"Marc Marquez clarifies the humor behind the Gresini middle finger gesture, stating, 'They were ahead of us!' He added, 'My dad was among the group too!'"

After completing his initial day of testing with the factory Ducati team, Marc Marquez returned to the pits at Tuesday's MotoGP session in Barcelona, where his previous team from Gresini eagerly awaited his arrival in the pit lane.

The entourage was composed of Alex, the younger sibling, their parent Julia, and Gresini team's leader Michele Masini, all sharing a laugh as they watched #93 zoom by.

Marc replied with a solitary finger gesture and subsequently clarified the humor behind it:

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Check out this Instagram post from the official MotoGP™ account (@motogp).

"Marc Marquez mentioned, "Team Gresini is constantly making jokes!"

During their final lap, they found humor while standing outside the garage, chuckling over their Sunday declaration to me, ‘Every race, we’ll be ahead of you!’

Right from the initial trial, Alex and the team completed ahead of me!

"Surprisingly, my dad was among them too! Hence, he's heading towards being the quickest one! That's why I exclaimed, 'get lost!'"

"Only kidding!"

Alex, who led the testing scores in his first appearance with the GP24, shared, "The whole team greeted him, saying, 'hey, we're ahead of you!'"

"Throughout the weekend, our rivalry is akin to that of siblings, and following the Sprint on Saturday evening, where Alex outperformed Marc, we really gave him a hard time about it back at the hospitality area."

"He told me, 'Hold off until Sunday. Hold off until it's all done.' And then, come Sunday, he [assaulted me].

"Today, we simply bid him farewell by saying 'ciao' as we found ourselves face to face with him once more!"

Marc secured the fourth quickest time in the trial, transitioning from the GP23 to an experimental model of the GP25.

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

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Miguel Oliveira shares initial thoughts on the distinct Pramac Yamaha

"It's extremely different compared to my previous experiences"

Following a six-year stint on V4-powered MotoGP bikes with KTM and Aprilia, Miguel Oliveira transitioned to Pramac Yamaha, making his first appearance for the team during Tuesday’s test session in Barcelona.

Immediately after securing the world championship in their last race with Jorge Martin and Ducati, Pramac embarked on a new chapter with Oliveira and Jack Miller, transitioning into their Yamaha phase.

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The racer from Portugal, achieving their top result this year with a third-place finish in the Sachsenring Sprint for Trackhouse, finished 60 laps at the Catalunya track on the factory-version M1.

"Oliveira noted that it was certainly a departure from what he was accustomed to."

"Particularly during the deceleration process, it's distinctly unique. However, I must admit, it's also a motorcycle that is immediately, quite easy for the rider to handle."

"The bicycle provides excellent feedback, letting you know the position of the wheels, which is extremely important."

However, the five-time MotoGP champion highlighted that the quickest motorcycle is usually not the most comfortable to ride.

"He emphasized that their priority isn't to design a bike that prioritizes comfort or rider-friendliness, but rather one that emphasizes speed, and he's confident they'll definitely have the chance to focus on developing such a bike," he stated.

Oliveira secured the 17th position in the test rankings, trailing the top contender, Alex Marquez from Gresini Ducati, by 1.335 seconds and was 0.939 seconds behind the quickest Yamaha M1, ridden by Fabio Quartararo from the official Yamaha team.

"Oliveira went on, describing it as a favorable day for preparation, in his view."

Numerous engineers from Yamaha were present in the garage, assisting the team in seamlessly adapting to the new motorcycle, updated software, and all other changes.

"I definitely connected well with my new crew chief and data analyst. We're certainly going to progress further during the Winter tests."

When questioned about a specific aspect he wishes to enhance, Oliveira responded, “Braking. That’s all,” elaborating that his focus is on the bike’s steadiness when slowing down.

Yamaha is set to introduce a new V4 engine, but the individual, who is 29 years old, steered clear of making detailed comparisons between the V4 engines he's competed with in his MotoGP career and the existing M1 Inline4.

"Oliveira noted that while the current engine has its advantages, there are also areas that require enhancement."

Due to his contract with KTM, which prohibits him from speaking to the press, Miller recorded the 22nd quickest time, trailing Alex Marquez by 2.2 seconds.

For two decades, Peter has been a staple presence in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and departure. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Aprilia responds to Ducati's 'purchase the #1' taunt

Leaders from Ducati and Aprilia engage in a tit-for-tat over the #1 plate

The playful rivalry between Ducati and Aprilia is already underway.

Just last weekend, Jorge Martin clinched the MotoGP title while competing for Pramac Ducati, but a lot has already shifted since then.

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Martin has relocated to Aprilia, a team he evaluated in Barcelona riding a motorcycle marked with #89, as he remains undecided about choosing to compete under the #1 plate in 2025.

This suggests that Ducati could witness their competitors from Italy rejoicing over the current champion's victory, even though he achieved this success riding their motorcycle.

"Ducati team leader Davide Tardozzi conveyed to TNT Sports, 'The FIM record will state '2024 champion, Jorge Martin riding a Ducati.'"

"If Aprilia acquires this top spot, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their position…"

Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, responded with laughter, saying, "I believe our expenditure for that figure was lower than theirs!"

Tardozzi expressed uncertainty about the strategies of their competitors. Following their triumph in Barcelona, Martin, along with the whole Pramac squad, has parted ways with Ducati.

However, the manufacturer will maintain their stronghold even as their leading factory rider, Pecco Bagnaia, acknowledges losing the championship to the competing satellite rider, Martin.

Speaking to TNT Sports in Barcelona, Tardozzi said, "It's been an incredible year for Ducati, given that Pramac is part of the Ducati team.

"Our team consists of seven members dedicated to supporting our main racer. This is because Jorge holds the position of our primary racer."

"Indeed, while his victories were fewer compared to Pecco's, his consistent presence on the podium justifies his position at the top of the championship standings."

In the upcoming year, Ducati is set to receive Marc Marquez, following his trial run with the GP25 during the offseason evaluation.

However, Tardozzi will monitor Aprilia's advancements closely, especially after Ducati secured Marquez, allowing Aprilia to bring on board Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.

Tardozzi cautioned, "We're looking at an incredible lineup for next year.

"The 2025 bicycle is set to undergo development throughout the winter season effectively."

"However, I'm uncertain about the actions of our competitors. We believe there's going to be a progress from 2024 to 2025."

"However, I'm unsure about the extent of progress from the competitors, particularly Aprilia, which boasts an impressive pair – Martin and Marco Bezzecchi – along with a new technical head."

For ten years, James served 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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Pecco Bagnaia believes he has “8 or 10 years” left in MotoGP and aims for a comeback akin to Marc Marquez's success.

“My aim is to maintain my speed and strength while striving for further improvement.”

Francesco Bagnaia is strategizing his return to the pinnacle of MotoGP after losing his World Champion title to Jorge Martin the previous weekend.

In 2024, Bagnaia secured victories in 11 races held on Sundays, a feat that elevated him into the top 10 of the all-time winners in the premier class of Grand Prix racing. However, the Italian racer shows little interest in reveling in these statistics, focusing instead on continuing to increase his win count.

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"Frankly, I haven't reached a stage in my professional journey where I'm interested in looking at those statistics," Bagnaia commented following the previous weekend’s Solidarity Grand Prix.

"As a relatively inexperienced rider, I believe I have around eight to ten years ahead to further my career. My goal is to push myself to the limits, maintain my speed and strength, and strive for continuous improvement."

"Securing more championship victories is my primary goal, and I'm committed to making it happen."

Bagnaia noted that, despite not clinching the title in 2024, the year remained significant for him.

"I don't view [2024] as a defeat in the true sense since I take lessons from my errors—I understand that our loss in the championship was due to those mistakes, and this is an area I plan to work on," he expressed.

Additionally, examining Marc's record, he secured consecutive championships twice, experienced a defeat in 2015, and subsequently achieved four successive victories.

"Therefore, it's uncertain, but I will make every effort to reach the highest possible achievement once more."

To regain his position at the pinnacle and recapture the #1 title he secured in the previous two years, Bagnaia needs to reflect on the errors he committed in 2024 that led to his loss of the championship.

"Bagnaia noted, "My initial task is to gain a deeper comprehension of the circumstances, given it's accurate to say that three of those eight zeros stemmed from peculiar scenarios."

"The incident in Portimao involving Marc, the event in Jerez with Brad [Binder], and the situation with Alex Marquez in Aragon."

"Thus, I believe that in all three instances — indeed, I have been knocked off by other competitors, but each situation might have been something I could have sidestepped."

"Regarding Marc, perhaps it's wise to hold off for a while, though he's quicker, so consider pausing and not overstepping. I mention this, yet when I'm in a race, my aim is always to finish as ahead as possible; however, I'm thinking of working on this aspect for the coming year."

"In the incident involving Alex Marquez, I was definitely quicker by four tenths of a second, and I seized the opportunity when he veered off course. I thought, 'This is my chance,' but then we collided, causing me to crash. A similar situation happened with Brad.

"Therefore, I believe it's crucial for me to glean lessons from my errors. Analyzing the mistakes made by others proved to be more challenging since my approach didn't vary much, aside from a slight decrease in speed, yet the outcome was the same with me crashing."

"Thus, analyzing them is harder, yet when it comes to recognizing my errors, it becomes simpler to grasp and comprehend."

The ex-World Champion mentioned that his accident during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, along with his mishaps in both the Malaysian and Catalan Sprints, represented his most significant blunders throughout the season.

"He mentioned that the incident at Misano [Emilia-Romagna] was particularly bad, as he was on track to comfortably secure a third-place finish."

"Honestly, the incident in Malaysia is harder to come to terms with because I didn't do anything incorrect: my entry was slower, and perhaps that contributed to the crash, but this incident is the toughest to acknowledge, similar to the situation here in Catalunya during the Sprint."

Bagnaia mentioned that, apart from his clear errors, he faced additional challenges at the beginning of the season due to a lack of comfort with the Desmosedici.

"He mentioned that the most challenging aspect of the season, aside from the errors, was the initial phase. This was due to his decision to equip the motorcycle with new components, specifically the new forks and swingarm, which resulted in lost time."

"Indeed, I secured a victory in Qatar, but until we reached Jerez, I found it challenging to increase my speed. Portimao, typically a track where I perform well, presented significant difficulties in terms of speed, and Austin proved to be a difficult race.

"Thus, my spirits were low, but the moment we opted to revert to my usual configuration, I began to feel quicker and more powerful. From that point on, things improved significantly."

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

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Ducati Targets 2025 for On-Track Introduction of Its 2027 MotoGP Prototype

Gigi Dall'Igna Reveals Anticipated Debut Timeline for the '27 Ducati Model

Gigi Dall’Igna anticipates the debut of the 2027 Ducati MotoGP prototype on the circuit "next year".

In 2027, MotoGP motorcycles will experience their most significant transformation since the shift to 1000cc engines in 2012.

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MotoGP is set to transition to a new 850cc four-stroke engine configuration, significantly reducing aerodynamic elements and completely banning the use of ride height adjustment mechanisms.

Despite other manufacturers being tight-lipped about their 2027 development strategies, Ducati's general manager has shared a hint about the timeline for their first prototypes to hit the track.

"Dall'Igna mentioned that they are addressing the matter, speaking ahead of the Barcelona trial concerning the 2027 rules."

"We're exploring fresh concepts at the moment. The work is in progress. Pinning down a timeline is challenging at this stage. Currently, we're in the ideation phase. However, I'm confident that by next year, we'll have something concrete."

Under the new regulatory changes set for 2027, manufacturers without concessions will face a mandatory freeze on engine development at the beginning of the 2025 season.

This places increased focus on Ducati's off-season development efforts for 2025, aiming to maintain its leading status in the championship.

In 2024, Ducati overwhelmingly led the season, securing victories in 19 out of 20 grand prix races and clinching the first four positions in the riders' championship standings.

In response to inquiries about whether Ducati's supremacy could decline before 2027 due to the impending halt in engine development, Dall'Igna stated, "I'm uncertain. The upcoming season is an entirely fresh chapter.

"Thus, the producers currently facing challenges have the opportunity to leap ahead. It's unpredictable."

"Thus, the key is to concentrate on the challenges that need to be addressed and work towards advancing the bike's development as much as we can. This is our responsibility and what we must undertake."

According to the existing concession regulations, Ducati faces the most limitations due to its position in the competitive hierarchy.

In addition to adhering to a halt in engine advancements starting next year, a rule that KTM and Aprilia will also follow, Ducati will also be restricted from entering any wildcard entries and will have a reduced allocation of tires for testing purposes.

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Joan Mir Criticizes Honda MotoGP Test as 'Unproductive': 'Our Expectations Were Much Higher'

The 2020 world champion expressed disappointment over the limited updates during the Barcelona test.

Joan Mir expressed that the Barcelona MotoGP test on Tuesday "wasn't a fruitful day" for either him or Honda, as "all the things we tested were things we had already tested previously."

Last weekend, at the Solidarity Grand Prix, Honda wrapped up its most challenging season in MotoGP history, finishing at the bottom of the constructors' standings with only 75 points.

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Although the company has leveraged its role as a concession manufacturer to advance its RC213V, especially in the final stages of the season with the launch of a new aerodynamic package that enhanced cornering, it remains distant from competing for a podium finish.

During the official testing session following the San Marino Grand Prix, Honda introduced new components, such as aerodynamic upgrades, which contributed to an improvement in their performance.

During the Barcelona test this week, Mir completed 67 laps and finished in 15th place. However, he was disappointed because he believed there was a scarcity of new components to work with.

"I’m not satisfied. Today didn't go well in terms of getting things done," he remarked.

"We attempted strategies we've used previously. We didn't have any new improvements to increase our speed."

"We had been using our usual package along with one from the past that was ineffective."

"You can probably understand that the day didn't go as planned. I'm just hoping that we'll get more updates next week in Jerez."

In response to a question from Crash.net about whether Honda was putting in sufficient effort, he said, "I initially believed so, but in truth, our expectations were significantly higher."

Mir states that Honda informed him that the reason he had no new components to test was due to "the timing; they weren't able to produce it in time."

The world champion from 2020 emphasized that the post-season test is a crucial event of the year, which Honda has now missed as an opportunity to unveil a new motorcycle.

He mentioned that significant moments throughout the year include the Misano test, where they obtained some effective aerodynamics and a new engine setup.

"The final test of the season, whether it takes place in Valencia or, as in this instance, Barcelona, holds significant importance."

"In the past, it was common to spot two bikes from Honda among the manufacturers, and usually, a new bike would also be introduced. We didn't receive it this time. I am hopeful that we will receive it soon."

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Moto2 titleholder Ai Ogura felt anxious while riding alongside MotoGP legends during his first test appearance. "I thought I would be more astonished than I actually was," he remarked.

Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura confessed to feeling "nervous" as he participated in his debut test for Trackhouse Racing alongside MotoGP's leading riders on Tuesday at the Barcelona circuit.

In the summer, a Japanese motorcyclist inked a two-year contract with Aprilia's satellite team, paving the way for a move to MotoGP in 2025. This agreement has proven to be an excellent decision, especially after he clinched the Moto2 championship.

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On Tuesday, Ogura participated in the post-Solidarity GP test, marking his first appearance in MotoGP. During this session, he completed 86 laps using the 2024 version of the RS-GP bike.

He concluded the day in 21st place, ranking as the second-best among the three newcomers, despite experiencing a minor mishap at Turn 2 early in the session.

Reflecting on his initial experience riding a MotoGP bike, Ogura expressed, "Naturally, witnessing all these riders on the circuit and the presence of several cameras made me anxious. However, it was something I could handle."

When questioned about the most significant distinction between Moto2 and MotoGP, he emphasized that mastering throttle control to stabilize the bike is the primary challenge he needs to understand.

He mentioned that his primary challenge right now is entering corners.

"The most challenging aspect for me was managing the throttle to ensure the bike remained steady and accelerated smoothly. It feels somewhat different."

"Initially, I need to focus on improving the braking process. This includes everything from the moment I apply the brakes until I start accelerating again. I need to gain a better understanding of this phase, and it's my top priority to address."

Newcomers frequently mention that the strength of MotoGP engines and the effectiveness of carbon brakes are surprising when they transition from Moto2 for the first time.

However, for Ogura, the situation was different. He remarked, "It was fine. I anticipated feeling more astonished, but after a couple of laps, I quickly adapted to the speed."

“There isn’t much of a difference between the steel brakes and the carbon brakes. It doesn't pose any major issues for me.”

Ogura mentioned that he plans to boost his physical training during the winter months to prepare for the transition to MotoGP. Despite this, he did not feel overly fatigued after completing 86 laps on Tuesday.

He mentioned, "I completed 86 laps today, with the longest stretch being approximately 10 laps."

"For this race, I felt fine and didn't have any issues with my physical condition."

"I didn't manage to complete 20 consecutive laps today, so we'll have to wait and see. I'm feeling alright now, but I plan to train more intensely this winter compared to last year."

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Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez top the list for most crashes in the 2024 MotoGP season. Here is the ranking of riders based on the number of falls they experienced throughout the season.

Looking back on his first season in MotoGP, Pedro Acosta found himself thinking about the opportunities missed with 13 races where he failed to score any points.

The newcomer from GASGAS Tech3 outperformed the KTM competitors by achieving the most GP podiums with five, securing four Sprint podiums, earning one Pole position, and leading the race for 13 laps.

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Despite his efforts, he was surpassed by his future teammate Brad Binder for the fifth position in the world championship, with a narrow margin of merely two points.

During the final phase of the year, Acosta commented, "Consider the number of points I missed out on due to crashes in several races. It's significant! If I had finished fifth in each of those events, the points would really add up by the season's end."

"I should remember this as well! When there's no stress, you might be able to go all out, but sometimes it's necessary to ease up a little."

According to the official MotoGP statistics for the 2024 season, Acosta experienced the highest number of crashes, totaling 28 incidents over the course of 20 races. It's important to note that he did not participate in the Australian Grand Prix due to an injury.

"There were numerous errors and challenging times," Acosta reflected on his first year in the top-tier racing class. "Conversely, there were also many positive experiences, battling for wins, making significant progress, and gaining a deeper understanding of MotoGP."

"For this reason, my happiness outweighs my sadness."

The following racer to encounter a crash in the MotoGP circuit was Marc Marquez, who is in his twelfth season. This year, he transitioned from Honda to Ducati and experienced 24 falls.

Last year, Marquez led the list with a record-breaking 29 crashes during his last season with Repsol Honda, which was also the inaugural year for Sprint races. This was achieved even though he was absent for three rounds and missed two additional Sunday races.

Numerous individuals anticipated that Marquez wouldn't need to push the Desmosedici to its absolute limits, unlike the underperforming RCV. This raises the question: why has he experienced so many crashes?

Marquez reflected on the season, noting that he experienced numerous crashes early on, though he asserted that not all of them were due to his own errors.

"However, I did experience a few accidents that puzzled me, which also slightly diminished my confidence. As a result, we had to make another attempt to properly determine the limit."

Despite this, Marquez experienced a fall in just 5 out of the 40 races, including an incident with Francesco Bagnaia in Portimao.

Marquez expressed that what he finds most encouraging is having falls during practice sessions. He emphasized that during the main race, his priority is to remain on the bike, which he considers the most crucial aspect.

"I aim to crash less frequently, but right now, I'm not overly concerned about the number of times it happens."

On the opposite side of the practice-to-race accident comparison was Bagnaia, the current double title holder and future teammate.

Throughout the season, the Italian racer experienced just nine falls, ranking him 17th overall. However, he failed to complete eight races, with one non-finish caused by a technical problem at Le Mans, hindering his pursuit of the championship title.

Ranked third on the list of falls for 2024 was Marc's younger sibling, Alex, who is also part of the Gresini Ducati team. Alex experienced 21 crashes, including an incident with Bagnaia at Aragon.

Jack Miller from Red Bull KTM secured the fourth spot with 20 falls. Meanwhile, his teammate Brad Binder, along with Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez, who rides alongside Acosta, each had 19 falls.

The presence of all four KTMs among the top seven highlights the challenging characteristics of the RC16 this year.

Jorge Martin, the new world champion, experienced 15 crashes while riding his Pramac Ducati, though these incidents occurred over just four races.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Luca Marini, the new Repsol Honda rider, had the fewest crashes of any full-time competitor, with just four falls throughout the entire season.

Leading Yamaha motorcyclist Fabio Quartararo experienced a total of just nine falls.

Zonta VD Goorbergh led the Moto2 crash statistics, while David Almansa and Filippo Farioli were at the top of the Moto3 crash list, each experiencing 18 incidents in the inaugural year of using Pirelli tires.

The MotoGP's official statistics account for crashes that happen during race weekends, excluding those that occur during testing sessions.

List of Riders Who Crashed in the 2024 Moto

*A substitute or temporary rider.

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently a key figure in the unfolding narrative of Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Pedro Acosta mentioned that the motorcycle occasionally behaves unpredictably. He added that it's more stable now, which is crucial.

On his inaugural day as a factory MotoGP racer, Pedro Acosta, a newcomer for the 2024 season, concentrated on efforts to 'stabilize' his KTM bike.

The most noticeable changes were related to aerodynamics. The rider, who has finished on the podium five times, tested various fairing designs on his RC16. One of these designs was particularly striking, featuring a very small windscreen.

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Acosta mentioned that he experimented with about four to five different fairings. Meanwhile, Brad Binder concentrated more on the electronic aspects. Acosta expressed satisfaction, noting that reaching conclusions about aerodynamics can often be challenging.

"We experimented with several options, and once I created the rear section and compared it with my usual fairings, the results were favorable."

"The bike feels slightly more stable, which is crucial. You can see how our bike tends to wobble significantly at the end, as shown on TV, and this makes it challenging for traction and other aspects."

In the initial part of the day, Acosta recorded the quickest time before dropping to ninth position, trailing by 0.768 seconds. Meanwhile, his new teammate, Brad Binder, emerged as the fastest KTM rider, securing the sixth spot with a time 0.705 seconds behind the leader.

Acosta went on to explain that they weren't focusing on anything related to rear grip.

The main issue was with the front, as we often do wheelies, causing the bike to shake significantly, especially the handlebars. Occasionally, the bike starts behaving unpredictably.

"We concentrated more on the electronic aspects."

Acosta's upcoming event is scheduled for February at Sepang. What are his expectations for the experience in Malaysia?

He responded by saying, "I want more power, better handling, a bike that’s more stable, improved traction—essentially, I want it all!"

"If we can enhance traction and create a calmer experience, I would be pleased."

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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2025 MotoGP: The Crew Chiefs Behind Each Rider

A complete list of rider and crew chief combinations for the 2025 MotoGP season

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

When teams undergo changes, some experience a shift in their crew chief, whereas others remain the same but introduce new trackside technicians into their garages.

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The list below shows the team pairings of crew chiefs and riders for the year 2025.

Ducati's official racing team comprises rider Marc Marquez paired with engineer Marco Rigamonti, and rider Francesco Bagnaia teamed up with engineer Cristian Gabarrini.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has joined the factory Ducati team, marking his third change in crew chief over the past three years.

Following his departure from Honda and Santi Hernandez at the close of 2023, Marquez joined forces with Frankie Carchedi at Gresini for the 2024 season. However, his move to the factory Ducati team did not maintain this partnership, as the Italian team decided to team him up with Marco Rigamonti, who was previously Enea Bastianini’s crew chief.

Rigamonti has had past collaborations with Andrea Iannone during their tenure at Ducati and Suzuki, and he also worked alongside Johann Zarco in the Avintia and Pramac Ducati teams.

Gabarrini has served as the crew chief for Francesco Bagnaia during his time as MotoGP champion and has previously collaborated with Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

Honda's official racing team includes Joan Mir, who works with Santi Hernandez, and Luca Marini, who is paired with Christian Pupulin.

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

Luca Marini has a new crew chief, with Christian Pupulin stepping in to take over from Giacomo Guidotti. Guidotti has moved to Pramac to join Jack Miller's team, whereas Pupulin has prior experience working with the Australian rider at KTM.

Aprilia Racing Team

Jorge Martin – Daniele Romagnoli

Marco Bezzecchi – Francesco Venturato

Newly crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin is joining the factory Aprilia team, and he will be accompanied by Daniele Romagnoli, who comes with him from Pramac.

Marco Bezzecchi has moved on from working with Matteo Flamigni at VR46 and has now teamed up with Francesco Venturato at Aprilia. Venturato was the performance engineer for Maverick Vinales earlier this year.

KTM's official racing team features Pedro Acosta, with Paul Trevathan, and Brad Binder, alongside Andres Madrid.

Pedro Acosta, although new to the factory KTM team, arrives with his crew chief, Paul Trevathan, who previously worked with him at Tech 3. Meanwhile, Brad Binder continues his partnership with Andrea Madrid.

Gresini

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

First-year MotoGP rider Aldeguer is teaming up with Frankie Carchedi, who was previously the crew chief for Marc Marquez, for this season. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez will maintain his collaboration with Donatello Giovanotti.

Yamaha Racing Team

Fabio Quartararo – Diego Gubellini

Alex Rins – David Munoz

Fabio Quartararo continues his collaboration with Diego Gubellini, his crew chief since he first entered MotoGP in 2019. Meanwhile, David Munoz, who previously worked with Valentino Rossi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, joins forces with Alex Rins, stepping in for Patrick Primmer.

VR46 Team

Franco Morbidelli – Matteo Flamigni

Fabio Di Giannantonio – Massimo Branchini

Veteran mechanic Matteo Flamigni, who has worked with Valentino Rossi and previously served as crew chief for Marco Bezzecchi, is teaming up with Franco Morbidelli for his transition to the VR46 team. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to work with Massimo Branchini, marking his fourth crew chief collaboration in as many years.

In 2024, Branchini held the position of crew chief for Morbidelli at Pramac.

Tech3 Team

Enea Bastianini – Crew Chief Alberto Giribuola

Maverick Vinales – Crew Chief Manuel Cazeaux

Next year, Enea Bastianini will join the Tech3 KTM team, reuniting with Alberto Giribuola, who previously served as his crew chief in 2022 at Gresini.

Maverick Vinales has taken Manu Cazeaux along from Aprilia.

Pramac

Miguel Oliveira – Luca Ferracioli

Jack Miller – Giacomo Guidotti

Pramac has introduced an entirely new team for its first appearance with Yamaha in 2025, which includes the addition of two new crew chiefs. Miguel Oliveira will collaborate with Luca Ferracioli, who previously teamed up with Luca Marini during his debut season in 2021.

Giacomo Guidotti will part ways with Honda to join Jack Miller's team next year.

Trackhouse

Raul Fernandez – Noe Herrera

Ai Ogura – Giovanni Mattarollo

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

LCR

Johann Zarco – David Garcia Somkiat Chantra – Klaus Nohles

Johann Zarco will continue working alongside David Garcia in his second year at LCR Honda. Meanwhile, MotoGP newcomer Somkiat Chantra is teaming up with Klaus Nohles, who was previously the crew chief for Takaaki Nakagami.

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Franco Morbidelli on his VR46 debut: "There's something special here"

"We possess something extraordinary, and it's crucial we make the most of it"

Franco Morbidelli is enthusiastic about taking advantage of his special bond with VR46 as he joins Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team for the 2025 season.

The Italian rider, who became the VR46 Academy's first world champion in Moto2 in 2017 and later won a MotoGP race in 2020, is transitioning from the Pramac team.

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In addition to being in a known environment, Morbidelli is among the select riders who will retain the same model of motorcycle in 2025.

This year, Morbidelli rode a factory Desmosedici GP24 for Pramac, the same bike that his teammate Jorge Martin used to clinch the championship. However, Morbidelli missed the entire pre-season testing period because of head injuries.

The ex-Yamaha racer, who previously finished as a title runner-up, secured a podium finish in the Sprint race at Misano, claimed fourth place at the Indonesian Grand Prix, and ended up ninth in the overall rankings.

During the Barcelona test on Tuesday, he made his first appearance with Pertamina VR46, finishing in seventh place, just 0.762 seconds behind.

"Morbidelli mentioned that today was crucial for familiarizing himself with the colleagues he will collaborate with in the coming year."

This encompasses Matteo Flamigni, who once served as Marco Bezzecchi's crew chief and was previously Valentino Rossi's electronics engineer.

"I have been acquainted with numerous team members for several years, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with them," stated Morbidelli.

"I've admired Matteo since I was young; he made a name for himself with Vale as his electronics engineer, and we got along well."

Morbidelli expressed his respect for everyone in the team, highlighting the strong bonds and mutual understanding they share. He believes this unique connection is something special that should be utilized effectively.

"It's essential to utilize it to quickly establish connections and relationships in order to accomplish our goals."

The debut on Tuesday went smoothly according to expectations.

Morbidelli described the first day as excellent. He mentioned making adjustments to the bike to gain insights and enhance the understanding between him and his team.

"That will be the key factor next year. As we deepen our understanding of one another during these challenging times, our performance and responses during race weekends will improve."

"I enjoy the environment here; it has all the necessary elements for success. We put in a lot of effort, and I decided against using the soft tire at the end because the temperature was too low to enhance our lap time. All in all, it was an excellent beginning."

What about the unique types of leather?

"Lovely. I'm eager to see additional pictures as they were quite enjoyable."

Fabio di Giannantonio, who is on the same team as Morbidelli, was unable to participate in the test because he recently underwent surgery on his shoulder.

For two decades, Peter has been a prominent figure in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. Currently, he is closely involved with the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Honda's MotoGP Test Results: Why Zarco Isn't Worried Despite 'Not Very Positive' Steps

LCR Racer Shares Thoughts on Barcelona MotoGP Testing

Johann Zarco expressed that his experience with the 2025 Honda during the post-season MotoGP test in Barcelona was "not very positive." However, he remains calm and is "not getting stressed" over it.

Joan Mir, a rider for the Honda factory team, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Japanese brand for not introducing new components during Tuesday's test in Barcelona.

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The 2020 world champion mentioned that all the components he experimented with for 2025 were advancements he had already tested earlier this year. He anticipated having additional new parts.

After completing 65 laps, Zarco secured the 10th position overall in the test and emerged as the fastest HRC rider. However, he was also dissatisfied with the progress of the bike he tested.

"We tried out a different bike, but the results weren't very promising," he started by saying.

The information suggests that it might be wise to avoid pursuing this path in February. When I switched from my current race bike to the new model, I focused on refining my riding technique and aimed to make the most efficient use of the bike.

"I had a great time today as I focused on short, high-quality runs, which was really enjoyable. We experimented with various approaches that resulted in some positive experiences."

Overall, the day was favorable, but in terms of Honda's goals for the upcoming year, it's necessary to hold a meeting to evaluate the situation and decide whether to continue pursuing the direction taken today.

"I believe they won't take that step. Overall, when we compare it to the other motorcycles, we've noticed enhancements in our engine."

"This is crucial since our bike isn't the quickest. Having power is essential to compete effectively on straight sections and secure advantageous positions for overtaking during braking."

"The vulnerable aspect of our bicycle is the control of the rear grip."

"We have yet to discover anything that would allow us to make progress. This grip control could aid in speeding up, but it might also assist in improving the braking section, which is currently our main weakness."

Zarco experimented with a new chassis among other modifications, but he mentioned that it diminished the strengths of the RC213V and failed to address its traction issues.

However, he remains calm and is not panicking because he believes that experimenting with something unsuccessful can still benefit Honda.

"I believe it was about focusing on the good aspects," he mentioned.

"Our vulnerable area remained unchanged, which is significant. That's the reason I'm not overly concerned, as our pace wasn't substantially reduced."

"Since our speed is still not on par with a Ducati, our upcoming measures need to enhance our lap time."

"For me, it was a productive day because we completed numerous strong laps, and I felt good focusing on improving myself."

"We conducted tests in various parts of the bike, received positive feedback, and gathered crucial information that will be analyzed over the winter."

"It's not an entirely new initiative, but the changes they introduced were not very beneficial for the riders."

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