EXCLUSIVE: Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia have the potential to "compete for a win in each race"

"Undoubtedly, this is the greatest motorcycle ever…"

Defeated in only one of the 20 MotoGP races last year, the team dominated the Sunday podium 14 times, achieved a flawless top-eight finish in the Buriram Sprint, and secured their fifth constructors' championship along with their third consecutive riders' title.

These were a few of the figures from Ducati's history-making 2024 season.

Luca Marini, who has ridden a Ducati during his first three seasons in MotoGP with VR46, told Crash.net that it is undoubtedly the greatest bike ever made, praising the excellent work done.

Although the number of bikes will decrease from eight to six in 2025, and the reigning champion Jorge Martin will be moving to Aprilia, Marini cautioned that the new factory team, consisting of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, might result in even more dominance by Ducati.

When questioned about whether he believed that Ducati's dominance in MotoGP would reach its height in 2024, Honda's factory rider, Marini, responded:

"I doubt it. If Pecco and Marc are on the same team, they'll motivate one another to get better."

Honda acknowledges that they won't be able to compete with Ducati in the upcoming year. Instead, their goal is to outperform the other manufacturers.

However, if Aprilia and KTM cannot match Ducati's performance, it might result in only Bagnaia and Marquez competing for the win in each race.

"It seems possible that we haven't reached the highest point yet…"

In 2024, Ducati achieved a level of success that surpassed Honda's impressive performance during the 2003 MotoGP season when the RC211V secured victory in 15 out of 16 races, with Valentino Rossi, Marini’s brother, claiming nine of those wins.

In that year, the sole additional victor was Loris Capirossi, who secured Ducati's inaugural MotoGP win at the Catalunya circuit.

Honda achieved an impeccable record in 1997. During the 500cc era, Honda secured victories in every one of the 15 grand prix races held that year.

Could riders such as Bagnaia, Marquez, and the factory-supported Fabio di Giannantonio achieve an undefeated record in 2025?

Last season, the Circuit of the Americas was the only grand prix where the Desmosedicis didn't come out on top. In Texas, it was Maverick Vinales from Aprilia who took the victory, followed by Pedro Acosta from KTM.

Enea Bastianini secured third place riding for Ducati, while Marc Marquez experienced a fall shortly after moving into the lead, which was caused by a problem with his brakes.

In last year's Sprints, Ducati faced defeat on three occasions, once again at the hands of Aprilia, as Vinales secured two victories on Saturdays and Aleix Espargaro clinched one.

Vinales has joined the Tech3 KTM team, while Espargaro has stepped away from racing full-time to take on a role as a test rider for HRC.

Marco Bezzecchi, who previously raced with Marini in the VR46 team and has won three MotoGP races, will be teaming up with Martin in the new Aprilia squad. Meanwhile, Acosta is moving up to the factory KTM team, where he will race alongside Brad Binder.

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Peter has spent two decades in the paddock and witnessed the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Who might emerge as the 2025 MotoGP's next Pedro Acosta?

Lewis Duncan from Crash evaluates the three new entrants and their potential.

In a significant development for the first time since the 2022 season, the MotoGP lineup will be refreshed with the introduction of three newcomers: Fermin Aldeguer, Ai Ogura, and Somkiat Chantra.

The talent pipeline for MotoGP has been consistently strong, but over the past two years, only a single newcomer has ascended to the top tier. Augusto Fernandez made his move to Tech3 in 2023 after securing the Moto2 championship title, and Pedro Acosta, who took over the Moto2 crown, made his entry into the premier league in 2024.

Naturally, there was a lot of excitement about Acosta's first season, during which he secured nine podium finishes in various races and grand prix events with the Tech3 GASGAS team.

The enthusiasm seen in previous years hasn't fully extended to the new group of racers in 2025. However, Ogura enters as the current Moto2 champion, and Aldeguer's impressive performance in Moto2 during 2023 persuaded Ducati that he was prepared to step up to MotoGP at the beginning of the previous year.

Chantra's entry into the MotoGP circuit has surprised many, considering he has only two grand prix victories in 106 races. However, he marks a significant milestone as the first Thai racer to compete in the top tier, and his first appearance will be met with overwhelming enthusiasm at the season's start in Buriram.

Naturally, newcomers will be measured against past newcomers who raised the bar. In this scenario, Acosta's achievements in 2024 will be (unjustly) compared to the performances of Ogura, Aldeguer, and Chantra this year.

Instead, Crash has chosen to ponder over how each of the three newcomers of 2025 measures up as first-year racers within their respective teams, considering the standards previously established.

Ai Ogura – Joins Trackhouse Racing, Replacing Darryn Binder

Surprising many during the 2024 off-season, the current Moto2 world champion's move to Trackhouse Racing quickly proved to be a brilliant decision as the partnership with the Japanese racer showed significant promise.

Ogura has been close to making his MotoGP entrance for a while now, but chose not to take a certain opportunity with Honda and LCR, opting instead for a project that seems more fitting for him, especially when looking at the present performance of the RC213V compared to the RS-GP.

In a discussion with Crash.net, set to air this weekend, Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio revealed that what attracted the American-owned team to Ogura was not just his quickness but also his racing mindset and toughness.

As the reigning Moto2 champion, Ogura will set the standard for this year's newcomers. When comparing teammates, he faces the most straightforward challenge among them. Darryn Binder was the most recent newcomer to compete for the team under its RNF branding.

The move of the South African rider from Moto3 to MotoGP, joining the Yamaha satellite team at the time, was primarily driven by the financial support he provided. During his stint in Moto3, he managed only a single race victory and was known for his contentious aggressive approach on the track.

Like many ambitious young racers, he grabbed the opportunity to join MotoGP with both hands. However, in 2022, while riding an outdated Yamaha, he managed to finish in the points only three times. His top performance came with a 10th-place finish at a rain-soaked Indonesian GP. Following RNF's switch from Yamaha to Aprilia in 2023, Binder found himself relegated to Moto2, where he has yet to leave a significant mark.

Overall, Binder accumulated only 12 points during his single year in MotoGP. Even though this was before the introduction of sprints, Ogura is expected to easily equal or surpass this score in his debut season.

Fermin Aldeguer has been chosen to join Gresini Racing, taking over from Fabio Di Giannantonio. Among the newcomers of 2025, Aldeguer stands out due to his unique path to the world of grand prix racing. Despite this, he made a significant impact by leading the CEV Stock600 series in 2020 and the CEV Moto2 category in 2021.

In 2021, he took part in the MotoE series before transitioning to a permanent position in Moto2 in 2022. The next season, riding on a Boscoscuro frame, he secured victories in five grand prix events – notably clinching the final four races of the season – which earned him a third-place finish in the championship rankings and significantly boosted his chances for a MotoGP seat by 2025.

Before the start of the 2024 season, Ducati had already clinched Aldeguer's commitment, a timely move given his erratic performance throughout the season. Despite achieving three wins, he only managed to finish fifth overall, using the same bike model that Ogura rode to championship victory.

Aldeguer encountered some doubts regarding his career path. Initially, after securing a contract with factory Ducati, it was anticipated that he would join Pramac. However, the situation changed when Marc Marquez's factory deal came into play, influencing Pramac to switch their allegiance to Yamaha starting in 2025. Consequently, Ducati managed to secure a spot for Aldeguer with Gresini, though he would be riding a bike from the previous year.

For Aldeguer, the newcomer standard at Gresini is set by Fabio Di Giannantonio, who embarked on his first MotoGP season with the squad in 2022.

Di Giannantonio faced challenges in his debut season, failing to earn any points until the season's seventh race in France and achieving just a single top-10 finish, securing eighth place in Germany. However, his luck took a positive turn in 2023 when he teamed up with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, leading to his maiden victory in Qatar that same year.

The Italian rider will be joining forces with VR46, piloting a factory Ducati in 2025

Di Giannantonio amassed a total of 24 points in 2022. Over the past few years, the Gresini team has established a genuine familial environment and has shown a willingness to explore every possible method to support a rider's performance.

Di Giannantonio's experience could also serve to alleviate some of the stress on Aldeguer should he face challenges in the initial season of his two-year agreement.

Somkiat Chantra Takes Over LCR Honda From Takaaki Nakagami

Following Ogura's commitment to Trackhouse for the 2025 season, many anticipated that this move would secure Takaaki Nakagami another year with LCR.

However, LCR and Honda envisioned a different plan, opting for Chantra instead. The Idemitsu-sponsored section of LCR's team, deliberately established for an Asian rider, welcomed Chantra's inclusion, supported enthusiastically by Thailand's fervent MotoGP fanbase.

Buriram has been chosen to kick off the season for the upcoming two years, and the championship will initiate with an official event in Bangkok on February 9. Given the profitable nature of the Thai market, Chantra greatly benefited from holding a Thai passport.

However, he is also among the pair of ex-Asia Talent Cup competitors slated to race in 2025, having outperformed Ogura to clinch the series title in 2016. With two Moto2 Grand Prix victories under his belt, Chantra can counter any claims of being selected solely for diversity purposes.

In 2025, Chantra is undertaking the most challenging assignment among the three newcomers. He will be riding the least competitive motorcycle on the lineup and is succeeding a relatively impressive predecessor from LCR, Nakagami.

In 2018, during his first season, the rider from Japan regularly finished races within the points, concluding the season with a total of 33 points. His top performance came with a sixth-place finish at the highly unpredictable and rainy Valencia GP final. Following this, Nakagami proved to be a significant asset to Honda, especially in the area of motorcycle development.

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Who might be the 2025 MotoGP's fresh talent akin to Pedro Acosta?

Crash's correspondent Lewis Duncan evaluates the three new entrants and their potential impact.

In a notable development for the MotoGP series, the racing grid will introduce three fresh participants – Fermin Aldeguer, Ai Ogura, and Somkiat Chantra – marking their debut since the 2022 season.

MotoGP's pipeline for developing talent has been consistently strong, yet over the past couple of years, only a single newcomer has progressed to the top-tier category. In 2023, Augusto Fernandez, the Moto2 champion at the time, was welcomed into the Tech3 team, and the following year, Pedro Acosta, who took over the Moto2 championship title, made his entry into the premier class in 2024

Naturally, there was a lot of excitement about Acosta's first season, during which he achieved nine podium finishes in both sprint races and grand prix events with the Tech3 GASGAS team.

The enthusiasm surrounding the newcomers of 2025 hasn't fully caught on, yet Ogura enters as the current Moto2 champion, and Aldeguer's impressive performance in Moto2 during 2023 persuaded Ducati that he was prepared for MotoGP at the beginning of the previous year.

Chantra's entry into the MotoGP circuit has caused some surprise considering his track record so far – winning two grand prix out of 106 races. Nevertheless, he makes history as Thailand's inaugural star in the premier class, and his first appearance is set to be met with enthusiastic cheers at the season's kickoff in Buriram.

Naturally, newcomers will be measured against past newcomers who established a new standard. Here, Acosta's achievements in 2024 will be (unjustly) juxtaposed with the performances of Ogura, Aldeguer, and Chantra in the current year.

Instead, Crash has chosen to examine how the three newcomers of 2025 measure up as first-year riders within their teams, considering the standards previously established.

Ai Ogura Joins Trackhouse Racing, Replacing Darryn Binder

The current Moto2 world champion became one of the most surprising acquisitions of the 2024 silly season. However, Trackhouse Racing's deal with the Japanese sensation has proven to be exceptionally beneficial over time.

Ogura has been close to making his debut in MotoGP for a while, but chose not to take a sure opportunity with Honda and LCR in favor of a project that seems to be a better fit for him, especially when considering the present performance of the RC213V in comparison to the RS-GP.

In a discussion set to be published this weekend on Crash.net, Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio shared that what drew the US-based team to Ogura was not only his quickness on the track but also his racing mindset and toughness.

As the reigning Moto2 champion, Ogura is set to be the standard bearer for this year's newcomers. When it comes to comparing teammates, he faces the most straightforward challenge among them. Darryn Binder was the most recent newcomer to compete for the team under its RNF branding.

The elevation of the South African rider from Moto3 to MotoGP within the former satellite Yamaha team was primarily driven by the monetary support he provided. Throughout his tenure in Moto3, he secured a single race victory and garnered a negative image due to his forceful racing technique.

Eager like most newcomers, he grabbed his opportunity to enter MotoGP. However, in 2022, competing on an outdated Yamaha model, he only managed to earn points three times, achieving his peak performance with a 10th place finish at a rain-soaked Indonesian GP. With RNF's switch from Yamaha to Aprilia in 2023, Binder found himself relegated to Moto2, where he has yet to leave a significant mark.

Overall, Binder accumulated only 12 points during his single year in MotoGP. Despite the era lacking sprint races, Ogura is expected to easily equal or surpass this score in his debut season.

Fermin Aldeguer, stepping in for Fabio Di Giannantonio at Gresini Racing, stands out as the most captivating newcomer in the 2025 lineup. His journey to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing deviates from the norm. Despite this, he showcased his prowess by clinching titles in the CEV Stock600 series in 2020 and CEV Moto2 in 2021.

Before joining Moto2 on a permanent basis in 2022, he had participated in MotoE during the 2021 season. In the subsequent year, riding a Boscoscuro frame, he secured victories in five grand prix events, notably clinching the final four races of the season, which propelled him to a third-place finish in the overall rankings. This impressive performance significantly boosted his prospects of landing a MotoGP ride for the 2025 season.

Ducati finalized a deal with him before the start of the 2024 season, a move that proved timely given Aldeguer's erratic performance. Despite achieving three wins, he finished the season in fifth place, competing on the same model that Ogura rode to championship victory.

Aldeguer experienced some doubts regarding his career path. Initially, it seemed he would join Pramac after securing a contract with Ducati. However, following the unexpected signing of Marc Marquez by the factory, Pramac decided to partner with Yamaha starting in 2025. This change of plans led Ducati to place Aldeguer with Gresini, though he would be riding a bike from the previous season.

For Aldeguer, a newcomer at Gresini, his standard of comparison is Fabio Di Giannantonio, who embarked on his MotoGP journey with the squad in 2022.

Di Giannantonio faced challenges in his debut season, with his first points only coming in the season's seventh round in France, along with a single top-10 finish where he secured eighth place in Germany. However, 2023 marked a turning point for Di Giannantonio after teaming up with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, leading to his inaugural race victory in Qatar that year.

The Italian racer will be riding a factory Ducati under the VR46 team banner for the 2025

Di Giannantonio amassed a total of 24 points in the year 2022. Over recent years, the Gresini team has established itself as having a genuine family-like environment, demonstrating a willingness to explore every possible avenue to support their riders in enhancing their performance.

Di Giannantonio's experience could also play a crucial role in alleviating stress for Aldeguer should he face challenges during the initial season of his two-year contract.

Somkiat Chantra Steps into LCR Honda, Replacing Takaaki Nakagami

The move of Ogura to Trackhouse for the 2025 season was widely seen as a measure that would secure Takaaki Nakagami's position at LCR for an additional season.

However, LCR and Honda had a different plan in mind, choosing Chantra for the role. Given that the Idemitsu-sponsored section of the LCR team was specially created for an Asian rider, Chantra's recruitment is supported by the enthusiastic MotoGP fanbase in Thailand.

Buriram has been chosen to kick off the season for the upcoming two years, and an official inauguration event for the championship will be held in Bangkok on February 9. In a market as profitable as Thailand, having Chantra's nationality certainly played in his favor.

However, he is also among the pair of ex-Asia Talent Cup competitors set to race in 2025, with Chantra having clinched the series title in 2016, surpassing Ogura. Chantra's resume boasts a pair of grand prix victories in Moto2, countering any claims that his selection was solely for diversity purposes.

In 2025, Chantra is confronted with the most challenging assignment among the three newcomers. He will be riding the grid's least competitive motorcycle, succeeding Nakagami, who had a reasonably successful stint as a rookie with LCR.

In his inaugural year of 2018, the rider from Japan frequently finished races within the scoring positions, closing the season with 33 points and achieving his highest placement of sixth during the chaotic and rainy Valencia GP final. Naturally, Nakagami would later prove to be a significant asset to Honda, especially in the area of motorcycle development.

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Honda remained inactive in terms of developing its MotoGP motorcycle while Marc Marquez was sidelined due to an injury in 2020.

The head of the LCR team reveals the impact of Marquez's injury on Honda's progress.

LCR MotoGP team leader Lucio Cecchinnello claims Honda made no progress in development during Marc Marquez's absence due to injury in the 2020 season.

Throughout the 2010s, Marquez and Honda were a formidable force, clinching the world championship titles in the years 2013 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2019, amassing a

In 2019, Marquez showcased an unparalleled performance, securing victory in 12 races and taking the runner-up position in all but one other event. This remarkable achievement led him to clinch his sixth top-tier championship, finishing a staggering 151 points ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

However, by that time, the RC213V had become challenging for the other Honda riders, with Cal Crutchlow being the only one besides Marquez to achieve a podium finish in 2019.

In the initial race of the 2020 season, which was impacted by the COVID pandemic, Marquez suffered a severe fracture to his right arm. This incident led to Honda experiencing its first season without a victory in the top tier since it made a full-time comeback in 1982.

Facing ongoing injury challenges with Marquez in 2021 and 2022, Honda shifted its motorcycle development direction to better accommodate its entire team.

Yet, as we approach the end of 2024, Honda has not secured a victory in three of the last five seasons.

During a conversation with GPOne, Cecchinello, who has been managing Honda motorcycles in MotoGP since 2006, shared insights into the significant impact Marquez's absence due to injury had on HRC.

"He mentioned that Marc managed well with the Honda's unique front end and opted for a harder tire compared to his competitors."

At the start of the 2020 season, a notable incident occurred during a race in Jerez where he managed to surpass all competitors, only to later lose control at the front. Despite this setback, he remounted his bike and impressively fought his way back through the field.

Subsequently, Honda advised to pause until Marc's recovery, yet as we've seen, there were unforeseen issues.

While Marc was away, our progress in development remained stagnant, as opposed to our peers who advanced their projects.

"In 2021, as the focus shifted increasingly toward aerodynamics, Marc participated in several competitions and subsequently shared updates on the advancements made by his peers."

Marquez parted ways with Honda after the 2023 season due to the motorcycle's lack of progress, opting to sign with the Gresini Ducati team for the 2024 season.

In the previous season, he secured victories in three Grand Prix events, marking his first wins since 2021, and inked a contract with Ducati to join their factory team in 2025

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During Marc Marquez's absence in 2020 due to injury, Honda made no advancements with its MotoGP motorcycle. The head of the LCR team has revealed how Marquez's injury negatively impacted Honda's progress.

Lucio Cecchinello, the head of the LCR MotoGP team, has stated that Honda "made no progress in development" during the 2020 season when Marc Marquez was absent due to an injury.

Marc Marquez, an eight-time world champion, along with Honda, led the racing world throughout much of the 2010s. Together, they clinched the championship titles for the years 2013-2014 and

In 2019, Marquez had an incredibly dominant season, securing victory in 12 races and earning second place in every race except one. This performance led him to claim his sixth premier class title, finishing 151 points ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

By this time, the RC213V was posing challenges for the rest of the Honda team, with Cal Crutchlow being the sole rider apart from Marquez to reach the podium in the 2019 season.

During the first race of the COVID-impacted 2020 season, Marquez suffered a severe fracture in his right arm, leading to Honda experiencing its first season without a victory in the top category since it resumed full-time participation in 1982.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, Marquez faced ongoing injury challenges, prompting Honda to adjust its bike development strategy in an effort to accommodate all its riders more effectively.

During the period that extends to the conclusion of 2024, Honda has experienced three seasons without a victory out of the last five.

Speaking with GPOne, Cecchinello, who has been managing Honda motorcycles in MotoGP since 2006, discussed the significant impact Marquez's absence due to injury had on HRC.

"The motorcycle worked well for Marc, as he managed to handle Honda's unique front design and opted for a harder tire compared to his competitors," he stated.

One instance is the race that kicked off the 2020 season. In Jerez, he managed to pass all his competitors, but then he lost control of the front. After remounting his bike, he made an impressive recovery.

"Honda then suggested delaying until Marc had recuperated; however, as we are aware, unexpected issues arose."

While Marc was away, we made no progress on development, whereas the others kept advancing their projects.

"The focus shifted increasingly towards aerodynamics, and when Marc participated in some races in 2021, he provided feedback on the advancements achieved by others."

In 2023, Marquez decided to part ways with Honda due to the bike's lack of progress. He will be riding for the Gresini Ducati team in 2024.

In the previous racing season, he secured victories in three grand prix events, marking his first wins since 2021, and he also inked a contract with Ducati's factory team for the year

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Who among the 2025 MotoGP newcomers might emerge as the next Pedro Acosta? Lewis Duncan from Crash evaluates the three new riders and discusses potential expectations.

After the 2022 season, MotoGP is set to introduce three newcomers to its lineup: Fermin Aldeguer, Ai Ogura, and Somkiat Chantra.

For many years, MotoGP has been known for consistently developing new talent. However, in the past two years, only one fresh face has entered the top tier of the sport. In 2023, Augusto Fernandez made his debut with Tech3 after claiming the Moto2 championship title. The following year, in 2024, the new Moto2 champion, Pedro Acosta, joined the premier class.

It was no surprise that there was a lot of excitement about Acosta's first year, during which he achieved nine podium finishes in both sprint races and grand prix events while riding for the Tech3 GASGAS team.

The anticipation hasn't fully extended to the rookies of 2025, but Ogura arrives as the current Moto2 champion. Meanwhile, Aldeguer's impressive performance in the 2023 Moto2 season was sufficient to persuade Ducati that he was prepared for MotoGP at the beginning of the previous year.

Chantra's entry into the MotoGP lineup has surprised some, considering his career record of just two grand prix victories in 106 races. However, he makes history as Thailand's first representative in the top tier of the sport, and his first appearance is expected to receive resounding cheers at the season opener in Buriram.

It's common for newcomers to be measured against past first-timers who established new standards. In this scenario, the performance of Acosta in 2024 will be (unjustly) compared to the achievements of Ogura, Aldeguer, and Chantra this year.

Instead, Crash has chosen to consider who the three new riders of 2025 will replace as rookies within their teams and the standards established by those predecessors.

Ai Ogura – Trackhouse Racing (Replaces Darryn Binder)

The current Moto2 world champion surprised many by joining Trackhouse Racing during the 2024 silly season. However, the decision to bring the Japanese talent on board has proven to be a very wise move over time.

Ogura has been close to making his MotoGP debut for a while. However, he decided not to take a sure opportunity with Honda and LCR, opting instead for a new venture that seems more promising, considering the current performance of the RC213V compared to the RS-GP.

In a conversation with Crash.net, scheduled to be published this weekend, Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio shared that the US-based team was drawn to Ogura not only because of his racing speed but also due to his mindset and determination as a competitor.

As the Moto2 titleholder, Ogura will serve as the standard against which this year's newcomers will be measured. Within his own team, he faces the simplest comparison. Darryn Binder was the most recent rookie to compete for that squad when it was known as RNF.

The South African rider's move from Moto3 to MotoGP with the Yamaha satellite team was primarily driven by the financial support he provided. During his Moto3 career, he secured only one victory and developed a negative image due to his aggressive approach on the track.

Like any aspiring racer, he jumped at the opportunity to join MotoGP. However, in 2022, riding an outdated Yamaha setup, he managed to earn points only three times, achieving his highest finish with a 10th place in a rainy Indonesian Grand Prix. When RNF switched from Yamaha to Aprilia for the 2023 season, Binder was relegated back to Moto2, where he has also struggled to stand out.

Overall, Binder managed to earn only 12 points during his only year in MotoGP. Even though this was before the introduction of sprint races, Ogura is expected to easily achieve this score in his debut year.

Fermin Aldeguer – Gresini Racing (Replaces Fabio Di Giannantonio)

Aldeguer stands out as potentially the most fascinating newcomer in the 2025 lineup. His journey to grand prix racing was not typical, but he showcased his dominance in the CEV Stock600 series in 2020 and the CEV Moto2 series in 2021.

In 2021, he participated in the MotoE series before transitioning to a full-time role in Moto2 in 2022. The subsequent year, riding on a Boscoscuro chassis, he claimed victory in five grand prix races, including the last four of the season. This impressive performance secured him third place in the overall rankings and positioned him as a strong candidate for a MotoGP spot in 2025.

Before the start of the 2024 season, Ducati locked in his contract, and it turned out to be a smart move given Aldeguer's unpredictable performance. Despite achieving three wins, he concluded the season in fifth place, using the same chassis that Ogura had used to claim the championship.

Aldeguer encountered some doubts about what lay ahead for him. Initially, it seemed that he would join Pramac with a factory Ducati contract. However, the situation changed when Marc Marquez secured a factory deal, prompting Pramac to transition to Yamaha for the 2025 season. Ultimately, Ducati arranged for Aldeguer to ride for Gresini, although he would be using a motorcycle that was a year behind in terms of model.

For Aldeguer, the standard for newcomers at Gresini is set by Fabio Di Giannantonio, who began his MotoGP career with the team in 2022.

Di Giannantonio faced challenges during his debut season. It wasn't until the seventh race in France that he managed to earn any points, and he only achieved a top 10 finish once, placing eighth in Germany. However, everything changed for Di Giannantonio in 2023 when he teamed up with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, leading to his first victory in Qatar that year.

In 2025, the Italian will have a Ducati produced by the VR46 team.

In 2022, Di Giannantonio managed to secure a total of 24 points. The Gresini team, however, has shown that it functions like a close-knit family in recent years, willing to explore all possible options to enhance a rider's performance.

Di Giannantonio's situation could serve as a means to alleviate some of the stress for Aldeguer if he faces challenges during the initial year of his two-year contract.

Somkiat Chantra joins LCR Honda, taking over from Takaaki Nakagami. Many believed that when Ogura secured a deal with Trackhouse for the 2025 season, it ensured Nakagami would remain with LCR for an additional year.

LCR and Honda had different plans, choosing Chantra for the spot. The Idemitsu-sponsored section of the LCR team, designed for an Asian racer, welcomes Chantra with the enthusiastic support of Thailand, a country passionate about MotoGP.

For the upcoming two years, Buriram is set to hold the opening event of the season. Meanwhile, the championship plans to officially kick things off with an event in Bangkok on February 9. Given the profitable nature of the Thai market, Chantra's nationality certainly played in his favor.

In 2025, he stands as one of two former competitors from the Asia Talent Cup participating on the racetrack. Chantra claimed the championship title in the 2016 series, surpassing Ogura. To counter claims that he was selected merely for representation purposes, Chantra boasts two Moto2 grand prix victories.

Chantra is confronted with the most challenging situation among the three new riders in 2025. He is joining the team with the least competitive motorcycle and is succeeding Nakagami, who was a relatively strong newcomer for LCR.

In his debut season in 2018, the Japanese motorcyclist regularly earned points, concluding the year with a total of 33 points and achieving his top performance with a sixth-place finish in the chaotic and rainy final race at the Valencia Grand Prix. Nakagami subsequently became an important asset for Honda, particularly in the area of motorcycle development.

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Jorge Martin gives a somber assessment of his chances to keep the MotoGP title in 2025, stating, "The challenge is immense."

Current MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin is setting his sights on the 2026 season as a more feasible opportunity to compete for the championship with Aprilia.

Following Ducati's reversal of its choice to advance him to their main team, opting instead for Marc Marquez, Martin inked a two-year contract with Aprilia.

Discover more: The promising indications following Jorge Martin's initial trial with Aprilia

After securing the championship for Ducati with the Pramac team last season, Martin will embark on defending his title this year using an RS-GP that dropped to third place in the constructors' standings for 2024.

Although Aprilia admitted that his initial impressions of the bike during his debut testing session last November in Barcelona were "better than anticipated," Martin has taken steps to manage expectations regarding his potential to contend for the championship in 2025.

During his appearance on the Tengo Un Plan podcast, he remarked that even if he had stayed with Ducati, his objective would have remained unchanged: to put in his best effort and strive for victory.

"At this point, I'm uncertain about what to expect, as I'm not sure about the condition of the bike."

"The difficulty is significant because I'm moving to a bike that's barely in the top 10, after parting ways with one that was among the leading contenders."

"If I began in fifth position and ended up winning races or securing second place, I would feel a great sense of pride. What truly matters, though, is making progress."

Competing for the championship with the Aprilia will be challenging, so the goal for the upcoming season isn't set that high.

"The chance might arise as soon as 2026, but for the moment, I need to focus on doing my best."

Martin is the first world champion to switch manufacturers while defending his title since 2004, when Valentino Rossi moved from Honda to Yamaha.

In 2004, Rossi took control of the season and clinched his fourth world championship in the premier class.

Aprilia has scheduled the unveiling of its 2025 season for January 16 in Milan. During this event, it is anticipated that Martin will announce his decision to race with the number one plate on his RS-GP for the upcoming year.

Throughout the winter months, he has frequently hinted at the change on his social media platforms.

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KTM's stock price rises with anticipation of new funding

Encouraging developments in KTM's efforts to ensure long-term stability

KTM's chances of overcoming its financial difficulties have improved thanks to growing trust from potential investors in the company's reorganization efforts.

Before Christmas 2024, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe from Austria sought to avoid bankruptcy by entering self-administration, as it struggled with confirmed debts totaling €1.8 billion.

During the initial creditors' meeting on December 20, there was an optimistic perspective regarding the company's future viability. However, the report also mentioned that there would be an "intended" exit from MotoGP.

KTM has announced it intends to remain in the racing circuit through 2025, with an expected departure in 2026, although the circumstances are currently quite unpredictable.

Additional actions that have been implemented include a temporary halt in production, the dismissal of more than 700 workers, and the decision to sell its controlling interest in MV Agusta.

As reported by GPOne, KTM must secure an investment of €540 million by February 25, which is the date set for creditors to vote on the company's restructuring plan.

There is optimism for KTM as it attracts attention from major investors, and its stock price has increased by nearly 70 percent in the past month.

According to GPOne, Bajaj Auto and CFMoto, who currently hold shares in KTM, intend to boost their financial commitment to help preserve the brand. Additionally, Hong Kong's FountainVest has shown interest in investing.

Last month, Stefan Pierer, the CEO of KTM, announced that he plans to utilize his personal funds to assist in the company's restructuring efforts, which will involve the sale of different assets.

Although the considerable interest in investing has offered hope for KTM, it is expected to result in Pierer potentially sacrificing some of his control over the company he established.

KTM might need to scale back on some of its ventures, such as its bicycle division and the KTM XBow car division.

KTM's racing team has been implementing a detailed 100-point strategy to secure its future. Meanwhile, the head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, disclosed that they have engaged in "serious" discussions with Lewis Hamilton's management regarding potential investment opportunities.

In the world of MotoGP, KTM has reduced its participation by withdrawing the GASGAS and Husqvarna brands from the top-tier category, as well as from the Moto2 and Moto3 lineups.

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EXCLUSIVE – Joan Mir on Pedro Acosta's Future in MotoGP: "Victory Is Inevitable"

"His skills and natural ability make it inevitable. It's just a question of when."

Securing a podium finish in just his second MotoGP race and subsequently taking the lead before finishing second in Austin, Pedro Acosta quickly became the favorite among many to surpass Marc Marquez as the youngest winner in the premier class of racing.

Acosta, in his debut season with GASGAS Tech3, had a deadline until the German Grand Prix in July to surpass Marquez's 2013 achievement of securing a MotoGP victory by the age of 20 years and 63 days.

However, it did not occur prior to or following the Sachsenring event.

Acosta's opportunities for wins were often lost due to unexpected events and mishaps. Nevertheless, he stood out as the sole KTM competitor to secure multiple podium finishes last season, achieving this feat five times on Sundays.

Despite his efforts, he was unable to secure fifth place and the highest honor among non-Ducati riders, falling behind his future KTM team-mate Brad Binder in the final race in Barcelona.

2020 MotoGP titleholder Joan Mir commended Acosta's performance over the season and emphasized that a win is inevitable.

"Mir expressed to Crash.net that Pedro is performing excellently."

Being competitive across all circuits is a challenging task, and Pedro demonstrated remarkable speed at every track, which is truly impressive.

"Likely, the Ducatis have a notable lead in performance, which certainly didn't assist him in achieving his initial win."

"However, it's on its way… He's absorbing a great deal and his speed is remarkable."

It doesn't shock me that he didn't clinch victory – however, had he secured a win, that wouldn't have astonished me either, given his skill and capability.

"It's only a question of when."

Mir secured his initial MotoGP victory en route to claiming the global championship in his sophomore year in the top tier.

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

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EXCLUSIVE: Davide Brivio Reveals Insights into Trackhouse and Aprilia Partnership

"We exchange ideas on enhancements and potential improvements…"

Trackhouse Racing's team leader, Davide Brivio, has praised the partnership between the MotoGP squad and Aprilia, highlighting that there exists "complete collaboration".

Since the 2023 season, Aprilia has operated with a satellite setup after partnering with RNF, which was acquired by the American team Trackhouse the previous season due to the disbandment of the latter.

Trackhouse achieved a podium finish in a sprint race in Germany and secured their top grand prix placement of sixth at the Catalan Grand Prix, despite setbacks including injuries and a mid-season motorcycle change for Raul Fernandez, which led to the team ending up ninth in the overall rankings.

Nevertheless, the partnership between Trackhouse and Aprilia has grown even stronger, with Fernandez and newcomer Ai Ogura set to receive top-of-the-line factory motorcycles in 2025.

Upon entering MotoGP, Trackhouse aspired to establish a partnership with Aprilia similar to Pramac's collaboration with Ducati, which was set to continue until the close of 2024.

Brivio, upon coming back to MotoGP last year alongside the team owned by Justin Marks, commented on the partnership between Trackhouse and Aprilia during a conversation with Crash.net, stating, "Absolutely, we maintain a strong connection with Aprilia."

"To begin with, we possess identical motorcycles, and particularly in 2025, we are set to embark anew with the very same equipment and motorcycles directly from the factory.

"This already demonstrates the relationship and engagement through evidence."

"In any case, our relationship with Aprilia was quite intimate; we exchanged numerous insights, deliberated over choices, and similar matters."

"Clearly, being an autonomous group means we have freedom in specific areas."

"We exchange thoughts, provide feedback, and discuss enhancements and potential improvements."

"Therefore, I believe we share a strong bond and complete collaboration with them."

"Moreover, I believe it's advantageous for Aprilia to partner with an independent team, as it provides additional information and data. Thus far, it's proving to be effective."

Trackhouse is set to kick off its 2025 campaign from its headquarters in Charlotte, USA, on January 14, making history as the initial team to reveal its updated color scheme. During the off-season, it revealed a fresh collaboration with Gulf.

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KTM MotoGP's chief elaborates on the decision to appoint a new team manager

Aki Ajo is set to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad in 2025, taking over from Francesco Guidotti.

For the 2025 season, KTM will see a change in its team leadership, as Aki Ajo takes over the position formerly occupied by Francesco Guidotti.

This decision was made following two consecutive seasons where KTM failed to secure a Grand Prix victory; in fact, in 2024, they were unable to claim victory in both a Grand Prix and a Sprint.

"I wouldn't want to come off as harsh in stating this, but it truly pleases me that Francesco [Guidotti] is parting ways with KTM on good terms," KTM's motorsport director Pit Beirer expressed to MotoGP.com.

"Regrettably, our efforts fell short of achieving the desired outcomes due to various minor factors."

Beirer highlighted the reason for selecting Ajo, who has been at the helm of KTM's premier teams in the Moto3 division from the start in 2012, and has led its Moto2 squad since KTM entered the category in 2017, was due to the Finnish team leader's approach to managing riders in both the intermediate and lightweight divisions throughout the years.

"Beirer mentioned that they chose Aki [Ajo] due to his close work relationship with the riders, believing he has the capacity to offer valuable guidance about track strategies."

"Please understand, we're not under the illusion that Aki is going to fix every issue we face. However, by combining what's lacking – essentially, creating a more advanced system domestically, and ensuring the cyclists contribute their part precisely when needed – it goes beyond just the contributions of the riders.

Additionally, it involves strategic team coordination, such as deciding the optimal time for qualifying runs, timing the laps, and managing various logistical details.

"Our conviction is that Aki could well be among the top contenders in this field, consistently demonstrating a knack for cultivating champions on our behalf."

"Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta are both familiar with him and are excited about the collaboration. He has previously led them to victory, so we believe Aki can provide the additional push necessary to shave off those crucial tenths of a second we're chasing."

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In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting news related to both consumer motorcycles and racing events.

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Johann Zarco 'anticipated feeling more downcast' as his initial MotoGP season with Honda concluded

"Turned out to be more optimistic than I had foreseen"

LCR's Johann Zarco confessed he anticipated feeling more disappointed than he ultimately did at the conclusion of his inaugural MotoGP season with Honda.

The rider, who has tasted victory once in MotoGP, transitioned from the top-performing Ducati to sign a two-year deal with Honda. Starting in 2024, he will compete under the LCR team banner.

Discover more: Honda's Awakening: Identifying Its MotoGP Vanguard in 2024

Despite clinching a victory in 2023, Honda faced a significant downturn in performance throughout the season, culminating in the departure of Marc Marquez who moved to the Gresini Ducati team by season's end due to the motorcycle's disappointing performance.

Despite 2024 marking Honda's third year without a victory in the past five seasons, Zarco stood out as the team's top performer, particularly shining during the latter half of the season.

Frequently a strong competitor in Q2, Zarco achieved Honda's highest finish of the year, securing eighth place in Thailand, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on several updates to the motorcycle.

He concluded the year as the highest-ranked Honda rider, finishing 17th in the overall standings with 55 points.

Looking back at his inaugural year with HRC, Zarco confesses that he anticipated being more disappointed with his season's outcome than he currently is.

"Reflecting on the season's conclusion last November in Barcelona, Zarco expressed that it exceeded his expectations, stating, 'It’s more positive than what I expected, if I have to analyse this end of the season.'"

"Moreover, my emotions have shifted. A year ago, I believed I would have felt sadder, but surprisingly, I find myself much happier than anticipated."

"That's positive. It all started when my performance in Indonesia improved, followed by my ability to consistently achieve similar outcomes, which then allowed me to refine my riding technique."

"This effort was yielding results on the field, which boosted my confidence that I've unlocked fresh opportunities. I'm convinced I can become significantly stronger by exploring these novel aspects."

Zarco will continue to race for LCR in the 2025 season, maintaining a consistent team framework for Honda, as its main squad, featuring Joan Mir and Luca Marini, remains unchanged.

Somkiat Chantra will advance from Moto2 to occupy the second LCR position next to Zarco in his debut season, taking over from Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami has transitioned to Honda's testing squad, joining forces with Aleix Espargaro.

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