Beirer, where it was disclosed that discussions had taken place between Hamilton's team and the underperforming Austrian brand regarding a potential investment, which were described as "very interesting."

KTM is facing financial difficulties with debts amounting to no less than €1.8 billion and is undergoing a restructuring effort to avoid insolvency.

KTM has been permitted to maintain its existing operations, but its creditors have been pushing the brand to withdraw from MotoGP.

In a declaration issued prior to Christmas, KTM affirmed its commitment to maintaining its presence in racing competitions through 2025.

A review after KTM's initial meeting with creditors this month disclosed that at least three entities are considering an investment totaling as much as €700 million.

In 2024, rumors have previously surfaced about Hamilton's connection to MotoGP, suggesting he was planning to acquire the Gresini racing team earlier in the year.

Hamilton refuted these claims but expressed his interest in exploring business opportunities within MotoGP.

Liberty Media, currently facing a delay in its purchase of MotoGP due to an investigation by the European Union, acknowledged during a summer investor call that there is interest in MotoGP from Hamilton.

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Jenson Button anticipates witnessing a transformed version of Lando Norris after his battle with Max Verstappen. "He will have gained significant knowledge, and I'm eager to observe a somewhat evolved Lando in the coming year."

Jenson Button, who won the F1 world championship in 2009, anticipates that Lando Norris will exhibit some changes in 2025 following his experience in a close competition with Max Verstappen.

Throughout a significant portion of the season, Norris was the closest competitor to Verstappen. As a McLaren driver, he was in the running to secure his inaugural F1 drivers' world championship.

In Brazil, the critical turning point occurred when Verstappen claimed victory after starting from 17th place, while Norris, who began the race from pole position, ended up in sixth.

Since the summer, McLaren has been outperforming Red Bull, but Norris has found it difficult to close in on Verstappen's lead in the standings.

In an evaluation of Norris' performance this season, Button stated on the Sky Sports F1 podcast that Norris has clearly demonstrated his talent and quickness. Button remarked that Norris should feel proud of his accomplishments, noting that although the odds were slim, he was in contention for a Formula 1 world championship. Button described it as an incredible situation to be in.

"His success is largely due to his talent, but it also highlights the team's excellence and their progress over the past few years. I distinctly recall McLaren in 2016 when I exited the sport, and they were in a different place compared to their current standing. I'm proud of the team as well."

Button believes that Norris will gain significant insights from his numerous racing battles with Verstappen, especially during the events in the United States and Mexico.

Button commented, "Facing Max is like competing against a unique beast, unlike anyone else on the grid." He noted, "Max is clear about his objectives during a race. Whether his goal is victory or simply defeating you, his championship rival, he focuses solely on that. He tunes out everything else happening around him and concentrates on overcoming you." Button highlighted that this determination was evident in several races, particularly in Austin and Mexico.

"When an individual is so committed to outperforming you, it can be quite challenging. He would have gained considerable knowledge, and I'm eagerly anticipating seeing a somewhat different version of Lando in the coming year."

"He plans to thoroughly analyze all the racing footage from this season where he competed with Max. Next year, he is expected to emerge much stronger, and we might see a transformed Lando. It's a learning process; you can't predict your response until you've competed against Max."

Norris aims to assist McLaren in securing their first F1 constructors' title since 1998 during the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend.

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Jenson Button anticipates witnessing a changed version of Lando Norris following his competition with Max Verstappen. "I believe he will have gained significant insights and am eager to see a somewhat transformed Lando in the upcoming year."

Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 world champion, predicts that Lando Norris will show some changes in 2025, following his experience of a close competition with Max Verstappen.

Throughout much of the season, Norris emerged as the closest competitor to Verstappen, as the McLaren driver vied for his inaugural Formula 1 drivers’ world championship title.

The turning point occurred in Brazil when Verstappen secured victory after beginning the race in 17th position, while Norris ended up in sixth place even though he had started from pole position.

Since the summer, McLaren has had a performance advantage over Red Bull, yet Norris has found it challenging to close in on Verstappen, who leads the standings.

Evaluating Norris' performance this season, Button shared on the Sky Sports F1 podcast: "He has demonstrated his talent and quickness. He should take pride in his accomplishments. Although the odds were slim, he was competing for a world championship in Formula 1. It's an incredible situation to be in."

"Much of the success is due to his talent, but it also highlights the team's excellence and their progress over recent years. I distinctly recall McLaren's situation in 2016 when I exited the sport, and it is noticeably different from their current standing. I feel proud of the team too."

Button believes Norris will gain valuable insights from his various battles on the track against Verstappen, especially during the races in the United States and Mexico.

Button remarked that facing Max is a unique challenge compared to other drivers on the grid. "He approaches races with a clear understanding of his objectives," Button noted. "Whether it's to secure a victory or simply to surpass his main competitor in the championship, he focuses solely on that target. He tunes out other distractions and concentrates on outperforming you. This was evident in several races, particularly in Austin and Mexico."

"When someone is so committed to defeating you, it becomes challenging. He will have gained a lot of knowledge, and I'm truly eager to witness a somewhat changed Lando next year."

He plans to meticulously review all the recordings from this season's races against Max. Next year, he is expected to return with greater strength, and we will likely witness a transformed Lando. This experience is all about gaining knowledge. Facing Max is a unique challenge, and no one can predict their response until they've competed against him.

This weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix, Norris aims to assist McLaren in securing their first F1 constructors' championship victory since 1998.

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The "honor" and "expectations" associated with competing for Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP team

Morbidelli mentions that being a part of the VR46 team "demands top-level performance."

Franco Morbidelli acknowledges that taking on a role with Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team for the 2025 season comes with added pressure, yet he also feels a sense of pride in this opportunity.

At 29 years old, this individual is among the most notable figures from the VR46 Academy. They made history as the academy's first world champion in Moto2 in 2017 and also became its inaugural MotoGP race winner with a triumph at the San Marino Grand Prix in 2020.

Before committing to the VR46 Ducati team for the 2025 season, Morbidelli had never previously competed for the MotoGP icon Rossi's team.

The Italian racer participated in his first event with the team on the GP24 during the post-season test in Barcelona, where he completed 52 laps and secured the seventh position.

After the test, Morbidelli, who is familiar with the team, emphasized the importance of harnessing the "magical" atmosphere they share to become a cohesive group.

Competing for Rossi presents a distinct kind of pressure for an Italian rider, yet Morbidelli is welcoming this challenge.

"It makes me proud and adds additional pressure," he remarked.

In my view, being part of Valentino Rossi's team establishes a high standard, and we aim to fulfill those expectations moving forward.

"I experience consistency because the bicycle remains constant. While the individuals around me may differ, I am familiar with them, so it's a transition, albeit a minor one."

In 2024, Morbidelli switched to Ducati, joining the Pramac team, which marked his comeback as a regular contender in the top 10. This followed a challenging two-year period with the Yamaha factory team.

He secured a podium finish in the San Marino GP sprint but had difficulty keeping up with the other GP24 competitors throughout the year.

Looking back on 2024, he remarked, "I'll recall the progress we achieved during each session and every weekend, noticing each time that there was something more than what we had seen in the grand prix before."

"This year has been wonderful to witness and be a part of."

"We've progressed to lead our category. Although there's one more step to take, we've made significant advancements."

Franco Morbidelli's efforts to get ready for the season were disrupted due to a concussion he sustained during a training mishap at Portimao.

He was absent from all the winter testing sessions and revealed later in the year that he experienced memory loss for a period of two weeks following the accident.

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Pursuing Shadows: The Role of Videometry in MotoGP Racing

"Every racer and head engineer dreams of pinpointing the precise spots where time is lost or gained and measuring the exact distance involved."

In the most recent edition of the official MotoGP publication, GPMag, Peter Bom, a data acquisition expert and former crew chief who led teams to victory in the Moto3 and Moto2 world championships, explores the hidden realm of videometry.

The Dutch expert describes how teams have historically utilized accessible TV recordings to boost their competitive edge. This strategy has developed into the use of overlay images, or 'ghost mode,' which allows viewers to see two cyclists navigating the same part of the track simultaneously.

In the MotoGP paddock, the feature known as the 'ghost' function is referred to as 'videometry,' according to Bom.

Each team currently hires its own videographers to capture footage from key locations around the track.

The focus lies in highlighting the distinction between their riders and those from competing brands, especially the speediest riders using other bike brands.

By employing advanced software, two video clips are meticulously aligned. This allows riders and technicians to pinpoint the exact differences in a rider's performance in specific sections of a track, such as braking, navigating the middle of a corner, and accelerating, in comparison to the quickest rider on the circuit.

"The aspiration of every cyclist and lead engineer is to pinpoint the exact variations and measure the meters that are either lost or gained."

Bom highlights the use of video footage in conjunction with the team's telemetry data, which assists in optimizing bike configurations. Meanwhile, Chaz Davies, a former grand prix competitor, World Supersport champion, and WorldSBK race victor, discusses his application of videometry in his role as a rider coach for Ducati.

The most unexpected revelation comes when Bom demonstrates that one can obtain telemetry data from a 'competing' motorcycle solely by utilizing the video and audio recordings provided by Dorna.

Bom explains that experts can transform these onboard recordings into data, which can then be examined with the software that teams and manufacturers currently utilize for their own data analysis.

The engineer who provided me with this insight mentioned that he wouldn't be shocked if some of the existing MotoGP manufacturers are now implementing this method of converting video into data.

To demonstrate its effectiveness, Bom presents telemetry data—covering gear shifts, RPM, speed, braking, and throttle position—sourced from a real pole position lap by Francesco Bagnaia at the Assen circuit.

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For two decades, Peter has been immersed in the racing world, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career unfold and eventually conclude. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the ongoing injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Yamaha Finds Optimism After Challenging MotoGP Season

Japanese Manufacturer Sees Progress Amid Difficulties

Yamaha's team leader, Massimo Meregalli, mentioned that the Japanese company, facing difficulties, began to notice improvements following the 2024 MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix during what he described as "the most extended season to date."

In 2023, Yamaha experienced a significant drop in their standings, shifting from being strong competitors for the championship to only securing podium finishes sporadically. The year 2024 marked their most challenging period in the contemporary MotoGP era.

For the first time in the four-stroke era, it was unable to secure a podium finish, earning only 124 points in the constructors' championship, a significant drop from the 196 points it scored in 2023.

However, Meregalli is of the opinion that Yamaha began to change its fortunes starting with the Aragon Grand Prix.

This argument gains validity when considering Yamaha's top performance in a grand prix this year, which occurred during the second-to-last race of the season in Malaysia. In that event, Fabio Quartararo achieved an impressive sixth place on the M1.

Meregalli expressed to MotoGP’s official website that, although this has been the lengthiest season on record, he truly appreciates the dedication everyone has shown throughout it.

"After Aragon, we began noticing the outcomes of our efforts, and we never lost hope."

"It's fulfilling because when you put in a lot of effort but don't see any outcomes, everything feels even more challenging and difficult to manage."

"However, beginning with the Aragon event, we began to notice some promising signs that we could sustain."

Primarily, I must acknowledge that the aerodynamics team put in considerable effort, and the cyclists began to grasp the principles of aerodynamics as we conducted consecutive tests.

"When we revisited the foundational principles of aerodynamics, they truly grasped the advantages brought by the most recent advancements in the field."

Even though Yamaha hasn't seen many results, it appears to be reinforcing its position as a manufacturer in 2024.

The organization successfully signed a new two-year deal with 2021 world champion Quartararo and extended Alex Rins' contract through to the conclusion of 2026.

In 2025, Yamaha successfully secured a partnership with Pramac, the world champion team, previously affiliated with Ducati, to become its satellite partner. Meanwhile, the company's newly appointed technical director, Max Bartolini, has influenced the Japanese manufacturer to change its development strategy.

It has become evident with the news that Yamaha is developing a V4 engine for the very first time.

Looking ahead to 2024, Meregalli expressed high admiration for Quartararo.

"Fabio is among those individuals who work hard and have made an effort to adjust," he mentioned.

"Altering your biking technique can be challenging."

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Ducati anticipates a highly challenging 2025 MotoGP season, calling it "impossible"

The team acknowledges that consistently dominating the podium as they have in the past will become more difficult.

Ducati's general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, thinks it will be "impossible" for the brand to dominate all top five spots in MotoGP races as it did in 2024.

In the 2024 season, Ducati experienced overwhelming success, securing victory in 19 out of the 20 grand prix races and easily clinching the constructors' championship.

Jorge Martin achieved the title of world champion, becoming the third rider for the brand to do so. He secured his first premier class championship by riding his Pramac-managed GP24, following a season-long competition with Francesco Bagnaia.

In the year 2024, Ducati managed to fill all three podium positions in 14 different races. Over the course of the season, six out of their eight riders collectively secured 53 podium

During the sprint race in Thailand, Ducati riders dominated by securing all of the top eight positions. Similarly, in the Japanese Grand Prix, Ducati solidified its strong performance by capturing the top five spots, and they continued this success by taking the top six positions at the Thai Grand

Despite a halt in development for all non-concession brands leading up to the 2027 regulations change and the reduction of its lineup by two bikes, Ducati is not anticipated to fall in ranking.

However, Dall'Igna expects that maintaining its dominance will become more challenging.

According to Dall’Igna, achieving top-five results similar to Japan and Australia will be unattainable next year, as reported by Australian MCN.

"However, dominating the top positions as we have recently will become more challenging. Ducati, particularly from a sports perspective, benefits greatly from these outcomes."

"The benefits that other teams, particularly Honda and Yamaha, enjoy due to concessions are significant, so I anticipated experiencing more challenges this season."

"We decided to take extra risks at the beginning of the year because we anticipated that other teams might improve throughout the season, while we wouldn't have that opportunity. Fortunately, our gamble was successful."

Whenever I notice even a small drop in performance or see that the distance between us and our competitors is narrowing, I strongly encourage my team to step up their efforts.

"The success of these championships is a testament to the hard work of everyone at Ducati Corse."

In the upcoming year, Marc Marquez will join Bagnaia at Ducati's factory team, as the number of their official racing bikes decreases from four to three.

VR46 racer Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to receive the last GP25.

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MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin Drops Hint About Race Number for Title Defense

Future Aprilia Rider Suggests Possible Race Number for the 2025 Season

MotoGP's new world champion, Jorge Martin, has hinted at the number he'll choose to race with in 2025 as he prepares to defend his title with Aprilia.

Throughout the 2024 season, which spanned 20 rounds, the Spanish racer engaged in a fierce competition with Francesco Bagnaia, who also rides for the factory Ducati team. Their rivalry was intense and lasted until the very end of the season.

In the final race in Barcelona, Martin clinched the championship title with a 10-point lead, even though he had only secured three grand prix victories compared to Bagnaia's 11 wins.

The victory secured Martin his second grand prix world championship, adding to his 2018 Moto3 title, and marked him as the first rider from an independent team in the modern era to clinch the premier class championship.

Martin was originally scheduled to join the factory Ducati team in 2025 alongside Bagnaia, but the brand reversed its decision and opted for Marc Marquez instead.

Check out this Instagram update featuring a shared post from Jorge Martin Almoguera, who goes by the handle @89jorgemartin.

Following this, Martin entered into a long-term contract with Aprilia to become part of its official team for the 2025 season.

After securing the championship title in Barcelona, Martin has frequently faced questions regarding which number he intends to display while riding the RS-GP.

After the final event of the season, he commented on the issue by asking, "What are your thoughts?"

"In my opinion, this is a moment to be celebrated. I prefer not to focus on what the next year might bring."

"Currently, we hold the top position and aim to secure victory in today's championship event as well. I'm not focusing on the upcoming year at the moment."

"We can take some time to consider this and then evaluate it."

During the end-of-season testing session in Barcelona, Martin maintained his usual number 89 on his vehicle.

During the latest TT-Christmas event held at Rocco’s Ranch, Martin participated in the motocross competition, sporting the number one.

Aprilia is set to kick off its 2025 season on January 16, featuring riders Martin and Marco Bezzecchi. During the event, Martin is expected to announce if he plans to race with the number one plate.

Should he decide to do so, he will continue the tradition begun by Bagnaia, who has used the number one after securing his inaugural championship in 2022.

Before him, Joan Mir used the number one after winning the 2020 championship, just as Casey Stoner did in 2012.

The gathering at Rocco’s Ranch, located close to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, included prominent grand prix figures such as Aleix Espargaro and Fermin Aldeguer. It successfully raised €20,000 to support Aspar's flood relief efforts in Valencia.

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Joan Mir gives a bleak evaluation of the impact MotoGP concessions have had on Honda. He stated, "We need to figure out how to obtain quality components for the motorcycle."

Joan Mir believes that the development concessions given to Honda for its underperforming MotoGP bike will not provide any benefit in 2024.

In recent years, Yamaha and Honda have faced difficulties, leading MotoGP to implement a revised concessions framework aimed at helping both teams enhance their competitiveness on the grid.

These changes were implemented for the 2024 season, allowing unlimited engine development and testing with the race riders.

However, neither Yamaha nor Honda secured any podium finishes by the end of the year, and both manufacturers earned fewer points in the constructors' championship compared to their 2023 performance.

In 2024, Honda failed to score at least 100 points with its team of four riders, only reaching a total of 75 points, which is a significant drop from the 185 points it collected in 2023.

Mir faced a challenging season, managing to score points only seven times, which left him with five points less than his total of 21 in 2023. Additionally, he experienced 17 crashes throughout the season.

When questioned about Honda's potential position in 2024 without any concessions, Mir responded with a hint of sadness, saying, "Next year, we're likely to be in the same situation as we are now."

"I trust that this will benefit us in the future. However, in the immediate term, we didn't gain any benefit."

"The outcomes clearly show that no progress was made."

"We need to figure out how to obtain quality components for the bike that will enhance our speed. Currently, we haven't been able to achieve this goal."

In 2024, Mir has emerged as the most vocal critic from Honda's camp, expressing his frustration over what he perceives as insufficient advancements with the RC213V.

During the post-season testing in Barcelona, he appeared disheartened as he informed reporters that Honda had failed to introduce any new components that he hadn't previously tested.

Honda utilized its testing allowance to conduct private sessions during the intervals between races in 2024. According to Mir, this approach was somewhat harmful to the riders due to the pressure it imposed on them.

"The factory riders having more opportunities to test isn't necessarily an advantage, because if the bike were improved, I would naturally ride faster," he commented.

“This is the reason we have a dedicated testing team. When we conduct tests and spend entire days doing so over the course of multiple weeks, it takes a mental toll on us without any psychological break.”

"We alternate between testing and racing, but sometimes it leads to poorer performance instead of improvements."

"We are strengthening our testing team to ensure they effectively produce quality results."

"They test what they believe works on general practitioners to determine if there's an improvement."

Honda has made a notable advancement with its 2025 test team by recruiting Aleix Espargaro, a former racer who has clinched three grand prix victories and retired last season.

Takaaki Nakagami will assist him, having transitioned to a development position at Honda following his replacement by Somkiat Chantra at LCR.

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