Title: Experts Foresee This Rider Facing MotoGP Departure by 2025's End

Content: Specialists anticipate which MotoGP competitor might be the first to forfeit their position this year.

Crash.net has asked riders to share their predictions on who might be dropped from the MotoGP lineup in 2025.

Lewis Duncan reports that while many positions for the 2026 season are already secured, there remain some riders who might not retain their spots on the grid.

As Jack Miller embarks on his 11th season in the top tier, having secured only four grand prix victories thus far, his 2025 stint with Pramac Yamaha seems crucial for his career.

He secured a one-year contract when his chances of remaining in the competition appeared slim.

Miller's stint with KTM didn't achieve significant results, and as new, promising riders are making their way into the MotoGP scene, his prospects seem limited.

His Australian passport played a significant role in getting him the 2025 contract, but that advantage has its limits, especially when a top-tier team like Pramac is determined to maintain high performance standards, even as the Yamaha project keeps expanding.

Reporter Alex Whitworth suggests that, while it may seem premature to judge before the 2025 racing season kicks off, the feedback from the post-season testing in Barcelona did not seem particularly promising for Jack Miller, who is transitioning to Yamaha this year.

Certainly, one might advocate for Franco Morbidelli; however, given that Morbidelli is now part of the VR46 team, it is anticipated that the team leader will be somewhat forgiving.

However, the scenario with KTM might cause all four riders to be urgently looking for new opportunities for the 2026 season at any point in time.

Jordan Moreland suggests that if Jack Miller's performance doesn't improve from last year and he struggles to adjust to the Yamaha, it might not bode well for his future.

The one-year duration of his contract indicates that Pramac/Yamaha will move swiftly to find a new rider if things don't go smoothly for the Australian.

The one-year contract might actually be beneficial for Jack, as it could motivate him to excel while under pressure, knowing that strong performances are crucial for securing future agreements.

Exclusive Interview with Jack Miller: "I have much more to offer to the sport." 🗣️#MotoGP https://t.co/2D2jqHcygM— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 8, 2025

Exclusive Interview with Jack Miller: "I have much more to offer to the sport." 🗣️#MotoGP https://t.co/2D2jqHcygM

Peter McLaren reports that Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli, Jack Miller, and Johann Zarco are the racers whose contracts are confirmed to be ending in 2025. Additionally, some riders likely have performance-related clauses to fulfill.

It's challenging to predict which riders will shine or falter on their 2025 bikes until the pre-season testing concludes. However, if a MotoGP rider's primary task is to outperform their teammate, then Marini, Morbidelli, and Miller have some ground to cover from the previous year.

As riders aim to secure spots in MotoGP for the 2026 season, there isn't a clear leading contender emerging from the Moto2 division. However, notable attention is on World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, whose contract with BMW is set to conclude at the end of this year.

Derry Munikartono: I don't like to admit it, but I believe Jack Miller is going to be the one.

Following a disappointing 2024 season with KTM, he received a second chance from a former ally, Pramac Racing, which has since become a satellite team for Yamaha, granting him an additional season in 2025.

Miller has extensive experience in bike development, particularly from his time with Ducati and KTM. However, he must also convert that expertise into positive outcomes.

Jack Miller faces a significant threat to his position, as Augusto Fernandez or another promising Moto2 racer is poised to step in. To secure his spot, Miller needs to deliver solid performances or at least keep pace with his new teammate, Miguel Oliveira.

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Jorge Martin's victory as an Independent MotoGP champion is remarkable yet possible to repeat.

Last season saw independent racers securing two of the top three spots in the MotoGP World Championship.

Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio believes that Jorge Martin's success in winning the Independent MotoGP championship could increasingly be replicated in the coming years.

Martin emerged as the inaugural racer since Valentino Rossi during the 500cc period to clinch the top-tier championship without being part of a formal factory squad.

In a similar fashion to Rossi's experience in 2001, Martin was equipped with top-tier factory-spec equipment at Pramac, enabling him to outperform the reigning champion and official Ducati rider, Francesco Bagnaia, by a margin of ten points.

Brivio, who achieved MotoGP championships while leading factory teams at Yamaha and Suzuki, attributes the recent success of independent teams, transitioning from mere participants to title contenders, to the improved quality of equipment they receive.

During a press briefing after the unveiling of the Trackhouse team, Crash.net questioned Brivio on the importance of Martin's championship win and the chances of seeing another Independent MotoGP champion.

"Brivio started by saying, 'I believe as we move forward, it's increasingly likely, given the way MotoGP is evolving from this perspective.'"

Years ago, the top-notch gear and premier riders were typically found within the factory teams.

"However, the landscape is now shifting towards greater parity. Primarily, over the past two or three years, the majority of Independent teams have acquired factory bikes identical to those used by their factory counterparts."

In Aprilia, we utilize the same motorcycle model as the factory team does. This approach has been adopted by Ducati for several years now, and it's one that Yamaha and Honda have recently started to embrace as well. It appears that this strategy is becoming a common trend across the board.

"Firstly, the gear used is identical, a scenario that wasn't the case several years back. This is the reason why the independent squads now have greater opportunities."

This year, out of the 22 competitors, only three will not be racing on the newest models of factory-spec motorcycles.

However, those competitors – Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez, and Fermin Aldeguer – can take solace in the fact that they are equipped with the previous year's championship-winning Ducati GP24.

Marc Marquez, aboard a Desmosedici from the previous year while with Gresini, secured a position for the second Independent team rider among the top three in the previous season’s global championship.

The concluding championship standings prominently favored Independent riders, featuring six satellite competitors (Martin, M. Marquez, Acosta, A. Marquez, Morbidelli, di Giannantonio) compared to just four from factory teams (Bagnaia, Bastianini, Binder, Vinales).

Brivio added, "It's also about identifying the correct rider, perhaps securing a promising young talent before they move on to a factory team!"

"This presents a challenge for us, doesn't it? Imagine Raul [Fernandez] and Ai [Ogura] as highly skilled riders. Our plan is to leverage their abilities over the coming two years by providing them with the finest gear possible, in hopes of achieving great outcomes."

Certainly, in our scenario, the manufacturing crew consists of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, both formidable competitors. However, we stand a chance to contend with them.

"Hence, overall, it's my belief that the emergence of another Independent champion is a possibility down the line."

"Examining other squads, it's clear that at Honda, Zarco outperformed the official team riders by the close of the previous season."

"Therefore, the situation involving Martin and Pramac was quite extraordinary. However, I believe it's possible for it to occur once more."

"It essentially paves a new path. Now, with everyone having access to the same gear, what really makes a difference is attracting skilled riders, effectively handling them, and ensuring the team operates smoothly.

"I recognize the possibility of it occurring once more. Perhaps that's the obstacle we face; to ensure it does indeed take place."

As Martin and Marquez transition to official teams, Enea Bastianini, who finished fourth for Ducati Lenovo, emerges as the top-performing rider from the previous season to race for a satellite squad in 2025, representing Tech3 KTM.

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Peter has spent two decades in the racing field, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He's leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and Marc Marquez's health struggles.

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Shocking new video reveals the intense conflict between Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia following a collision. The previous year's Portuguese Grand Prix marked the initial confrontation between Marquez and Bagnaia at Ducati.

A recent MotoGP documentary highlights a tense confrontation between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia after they collided at the 2024 Portuguese Grand Prix.

The duo, set to join forces as teammates this year at the official Ducati team, were competing for position during the final moments of last year's Sunday race in Portimao.

Marquez made an aggressive move on the inside, causing him to drift a bit wide. As both riders' paths crossed in the center of Turn 5, they collided, resulting in a crash for both.

The stewards classified the conflict as an incident that occurred during the race.

A recent documentary available on the official MotoGP website, called 'There Can Be Only One,' has revealed a private interaction between Marquez and Bagnaia while they were waiting outside the stewards' office in Portugal.

Marquez started by stating: "When you're aware that accelerating will lead to a collision, the rider on the outside is the one who will fall."

Bagnaia replies by saying, "It depends on how the rider on the outside responds." He adds that perhaps one might think to handle it in that manner, to which Marquez comments, "We'll check the data now."

"Marc, when you move to the outside, you're fully aware there's another rider on the inside. You're aware of that," Bagnaia comments.

Marquez remarks, "So, you're blaming me," to which Bagnaia quickly responds, "That's not what I'm suggesting!"

Marquez maintains his position, asserting that he doesn't think he's to blame, emphasizing, "I didn't block the path."

Bagnaia remarked that "the blame doesn't lie with either of us," while Marquez, as his competitor returned to the stewards' office, added, "This is the issue. It's not your fault or mine, yet we both ended up crashing. It was hard for me to prevent this. Don't worry, I won't turn this into a spectacle."

During his media interaction following the event, Marquez pointed fingers at Bagnaia for the incident, whereas Bagnaia described it as merely a racing incident.

During a recent interview held by Ducati at the launch event for their 2025 team, Bagnaia discussed the Portugal incident. He noted that the points he missed out on due to this clash could have resulted in him securing the championship title.

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Will Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia collide once more? "Crashing isn't anyone's goal, however…"

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, now united as Ducati factory team partners, aren't altering their strategies.

Factory Ducati riders Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, now teaming up in MotoGP, have cautioned that the kind of crash seen at Portimao last year could happen again in 2025.

During the final laps, as they battled for the fifth position, Marquez overtook Bagnaia while approaching the hairpin bend at Turn 5.

As the Gresini racer veered a bit off course at the peak of the turn, the Italian rider attempted to swoop in from below. However, their trajectories intersected as they were leaving the turn, resulting in both of them crashing to the ground.

Bagnaia immediately withdrew from the competition, while Marquez also ended up not earning any points, finishing in 16th place after struggling to the end.

In the YouTube interview titled 'Pecco & Marc Face to Face' hosted by Ducati, the duo was questioned about whether their partnership as team members would alter their competitive approach towards one another in scenarios similar to Portimao.

"Bagnaia responded, "It varies, but in my case, no."

"Marquez agreed," he stated.

The eight-time world champion mentioned that these types of occurrences are inevitable when competing at maximum intensity.

"Nobody desires to have an accident. Nobody aims to be involved in a crash. However, there are moments when we're pushing the boundaries, you assume the other person [will act in a certain way] and they assume you [will react differently]. At times, he has one perspective, and you have a different one," Marquez explained.

"Neither of us managed to score, making it an unfortunate situation!"

After Maverick Vinales exited the race from second position, Bagnaia would have still secured fifth place even without overtaking Marquez again.

The Italian emphasized that the points dropped in Portugal were sufficient to close the ten-point gap to Jorge Martin in the ultimate world championship rankings.

"Bagnaia remarked, “Considering I crossed the finish line in fifth place, earning eleven points, it was sufficient to clinch the championship!”

In Portimao, the intense competition between Bagnaia and Marquez was not a singular occurrence. The multiple-time champions collided once more but managed to stay upright in a captivating battle for the win in Jerez, which Bagnaia ultimately secured.

Many anticipate that Bagnaia and Marquez will contend for the win in each race this season, making additional confrontations likely.

Preserving a sense of unity within the team – a concept emphasized by Ducati sporting director Mauro Grassilli during the launch – might thus turn into a significant hurdle.

However, Marquez emphasized that the laid-back ambiance at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort offered an ideal opportunity for the new teammates to build a connection.

"Marquez explained that being at the racetrack fosters team cohesion, as it naturally divides teams and riders, positioning one rider and their team on one side, and another on the opposite side."

"Therefore, it stands as the optimal approach for fostering an excellent environment and maintaining the top-notch quality of the bike, which is currently the case with the Ducati. However, we must ensure it remains so… This method is unparalleled in facilitating mutual acquaintance and enhancing team cohesion."

Marquez and Bagnaia are set to embark on their initial MotoGP circuits of the year during the Sepang trials, scheduled from February 5th to 7th.

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

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Sean Dylan Kelly, a MotoAmerica racer, shares an update following a significant brain scan after his crash.

Sean Dylan Kelly has announced that his brain scan results show no issues.

The MotoAmerica competitor was admitted to the hospital following a frightening crash during practice.

Following a significant and unusual fall from his supermoto, he was fitted with a cervical collar and admitted to the hospital last weekend.

Kelly has now verified: "Brain imaging showed NO issues!"

"Grateful that all the medical exams have turned out positively. Concentrating on resting for a bit longer, then I'll dive right back into my routine."

"I'm truly grateful to everyone for the immense affection and backing. It truly signifies so much."

Last season, Kelly secured the fourth position in the MotoAmerica Superbike category while racing for the TopPro BMW squad.

It marked a return from an injury-plagued 2023 as a Moto2 competitor. Due to his injuries, he was let go from his position with American Racing halfway through the season.

Kelly is now poised for a comeback in the USA, despite a concerning incident during preseason training.

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Marco Bezzecchi intends to model his approach after Jorge Martin

"He aims to emulate all the aspects that he excels in over me"

In 2023, the fast ascent of Marco Bezzecchi in MotoGP experienced an abrupt slowdown as the young Italian achieved just one podium finish and fell to twelfth place in the global championship standings.

Bezzecchi, who had secured three victories and was only outperformed by Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin in the last season, acknowledged that his drive diminished as he faced difficulties in competing effectively with the GP23.

"Bezzecchi described his difficulties last season with VR46, mentioning that he has trouble when initially accelerating, which results in the bike not steering properly, causing him to lose momentum and frequently veer off course."

"Every racer on the GP23 Ducati team has voiced concerns over a consistent issue. At certain circuits, I managed to make some adjustments, while at others, I faced greater challenges."

Luckily for Bez, Aprilia viewed the previous season as an anomaly and decided to sign the 26-year-old, pairing him with the newly crowned world champion Jorge Martin in its official team.

In his first outing with the RS-GP during the Barcelona test in November, Bezzecchi finished in 13th position, trailing Martin by a mere tenth of a second.

Significantly, considering the challenges with handling corners last year, Bezzecchi experienced instant trust in the machine's front-end performance.

"Reflecting on his initial experience in Montmelo, Bezzecchi shared during the Aprilia team introduction, “I instantly felt at ease on the motorcycle.

The most significant change came from the front end, which was incredibly stable. This stability is a hallmark of the Aprilia, providing me with immediate confidence during direct braking.

"The experience diverged significantly from riding a Ducati, which occupies a distinct stance, altering its response upon braking."

"Additionally, the method of operating [the Aprilia] is entirely unique, necessitating my gradual adaptation with every lap. However, this was the most significant change."

Bezzecchi and Martin have devoted their entire top-tier racing careers to competing under the Ducati banner.

The Spanish rider enjoyed complete factory backing at Pramac, yet faced a challenging period, failing to secure any victories in 2022 and missing out on a position with the factory team to Enea Bastianini.

Nevertheless, Martin made an impressive comeback in 2023, launching a bid for the title, and then successfully handled the stress of leading the world championship for the majority of the previous year.

Bezzecchi admits that Martin has much to teach him, both in racing and outside of it.

"Firstly, his speed is remarkable. He achieves an incredible rate of speed in a brief period," Bezzecchi noted. "Whenever he mounts the bike, he's exceedingly quick.

"Hence, it becomes crucial for me to consider him as a benchmark, to examine his data, to observe his methodologies within the framework, and to emulate all the aspects he excels in over me."

"As the current world champion, he stands as the most formidable competitor right now."

"Imagine, aside from his evident cycling abilities, he also boasts an impressive work ethic. He dedicates himself fully to training. Moreover, he consistently shows great focus and motivation."

"I'm driven as well, yet maintaining that drive across all events can be challenging, especially during hard periods. Personally, last year was particularly difficult for me."

He endured challenging periods previously. His plans underwent a total transformation. Nonetheless, he maintained a resilient mindset and unwavering motivation.

"This serves as an excellent illustration of Jorge's superior strength. Hence, I plan to emulate him and use his achievements as a benchmark for my own improvement."

Bezzecchi and Martin are set to return to the circuit, riding the RS-GP25, during the Sepang trials happening from February 5th to 7th.

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MotoGP luminaries ramp up off-season test efforts through Aspar circuit sessions

This week saw the Marquez siblings, Quartararo, and Mir making appearances at the Aspar Circuit

As the MotoGP preseason tests rapidly approach, several prominent riders, such as Marc Marquez, have been engaging in motorcycle training activities at Spain's Aspar Circuit.

After the unveiling of Ducati's team for the 2025 season at Madonna di Campiglio, the eight-time world champion, Marquez, immediately returned to his training sessions at the Aspar Circuit in Valencia.

Marquez has visited the venue twice this month to ride a Ducati Panigale V2, testing the most recent model a few weeks back. During this visit, Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of the brand, reported that the Spanish rider equaled the circuit's lap record.

During a practice session at the Aspar circuit, Casey O’Gorman was seen guiding Marc Marquez around the track. Following this, Marc Marquez took the time to film a birthday message for Justine Pedermonte, a celebrated French superbike rider.

On Wednesday, Marquez took to the track once more, mounting his V2 Panigale for additional training sessions before the start of pre-season tests in Malaysia, scheduled for February 5-7.

His sibling, Alex Marquez, and his teammate from Gresini for the 2025 season, Fermin Aldeguer, accompanied him.

The Aspar circuit has turned into a favored winter retreat for MotoGP champions, with the current world titleholder, Jorge Martin, recently taking laps at the track.

In recent days, Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, and Joan Mir, who clinched the title in 2020, took to the track for a

Quartararo, Mir, and Aldeguer are set to travel to South East Asia ahead of schedule as part of their ongoing pre-season training.

The trio is scheduled to participate in the Sepang shakedown from January 31 to February 2, an event available to newcomers, riders from concession teams, and test riders.

The Yamaha racing team, alongside their new affiliate Pramac, will unveil their 2025 lineup on January 31 during a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

The Honda team's unveiling ceremony is set to occur the next day in Jakarta.

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KTM's financial obligations have exceeded €2 billion, with interest shown by 23 potential investors. The Austrian company is facing increasing financial challenges.

After a discussion took place between the leaders of KTM and the administrator responsible for restructuring, reports have emerged indicating that the company's debt has increased to more than €2 billion.

KTM has been making urgent efforts to avoid bankruptcy after falling into a financial crisis last year due to decreased sales, excessive production, and an unsuccessful business expansion.

The company began self-administration late last year and is now seeking investment to assist in settling its debts.

According to the existing reorganization proposal, 30% of the outstanding debt to creditors is scheduled to be settled over the next two years. This plan is set to be decided upon in a hearing scheduled for February 25.

At first, the debts were estimated to be approximately €1.8 billion.

After a comprehensive hearing at the Regional Court of Ried Im Innkreis, the Alpine Creditors Association (AKV) reported that the total debt had risen to €2,185,344,613.84.

KTM AG is currently facing a total of 3,535 claims, with 2,347 of these coming from its employees and 1,187 from creditors. The AKV has indicated that this figure is likely to increase.

A recent report from GPOne indicated that potential investors have proposed a commitment of as much as €900 million.

However, according to the Italian source, this information has not been officially confirmed yet.

According to the AKV report, there are now 23 prospective investors who have shown interest, and KTM has assigned Citibank to handle this procedure.

According to the AKV, the investors are described as being both strategic and financial in nature.

According to GPOne, the proposal up for a vote involves a 30% repayment to creditors, meeting the legal minimum requirement, but some creditors are reportedly dissatisfied with this offer.

On Thursday night, it was revealed by the Pierer Mobility Group, which includes KTM, that their CEO, Stefan Pierer, is resigning from his role.

Pierer developed KTM into the leading motorcycle producer in Europe, but his role has been uncertain since the start of the restructuring process.

Gottfried Neumeister, who formerly served as co-CEO, has now taken over the position.

Despite resigning as the CEO of PMG, Pierer will remain involved in the restructuring efforts.

In the earlier AKV report from December, it was indicated that KTM had a "planned" exit from MotoGP. However, the most recent meeting did not address this topic at all.

KTM has confirmed its participation in the MotoGP series for the 2025 season and is set to kick off its campaign on January 30th.

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KTM's financial obligations have increased, surpassing €2 billion, with interest shown by 23 prospective investors. The financial challenges faced by the Austrian company continue to worsen.

After discussions were held between KTM's leadership team and the official overseeing the company's restructuring process, reports indicate that the company's debt has now surpassed €2 billion.

KTM has been struggling to avoid bankruptcy after falling into a financial crisis last year, caused by decreasing sales, excessive production, and an unsuccessful business expansion.

Late last year, the company went into self-administration and is now seeking to secure funds from investors to assist in settling its debts.

According to the latest restructuring proposal, creditors are set to receive 30% of the owed debt over the next two years. A decision on this plan is expected to be made during a hearing scheduled for February 25.

At first, the debts were estimated to be approximately €1.8 billion.

After a comprehensive review at the Regional Court of Ried Im Innkreis, the Alpine Creditors Association (AKV) reported that the total debt had risen to €2,185,344,613.84.

A total of 3,535 claims have been lodged against KTM AG, with 2,347 submitted by employees and 1,187 by creditors. The AKV anticipates that this figure will likely increase.

According to a recent report by GPOne, there is interest from certain parties in investing as much as €900 million.

However, according to the Italian source, this information has not been formally announced.

According to the AKV report, 23 potential investors have shown interest so far, and KTM has appointed Citibank to handle this procedure.

According to the AKV, these investors are identified as both strategic and financial investors.

According to GPOne, some creditors are dissatisfied with the proposed plan, which involves a 30% repayment to creditors—the legal minimum that can be offered—and is currently up for a vote.

On Thursday night, it was revealed that Stefan Pierer would be resigning from his role as CEO of the Pierer Mobility Group, the parent company of KTM.

Pierer developed KTM into the biggest motorcycle producer in Europe, but his role has been uncertain since the start of reorganization efforts.

Gottfried Neumeister, who formerly served as co-CEO, has taken over his position.

Despite resigning from the CEO position at PMG, Pierer will remain involved in the restructuring process.

In the AKV report from December, there was an indication of KTM's "planned" exit from MotoGP, but the most recent meeting did not bring up this topic.

KTM has confirmed its participation in the MotoGP series for the 2025 season and plans to kick off its campaign on January 30.

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Marc Marquez draws a striking parallel between "young individuals" and Lewis Hamilton.

"The similarity that both of us are red, both our teams [Ducati] and Ferrari…"

The transition of Marc Marquez to Ducati for the 2025 MotoGP season and Lewis Hamilton's upcoming transfer to Ferrari for the next F1 season were impeccably timed.

The parallels are evident, with Marquez ranking as the rider with the fourth highest number of wins in Grand Prix motorcycle racing's storied history, whereas Hamilton surpasses all others in the equally extensive annals of Formula 1 success.

However, Marquez is cautious about making these comparisons.

"Drawing a comparison isn't something I can do, but it's clear we're both seasoned riders," Marquez remarked during an interview with Sky Sport Italy.

"The latter matters, yet we also see the arrival of the youth who are eager and quick. It's noteworthy that we share a similarity in our red color, both us [Ducati] and Ferrari."

The parallels in the early stages of Hamilton's tenure with Ferrari and Marquez's initiation into Ducati extend beyond mere team colors, their relative levels of experience, and age differences with their peers. Interestingly, on the same day Marquez attended the Ducati Lenovo Team's unveiling event at Madonna di Campiglio, Hamilton was making his initial visit to Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello.

In reality, Marquez's collaboration with Ducati's engineers dates back to late 2023. This was when he first rode a bike from the Bologna-based manufacturer during his initial test as a rider for Gresini Racing.

At this point, Marquez has gotten used to the operational techniques of the factory, meaning his adjustment is more towards the Ducati Lenovo Team rather than Ducati Corse. The Spaniard mentioned that, so far, the connection is progressing positively.

"Excellent," he remarked, "currently, everything is exact. Comparing individuals you've been familiar with for a decade to those you've only known for a quarter of a year isn't fair, but I'm quite content.

"Last year, the Gresini team performed flawlessly, but this year, it was essential for the factory team to advance further. Once you possess the motorcycle and belong to the leading team, everything depends on you."

Bagnaia is "certain to lead"

The shift of Marquez to Ducati is distinct from Hamilton's scenario because, although Charles Leclerc is a skilled racer and has won a Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia stands out as a three-time World Champion and the top performer in MotoGP over the last five years.

Thus, the athlete, who has clinched the World Champion title eight times, is confident about being a key player in the forthcoming season. However, he is hesitant to rank himself above his new teammate, who has been central to the team's development since his arrival in 2021.

"According to Marquez, Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] is definitely going to lead, given his impressive track record over the past four years, securing two World Championships and finishing as the runner-up on two occasions."

"He consistently battled to the last moment, thus he'll be regarded as the benchmark since he secured the second spot in the championship. In the garage, I'm considered the next point of reference, having achieved third place in the rankings."

As the championship competition heats up later this year, it's anticipated that the rivalry between them will escalate. However, at the moment, Marquez is pleased with his friendly rapport with Bagnaia.

"Marquez remarked that his current relationship with his new teammate is nothing short of beautiful."

"From my own experience, your perspective changes significantly from your twenties to your early thirties. You gain maturity and your thought process evolves."

"I'm aware that on the circuit, each participant plays their role, with both of us aiming for victory. As Gigi [Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse general manager] mentioned, our goal is to secure the Riders’, Constructors', and Teams' Championships.

"If one fails to secure victory, it is imperative that the other succeeds."

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

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Supercross star Jett Lawrence parts ways with representative following financial misconduct

Jett Lawrence, along with Hunter Lawrence, has declared their separation from their agent, Lucas Mirtl.

Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence, siblings, have declared their separation from their enduring manager, Lucas Mirtl.

A declaration made by the Lawrences and released today (23 January) by American motocross reporter Lewis Phillips has disclosed that the separation occurred due to the "improper handling of finances" by Mirtl.

"In the past fortnight, we've grown concerned over possible deceitful behavior linked to one of our corporate accounts," the statement says.

"After conducting a preliminary inquiry, it came to our attention that we had obtained proof of our agent Lucas Mirtl misusing and improperly diverting our private funds for his own advantage. Consequently, as of 9:00 AM EST today, we have terminated his employment."

Additionally, Wasserman, the agency where Mirtl was employed and also represents the Lawrence brothers, has terminated his employment. We will persist with our inquiry and promptly share all discovered information with the appropriate officials.

"Wasserman will maintain its representation of us, with Jacob Hayes and Travis Clarke assuming the roles of managers."

Lewis Phillips (@LewisPhillips71) shared a statement from the Lawrence siblings on January 23, 2025, regarding adjustments in their management team. See the details here: pic.twitter.com/jUo8rwWrT5

Mirtl played a pivotal role in facilitating the Lawrence family's relocation from Europe's MXGP circuit to the United States in 2019, enabling them to compete in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross events.

After relocating to the United States, the Lawrence siblings have each secured championships in the AMA Supercross 250SX category, as well as in the 250MX Pro Motocross division.

In 2023, Jett Lawrence etched his name in history as the third competitor ever to secure a victory in every moto across an AMA Pro Motocross season. Additionally, he marked a significant milestone by being the first newcomer to clinch the premier class championship in AMA Supercross since Jeremy McGrath did so in 1993, achieving this feat in May.

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

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Pecco Bagnaia pinpoints what sets Marc Marquez apart from others

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez highlight what they admire most about each other's motorcycle racing talents.

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, who are both part of the new Ducati team and the only riders on the current MotoGP grid to have won multiple championships, have each identified the most remarkable riding abilities of the other.

During the 'Pecco & Marc Face to Face' interview on Ducati's YouTube channel, Bagnaia, who was just ten points behind Jorge Martin in the race for his third MotoGP title last season, mentioned:

"[Marc] possesses two talents that stand out to me. The [first one] is his ability to navigate a muddy course, despite the slipperiness, and discover an extraordinary sensation.

It was evident during last year's race at Aragon; the challenge was significant, and he outpaced everyone else by a considerable margin. During the qualifying rounds, he managed to lead by eight-tenths of a second, which was quite remarkable.

"Moreover, his technique for navigating left-hand turns stands out from everyone else's. Despite my attempts, I consistently lose traction at the front! Thus, I must master this skill."

Marquez, famous for his triumphs on tracks that run counter-clockwise like COTA, Sachsenring, Aragon, and Phillip Island, is met with a different hurdle.

"The eight-time world champion mentioned that what he admires most is his ability to navigate fast right-hand turns with ease, a skill that he personally struggles with. He emphasized his competitor's exceptional speed in these specific corners."

Additionally, his braking threshold is notably robust.

"Having both elements on my side makes for a perfect mix to secure a second world championship with Ducati, so I plan to take cues from him."

Yet, according to what Gresini crew chief Frankie Carchedi shared with Crash.net towards last year's close, the Spanish rider, Marquez, had significantly advanced in bridging the gap on right-hand turns.

"Carchedi noted that all riders, regardless of their identity, possess both strong and weak points. He was particularly satisfied with the progress made in swift right-hand turns towards the year's close."

Our team achieved the highest average speed in the final section of the Catalunya circuit, known for its high-speed right turns. Similarly, we excelled in the first sector of the Sepang circuit, particularly noted for the rapid Turn 3.

"Thus, to become that proficient eventually, in a field he probably still considers a shortcoming… It's safe to say he's well-placed for what's ahead!"

Data exchange seen as both beneficial and risky

Ducati's approach to freely exchanging data between its MotoGP riders (which will reduce from eight to six by 2025) quickly highlights potential advantages or disadvantages.

Additionally, it's believed that Ducati prepares a detailed analysis after each race for every rider, highlighting their areas of proficiency and those needing enhancement to foster their development.

"Bagnaia mentioned regarding the data, "Usually, I pay attention to all the Ducati competitors because various riders have their unique strengths. Therefore, it's both essential and interesting to observe how other riders achieve their lap times."

"For instance, during last year's race at Jerez, I gained valuable insights from Marquez at turns 7 and 8 over the course of the weekend. So, when he caught up to me during the race, I focused on enhancing my performance in that segment."

"Once he passed me initially, I began to make progress in the third sector. Observing his approach there proved to be incredibly beneficial."

Marquez concurred, stating, "Certainly, my focus has been on the leading Ducati competitors. Particularly in the initial half of the last season, my attention was drawn to the performances of Pecco and Martin, who were notably quick. However, my interest was primarily on Pecco, given his position in the factory team, as I aimed to grasp their setup strategies.

"Afterward, the latter half of the season shifted as I began to lean into my own approach, gaining a deeper comprehension of the motorcycle and my requirements. Ducati's approach of disseminating all data across the riders proves to be an effective strategy. It simplifies the enhancement process when information is shared this way."

All Ducati riders have the opportunity to gain insights from one another, but the ones who stand to gain the most are those lagging behind, as they can swiftly identify and adopt the techniques of their speedier counterparts.

Thus, Bagnaia referred to data sharing, which has now become widespread among other brands, as a ‘double-edged sword’.

"Bagnaia attributed their previous year's overwhelming success to the underlying cause, noting that Ducati only faced defeat in a single grand prix."

To enhance your performance and accelerate your growth, it's essential to exchange information. This approach is also seen in Moto2, where Kalex adopted a similar strategy. Sharing insights is the most efficient method for advancement as it allows for a broad range of observations and experiments.

"It has its pros and cons [for a rider], depending on the circumstances. At times, you might be engaged in a highly competitive activity, fully aware that it's visible to everyone.

"From the moment I joined Ducati, I embraced it. However, it's akin to a blade with two edges."

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

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