Jorge Martin has received support for potential success with Aprilia in MotoGP, even from a competitor who acknowledges not having the same level of talent. The competitor stated, "I have always had faith that we can contend for a championship with Aprilia."

Aleix Espargaro is confident that Jorge Martin can achieve success with Aprilia in MotoGP, noting that Martin managed to secure a win on the bike even though, according to Espargaro, he doesn't possess nearly as much talent as top riders like himself.

Current MotoGP world champion Martin is set to join the factory Aprilia team for the upcoming season after missing out on a promotion to the official Ducati squad.

Martin, who secured the 2024 championship by outperforming Francesco Bagnaia on a GP24 managed by Pramac, has decided not to attempt to retain his title in 2025 as he starts his debut year on the RS-GP.

However, Espargaro, who secured three grand prix victories with Aprilia prior to his retirement at the close of 2024, thinks that his success on the RS-GP strongly indicates Martin's potential.

Aleix Espargaro expressed his genuine belief in their ability to compete for the world championship alongside Aprilia. He shared this sentiment in a DAZN documentary, noting that he will take on the role of a Honda test rider in 2025.

"I lack the immense skill that title contenders have, yet I've still been able to secure race victories, earn pole positions, and break records on several circuits with this bike."

"I'm not suggesting that Jorge can accomplish it this year, but he will definitely have an opportunity to express his opinion."

Last November, Martin had his initial trial with the RS-GP in Barcelona. During this event, Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, remarked that the feedback from the Spaniard was surprisingly favorable.

In 2025, Marco Bezzecchi will team up with him, and Fabiano Sterlacchini will take over as technical director, filling the role left by Romano Albesiano, who is heading to Honda.

Espargaro cautioned that Pedro Acosta is likely to be a formidable competitor at the forefront in 2025, regardless of whether the Ducati remains "significantly better than the rest" at that time.

"My old team is performing excellently, but KTM has the privilege of having an amazing talent like Pedro."

"Certainly, he will be one of the competitors for the title, even though the Desmosedici is far ahead of the rest at the moment."

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Could anxiety about failing drive Honda to make a comeback before the MotoGP regulations are updated? The team explores potential outcomes for Honda in 2025 in the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast.

Honda enters the 2025 MotoGP season following one of its most challenging years in the top tier, during which it accumulated only 75 points and failed to secure any podium finishes.

In the previous season, the Japanese brand experienced its third season in five years without securing a victory. This occurred after Marc Marquez departed from the company at the close of 2023.

Throughout 2024, Honda experienced only minor advancements, with their leading competitor, Johann Zarco, achieving 17th place in the rankings. His highest performance came at the rain-soaked Thai Grand Prix, where he secured an eighth-place finish.

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Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) aims to continue improving on the progress it achieved with its RC213V motorcycle towards the end of the season in 2025. However, with a significant change in regulations expected in 2027, the question arises as to when the company might decide to abandon its efforts for the upcoming two years.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Lewis Duncan, a Senior Journalist at Crash.net, mentioned that Honda might eventually need to decide to accept the challenges of 2025 and 2026 and shift their attention toward 2027.

"When you consider the previous significant overhaul of regulations, they did not adapt effectively to the 1000cc era."

Casey Stoner had a strong dislike for that motorcycle, as it experienced significant vibration issues. This problem was partly attributed to the Bridgestone tires used at the time. Additionally, 2012 was a challenging year for Honda.

"The situation seemed more favorable on paper back then because the competition was such that riding a Yamaha or Honda factory bike almost guaranteed a victory. However, that's no longer true today."

"When Honda transitioned from the 990cc to the 800cc engines, they made some mistakes. The initial two to three years were quite challenging."

Honda has often struggled to adapt quickly to new regulations. The company faces a challenging decision regarding how much effort and resources it should invest to improve its current standing. At the same time, it must decide when to shift its focus entirely towards preparations for 2027.

MotoGP journalist Peter McLaren speculates that Honda's anxiety about underperforming in today's age of advanced aerodynamics and ride height technology might actually motivate them to make a swift comeback before 2027.

Reflecting on Honda's history and their challenges, it struck me that they seem to prefer achieving victory as a set of regulations concludes, if that makes sense.

"The conclusion of the 500cc period and the end of the 990s era leaves uncertainty about MotoGP's position within its expansive organization. After years of setbacks and reaching a low point, the introduction of new regulations might spark a drive from an engineering pride perspective. As has happened before, they might decide it's essential to prove their ability to excel under these technical guidelines before everything shifts again."

"It is notable that when new rules come into play, they typically do not benefit at the beginning. Instead, they tend to excel towards the end of the rule cycle. After that, they need to regroup and start building their strength once more."

Time is slipping away for them, but the departure of Repsol might just urge the top executives at Honda to realize it's time to take action.

"We understand that they take great pride in their engineering heritage. Therefore, we are curious about how they will respond. With Repsol's departure and the conclusion of this period of technical regulations, they might feel compelled to demonstrate to the world their ability to excel in these areas, such as perfecting ride height mechanisms and optimizing aerodynamics. It will be fascinating to observe whether this provokes a response from them."

Jordan Moreland, who manages social media for Crash, comments: "It is possible, as Honda consistently embodies a sense of pride. Racing is integral to their identity. HRC, along with the brand's organizational framework, is driven by a desire to achieve victory in every competition."

"I'm not sure if they currently have the capability… it's hard for me to determine, as they have had the necessary riders in the past."

"The appeal of Honda has been strong for numerous riders, including attracting talents like Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez, as well as retaining Dani Pedrosa for an extended period, which played a crucial role in their success."

"Even during Rossi's time, his departure was a blow because there was an assumption that the bike alone could secure victories. However, it became evident that the presence of a skilled rider like Rossi was essential for success."

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Is Honda's fear of failing enough to drive a comeback before MotoGP regulations shift?

In the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the team explores potential outcomes for Honda in 2025.

Honda enters the 2025 MotoGP season after experiencing one of its most challenging years in the top-tier competition, during which it only accumulated 75 points and failed to secure any podium finishes.

In the past five years, the Japanese manufacturer has experienced three seasons without a victory, the most recent of which followed Marc Marquez's departure from the team at the conclusion of 2023.

Throughout 2024, Honda achieved only modest advancements, with Johann Zarco, their leading competitor in the rankings, securing 17th place overall. His highest achievement was finishing eighth during the rain-soaked Thai Grand Prix.

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Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) aims to capitalize on the improvements made to its RC213V motorcycle towards the end of the 2025 season. However, with new regulations expected to take effect in 2027, the question arises as to when the manufacturer might decide to disregard the next couple of seasons in terms of development focus.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan of Crash.net expressed that Honda will eventually need to accept the challenges of the 2025 and 2026 seasons and concentrate their efforts on 2027.

"The previous significant overhaul of regulations didn't align well with the 1000cc era."

Casey Stoner was not fond of that motorcycle, as it experienced significant vibration issues. This problem was partly attributed to the Bridgestone tires used during that period. Additionally, Honda faced a challenging year in 2012.

"The situation seemed more favorable on paper because, back then, being part of a Yamaha or Honda factory team practically guaranteed a victory. However, that's no longer true today."

"When we transitioned from the 990cc to the 800cc engines, Honda made some mistakes. The initial two to three years were quite challenging."

Honda has a track record of struggling to adapt quickly when new regulations are introduced. The company faces a challenging decision about the level of investment required to improve its current standing. At the same time, it must decide when to shift focus entirely towards preparing for 2027.

MotoGP journalist Peter McLaren speculates that Honda's anxiety about underperforming in today's world of advanced aerodynamics and ride height technology could potentially accelerate their comeback, possibly before 2027.

Reflecting on Honda's past and their challenges, he noted that it seems they prefer to achieve victory towards the conclusion of a given set of regulations, if that explanation is clear.

"The conclusion of the 500cc era and the end of the 990s raise questions about MotoGP's place within the broader scope of the MotoGP organization. After enduring years of setbacks and reaching a low point, the introduction of new regulations may inspire a sense of engineering pride. As witnessed on several occasions before, there could be a renewed determination to demonstrate their capability to excel under the current technical rules before any changes occur."

"It's intriguing to note that whenever there have been changes in regulations, they typically haven't had much success initially. In fact, they tend to become most effective towards the end of the regulatory period. After that, they often need to pause and rebuild their strength."

Time is running short for them, but it's possible that losing Repsol might prompt Honda's top executives to realize that it's time to take action.

"They take great pride in their legacy of engineering excellence. So, it will be intriguing to observe their response. With Repsol's departure and the current technical regulations nearing their conclusion, they might want to demonstrate their capabilities by proving that they can effectively utilize ride height devices and aerodynamic technology. It will be fascinating to see if this situation prompts them to take action."

Jordan Moreland, the social media manager for Crash, mentions that it is possible because Honda takes great pride in its heritage. Racing is deeply embedded in their identity. HRC, along with its brand and organizational structure, is driven by a strong desire to achieve victory in all competitions.

"I'm not sure if they currently have the capability, as it's challenging for me to assess; previously, they did have the riders to achieve it."

The attraction of Honda for numerous riders has been significant, as evidenced by their ability to secure talents like Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez, and retaining Dani Pedrosa for an extended period, which played a crucial role in their success.

"Reflecting on the time when Rossi was part of the team, his departure also impacted them significantly. They had believed that the bike alone would secure victories, but it became clear that the rider's skill was crucial, as demonstrated by Rossi's influence."

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Valentino Rossi's Accident Video Released from Tavullia's Americana Event

At the yearly 100km of Champions flat track race, Valentino Rossi experienced a crash during the Americana competition.

Footage has emerged showing Valentino Rossi's accident during the Americana race at the 100km of Champions flat track event that took place last weekend.

Video captured by a camera attached to Rossi's helmet and shared on his Instagram page reveals the moment Rossi crashed at the last, extremely tight left turn of the hairpin, concluding the 'double-oval' track at the VR46 Motor Ranch, the venue for the Americana race.

Check out this Instagram post from Valentino Rossi, who goes by the handle @valeyellow46.

After Rossi's crash, HRC MotoGP competitor Luca Marini secured victory in the knockout-style Americana race held on Friday night.

On Saturday afternoon, Marini partnered with his half-brother Rossi for the main 100km race, where they secured a second-place finish.

Lorenzo Baldassarri and Elia Bartolini finished in third place.

Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre, who has claimed the Supermoto World Championship title eight times, emerged victorious as a team.

In 2025, the 100km of Champions celebrated its 10th year. This flat track race, organized every year by Rossi at his VR46 Motor Ranch, attracts many of the most renowned figures in the racing world.

Attending this year's event, in addition to Rossi and the other previously mentioned individuals, were three-time World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, Michael Dunlop with 29 Isle of Man TT victories, 2024 Senior TT champion Davey Todd, two-time World Champion Pedro Acosta, Moto2 World Champions Enea Bastianini, Franco Morbidelli, and Augusto Fernandez, two-time Flat Track World Champion Lasse Kurvinen, as well as former AMA Flat Track Champion Sammy Halbert.

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

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MotoGP team managers are being closely examined as a significant underperformer is highlighted. Analysts forecast which MotoGP team leader may face difficulties in 2025.

Journalists at Crash.net have pinpointed the MotoGP team manager who will face intense examination this year…

Alex Whitworth: Although Aki Ajo is experiencing some pressure this season after taking over from Francesco Guidotti at Red Bull KTM, following Guidotti's departure due to poor performance, the real focus for improvement is on HRC.

The downturn of the Japanese company has been evident for at least the past five seasons, and recently, they've also parted ways with Repsol and Marc Marquez.

Last year, Johann Zarco stood out as the standout performer for the brand, but his achievements were mainly limited to occasionally making it into Q2 and securing a few top-10 finishes.

As 2024 drew to a close, there were indications of some progress, yet it is crucial for HRC and its President, Koji Watanabe, to begin seeing tangible results in 2025.

Derry Munikartono: Alberto Puig, who leads the Honda MotoGP initiative, faces significant pressure to ensure its success.

In recent years, the team that was once dominant in MotoGP has faced significant challenges. These difficulties have been so severe that they lost both their star rider, Marc Marquez, and Repsol, their sponsor for three decades.

In response, Honda decided to incorporate a more European influence into their technical team. They hired Aleix Espargaro as a test rider and appointed former Aprilia technical chief Romano Albesiano as the new Technical Director.

With a strong team supporting him, Puig understands the importance of guiding Honda back to the top position in the MotoGP standings.

Lewis Duncan reports that in 2025, Paolo Pavesio will assume the role of factory Yamaha team manager, succeeding Lin Jarvis and taking on a significant responsibility.

Since joining the MotoGP initiative in the late 1990s, Jarvis has played a pivotal role at Yamaha. During his last year, he successfully secured a new two-year contract for Fabio Quartararo, brought Alex Rins on board, and secured a major satellite partnership for Yamaha with Pramac.

As he prepares to step down, he made every effort to guide the manufacturer onto a positive path. With Yamaha's M1 seeing significant advancements, Pavesio needs to continue exactly from where Jarvis stopped and maintain the company's current course.

Jordan Moreland: Considering the prominent assignment, I would suggest that it is Aki Ajo at KTM.

Based on his previous successes in the lower racing categories, KTM likely views him as the crucial element they've been missing to propel the brand into a Championship contention, a feat they have not yet achieved in their MotoGP efforts.

Peter McLaren: As Martin Brundle puts it, "in F1, you're always either applying pressure or feeling it; there's no middle ground," and this concept equally applies to MotoGP.

Ducati's strong performance is putting stress on the remaining four manufacturers.

Aprilia faces the challenge of fully capitalizing on the acquisition of the newly crowned world champion, Jorge Martin.

Despite the financial instability, KTM is facing significant pressure to break their losing streak and seriously contend for the championship title.

Both Yamaha and Honda are feeling the heat to demonstrate tangible advancements and compete for podium finishes by 2025.

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Rival, who acknowledges having less talent, supports Jorge Martin for success with Aprilia in MotoGP

"I have consistently had faith that we can compete for a championship with Aprilia."

Aleix Espargaro is of the opinion that Jorge Martin could thrive with Aprilia in MotoGP, as Martin managed to secure a victory on the bike despite not possessing the same level of talent as top riders like Espargaro himself.

Current MotoGP world champion Martin will join the factory Aprilia team for the upcoming season after missing the opportunity to advance to the official Ducati team.

Martin, who surpassed Francesco Bagnaia to win the 2024 championship riding a Pramac-operated GP24, has announced that he will not compete to defend his title in 2025 as he begins his journey on the RS-GP.

However, Espargaro, who secured three grand prix victories with Aprilia prior to his retirement at the conclusion of 2024, thinks that his ability to remain competitive on the RS-GP strongly indicates Martin's capabilities.

Espargaro expressed his genuine belief that competing for the world championship with Aprilia is possible. He made this statement during a DAZN documentary, noting that he will take on the role of a Honda test rider in 2025.

"I lack the level of talent that those competing for the championship have, but I've still been able to secure race victories, earn pole positions, and break records at numerous tracks with this bike."

"I'm not suggesting that Jorge can achieve it this year, but he will definitely have a chance to express his opinion."

In November of last year, Martin had his initial test run with the RS-GP in Barcelona. During this event, Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, remarked that Martin's assessment of the bike was surprisingly favorable.

Marco Bezzecchi is set to team up with him in 2025, as Fabiano Sterlacchini steps in to take over the role of technical director from Romano Albesiano, who is heading to Honda.

Espargaro cautioned that Pedro Acosta is likely to be a formidable competitor at the forefront of the races in 2025, despite the fact that the Ducati remains "currently much superior to the others."

"My old team is performing excellently, but KTM is fortunate to have an amazing talent like Pedro."

"Certainly, he will be one of the competitors for the championship, even though the Desmosedici is significantly ahead of the rest right now."

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Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez team up on the track for the start of their 2025 MotoGP preparations. This marks their inaugural joint practice session for the upcoming season.

Last week in Spain, Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez took to the race circuit as they intensified their preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season.

For Marquez, his session at the Aspar Circuit marked his initial experience on the latest Ducati Panigale V2. This model is lighter yet not as powerful as the earlier version and comes as a benefit of Marquez's recent role as an official Ducati rider.

Jorge Martin and Marc Márquez hit the track side by side 👀📸 Photo by Manu Tormo at the Aspar Circuit. pic.twitter.com/TrUgqJKh2R— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 12, 2025

Meanwhile, Martin was experiencing the Aprilia RSV4, a bike that might be a bit too powerful for a karting circuit like the Aspar Circuit, during his first session on the track since starting his official contract with Aprilia in early January.

The pair were not only present at the racetrack simultaneously, but they also spent some time riding alongside each other, allowing them to observe each other's performance ahead of the official MotoGP testing scheduled for February.

Earlier in the off-season, Martin and Marquez had already teamed up, having spent some time in December riding motocross together.

A major storyline of the 2024 MotoGP season, which concluded with Martin being crowned as the champion in the top category for the first time, revolved around Ducati's choice of rider to join Francesco Bagnaia in the Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.

Marquez and Martin were in a fierce competition for the second factory Ducati position, competing with Enea Bastianini. Before the Italian Grand Prix, it looked almost guaranteed that Martin would team up with Bagnaia. However, after the test following the race at Mugello, Ducati decided on Marquez, and Martin ended up signing with Aprilia.

In the year 2025, the ongoing story will focus on how Martin aims to contest Ducati's supremacy while riding for Aprilia, the sole brand besides Ducati to secure a race victory in 2024. Additionally, the narrative will explore how Martin measures up against Marquez and Bagnaia, who are considered the top contenders for the championship this year.

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EXCLUSIVE – Carchedi Talks: Aldeguer’s Remarkable Growth, Shattered Windscreen, and Ambitions for 2025

"I believe Fermin is going to surprise many this year."

Following his successful collaboration with eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, which resulted in 20 podium finishes and three wins at Gresini, crew chief Frankie Carchedi is set to team up with newcomer Fermin Aldeguer for the 2025 season.

Aldeguer secured a spot with Ducati following his impressive performance at the end of the 2023 Moto2 season, even though he finished fifth in the championship the previous year. He made his first appearance in the premier class during the Barcelona test in November.

The young Spaniard narrowly surpassed current Moto2 titleholder Ai Ogura, who rides for Trackhouse Aprilia, to claim the top spot among newcomers, securing the 20th position. He completed his laps 1.761 seconds behind his teammate and the session's frontrunner, Alex Marquez.

In a discussion on the Crash.net MotoGP podcast, Carchedi detailed the difficulties faced by the new riders during the test. The challenges arose from the cold weather and the absence of soft front tires, which was a consequence of the last-minute decision to switch the season finale location from Valencia to Barcelona.

Carchedi mentioned that there was a minor mishap, though the challenging conditions could have led to more incidents. He noted that every newcomer ended up in the gravel at some stage, which wasn't unexpected. Nonetheless, he felt that the test was very encouraging overall.

"By the second or third lap, he mentioned that you start getting used to the speed. However, the data clearly showed that there was significant room for improvement in the braking area."

"Perhaps we exerted too much pressure on him. However, after receiving guidance on areas for improvement, Carchedi disclosed that Aldeguer made a remarkably impressive leap in his performance."

"Something that truly stood out to me was how, after just one session of discussing [the braking], he was significantly closer to the leading riders by the very next exit. It was actually a bit alarming, as we pondered whether we might have pushed him a bit too hard!"

"You must keep in mind that a rider's posture and how they fit on the motorcycle are crucial factors in MotoGP. For a newcomer, determining this during the initial test is nearly like making an educated guess."

"You consider the positions of the other riders, and we somewhat place him in the center, but there is still more effort needed on this during the winter."

"We experienced a broken windscreen…"

Standing at 1.81 meters, Aldeguer ranks among the taller competitors. This height necessitates him to adjust his body position further back, vividly demonstrated when the Spanish rider's helmet shattered the windscreen during a practice start.

Carchedi disclosed that their primary focus throughout the morning was on understanding the ride-height mechanism, and the individual quickly adapted to it. They didn't even discuss the procedures or buttons related to starting.

"We approached it gradually, and later in the day, as temperatures dropped, we conducted some practice starts at the pit lane's end before the designated practice start time at the conclusion of the test."

"It might have been somewhat unjust to head directly to the grid and have him perform his initial practice start in front of everyone – even though, as you noticed, we still ended up with a shattered windscreen!"

"The unexpected twist emerges during the second race weekend."

Although Marquez and Aldeguer are at different stages of their MotoGP journeys, Carchedi pointed out that they share common challenges when adjusting to a new bike.

"There are indeed parallels with 2024," he mentioned. "The testing process is manageable since you have an entire day on the circuit. It's something you can organize. With two bikes available, the procedure is relatively simple. You have the luxury of taking your time and reaching a solid performance level. As a result, it's common to see many newcomers perform exceptionally well in their initial race."

The unexpected challenge arises during the second race weekend at a circuit where no prior testing has been done. You have roughly 20 laps in the first practice session before needing to switch to qualifying mode to secure direct entry into Q2.

"That's when you experience an unexpected jolt."

"There are 5-6 days of testing scheduled in Sepang, which should allow even newcomers to be competitive. The same can be anticipated for the first race weekend in Thailand, thanks to the Buriram test that will take place prior."

"However, the moment you proceed to the initial new track, it will be Argentina."

In 2019, when Joan Mir was a newcomer with Suzuki, he was close to reaching the podium in his debut race in Qatar, holding his ground until the last few laps. His performance was impressive. However, the subsequent race took place in Argentina, which posed an entirely different challenge.

"As mentioned earlier, you have 20 laps before entering a qualifying phase. In MotoGP, your starting position significantly influences your race strategy. Therefore, it will require some time."

"It's consistently about moving forward and improving," Carchedi commented when asked about Aldeguer's objectives for 2025. That year, Aldeguer will compete against Ogura and Somkiat Chantra for the best rookie accolade.

"I have consistently mentioned with past riders, and it will be no different with Fermin, that my main focus is on continuous improvement. Therefore, even if you end up in 20th place in the initial race, as long as you perform better in each subsequent race, you have successfully met your objective. This way, you'll be prepared for the next season."

"If you have a fluctuating performance throughout the year, it's nice to secure a podium finish in the fifth or sixth race. However, if you end up in 20th place in the subsequent race, that strategy isn't effective."

The discussion harks back somewhat to Diggia's experience in 2023 and the initial steps we took with him. The focus was on establishing a positive trajectory, and we aim to follow a similar approach with Fermin.

"The pressure only arises if you secure a podium finish in the first race, as it becomes challenging to maintain or improve that level throughout the rest of the year!"

"I anticipate that as the year goes on, we will consistently be more competitive, rather than having certain tracks that are good for us and others that aren't. We'll likely see a general improvement."

"He achieved his quickest lap while conserving his tires the most."

Considering this, Carchedi mentioned that it would be more advantageous for Aldeguer to focus on refining the set-up at first, instead of risking everything to secure a direct spot in Q2 on Friday afternoon.

Carchedi expressed that it would be a mistake, particularly in the initial races, to visit a new circuit, complete 20 laps, and then decide to push hard and take risks in an attempt to reach Q2.

"It's more beneficial to focus on improving your bike first. Once you're prepared to truly challenge yourself and qualify for Q2, then you go for it. Our approach will be somewhat similar to what we did during the test in Barcelona."

A notable highlight of the test was his efficient use of tyres. The key is not only to ride the bike at high speeds but to do so in a way that conserves the tyres enough to avoid needing a pit stop midway through the race.

"In fact, during his final stint with fresh tyres, he recorded his quickest lap and conserved the most tyre life."

"These are the aspects you'll consider because, frankly, even if you begin near the back of the grid, having a tire that can last the entire race will likely allow you to gain five or six positions without much effort."

"Each person sets their own objectives and aims. We have our own, and we're focused on what we hope to accomplish, particularly in the initial phases."

"Fermin is set to make a strong impression on many individuals this year," Carchedi expressed confidence. He also emphasized that he had no worries about Aldeguer's challenging Moto2 season last year.

During the initial season with Pirelli tyres, the pre-season favorite managed to equal champion Ogura with three race victories. Despite this achievement, Aldeguer ended up nearly 100 points behind the Japanese competitor due to seven instances where he failed to score.

In Moto2, they switched to a different tyre manufacturer, which posed challenges for numerous riders. It appeared that each leading rider had a stretch of three to four races where they seemed unstoppable, followed by another three to four races where they faced significant difficulties.

With it being the inaugural year using Pirelli tires, it's not something you weigh heavily. Fermin's performance at the conclusion of 2023 was truly remarkable; he was the sole competitor capable of challenging Pedro, who is undeniably a top-tier racer.

"I'm confident that Fermin is going to leave a strong impression on many individuals this year."

Gresini is set to kick off its 2025 MotoGP season with a team unveiling event, showcasing riders Aldeguer and Alex Marquez, on Saturday, January 18th.

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For two decades, Peter has been a familiar presence in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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"Fine equilibrium" during Yamaha's era with Fabio Quartararo and Valentino Rossi

Exiting Yamaha leader contemplates key choice

Yamaha has mused over the "challenging periods" and the complexities of managing both Fabio Quartararo and Valentino Rossi within their team.

Rossi transitioned to the Petronas team, a subsidiary of the main factory team, for his last season in MotoGP in 2021.

He opened a path for rising star Quartararo to take the helm of a factory Yamaha – and in return, he rewarded the manufacturer by clinching the MotoGP title.

"Bringing Fabio into the Petronas squad was primarily a choice of the Petronas team itself," Lin Jarvis, the departing Yamaha chief, told MotoGP World.

They took a daring step, with nothing at stake.

"In his debut season, he outperformed Franco Morbidelli, which led us to negotiate his move to the factory team.

"When he joined the factory squad, we found ourselves having to relocate Valentino once more since he was approaching the conclusion of his career. That became the secondary concern."

"Ultimately, the choice proved to be the right one, as Fabio's immediate impact with the factory team was explosive, securing the top spot in his debut season."

"These were intriguing moments, with fine equilibriums, concurrent realities, and nuanced choices to be determined."

Three years later, Quartararo has become the top-earning MotoGP rider, having signed a new extended contract to remain with Yamaha.

Despite the setbacks the manufacturer has faced since winning the championship.

At the last race of 2022, Bagnaia from Ducati outperformed Quartararo, a point at which Quartararo's motorcycle started to show a decline in performance.

After two seasons away from leading the pack, there's hope that Yamaha will return to its victorious form.

In 2025, the inclusion of Pramac as a satellite team will increase their number of riders on the grid twofold, enhancing their data collection capabilities significantly.

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

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Jorge Martin identifies 2025 championship frontrunner – a choice that may disappoint many supporters…

Reigning MotoGP champion discusses his prospects for retaining the title

MotoGP star Jorge Martin has pinpointed the top contender for the 2025 championship.

However, the individual who clinched the top category title for the first time did not choose himself.

He hasn't chosen Marc Marquez either, a decision that may disappoint his numerous supporters who believe that moving to the top motorcycle in MotoGP might help him secure his ninth global championship.

Francesco Bagnaia has been selected instead.

"Currently, I view Pecco as the frontrunner with Marc not far behind," Martin said to AS.

"However, it's anyone's guess. I consider myself among the top three contenders, ready to compete with them in certain races, while expecting to face more challenges in others."

“However, the crucial aspect lies in enhancing and making progress.”

Martin clinched the 2024 championship with the Pramac satellite team, outperforming their competitors from the Ducati factory team.

Yet again, he was passed over for a factory Ducati spot, with that honor awarded to Marquez. Marquez, alongside Bagnaia, is set to create a powerful pairing equipped with the top machinery available in 2025.

Martin has relocated to Aprilia, which means he'll have to adapt to a different setup as he aims to retain his title.

"Martin expressed, 'I continue to view Ducati as being above the rest, and I must add, they have an excellent team with Pecco and Marc.'"

Ultimately, that box will contain numerous titles, but it's anyone's guess.

"MotoGP is defined by its dominant periods – we've seen the reigns of Yamaha, Honda, and Ducati… and it's anyone's guess which powerhouse will define the next chapter."

Martin maintains that he harbors no ill will against Ducati, even after their separation.

"Ultimately, Ducati offered me the chance to reach MotoGP, and beyond that, they've consistently shown faith in me,” he stated.

"The team has provided me with excellent contracts and a highly competitive motorcycle, particularly in the past two years. I've been equipped with the same machinery as Pecco and Enea Bastianini, enabling me to outperform them on the circuit, which is ultimately the key aspect."

Martin is relieved that his worry about ending his career without securing a championship title has been dispelled.

"I had this idea once, but it's not something I'll think about anymore," he mentioned.

"I became anxious and blurted out, 'Gosh, if I ever retire and haven't clinched a world championship…'"

Precisely, it feels as though I haven't accomplished my objectives. Initially, contemplating how to cope with this unfulfilled goal was challenging. However, ultimately, I managed to realize it, removing one uncertainty from my mind.

Reflecting on it previously caused me pain, and there are moments when the mere anticipation of events can cause distress, even before they unfold, and occasionally these fears do materialize.

"However, I attempted a reverse approach, thinking, 'it will happen, it will happen', and eventually, it did."

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For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Jorge Martin Discusses Concerns About Clashes With New Teammate Marco Bezzecchi

Jorge Martin Admits "We Haven't Been Closest Friends"

Jorge Martin has addressed worries regarding his rapport with Marco Bezzecchi.

This year, Martin and Bezzecchi will team up as the fresh factory Aprilia rider pairing.

However, their history is marred by controversy, further complicated by Bezzecchi's close ally, Pecco Bagnaia, fiercely competing for the championship title against Martin in the previous season.

"Martin admitted to Motorsport that Bezzecchi hasn't exactly been his closest ally over the past few years."

"Ever since our time competing in Moto3, we've encountered numerous clashes."

For me, the important thing is having a partner who has a competitive spirit.

"If he succeeds in providing guidance to enhance the bike, it'll benefit me as well. The same goes the other way around."

Martin clinched the Moto3 title, finishing the season 46 points ahead of Bezzecchi.

From time to time, their encounters have been marked by tension, with Bezzecchi expressing frustration over the stewards' failure to penalize Martin for his role in triggering a collision during the 2023 Austria sprint.

However, each competitor has now departed from Ducati in pursuit of a factory position and will unite at Aprilia.

Martin, naturally, might show up flaunting the top spot, having secured the MotoGP championship in the previous year.

"Despite not being Aleix Espargaro, I've now assumed the mantle of leadership, and as the world champion, it's my duty to steer this Aprilia project," Martin declared.

"This implies maintaining a strong bond with my significant other."

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For ten years, James served as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Allegation that Ducati's worry over "hazard" prompted partnership with Marc Marquez

New speculation regarding the reason behind Ducati's significant decision

It's been proposed that Ducati's worry over "risk" influenced their decision to partner with Marc Marquez.

A year ago, Marquez made the switch from Honda to Gresini Ducati and shone brightly in 2024, competing on a machine from the previous year. He was in the running for the championship, but his challenge faded in the last few races.

His performance was sufficient to secure a promotion to Ducati's premier team this season, providing him access to the top equipment in the competition.

The decision made by the manufacturer negatively affected Jorge Martin, who, after clinching the MotoGP championship riding a Ducati, has since moved to Aprilia.

"Wayne Gardner expressed to Motosan that he was not taken aback by the choice to select Marquez over Martin."

Frankly speaking, had I been in that situation, I likely would have remained alongside Jorge.

"Indeed, Marc possesses remarkable riding skills, undeniably. They both hail from Spain, correct?"

"I believe Ducati's actions effectively sidelined Marquez from the contest."

Having him collaborate with them is preferable to him being in opposition.

"They are aware of Marc's talent. It appears he has greatly enhanced his abilities since becoming part of the Ducati team.

It's clear that Ducati possesses the premier motorcycle in the lineup, a status it has maintained for several years.

"Marc has been struggling to handle the Honda, leading to his numerous accidents."

"He continues to experience several accidents, but there's now a bit more stability in his performance, likely due to the improved quality of the motorcycle.

"However, from Ducati's perspective, they cannot afford to let Marquez join a competing team."

"Adding him to their squad ensures victory next year, whether with Pecco or Marquez."

"Thus, they were compelled to reach a conclusion, and that was the sequence of events."

"Now, Martin is making a move to Aprilia; I believe it will be amazing with that motorcycle.

"In my opinion, this will add more excitement to the championship, to be honest."

Last summer, Marquez complicated matters for Ducati as they were deliberating on their roster for 2025.

He emphasized that Pramac, despite having a factory-spec motorcycle, was not a consideration.

This led Ducati to reverse their initial decision to honor Martin.

Following his signing with Aprilia, Martin wrapped up an ideal season by clinching the MotoGP championship title.

He now has the opportunity to race with the number 1 on an Aprilia in 2025.

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

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