Unexpected victors triumph over Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini in the 100km of Champions event

Outcome of Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions competition

Unexpected victors prevented Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini from winning the 100km of Champions.

Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre emerged victorious at Rossi's yearly event in Tavullia.

The victorious pair completed their lap on the flat track in 1 hour, 43 minutes, 59.623 seconds.

Rossi and Marini secured second place, with Elia Bartolini and Lorenzo Baldassarri finishing on the podium as well.

Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi ended up in sixth place.

JD Beach and Sammy Halbert from the United States secured the eighth position.

The British duo, Davey Todd and Ryan Vickers, finished in 17th place.

Pedro Acosta and Michael Dunlop, who were perhaps the most intriguing duo, ended up in the final position.

The unexpected victory by Moreira and Chareyre concluded Rossi's annual event in his hometown. On Friday evening, Marini claimed the win in the three-lap Americana race.

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

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Headline: Ducati's "Risk" Concerns Spark Collaboration with Marc Marquez

New Speculation on Ducati's Strategic Decision

It has been proposed that Ducati's worries regarding "risk" prompted their partnership with Marc Marquez.

A year ago, Marquez transitioned from Honda to Gresini Ducati and performed remarkably well in 2024 on a Ducati bike from the previous year, launching a strong bid for the championship that only faltered in the closing stages.

However, he performed sufficiently well to secure an invitation to join the official Ducati team this year, providing him with top-tier equipment on the circuit.

The consequence of the manufacturer's choice affected Jorge Martin, who, after securing the MotoGP championship riding a Ducati, has switched over to Aprilia.

Wayne Gardner expressed to Motosan that he had anticipated the choice of selecting Marquez over Martin.

"If I'm being truthful, I likely would have chosen to stick with Jorge if I were in that situation."

"However, Marc is undoubtedly a skilled racer. Both of them are from Spain, correct?"

"In my opinion, Ducati effectively sidelined Marquez from the race."

"It's preferable for him to collaborate with them rather than oppose them."

"They are aware of Marc's skill level. It appears he has made significant progress since becoming part of the Ducati team."

It is clear that Ducati possesses the top-performing bike on the track, and this has been the case for several years.

"Marc has been managing the challenges of riding the Honda, which is why he has experienced numerous crashes."

"Although he continues to experience crashes, there is now a bit more stability, likely due to the improvements in the bike."

"From Ducati's perspective, allowing Marquez to join a competing team poses a significant risk."

"Adding him to their team ensures they are confident of winning with either Pecco or Marquez in the upcoming year."

"They were faced with a choice, and that's what led to that outcome."

"Martin is set to join Aprilia, and I believe it will be amazing with that motorcycle."

"Honestly, I believe that will add more excitement to the championship."

Last summer, Marquez created a challenging situation for Ducati as they were evaluating their roster for 2025.

He stated unequivocally that riding for Pramac, despite having a bike with factory specifications, was not a possibility.

This led Ducati to change their initial decision to recognize Martin.

Martin inked a deal with Aprilia and went on to have a phenomenal season, ultimately clinching the MotoGP championship.

In 2025, he might be able to race with the number one on an Aprilia.

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Chico Lorenzo expresses a definitive opinion on the ongoing debate between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi. He stated, "When Valentino first came onto the scene, there weren't any competitors like these…"

Chico Lorenzo has expressed his opinion on who he believes is the best MotoGP rider of all time.

The discussion, often centered around Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, splits the opinions of enthusiasts.

Jorge, Chico's son, was embroiled in their most intense altercation, and he has achieved legendary status in MotoGP on his own merits.

However, Chico has defended his opinion that Marquez is the greatest of all time, surpassing even Rossi.

He mentioned to Moto.it that when Valentino Rossi entered the 500cc category, he was riding the same motorcycle as Mick Doohan.

"He competed against the same opponents as Doohan, who had secured victories over them for five consecutive years."

"When Marquez entered the scene, he faced competition from riders like Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and Valentino Rossi, all of whom rank among the top ten in the sport's history."

"When Valentino made his debut, he faced no competitors of equal stature. Instead, he raced against the likes of Gibernau, Capirossi, Biaggi, and Melandri."

Valentino Rossi, arguably the most recognizable figure in MotoGP, is now marking his fourth year since retiring from the sport.

Marquez, his longstanding rival, has the chance to match his record of nine world championships this season.

Marquez is switching to a factory Ducati, a motorcycle that is vastly different from the one Rossi struggled to master during his unsuccessful period with the team.

According to Jorge Lorenzo's father, one rider will challenge Marquez for the 2025 championship.

Chico thinks that Pecco Bagnaia is the sole person certain to offer strong competition.

"Chico clarified that Jorge Martin is currently with Aprilia."

"In my opinion, Martin is on par with Marquez as a rider, but it's uncertain how things will pan out with Aprilia."

"In my opinion, the top contenders are Bagnaia, Marquez, and Martin. If Aprilia performs well, Martin has a chance to secure a spot in the top three."

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EXCLUSIVE – Carchedi Praises Aldeguer's Remarkable Advancement, Windshield Incident, and Aspirations for 2025

"I believe Fermin will surprise many this season."

Crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who played a crucial role in rejuvenating eight-time world champion Marc Marquez's MotoGP career by securing 20 podium finishes and three wins at Gresini, is set to collaborate with newcomer Fermin Aldeguer in 2025.

Aldeguer secured the Ducati position following an impressive performance in the latter part of the 2023 Moto2 season, despite finishing fifth in the championship race the previous year. He made his first appearance in the top class at the Barcelona test held in November.

The young Spanish rider narrowly defeated the current Moto2 titleholder, Ai Ogura from Trackhouse Aprilia, becoming the quickest newcomer by securing the 20th position. He completed his laps 1.761 seconds behind his team-mate, Alex Marquez, who led the test session.

During a discussion on the Crash.net MotoGP podcast, Carchedi described the test as quite challenging for the newcomers. This was mainly because of the cold weather and the unavailability of soft front tyres, which resulted from the last-minute decision to switch the season finale from Valencia to Barcelona.

"We experienced a minor mishap, though considering the challenging circumstances, it was fortunate there weren't more," stated Carchedi. "Every newcomer encountered the gravel at least once, which wasn't unexpected. Nevertheless, the test was quite encouraging overall."

According to him, by the second or third lap, you start getting used to the speed. However, the data clearly showed that there was significant room for improvement in braking.

"We might have pressured him a bit excessively!" However, after being informed of the areas that required enhancement, Carchedi disclosed that Aldeguer showed a remarkable leap in his performance.

"Something that truly amazed me was how, after just one session of reviewing the braking, he was significantly closer to the leading riders by the next attempt. It was actually quite concerning, as we wondered if we might have urged him too far!"

"You must keep in mind that the way a rider sits on the bike and its ergonomic setup plays a crucial role in MotoGP. For a newcomer, figuring this out during the initial test is largely based on estimation."

"You evaluate the positions of all the other riders and place him somewhere in the middle. However, there's still more work to be done on this during the winter season."

"We experienced a broken windscreen…"

Standing at 1.81 meters tall, Aldeguer ranks among the taller competitors. His requirement to adjust his body more towards the rear was vividly demonstrated when he shattered the windscreen with his helmet while practicing a start.

Carchedi shared that they dedicated nearly the entire morning to understanding how the ride-height device works, and he quickly became proficient with it. He added that they didn't even discuss the starting process or the controls involved.

"We approached the situation gradually, and later in the day, as temperatures dropped, we conducted a few practice starts at the pit lane exit before the designated practice start session at the conclusion of the test."

"It might not have been fair to have him perform his initial practice start right on the grid in front of everyone. However, as you noticed, we ended up with a broken windscreen anyway!"

"Unexpected developments arise during the second race weekend."

While Marquez and Aldeguer are at different stages in their MotoGP journeys, Carchedi pointed out that both face similar challenges when learning to handle a new bike.

He noted that there are indeed parallels with 2024. The testing process is manageable since it involves a full day on the track, allowing for careful planning. With access to two bikes and a clear structure, it becomes easier to reach a high standard. As a result, many newcomers tend to perform impressively in their debut race.

"The unexpected challenge arises during the second race weekend, particularly at a circuit where no prior testing has taken place. In Free Practice 1, you have roughly 20 laps to get accustomed, and then you must switch to a qualifying mindset to secure direct entry into Q2."

"That's when you experience a surprising jolt."

"We have a period of 5 to 6 days for testing in Sepang, which should allow even newcomers to perform well. This is also true for the initial race weekend in Thailand, given the Buriram test that takes place beforehand."

"However, the moment you proceed to the initial new track, which is set to be Argentina."

"When Joan Mir joined Suzuki as a newcomer in 2019, he came close to finishing on the podium during his debut race in Qatar, maintaining a strong

"As mentioned before, you have 20 laps before entering a qualifying scenario. In today's MotoGP, your starting spot greatly influences your potential performance in the races. Therefore, it will require some time."

"It's consistently focused on moving forward," Carchedi stated when asked about his ambitions for Aldeguer in 2025, during which he will compete against Ogura and Somkiat Chantra for the leading newcomer accolade.

I have consistently emphasized with past riders, and the same applies to Fermin, that my priority is to see continuous improvement. Even if you start by finishing 20th in the first race, the aim is to perform better in each subsequent race. By doing so, you will have met your objective and will be prepared for the next year.

"If your performance fluctuates throughout the year… Securing a top-three spot in the fifth or sixth race is fantastic, but if you end up in 20th place in the following race, it undermines that success."

The origins trace back somewhat to Diggia in 2023, when we began collaborating with him. The focus was on establishing a positive trajectory, and the approach with Fermin will mirror this exactly.

"The only challenge arises when you end up on the podium in the first race, as it will be tough to maintain or surpass that performance throughout the rest of the year."

"I anticipate that during the year, we’ll consistently become more competitive, rather than having certain tracks labeled as good or bad. We should see more of a positive progression."

"He completed his quickest lap while using the minimal amount of tire. Considering this, Carchedi suggested that it would be more advantageous for Aldeguer to focus on refining the set-up instead of risking everything to secure a direct spot in Q2 during Friday afternoon's session."

Carchedi expressed that, particularly in the initial races, it would be unwise to visit a new track, complete 20 laps, and then attempt to push hard, even with limited visibility, in order to reach Q2.

"It's more beneficial to focus on improving your bike, and once you're prepared to truly challenge yourself to make it into Q2, you go for it. We'll approach this similarly to how we did during the test in Barcelona."

During the test, one of the standout aspects was how efficiently he used the tyres. It's important not only to ride quickly but also to maintain speed without wearing out the tyres to the point where a mid-race pit stop becomes necessary.

"In fact, on the final set of fresh tires, he achieved his quickest lap time while consuming the least amount of tire."

“You'll want to consider these factors, as realistically, even if you begin the race further back on the grid, having a set of tires that can last the entire race could help you gain five or six spots without much effort."

"Each person has their own objectives and ambitions. We have our own as well, particularly regarding what we aim to accomplish in the initial phases."

"Fermin is expected to make a strong impression on many this year," Carchedi stated. He also emphasized that he was not worried about Aldeguer's challenging experience in Moto2 the previous year.

During the first season featuring Pirelli tires, the pre-season frontrunner managed to equal champion Ogura by securing three race victories. Nonetheless, Aldeguer ended the season nearly 100 points adrift of the Japanese competitor due to seven instances where he failed to score.

In Moto2, a switch in tyre manufacturers led to challenges for many competitors. Each leading rider appeared dominant for a stretch of three to four races, only to face significant difficulties in the subsequent three to four races.

"The fact that this was the first year with Pirelli tires means that you can't weigh it too heavily. Fermin's performance towards the end of 2023 was truly remarkable; he was the only competitor who could challenge Pedro, who is already recognized as a top-tier racer."

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

Gresini is set to kick off its MotoGP efforts for the 2025 season with a team unveiling event that will showcase Aldeguer and Alex Marquez. This presentation will take place on Saturday, January 18

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For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the news about Suzuki's departure and the ongoing injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez took to the circuit simultaneously for the initial time in 2025 as they ramp up their MotoGP preparations.

Last week in Spain, Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez took to the track simultaneously as they continued getting ready for their upcoming 2025 MotoGP seasons.

For Marquez, his session at the Aspar Circuit marked his initial experience with the new Ducati Panigale V2. This bike is lighter, albeit less powerful than its predecessor, and comes as a benefit of Marquez's new role as a factory rider for Ducati.

Jorge Martin and Marc Márquez seen riding together on the track at Manu Tormo / Aspar Circuit. 📸 pic.twitter.com/TrUgqJKh2R— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 12, 2025

Meanwhile, Martin was experiencing the Aprilia RSV4 for the first time, a bike that might be considered a bit excessive for the kart track at the Aspar Circuit. This marked his initial outing on the track since his official contract with factory Aprilia started in early January.

The pair not only spent time together at the track, but they also rode around the circuit alongside one another, allowing them to get a good sense of each other's riding style prior to the official MotoGP tests scheduled for February.

This off-season, Martin and Marquez have already spent time on the track together; the Spanish duo teamed up for some motocross sessions back in December.

A significant narrative of the 2024 MotoGP season, which concluded with Martin clinching his first premier class title, involved Ducati's choice regarding who would join Francesco Bagnaia in the Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Marquez and Martin were in fierce competition to earn the second spot on the factory Ducati team, competing alongside Enea Bastianini. Prior to the Italian Grand Prix, it looked like Martin was set to partner with Bagnaia. However, after the test sessions following the race at Mugello, Ducati opted for Marquez, and Martin ended up signing with Aprilia.

In 2025, the story will focus on how Martin can confront Ducati's supremacy alongside Aprilia, the sole other manufacturer to secure a race victory in 2024. The narrative will also explore how Martin measures up against Marquez and Bagnaia, who start the year as the top contenders for the championship.

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Enea Bastianini’s MotoGP manager, Carlo Pernat, clarifies the cause of their separation

Carlo Pernat discusses why Bastianini has switched his management team

Carlo Pernat has revealed that his decision to stop managing KTM MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini was mainly due to his own declining health.

Pernat, known for managing Andrea Iannone and Loris Capirossi among others in his extensive career, has been overseeing Bastianini's career since his time in Moto3, where Bastianini achieved seven MotoGP race victories.

Just last week, the London-based agency MSM revealed that Bastianini has joined its list of talent.

Amid KTM's financial struggles and an unclear future in MotoGP, there are rumors suggesting that these issues contributed to Bastianini's decision to end his association with Pernat.

In an interview with GPOne, Pernat explained that his declining health, which now prevents him from attending races, prompted Bastianini to look for new management.

"I am dealing with a health issue," Pernat explained. "I suffer from pulmonary emphysema, which prevents me from traveling. I have always managed by attending every race, but now that's no longer possible."

"I discussed it with Enea, and it's appropriate that he made his decision."

"All of our shared experiences remain memorable. We began our journey in Moto3, he claimed a championship in Moto2, and together, we fulfilled the dream of joining the official Ducati team."

"He faced significant misfortune with the red team, missing an entire year because of an injury. The situation with KTM remains a burden, as it seemed like the most sensible decision for both parties at that moment."

"However, it ended up not being the most favorable outcome. A similar situation occurred with Dani Pedrosa and Maverick Vinales."

When questioned about the rumors that Bastianini had dismissed him, he responded: "That isn't accurate. My health is the actual issue."

"This decision was necessary to maintain the professional relationship between the manager and the rider."

"Enea possesses significant talent, and I will keep supporting him from behind the scenes. We've already come to this understanding. My aim for this year is to improve."

Pernat mentions that the circumstances with KTM accounted for just "20%" of the rationale behind the separation.

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Footage of Valentino Rossi's crash has surfaced from the Americana event in Tavullia. The incident occurred while Rossi was competing in the 100km of Champions flat track race.

Video evidence of Valentino Rossi's accident during the Americana race at the 100km of Champions flat track event, which took place last weekend, has been released.

Video captured by a camera attached to Rossi's helmet and shared on his Instagram account reveals a crash he experienced at the last extremely tight left-hand hairpin turn of the 'double-oval' track layout at the VR46 Motor Ranch, where the Americana race takes place.

Check out this Instagram post from Valentino Rossi (@valeyellow46).

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

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

Lorenzo Baldassarri and Elia Bartolini secured the third position.

Diogo Moreira teamed up with eight-time Supermoto World Champion Thomas Chareyre to claim victory.

The 2025 edition marked the 10th occurrence of the 100km of Champions, an annual flat track race organized by Rossi at his VR46 Motor Ranch, showcasing some of the top racers in the field.

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

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MotoGP team leaders are closely scrutinized while a significant underperformer is pinpointed. Analysts forecast which MotoGP team leader might face challenges in 2025.

Crash.net journalists highlight the MotoGP team manager who will face significant examination this season…

Alex Whitworth: Although Aki Ajo faces some expectations this season after stepping in to fill the shoes of Francesco Guidotti at Red Bull KTM following the Italian's departure due to poor performance, the real focus for improvement should be on HRC.

For more than five seasons, the downturn of the Japanese brand has been evident, and now they have also parted ways with both Repsol and Marc Marquez.

Last year, Johann Zarco stood out for the brand, primarily by making it into Q2 occasionally and securing a few top-10 finishes.

Indicators of progress appeared as 2024 drew to a close, but it's crucial for HRC and its leader, Koji Watanabe, to see tangible outcomes by 2025.

Derry Munikartono: Alberto Puig, who leads the Honda MotoGP project, faces significant pressure to succeed in his role.

The past few years have been extremely challenging for a team that was once dominant in MotoGP, to the point where they've lost both star rider Marc Marquez and their 30-year sponsor, Repsol.

In response, Honda infused their technical team with a 'European touch.' They brought on Aleix Espargaro as a test rider and appointed Romano Albesiano, the former technical head at Aprilia, as the new Technical Director.

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

Lewis Duncan reports that in 2025, Paolo Pavesio will assume a significant role as he replaces Lin Jarvis to become the manager of Yamaha's factory team.

Since becoming involved with Yamaha's MotoGP project in the late 1990s, Jarvis has played a pivotal role. In his last year, he successfully secured a new two-year contract for Fabio Quartararo, brought Alex Rins on board, and established a premier satellite partnership for Yamaha with Pramac.

As he steps down, he made every effort to guide the manufacturer onto a positive path. Given the advancements Yamaha has achieved with its M1, Pavesio must continue from where Jarvis concluded and maintain the current course.

Jordan Moreland: Considering the prominent nature of the appointment, I would identify Aki Ajo at KTM as the person in question.

Considering his impressive performance in the lower categories, KTM likely sees him as the crucial addition needed to propel the brand into a Championship contention, a feat they've yet to accomplish in their MotoGP endeavor.

Peter McLaren: Martin Brundle often remarks that in Formula 1, you're either applying pressure or feeling it; there's no middle ground. This concept holds true for MotoGP as well.

Ducati's strong performance is putting the other four manufacturers under pressure.

Aprilia is under pressure to capitalize on the acquisition of newly crowned world champion Jorge Martin.

KTM, despite facing financial difficulties, are feeling the heat to break their streak of not winning and to seriously compete for a championship.

Both Yamaha and Honda are being urged to demonstrate significant advancements and compete for top-three finishes by 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lorenzo Baldassarri and Elia Bartolini finished in third place.

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

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

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

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

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