Alex Marquez playfully challenges Pirro: “You claimed there wasn't much difference between GP23-24!”

“I lightly teased him since I noticed he mentioned in several interviews that the difference wasn’t significant!”

Alex Marquez playfully mocked Ducati test rider Michele Pirro about some previous statements as Pirro made his comeback to the GP23 at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event this weekend.

Marc Marquez's sibling, Alex, has seen his brother secure victories in three Grand Prix events riding last year's satellite motorcycle. Meanwhile, riders of the current GP23 model have collectively achieved just two podium finishes, frequently attributing their challenges to problems with the front end, unlike their experiences with the former GP22 model.

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Throughout the year, Pirro has been focused on refining the GP24 model at the factory, a bike that is poised to clinch the world championship this Sunday, with either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia as the rider.

He has been called up to ride the older motorcycle again as a substitute for the injured Fabio di Giannantonio at VR46.

On Saturday, Alex shared with me, "Michele mentioned, 'the bike is really putting a lot of pressure on the front'."

I responded, "you mentioned there wasn't much of a distinction between 23 and 24!"

"I playfully teased him because I noticed in several interviews he claimed there wasn't much of a difference!"

Pirro's shift in perspective likely stems from the fact that the last time he rode the GP23, more than a year ago, it was equipped with the rear tyre design from 2023.

"Pirro expressed satisfaction in observing the distinctions between the 23 and 24 motorcycles," he remarked following his completion of the Sprint in the 21st position, marking his initial MotoGP race of the season.

"The 23 motorcycle faces challenges in certain aspects with the [2024] tire. While it might perform adequately in a few competitions, in others, it becomes harder to control."

Michelin updated its rear tire for the current year. The most recent Ducati GP24 was engineered with the new tire's features in mind. However, the improvement in rear grip seems to have disrupted the equilibrium of the GP23.

Marquez acknowledged, "Michele mentioned to me, and it's accurate, that they altered the back tire this year."

"Perhaps the bike from the previous year, equipped with the previous year's tire, was more suitable for the front-end issues he's currently experiencing."

"Thus, the situation remains as it is, and he now understands the distinction clearly."

Marquez clarified, "I'm not implying that the GP24 is definitively superior [to the GP23]."

"Certainly, in a few aspects, it might not be as good since it's impossible to enhance a bicycle in every single aspect."

Number 73 will only need to wait a few more days to personally experience the variances as he is set to make his first appearance on the GP24 during the post-race test scheduled for Tuesday.

“He emphasized having no expectations for his upcoming machine. He encouraged enjoying the experience, tuning into the 24 bike's behavior, striving to complete as many laps as possible, and communicating his impressions to Ducati.”

In response to a question about whether he believes the difference between Ducati's satellite and factory teams will be less significant than it was this year, Marquez answered:

"I'm hopeful that the 24 outshines the 25!"

"Similar to the transition from GP22 to GP23, it was remarkably balanced. With some luck, we'll experience a similar situation and even tighter competition than we did this year."

Marquez shared his thoughts following his fifth-place performance in the Barcelona Sprint.

Throughout this weekend, Alex has consistently performed better than his brother in every round except for the qualifying session. In that session, Alex fell to the eleventh position while Marc took advantage of a slipstream from Francesco Bagnaia to secure a spot on the front row.

"I was quite optimistic during the Sprint. I even entertained thoughts of contending for the win," he shared. "Given that I was in fourth place and if I managed to swiftly pass Enea and Martin…

"However, when the GP24 isn't following another rider closely, without the benefit of a slipstream, we can at least get near them by the time we reach the braking point. But in my case, I was behind Enea, who was drafting off Jorge, and it felt like saying goodbye."

"I'm really upset about how my qualifying went; it wasn't at all what we were aiming for," he added. "They invalidated one of my laps because I slightly went off track onto the green, and that lap would have placed me in the sixth position.

"Fortunately, we managed to secure the optimal positions in the initial turns, and that will continue to be crucial [on Sunday]. Our speed is solid. We're confident. We have it all, yet passing is notably challenging at this location."

The upcoming Grand Prix on Sunday will mark the final race for the Marquez siblings as teammates, with Marc set to join the official Ducati team, partnering with Bagnaia in 2025.

"Alex mentioned that Gresini feels like a large family, and having Marc as his brother only adds to that wonderful experience this season."

Alex is set to begin the season's final race ranked tenth in the world championship, trailing Franco Morbidelli by five points and leading Aleix Espargaro by eight points.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi from the racing scene. He's currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the ongoing challenges Marc Marquez faces with injuries.

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Espargaro responds to Bastianini's comment: 'He was trailing me by three seconds on a factory Ducati.'

Aleix Espargaro looks back on a flawless MotoGP finale, calling it a "perfect 10 out of 10" weekend.

Aleix Espargaro has responded to Enea Bastianini's criticism of his strategy in protecting Jorge Martin during the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix on Sunday, labeling Bastianini's remarks as inappropriate.

The Aprilia racer secured the second position in qualifying for his last race as a regular MotoGP competitor, managing to position himself between the ultimate victor, Martin, and the quick group trailing behind.

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During the initial laps of the Sunday grand prix in Barcelona, Espargaro and Bastianini engaged in a fierce battle for the fourth position. The Aprilia rider eventually secured the spot but later slipped to fifth, while Bastianini fell back to seventh.

Bastianini dropped to third place in the rankings, with Marc Marquez moving ahead of him. The Ducati rider expressed dissatisfaction with Espargaro's approach during the race, believing that Espargaro wasn't performing at his best to assist Martin.

In response, Espargaro countered by stating: "I was informed that Enea remarked it's unfortunate to conclude a career this way, without competing for a spot on the podium."

"Absolutely, my only reply was that making such a statement isn't just."

"In the final lap, I expected him to challenge me, but he was trailing three seconds behind on a factory Ducati. Therefore, I'm unsure what he meant."

"Alex Marquez delivered an outstanding performance in the race and managed to surpass me. On the other hand, Enea did not. I gave it my all. If he believes I was deliberately slow, that’s just not feasible."

"I exceeded my boundaries. I was the sole rider to place a bike among the Ducati lineup."

Pushed boundaries like never before to defend Martin

Espargaro described his final weekend in MotoGP as an experience beyond his wildest dreams, with Martin clinching the world championship as a perfect conclusion.

He gave his last round before retiring a perfect score of 10 out of 10.

"I consider myself incredibly fortunate. I'm truly thankful for the experiences I had over the weekend. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect weekend."

"After 20 seasons, bidding farewell at my home track, in my own country, surrounded by family, with unexpected moments, embraced by Aprilia's support, and being extremely competitive – coming very close to securing pole position."

"I battled with the Ducatis on my own to try and secure a spot on the podium. Jorge clinched the championship, and I gave him a bit of assistance. Overall, I'd rate it a perfect 10 out of 10. I genuinely consider myself extremely fortunate."

"Before the race, we had a brief conversation. We both sensed that he was up against all the Ducatis, which is quite understandable since they were trying to keep their championship title."

"The emotion I experienced was that I was solely responsible for safeguarding my younger brother's reputation."

"Although being on the grid for the last time was highly motivating for me, my concentration was entirely on the race once it began."

"I pushed my bike to its absolute limits more than ever before, aiming to safeguard him as much as I could. I'm extremely pleased and proud to have been able to assist him in some small way."

Espargaro stated that at one point during the grand prix, he believed he had the speed to secure a victory. However, he found it "impossible" because the performance decline of Francesco Bagnaia's and Marquez's soft tires was not as significant as anticipated.

When questioned about his chances of winning the race, he responded with, "There's no way."

At the beginning of the race, I felt confident that I had the speed to compete for the win. It surprised me somewhat because I was aware that the competitors ahead were using the soft tires.

"I pushed the motorcycle to its utmost capabilities, more than I ever have before, applying the brakes extremely late. However, I also aimed to be somewhat cautious, considering I might have an edge towards the race's conclusion."

"I'm not sure what Ducati's strategy is, but their soft tires seem to have more durability than mine."

"I stayed cautious throughout the race, but the final 10 laps were extremely challenging for me. Despite having a harder tire compound compared to others, I struggled with traction."

"I'm really glad I could assist Jorge in safeguarding his position, and towards the end, I aimed to get near the podium, but it just didn't happen."

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MotoGP unveils unprecedented spectator numbers

Below are the spectator figures for each MotoGP event this season

MotoGP has revealed an all-time high in attendance figures for this year.

The number of people who attended the final event of the season in Barcelona on Sunday has pushed the yearly total attendance over three million, setting a new record.

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Barcelona MotoGP Event Draws United Crowd

Before the Weekend – 26,081

Saturday – Count reached 46,

Sunday- Sixty-two thousand, one hundred

TOTAL: 134,848

I

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

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Gigi Dall’Igna: “This is what makes racing exciting” | Ducati experiences both victory and defeat

The general manager of Ducati Corse shares his thoughts on Jorge Martin's championship win and Francesco Bagnaia's loss.

Jorge Martin's victory in Barcelona on Sunday marked Ducati's third consecutive MotoGP rider's championship, a triumph that likely brought a mix of emotions.

Although Ducati celebrated a victory with Martin and the Pramac team, they faced a setback with defending champion Francesco Bagnaia and the official Lenovo team.

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Adding to the complexity of the situation, Ducati rejected Martin as Bagnaia’s teammate for the upcoming season, opting instead for Marc Marquez. As a result, Martin, along with what is likely the #1 plate, is heading to Aprilia.

Ducati deserves recognition for maintaining equal support for Martin's bid for the title, alongside Bagnaia, right up to the final moments, defying the predictions of numerous observers.

This involved stopping any more technical improvements, particularly a 2025 chassis that Bagnaia favored during the Misano test, in order to prevent affecting the competition among the riders.

In fact, between the two of them, it was Bagnaia who faced a race-ending technical issue at Le Mans.

However, it is the seven instances where the Italian did not score any points, along with two additional races where he earned only 1 or 2 points, that will be the most significant factors during the off-season. This comes after a year in which Bagnaia secured victory in eleven grand prix events, won seven sprints, yet ended up ten points behind Martin.

The initial comments from Dall’Igna were directed towards Martin, a racer he recruited from KTM's Moto2 team to make his first appearance on a Desmosedici in 2021.

Since joining Pramac, Martin has achieved significant success, securing eight grand prix victories. He finished in second place behind Bagnaia last season and made history by becoming the first satellite rider to win the MotoGP world championship.

Dall’Igna characterized Martin’s season as almost flawless.

Gigi Dall'Igna commented that, despite the apparent simplicity on paper, Jorge Martín executed an excellent performance by maintaining his composure and securing the championship following an almost flawless season.

"I want to extend my congratulations to him and express my gratitude for once more bringing a Desmosedici GP to the pinnacle of success."

Addressing his own champion who faced defeat, Dall’Igna suggested that there were lost chances this season, but remarked that “this is the beauty of racing.”

"Pecco has delivered outstanding performances throughout the year, clearly demonstrating his exceptional talent. However, racing can be unpredictable, and outcomes don't always align with our hopes. This uncertainty is what makes the sport so exciting."

Ducati is saying goodbye not only to Martin and Bagnaia's teammate, Enea Bastianini, but also to the Pramac team, which will transition to Yamaha starting in 2025.

Dall’Igna expressed gratitude towards Enea for their two seasons together and expressed joy that Enea managed to showcase his full potential again after what was undoubtedly a challenging year in 2024.

Expressing admiration for the collaboration with Pramac, Dall’Igna remarked: “Winning today is, or perhaps more importantly, the perfect way to bid farewell to Pramac Racing, an incredible team of experts we've collaborated with seamlessly for two decades. A heartfelt embrace goes to each member, beginning with our dear friend Paolo Campinoti.”

In 2024, Ducati experienced an exceptional year, setting new records for both wins and podium finishes. The highlight was having eight Desmosedici GP bikes lead the way in the Sprint Race in Thailand.

"I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at Ducati Corse for their dedicated and passionate efforts, which have led to the outstanding achievement we are celebrating today. Go Ducati!"

Marc Marquez is set to join Bagnaia for his first appearance with the factory Ducati team during the post-race test on Tuesday.

"It's time to celebrate now, before we begin getting ready for the upcoming season. Our aim is to keep improving and maintain our status as the leading constructors in MotoGP," Dall'Igna stated in conclusion.

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

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Jorge Martin expressed, "I was plagued with doubts, thinking 'Becoming a MotoGP champion is beyond my reach'."

"The reality hasn't sunk in yet, I'm utterly astonished!"

Jorge Martin etched his name in history by becoming the first Independent rider to clinch a title in the MotoGP era, following a nail-biting season finale in Barcelona this past Sunday.

The star rider from Pramac Ducati secured Spain's fifth championship in the premier class, clinching it with a third-place finish, in an event where his main competitor and two-time defending champion, Francesco Bagnaia from the official Ducati team, took first place.

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"It's unbelievable, I'm still processing it!" Martin exclaimed, just after stepping off the victory stand. "I'm overwhelmed with feelings; there have been so many tears!"

"Now, I'm looking forward to reveling in this moment with my team, loved ones, and companions."

"The path has been extensive. My professional life wasn't simple. Certainly, there were favorable chances, but in my view, I created them. I put in a lot of effort and made numerous sacrifices."

"During the previous season, the chance was there for me, but I believe I wasn't ready to finalize the agreement, so to speak. However, this year, I sensed it was the right time for me."

"I'm grateful to Pramac and Ducati for providing me with an incredible motorcycle over these past four years, allowing me the chance to compete at my best until the very end alongside the remarkable Pecco."

Martin: It truly frightened me!

Martin's steady performance throughout the season required him to finish no lower than ninth, despite Bagnaia potentially securing his eleventh grand prix victory of the year.

However, achieving that is more difficult in practice, particularly since all three options for the rear tires were feasible for the 24-lap race.

"Today's conditions posed a challenge, making the selection of tyres a tough decision. The riders were split among hard, soft, and medium options, which truly had me worried."

"Observing the competitors, I thought to myself, ‘amazing, they're all skilled’. Honestly, landing in tenth place is quite feasible if they all perform well. Anyone in the top ten could realistically excel."

Bagnaia and second-place finisher Marc Marquez chose the soft rear tire, while Martin, despite earlier suggesting he might follow Bagnaia's lead, remained committed to his choice of the medium tire.

"He admitted, "I felt fearful, yet ultimately decided that opting for the medium was the safest bet in terms of tyre selection. It was challenging, perhaps the soft tyre would have offered a slight edge in performance, but I managed to pull it off."

"I simply believed in my abilities. I was quite confident that despite having the 'least favorable' tire, I could still make it into the top nine, and I was truly concentrated on that goal."

"Today was thrilling as I experienced the race, feeling the closeness, almost as if I were brushing elbows and shoulders, reminiscent of supermoto training, but this time with a MotoGP! I'm truly elated to have savored that moment."

Yet, as he approached the pinnacle of his career, a wealth of emotions enveloped him.

"I believe that even in a standard race, such as one in May at this location, I would have ended up in third place since Marc and Pecco had the upper hand. I gave it my all. However, without a doubt, the final 7 laps presented more of a challenge."

I began recalling numerous memories. It felt as though my entire career was flashing before my eyes. I thought of my father, spending weekends training me after his work, my mother preparing meals during my pocket bike races, and my grandfather, who has passed away, observing from above.

"However, I found myself constantly realigning my focus, aiming to stay present: 'Jorge, the task isn't complete until you've crossed the finish line. You have to see this through.' By the time I was on the final lap, tears were already starting to form, overwhelmed by emotion."

The jubilation seen now is a dramatic change from the year's start.

Martin: "I was facing difficulties with my mental well-being."

"The 26-year-old, who did not succeed against Bagnaia in the final race of last season, mentioned, "I was truly facing challenges with my mental well-being."

The previous season ended on a high note for me. Despite securing the runner-up position, I remained quite content. However, come January, a wave of anxiety hit me hard. I found myself plagued with doubts, genuinely fearing that a MotoGP championship title might forever elude me.

"Gratitude to my coach, my skills enhanced significantly. My attention shifted towards the aspiration of victory rather than the dread of defeat."

"If I'm defeated, that's alright, I'm not perishing. Existence doesn't cease.

"I carried a strong sense of optimism about securing a victory. This wasn't just for my own sake, but also for my team, my community, and my family. This belief greatly supported me."

Martin has Sunday to enjoy himself before he embarks on his journey as a factory Aprilia rider, with his first appearance scheduled at the Barcelona circuit on Tuesday.

"Martin expressed optimism about his future, considering it a gift following this experience. He committed to striving for excellence and aiming for victory with Aprilia, while also cherishing the present moment."

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the motorsport landscape evolve, including Valentino Rossi's illustrious career from start to finish. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure from the scene and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Pramac and Yamaha have confirmed their collaboration on a new Moto2 project, set to debut in 2025 with Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara as the riders.

As Pramac Yamaha prepares for its MotoGP debut during the Barcelona test on Tuesday, official information about the new Moto2 collaboration has also been revealed.

The former Yamaha VR46 Master Camp initiative has been succeeded by the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team, which will now feature multiple race victor Tony Arbolino and past Moto3 world champion Izan Guevara.

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The builder of the chassis has not been officially announced, but there are speculations about Boscoscuro, the team that secured the championship this year with Ai Ogura.

The team is set to participate for the first time in the official Moto2 winter test, scheduled for February 7-8, 2025, in Valencia.

Yamaha Racing's managing director, Lin Jarvis, expressed excitement about the immediate extension of Yamaha's partnership with Pramac to include the Moto2 class starting in 2025.

The establishment of the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team demonstrates Yamaha's commitment to developing emerging racers and helping them progress through competitive levels, as well as the company's ambition to reclaim a leading position in MotoGP.

Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara have been announced as the impressive rider duo for the newly established Moto2 team, bringing together a blend of skills, talent, and promise. We are eager to watch their progress as we work on strengthening Yamaha's future position in MotoGP. "I am thrilled to become a part of Pramac and Yamaha's new Moto2 initiative," expressed Arbolino, the former Marc VDS rider, who has recently been associated with a potential move to MotoGP.

"I have consistently admired Yamaha for what they stand for as a brand and their historical significance."

Additionally, I have complete confidence in Pramac's ability to assist me in improving as a rider. I am committed to giving my utmost effort to achieve the best results possible. Winning the Moto2 championship is our objective.

"I am grateful for their confidence in me."

This year, Guevara achieved his inaugural Moto2 podium with the Aspar team and is set to reunite with Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new phase in my life. I’m joining a team that feels like a family, and they are the current MotoGP World Champions,” Guevara stated.

I am eager to collaborate once more with Gino Borsoi, one of the individuals who played a crucial role in my journey to becoming a World Champion. I am familiar with several team members, which assures me that our cooperation will be seamless.

First and foremost, I wish to express my gratitude to Pramac and Yamaha for the chance to compete with them in 2025. I am confident that we will accomplish many great things together. This new venture and the project I will be a part of are truly inspiring to me.

On Tuesday, Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira are set to ride for Pramac Yamaha in their initial MotoGP laps during the official testing session in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Pramac's current MotoGP titleholder, Jorge Martin, will be making his first appearance for Aprilia.

For two decades, Peter has been a familiar face in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently closely involved in reporting on Suzuki's departure and the ongoing injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Marc Marquez credits a technical adjustment for his MotoGP podium finish in Barcelona

"He worked incredibly hard overnight, barely getting any sleep, I believe…"

Marc Marquez concluded his stint with the Gresini Ducati squad by securing a runner-up finish, which ensured he claimed third position in the championship standings.

Despite facing challenges at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as evident from his performance in Saturday's Sprint where he ended up in seventh place, Marquez managed to achieve an unexpected outcome.

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"Today was challenging, particularly since yesterday's Sprint race was tough," Marquez shared with the media during the post-race press briefing in Barcelona.

He mentioned that adjustments made to the configuration of his bicycle played a significant role in enhancing his performance on Sunday.

"However, my technician was incredibly supportive throughout the night—I believe he hardly sleeps."

"After examining all of our actions, we essentially returned to the initial bike setup we began with in FP1."

From the moment the Warm Up began, I started feeling improved, and during the race, I was navigating it on my own terms.

"Certainly, we had our shortcomings, but my strengths were solid, which was incredibly beneficial."

Throughout the race, Marquez trailed Francesco Bagnaia, managing to narrow the gap at various moments but ultimately fell behind towards the end, failing to launch a significant attack for the top position.

"Marquez described the experience as being several laps behind Pecco, attempting to manage the circumstances."

"In the final five laps, I found it impossible to keep up with him. Whenever I got near, the front began to suffer significantly due to the temperature."

"Today, he outpaced me significantly. However, securing second place marks a wonderful conclusion to this incredible chapter of my career with the Gresini team, a journey I deeply cherished. It's the perfect gesture of gratitude."

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

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Potential Implications of Harley-Davidson's New Collaboration with MotoGP

Harley-Davidson and Dorna Sports Enter into a Strategic Partnership

Harley-Davidson, a well-known American manufacturing company, has entered into a strategic alliance with Dorna Sports. This collaboration is focused on expanding the presence of MotoGP in the United States and enhancing the global reach of the Harley-Davidson

After the last race of the 2024 MotoGP season on Monday, Harley-Davidson held a press conference with Dorna's leadership to reveal their new partnership. Meanwhile, Harley-Davidson motorcycles made their debut on the Barcelona track.

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On Monday, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide racing motorcycles, which compete in the King of the Baggers series within MotoAmerica, roared around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The King of the Baggers made its debut on the MotoAmerica schedule in 2020 and has quickly gained a reputation as potentially the most favored series in the U.S.-based championship.

This year marked the debut of the class at the US Grand Prix.

Rumors circulated around the MotoGP paddock in Barcelona during the Solidarity GP weekend, hinting at the possibility of introducing a new Baggers-style racing series to the grand prix lineup. However, this has not been officially confirmed.

Nonetheless, Harley's CEO, Jochen Zeitz, hinted to Crash.net that this was indeed the intention.

As of now, it seems that for 2025, only demonstration events, like the track trial in Barcelona, are planned. However, Zeitz is eager for Harley to quickly establish a long-term presence in MotoGP.

"We'll have to wait and see what results from it," he remarked.

"We aim to proceed as quickly as possible, though such matters require some time. Initially, we wish to gauge the level of interest generated by this initiative."

"Bringing the bicycles to Barcelona marks a significant move for us as we explore the possibilities."

"Up to this point, the response has been remarkable, with plenty of encouraging feedback and congratulations directed at our racers and mechanics. This indicates strong interest in establishing a new arena beyond the achievements of MotoGP."

The company, located in Milwaukee, has a long-standing tradition in motorcycle racing, especially in the area of off-road competitions.

Harley has claimed victories in grand prix competitions as well. Walter Villa secured the 250cc championship for the brand in 1975 and repeated his success in 1976, additionally winning the 350cc title that same year.

Harley is confident that it can mirror the success of the King of the Baggers series in Europe.

"Harley has a global following, with numerous enthusiasts taking their legendary bikes on tours and to racetracks. This concept, which we launched in 2021, has been highly successful, as evidenced by our ongoing involvement with MotoAmerica in the United States," Zeitz explains.

"We believe there are more global opportunities to pursue, and MotoGP could be an excellent partner in this endeavor. This presents a potential win-win situation for us, and we are eager to explore it further."

MotoGP races usually feature a packed schedule that includes the top-tier MotoGP class, along with Moto2 and Moto3 categories. At certain events, MotoE races and different Talent Cup competitions also take place. However, all of these are organized by Dorna and might not appear very different to someone who is not deeply familiar with the sport.

Including a Baggers championship in the MotoGP lineup could be an ideal strategy for Dorna to capture a fresh audience, especially in the United States. As Liberty Media, a US-based company, is poised to acquire a majority stake in Dorna starting in 2025, Harley sees a significant opportunity on the horizon.

Zeitz explains that their brand is legendary and has a rich history in racing. He highlights the significant chance to introduce this to audiences beyond the United States. To achieve this, they are collaborating with Dorna, who also aims to strengthen their presence in the U.S. market through MotoGP.

"With Liberty Media's involvement, it's clear that we all share this desire and interest."

"We've decided to explore collaboration opportunities because we have a legendary product and brand. Our goal is to remain involved in racing, while Dorna is interested in growth, and we're all eager to innovate. We believe that the King of the Baggers series is the perfect stage for this initiative."

MotoGP views its partnership with Harley as a way to increase its presence in the United States, which is an important aspect of the new ownership's strategy. Initially, there was some hesitation from MotoGP about including the King of the Baggers event in the US Grand Prix schedule this year. However, the activities at the Barcelona track on Monday indicate that MotoGP has now fully embraced the idea.

Carlos Ezpeleta, the chief sporting officer at Dorna, mentioned that the collaboration with Harley could be considered one of several efforts when asked by Crash if it might help MotoGP increase its presence in the United States.

Last night, we unveiled our new brand logos, which we are extremely proud of. One of our goals is to become visible in more unexpected locations.

"Harley can certainly assist us in achieving this goal, particularly within the United States, but also on a worldwide scale. They boast a vast network of Harley enthusiasts across the globe, which we aim to engage with."

"We frequently emphasize the significant importance of the United States to our strategy. We are optimistic that the new ownership will be finalized by the end of the year, and we are eager to pursue this and various other initiatives in the U.S."

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EXCLUSIVE: Ducati Finds Itself in a Difficult Position Regarding Jorge Martin

Insights from Davide Tardozzi in an Interview at the Barcelona Paddock, by Lewis Duncan

Ducati's team leader, Davide Tardozzi, expressed that the brand had to confront some tough choices regarding its MotoGP roster for 2025, decisions that ultimately led to the departure of the current world champion.

Pramac competitor Jorge Martin clinched the 2024 championship during the season's concluding race at the Solidarity Grand Prix, securing his victory with a third-place finish, even as his competitor Francesco Bagnaia took first place.

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Martin is set to depart from Ducati and will be moving to Aprilia in 2025, with his first appearance on the track scheduled for the post-season test on Tuesday.

Martin was initially chosen to be a part of the factory Ducati team with Bagnaia for the 2025 season. However, the team reversed its decision, opting to elevate Marc Marquez to the position after the eight-time world champion turned down a proposal to ride a works GP25 for Pramac.

The repercussions resulted in Ducati parting ways with Pramac in favor of Yamaha, Enea Bastianini moving to KTM, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi transitioning to Aprilia.

When questioned by Crash.net on whether there were any second thoughts about the events that transpired after Martin clinched the championship title, Tardozzi remarked, "You know, this year Ducati had the 'Fabulous Four' since the top four racers in the championship standings are ours.

"Unfortunately, we found ourselves in a position where we had to make some tough choices, particularly those that were emotionally challenging."

"Ultimately, we secured it, but sadly, this means Martin and Enea must part ways with Ducati as they've opted for a different factory bike."

"It's regrettable, but recovery from this was unattainable. We hope for their brightest prospects ahead."

Once more, a choice had to be made, leading to Pramac joining Yamaha while Jorge moved to Aprilia.

"However, I believe Ducati will continue to be a strong contender in the coming year as well, and it's important for us to demonstrate to our supporters that we made the correct choice."

Currently, Ducati is confronted with the possibility that the prestigious number one plate, which Martin has not yet made a decision on, might be mounted on a factory Aprilia by 2025. Despite this, Tardozzi continues to view the Bologna-based manufacturer as the true victor of this year's championship.

"Ultimately, I need to be candid here, it's clear that our hope was for Pecco to clinch the championship," he continued.

"The Ducati Lenovo team takes the spotlight, yet it's ultimately Ducati itself that triumphs in 2024, with its riders clinching the top four positions in the championship standings."

"Martin rides for Ducati. Pramac receives complete backing from Ducati, including factory bikes and a team of seven Ducati staff members on site."

"In conclusion, it appears that Ducati Factory ultimately emerges as the true victor of the championship."

Tardozzi observed that despite Bagnaia's impressive 11 grand prix victories, his failure to secure the championship by a narrow margin of 10 points was due to a few errors.

"Eight failures to finish [DNFs] are the reason he missed out on the championship title."

"Martin faced a significant disadvantage with eight losses compared to his opponent's three. However, ultimately, he held the top position for two years, a testament to his deserving nature and champion status."

"And I'm confident he'll contend for the title again next year."

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EXCLUSIVE: Inside Look at Marc Marquez’s New Look and Branding for Off-Season Testing

A sneak peek into Marc Marquez’s official Ducati unveiling on Tuesday, reported by Lewis Duncan

Information has been released regarding the color scheme and branding design of Marc Marquez's official Ducati motorcycle during Tuesday's MotoGP offseason test.

A year after first riding for Ducati with the Gresini squad during the post-season Valencia test in 2024, Marquez is set to join the official team pit this coming Tuesday.

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Crash.net has learned that on Tuesday, Marquez is set to race in the official team livery, however, his motorcycle and racing suit will only feature the Michelin emblem and possibly other non-partisan sponsor stickers, with no additional branding present.

Marquez is presently sponsored by Red Bull, whereas the official Ducati team collaborates with Monster Energy.

Moreover, conflicts with sponsors exist elsewhere, like Marquez's partnership with Samsung in contrast to Ducati's main sponsorship deal with Lenovo.

At this point, it remains uncertain how Marquez's individual sponsors, especially Red Bull, who played a crucial role in supporting him through the challenging initial phase of his recuperation from a 2020 arm fracture sustained during that year’s Spanish Grand Prix, will be affected.

During the previous year's test in Valencia with Gresini, Marquez took to the track riding a GP23, which notably did not feature the team's livery but instead only displayed his personal sponsor logos on his racing suit.

Marquez's initial trial run with the Ducati last season created significant buzz, and his debut with the main team is poised to be a major topic of discussion this week.

However, Ducati team leader Davide Tardozzi has sought to temper anticipations regarding Marquez's performance on the motorcycle.

"Our aim is solely focused on collaborating and making an effort to build a rapport," Tardozzi explained to Crash.net.

"Come Tuesday, there will be no victories to claim. Your only task is to put in the work. The one who leads on Tuesday evening won't secure the championship title the following year."

Marquez secured a two-year contract with Ducati to team up with two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia during the summer, after turning down a proposal to pilot a factory GP25 for Pramac.

This strategic maneuver eventually resulted in Jorge Martin joining Aprilia, where the Spanish rider will move to the Italian brand as the current world champion.

Throughout the season, Marquez has been competing on the GP23 with the Gresini team and has successfully clinched victory in three grand prix races.

On Tuesday in Barcelona, he will have his first experience with both Ducati's championship-winning GP24 and the prototype GP25.

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Marc Marquez steps into the official Ducati garage for the first time

Marc Marquez visits his new base for the initial time

Marc Marquez has made his initial entry into the official Ducati workshop.

On Sunday night, following the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event, Marquez was introduced to the factory setting by his teammates from the Gresini squad.

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However, on Monday, he made another trip to the garage that will become his residence in 2025.

Preview of 2025! 🐜 We warmly welcome @marcmarquez93 to our crew! It's time to get familiar with the new environment! 💪🏼 #ForzaDucati #DucatiLenovoTeam pic.twitter.com/h0hZ8Xsczq— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) November 18, 2024

Preview of 2025! 🐜 We warmly welcome @marcmarquez93 to our crew! It's time to get familiar with the new environment! 💪🏼 #ForzaDucati #DucatiLenovoTeam pic.twitter.com/h0hZ8Xsczq

Marquez will be moving from the Gresini satellite team to join the main Ducati team for the upcoming season.

He was promoted over Jorge Martin, who later achieved the title of 2024 MotoGP champion with the Pramac team. Martin has now joined Aprilia for the 2025 season.

On Tuesday, Marquez is set to don red attire for the first time during the postseason test.

He is preparing to cycle on a bike painted in the manufacturer's colors, but it will not feature any significant sponsorships or logos.

Marquez, who left Honda last year to switch over to a Ducati, is set to make another significant advancement.

This season, he has resumed winning races while riding a GP23 and has proven to be the quickest among those on the previous year's model.

In the upcoming year, he will benefit from using a GP25, which is the official Ducati model. He will be equipped with the same equipment as Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio di Giannantonio from VR46.

On Sunday and Monday, the mood in the Ducati garage seemed cheerful as Marquez, with a broad smile, showed up for the first time.

It is uncertain if there will be any friction between him and his teammate Bagnaia when they compete for the same title in the next season.

Ducati acknowledged that it was a "tough choice" to part ways with champion Martin in order to sign Marquez.

For ten years, James worked at Sky Sports as a journalist, reporting on a variety of sports including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Barcelona MotoGP Rider Evaluations: Disappointing Grades for a Pair of Aprilia Competitors

Crash.net presents its assessments for every MotoGP competitor following the concluding Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP race of the season.

Following the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, we've assessed the performances of the riders, revealing that five competitors scored less than five in our ratings.

Francesco Bagnaia – 9

Francesco Bagnaia delivered an almost impeccable performance in Barcelona, making it potentially his best showing of the season. Aside from an unusual crash at turn one during the initial FP1 start practice, he was virtually error-free throughout the event. He masterfully managed the Sprint, and likewise handled Marc Marquez with ease during the Grand Prix, utilizing a rear tyre that, after Saturday, was not thought to be a viable choice for the race.

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However, he forfeited his title, beginning the day as the reigning World Champion and concluding it as an ex-champion. Sunday offered little opportunity for him to change this outcome, suggesting that perhaps the situation should have been avoided altogether, with the power to do so largely in his own hands.

Marc Marquez – 8

By the lofty benchmarks he has set for himself, Marc Marquez generally underperforms at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. His standout moment at this track came in 2019 when he capitalized on a fortunate incident where his competitors eliminated themselves, and another instance in 2016 where a layout modification mid-weekend played to his advantage on Saturday.

It's quite peculiar, indeed, considering one might assume a surface with as little traction as Barcelona's would ideally suit Marquez's approach.

In a surprising twist at the Catalan venue, Saturday's Sprint highlighted Marquez's vulnerability, making him appear quite average. However, by Sunday, he skillfully navigated the challenges, using a soft-compound rear tyre to his advantage. This strategic move served as a reminder to Bagnaia that despite Jorge Martin's upcoming move to Aprilia, securing the 2025 championship won't be a straightforward task for the Italian.

Securing the runner-up spot in the season's closing Grand Prix, Marquez described this achievement as the ideal conclusion to his tenure with Gresini. Additionally, he managed to outperform Enea Bastianini, securing third place in the championship standings.

Jorge Martin – 9

Achieving two third-place finishes might usually not suffice for Jorge Martin to earn a nine, yet this weekend, they were exactly what he required. He secured the championship and at no point seemed at risk of losing it.

Throughout the entirety of 2024, Martin remained remarkably calm under the intense scrutiny of the moment, ensuring he maintained positions that wouldn't jeopardize his inaugural top-tier championship.

Why didn't he score a perfect 10? Simply because he didn't finish first in the race!

Alex Marquez Achieves Fourth Place

Securing fourth place, Alex Marquez reached what seems to be his peak performance considering the challenges posed by the Desmosedici GP23. This achievement is particularly notable when compared to the GP24's capabilities and factoring in the competition from a GP23 piloted by his renowned brother.

Marquez's performance hasn't reached the peak of his abilities, yet finishing the season with back-to-back fourth-place finishes signifies a solid end to what has sometimes been a lackluster sophomore season with Gresini.

Aleix Espargaro – 7.5

Aleix Espargaro concluded his MotoGP journey with a fifth-place finish, which felt somewhat underwhelming.

Riding his vintage 2005 125cc motorcycle for a cooldown on Saturday was quite impressive, and his performance during the second qualifying round (Q2) that secured him a second-place start on the grid was remarkable. However, his initial take-offs left much to be desired. Frankly, the writer of this piece isn't particularly fond of the idea of aiding Martin in winning the championship.

However, if that was his preferred way to exit, so be it. Ultimately, Martin was well beyond requiring the help that Espargaro was willing to offer.

Brad Binder – 7

KTM experienced a tumultuous weekend in Barcelona, facing significant challenges. The motorcycle struggled with handling, the qualifying rounds were a debacle, and Pedro Acosta's motorcycle suffered extensive damage with its fairing torn off in the initial lap of the Sprint race. Despite these setbacks, Brad Binder managed to secure a position within the top six.

Binder demonstrated remarkable comebacks in both events. His ability to rally is becoming increasingly recognized, but moving up from 18th to ninth in the Sprint and then from 18th to sixth in the Grand Prix stands out as particularly noteworthy, even for the South African racer.

Binder's outcome not only allowed him to surpass Acosta for fifth place in the riders' rankings, securing his position as the highest-ranked rider not on a Ducati, but it also marked his third consecutive year without a win in a Grand Prix event.

Enea Bastianini – 6.5

When considering Enea Bastianini's performance in MotoGP, his strategy often involves conserving his tyres for a powerful finish. However, Sprints might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

Nevertheless, Bastianini concludes his tenure as a factory Ducati racer by securing seven consecutive Sprint podium finishes, highlighted by his second-place finish this Saturday. This achievement is both remarkable and unexpected.

It seems, however, that his Grand Prix experience was far from grand. Frustration and disappointment marred the event for Bastianini, who, in a clash with Aleix Espargaro at the chicane, compromised his race and struggled to regain his footing thereafter.

Even if his involvement in the contest for the podium could have made a difference, it did little to aid Bagnaia in the championship battle during this final showdown. As Espargaro hinted post-race, ending up seven seconds behind the winner on a factory Ducati in 2024 seems difficult to defend.

Franco Morbidelli – 6

Franco Morbidelli is set for another year with the Desmosedici GP24, yet judging from his initial season, 2025 doesn’t appear promising for the racer who has claimed victory in three top-tier races.

The season for the Italian concluded in a manner consistent with its overall performance: not terrible, yet significantly slower than the other GP24s.

Marco Bezzecchi – 6.5

Finishing slightly ahead of Morbidelli, the man he is set to succeed at the VR46 squad next year, was Marco Bezzecchi. Securing ninth position in his final outing with VR46, a team he evidently has a deep affection for, likely didn't align with his aspirations for the event. Throughout the weekend, the Italian rider displayed moments of promise that seemed significantly more impressive.

Unfortunately, he couldn't secure a spot higher than the third row, essentially diminishing his opportunities to compete for favorable positions by Saturday noon.

The positive development for Bezzecchi is that, come Tuesday, he'll join Aprilia as a factory rider. However, partnering with Jorge Martin, who amassed 32 podium finishes this season, might seem like a formidable challenge for #72, who achieved just a single podium place in 2024.

Pedro Acosta, number 6, encountered issues with his brakes following a 10th place finish in Barcelona. However, the concluding weekend of his debut season unfolded similarly to the latter part of his season overall.

Contrasting with the beginning of 2024, where he played a crucial role in the initial races of the season, Acosta has shifted to a more peripheral role as the year progressed into its latter half.

Attributing the entirety of the issue to him doesn't seem entirely fair, given the increasing dominance of Ducati, yet it's undeniably been a disappointing conclusion to the season, epitomized by the events of the last weekend: a Did Not Finish (DNF) in the Sprint due to an early collision with Marc Marquez, and a 10th place finish in the Grand Prix, seemingly caused by brake issues.

Fabio Quartararo – 6.5

While Yamaha appeared to have advanced during the overseas races, the season finale in Barcelona worked hard to prove the opposite to all.

Hats off to Quartararo for his impressive performance in the Sprint, where he was in the thick of it with racers such as Morbidelli, Marc Marquez, and Bezzecchi. Despite his strong effort, a final lap maneuver by Binder left him without points.

However, during the Grand Prix, his pace was lacking, possibly due to the decision to use a hard-compound rear tire, which appeared to provide no benefit throughout the 24-lap race.

Miguel Oliveira – 6.5

Finishing in 12th, Miguel Oliveira concluded his stint with Trackhouse in a rather disappointing manner. However, considering it was his first race back since September, Oliveira performed commendably, easily surpassing his teammate, Raul Fernandez.

Jack Miller – 4

KTM's weekend in Barcelona left much to be desired, but for Jack Miller, it was even worse. In his media briefing on Saturday, he bluntly labeled his Sprint performance as "terrible."

Struggling to maneuver and apparently lacking traction at the back, Miller didn't perform well in qualifying and didn't fare much better in the race, marking a less than ideal conclusion to his tenure with KTM.

Traditionally, hopping onto a Yamaha was a quick fix for issues with turning encountered on a Tuesday, yet it's no longer the case as we've moved past 2018.

Johann Zarco – 6.5

Throughout 2024, Johann Zarco has consistently stood out for his qualifying prowess, particularly in the latter part of the season, where he has frequently managed to secure a spot for the Honda RC213V in Q2.

On Friday, he replicated his performance, securing the fourth position in Practice, marking the high point of his weekend.

Zarco concluded his inaugural complete season riding for Honda in 14th place, distinctly marking his position as the leading Honda rider.

Maverick Vinales concluded his stint with Aprilia in 15th position, trailing his team colleague, Espargaro, by 17 seconds. Overall, it was a rather disappointing outing for the Spanish rider who is headed to Tech3.

Luca Marini – 5.5

The remarkable composure Luca Marini has shown while handling the RC213V this season stands out as one of the most notable achievements in MotoGP.

Despite his efforts, Marini's achievements have not been as notable, particularly when measured against Zarco. The Italian conceded on Saturday that Zarco is managing to uncover additional speed on the Honda through some "unique" methods.

Takaaki Nakagami – 5.5

Takaaki Nakagami's performance in MotoGP's Friday morning FP1 session in Barcelona, where he secured the top spot, was a testament to his competitive presence, thanks to his strategic decision to use a new tyre towards the end of the session.

It's quite disappointing that Nakagami, whom I believe enjoys a good amount of fan support, was virtually ignored on television throughout the weekend. The only exception was a brief moment at the end of FP1, in stark contrast to the considerable coverage given to Espargaro, another rider who was retiring.

Certainly, Espargaro holds a more distinguished MotoGP career compared to Nakagami. However, during the broadcast, Nakagami's transition into his new role with HRC was subtly introduced, almost unnoticed, in stark contrast to the attention Espargaro's retirement received, which seemed to be a focal storyline of the weekend.

Regarding Nakagami's performance, it was satisfactory, finishing 17th in both events.

Raul Fernandez switched back to the Aprilia aerodynamic setup from 2023 for this weekend's race, yet it appeared to make minimal difference. As the only rider committed to Aprilia for the 2024 season continuing into 2025, he finished a disappointing 18th in the Grand Prix. He was a full 29 seconds away from the leader, lagging seven seconds behind the underperforming Vinales, and 17 seconds behind his own team member, Oliveira. This was especially notable at a circuit where, just half a year earlier during the Catalan Sprint, he had been leading for multiple laps.

Augusto Fernandez – 4

With a sense of optimism, Augusto Fernandez arrived in Barcelona, coming off a 10th-place finish in Sepang just a fortnight earlier. The question remains: was his performance in Malaysia a sign of progress, or merely a one-off?

If you guessed 'breakthrough,' you're mistaken. This weekend, Fernandez fell back into his usual position towards the lower end of the top 20, finishing 19th in his final race as a full-time MotoGP competitor. This outcome followed an extraordinarily odd collision with his teammate, Acosta, during FP1, which led to a red flag being waved.

Perhaps the only aspect more exasperating for Fernandez this season than his performance is Yamaha's inexplicable delay in confirming him as a test rider for the year 2025.

Michele Pirro – 6

Heading into the weekend, Michele Pirro was primarily focused on getting ready for Tuesday’s test following the race. However, taking a spill just five minutes into Friday morning’s FP1 session likely wasn't what he had envisioned.

However, beyond that aspect, his performance was essentially flawless, which is the most one could expect from a substitute rider.

Alex Rins – 2.5

Alex Rins had a challenging weekend, crossing the finish line in 21st place, just in front of Stefan Bradl. His performance was hampered by a double long lap penalty, which was imposed because he failed to serve an earlier single long lap penalty assigned for bypassing the turn 1–2 chicane.

Stefan Bradl – 6

Similar to Pirro, Bradl's presence was primarily in preparation for the test on Tuesday. His performance didn't dazzle, yet it was adequately satisfactory. Additionally, his Team HRC motorcycle boasted an eye-catching design.

Joan Mir – 4

Joan Mir's performance at the Barcelona Grand Prix concluded in a familiar scenario for his tenure with Repsol Honda, finishing off-track in the gravel. Issues with rear tyre vibrations also plagued him on Saturday, leaving Mir without the consolation of a solid Sprint race result to his name.

In the first quarter, he showed commendable performance, narrowly missing out on the two quarter-final positions to Fabio Quartararo, indicating that Mir hasn't lost his quickness, a positive takeaway.

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

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