KTM persists with testing despite worries about a halt in development. The company confirms, "A private test session will take place in Jerez."

In response to ongoing rumors about the future of Pierer Mobility's brands and their influence on racing endeavors, KTM has announced that its MotoGP test team will proceed with their planned track activities this month.

On Tuesday, KTM informed Crash.net that a private testing session is scheduled to take place in Jerez this December.

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Very limited information was shared due to the secretive nature of a private test. It remains unclear if both development riders, Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, will attend.

The winter testing prohibition in MotoGP is in effect from December 1 to January 31, but it applies exclusively to riders with full-time contracts.

The Sepang Shakedown test kicks off on January 31, serving as a precursor to the Official test.

KTM Racing is not participating in the legal restructuring process

The company KTM Racing GmbH is not partaking in the judicial restructuring process with self-management currently being conducted at KTM AG. This move is in reaction to significant debts amounting to an estimated €3 billion at its parent company, Pierer Industries AG.

There is certain to be an effect on all of Pierer Mobility Group's racing operations, with the MotoGP project being the most prominent and costly among them.

KTM informed Crash.net that the situation remains the same for their racing divisions, despite what Hubert Trunkenpolz, deputy chairman of the Pierer Group, and KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer said at the season-ending event in Barcelona.

In an effort to address any rumors beforehand, Trunkenpolz informed Speedweek.com in Barcelona that they will be competing in MotoGP for both the upcoming year and the following one.

"We are currently honoring our agreement with Dorna, which involves exclusively using the KTM brand. Our goal is to elevate the brand, and we view sports as the key marketing strategy for KTM, which is why we are committed to this endeavor."

"We are integrated into the company," Beirer mentioned. "When we face an issue collectively, motorsport needs to contribute to the solution. Naturally, we are now managing motorsport expenses as effectively as we can and are working on implementing practical cost-saving measures…"

"We don't have extra funds anymore, but we'll make every effort to secure the essential money. Our priority will be to cut costs in areas that won't negatively impact the racers."

This year, KTM secured the second spot in the constructors' rankings, trailing behind Ducati, even though they did not clinch a race victory.

The Austrian manufacturer is preparing to showcase its most competitive team since entering the top-tier category in 2017. The factory squad will include Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, while Tech3 has added new recruits Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

Red Bull sponsors both teams that compete in MotoGP under the KTM brand.

In the context of grand prix racing, KTM has received positive developments for the near future. Currently, Moto3 has implemented a technical freeze, which has benefited KTM as its riders have dominated the top five positions this year. Additionally, in MotoGP, the design of engines will be locked from the start of the 2025 season through the conclusion of 2026.

A significant expense related to design is anticipated with the introduction of new machines for the 850cc MotoGP era, set to begin in 2027.

For two decades, Peter has been immersed in the racing environment, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure from the sport and the ongoing injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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I am the overlooked protégé of Valentino Rossi – "The public is unaware of the history behind it."

"On social media, individuals often post comments that are unrelated."

A former student of Valentino Rossi was back in action at the Ranch not long ago.

Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Luca Marini, and Franco Morbidelli continue to frequent Tavullia and attribute a significant part of their progress in MotoGP to Rossi's influence. However, one former student chose a different path and pursued their career independently.

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Five years have passed since Nicolo Bulega departed from the VR46 Academy.

He transitioned from Moto2 to World Supersport, where he clinched the championship, and this year marked his debut in the World Superbike Championship.

In his debut season, Bulega closely challenged Toprak Razgatlioglu. However, during the off-season, he made an uncommon visit back to Rossi’s Ranch.

Bulega mentioned to GPOne that numerous posts on social media are unrelated to the topic.

Many are unaware of the history, but I can confirm that I have an excellent rapport with Valentino Rossi.

The situation was similar for Uccio Salucci. We engaged in conversation until nearly midnight.

"Vale remains incredibly quick on the track. Although I didn't come out ahead, the main thing is that it was a really enjoyable day."

Bulega remarked, "I hadn't visited the Ranch in six years."

Flat track racing requires regular practice to achieve consistency, and without training, staying competitive is challenging.

"It's similar to cycling; you never forget how, but you lose the automatic reflexes."

"It was an incredibly enjoyable day. A large number of people attended, and I finished in fifth place in the Americana event."

"During my time at the academy, I recall speeding through the Ranch."

"I still remember the flat track; I just need to regain my instincts."

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Maverick Vinales is still puzzled by his victory at the Austin MotoGP, which shook up Ducati's dominance. He stated, "What truly baffles us are the races in Portimao and Austin."

Maverick Vinales acknowledges that both he and the Aprilia team are puzzled about their victory at the Americas MotoGP race in 2024, especially since he had reservations about the motorcycle.

Vinales achieved his first win since 2021 by claiming a debut sprint victory in Portugal, and then he secured his inaugural grand prix triumph on the Aprilia in Austin.

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At that stage of the year, Vinales emerged as a contender for the championship title. However, he eventually secured just two additional podium finishes in sprint races and concluded the season ranked seventh in the standings.

The victory in Austin was the sole grand prix win not claimed by a Ducati in the entire 20-race season. Additionally, it distinguished him as the first rider of the modern era to achieve a first-place finish with three separate manufacturers.

In his last weekend with Aprilia before moving to Tech3 KTM, Vinales confessed that he realized "too late" that he was not fond of the 2024 RS-GP, a motorcycle he found challenging to handle.

Therefore, he still doesn't understand how he managed to perform so well in the competitions held in Portugal and the United States.

In Barcelona last month, he shared with reporters, including those from Crash.net, that he had only two requests upon concluding the 2023 season in Valencia: an improved start and the same motorcycle, as he was very fond of it.

"However, the situation changed when it came to Sepang."

The individual expressed that their sole regret was related to the 2023 bike. They believe that with a slightly enhanced aerodynamic design, specifically more downforce, the bike had the potential to compete at a high level. While it may not have matched Ducati, it could have consistently secured a position within the top four.

"We were familiar with the arrangement and had all the details. Therefore, it was simply a matter of hitting the track and giving it our all."

"I'm not sure if Aprilia made a mistake by heading in the wrong direction, but by the time we realized it, it was already too late to make any changes."

"I had to spend the entire year using a bike that wasn't to my liking. However, Manuel Cazeaux and I collaborated on it."

"Our confusion lies with Portimao and Austin; we just can't figure them out. While we performed well on certain tracks, none matched the success we experienced on those two."

Vinales had his first experience riding the KTM during the test session following the Solidarity GP. After completing 74 laps, he achieved the 12th fastest time overall. The Spanish rider expressed excitement about his first encounter with the RC16.

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Marc Marquez reveals his all-time top five MotoGP racers – with a surprising inclusion. Marquez lists five iconic riders.

Marc Marquez has revealed his selection of the top MotoGP riders of all time, and it might contain an unexpected choice.

Six-time champion in the premier class, Marquez, has chosen not to include his name on the esteemed list.

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This is even though he is included in many other analysts' rankings of the best riders of all time.

Marquez has fewer premier class championships than just two other riders.

Marquez, during an appearance on a Spanish podcast, reportedly stated to Gazzetta that he would never include himself on that list.

Marc Marquez has listed his picks for the greatest five riders in history. According to Marquez, these legends are Giacomo Agostini, Angel Nieto, Mick Doohan, Jorge Lorenzo, and Valentino Rossi.

The legendary Agostini holds a record of 15 world championships, with eight of those being in the top-tier category, marking the highest number in history.

The Italian racer secured his victories from 1966 to 1975 while riding for MV Agusta and Yamaha. Even now, he greatly admires Marquez's talent.

Nieto holds the record for the most titles won by any Spanish racer, having claimed 13 championships. He earned his reputation as a dominant force in the lower racing classes.

Australian racer Doohan secured five championships in the premier category, which is one fewer than Marquez's total.

Doohan recovered from a major leg injury to become a legendary figure.

He was closely associated with Honda, much like Marquez was prior to his move to Ducati.

Lorenzo lost his dominant position in MotoGP when Marquez emerged as the new star. Eventually, he ended his career as Marquez's teammate during his last season.

Lorenzo secured two championships and had a famous competition with his Yamaha teammate, Rossi.

Rossi has been Marquez's toughest opponent and has consistently been his harshest critic.

For several years, they engaged in battle with great courage, with 2015 being particularly

Next season, Marquez, riding for the factory Ducati team, has the chance to equal Rossi's record of eight championships in the top racing category.

Francesco Bagnaia, a protégé of Rossi, shares the Ducati garage, guaranteeing that this enduring competition will continue.

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

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Valentino Rossi's MotoGP squad has been lauded as being "on a whole different level."

"This squad is extraordinary. It operates like a factory team."

Fabio Di Giannantonio has expressed that the VR46 Racing MotoGP team, owned by Valentino Rossi, operates at a significantly higher level compared to others. He compared the Ducati-supported team to being comparable to an official factory team.

Renowned MotoGP figure Rossi initially launched a team in grand prix racing within the Moto3 category back in 2014, and later broadened this initiative to include the Moto2 class starting in 2017.

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In 2021, VR46 supported Luca Marini's involvement with the Avintia Ducati MotoGP team before Rossi’s team fully joined the premier class the next year.

In only three seasons, VR46 has achieved victories in grand prix races with Marco Bezzecchi and secured official recognition from Ducati for 2025 after Pramac transitioned to Yamaha.

After finishing the 2024 season as the leading rider for the VR46 team, Di Giannantonio's MotoGP career was salvaged by Rossi's squad. He is set to continue racing next year on a GP25.

Di Giannantonio expressed that this season has been the pinnacle of his career, citing unprecedented consistency and high performance throughout the year in MotoGP, which he had never achieved before. He is currently making a good recovery following shoulder surgery that concluded his season.

"This year has posed numerous challenges for various reasons. In addition to dealing with the injury, the bike itself presented difficulties."

"We were present and constantly battling. Right before I got injured, I completed the race at Silverstone right on the heels of Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez."

"It could have been an excellent year for us, but we need to focus on the positive aspects."

"I developed significantly both in my skills as a rider and in my personal growth."

"The credit also goes to the team because they are incredible. Trust me, this team operates on a completely different level. They are truly remarkable. It's a factory team."

In late 2023, there were uncertainties surrounding Di Giannantonio's future in MotoGP, as Gresini had brought Marquez on board for the next year. However, the Italian racer dispelled doubts by clinching a victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Even though Di Giannantonio was sidelined for three races in 2024 because of an injury, he consistently performed as the second-best GP23 rider, trailing only Marquez for the entire season.

Looking back on his progress to acquiring factory equipment for 2025, Di Giannantonio commented, "My journey has been rather unique, you might say."

"When I was younger, I never considered having an alternative plan. My sole ambition was to become a MotoGP racer. From the moment I reached this point, I consistently had faith in myself and in the efforts we were putting in."

"I always had faith in our ability to succeed. This mindset is something I've carried throughout my life—I have a strong belief in it. I'm passionate about dreaming big and working towards making those dreams a reality."

"It's more about setting a target – I enjoy establishing objectives and reaching them. Reflecting on last year, when I was close to not having a spot, we decided, 'Alright, what's the current objective?' The aim was to enhance my skills as a rider, so we focused on maximizing my improvement and striving to perform at my best."

"After accomplishing that task, what should we aim for next? Let's work on securing a spot since we've become better riders. We achieved it in the last moments."

"The objective for the 2024 season was to maintain a high standard and perform consistently in each race."

"We've achieved it once more. I enjoy setting objectives and putting in the effort because I truly believe that anything can be accomplished."

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Jorge Martin on being overlooked by Ducati in MotoGP: ‘The way they handled it wasn’t ideal’

“I had to express several concerns to them”

MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin feels that Ducati's decision to overlook him for a 2025 factory team position was "not really fair," yet he found "no reason to create conflict" about it.

Earlier this year, Ducati approved Martin's move to its factory team for the 2025 season before the Italian Grand Prix, anticipating that Marc Marquez would ride a factory bike for Pramac.

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Faced with the possibility of losing Marquez to a competing manufacturer, Ducati reversed its earlier decision to advance Martin, opting instead for the eight-time world champion.

Martin later agreed to a two-year contract with Aprilia's factory team, whereas Pramac finalized a deal with Yamaha for 2025.

In an interview with motogp.com following his championship victory for Ducati and Pramac, Martin commented on the incident: "I believe we had a conversation afterward because there were several points I needed to address with them."

"The way they handled the situation was not effective. It didn't make sense to initiate a conflict, as I would be using the bike I currently own, so it seemed pointless."

"The dynamic with Gigi Dall'Igna and the technical team remained unchanged."

During a conversation with Claudio Domenicalli at the Sachsenring, I expressed my thoughts clearly, and I'm confident that they understand my perspective.

"The initial thought that crossed my mind was, 'Alright, I have the opportunity to become the first independent rider to clinch a MotoGP championship.' Consequently, I've achieved a historic milestone and will be remembered for it."

Following Martin's agreement with Aprilia, there was a general belief that Ducati might reduce its backing of his championship efforts to prevent the possibility of the number one position being associated with an RS-GP in 2025.

Despite Ducati's ongoing support for Pramac, Martin acknowledges that both he and the team felt "frightened" at first.

"Certainly, I was frightened, Paolo Campinotti was frightened, everyone felt the fear, and even the media was uneasy," he mentioned.

"Everyone believed they would take action to ensure I wouldn't win this championship."

"However, they didn't, so kudos to Ducati—hats off to them. I'm truly thankful to Ducati for bringing me into MotoGP and helping me become a world champion."

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The upcoming MotoGP sensation is on the line in 2026

Could there be a clash among manufacturers for the emerging prodigy?

The upcoming sensation in MotoGP might find themselves caught in a bidding battle among various producers.

David Alonso is set to progress from his Moto3 triumphs to competing in Moto2 by 2025, with a potential leap to the top tier on the horizon.

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He claims that a provision in his contract would enable his transition to MotoGP in 2026, should he secure the Moto2 championship on his first attempt.

"Indeed. Although I find it quite improbable, the possibility does exist," Alonso conveyed to Marca.

"I have an agreement with Aspar. I'm unsure. It would need to occur.

Indeed, Moto2 is a division where, similar to someone such as Johann Zarco, continuing to win and remain in the category isn't considered disadvantageous.

"Since the speed somewhat relies on your input."

"It has a certain flair to it, serving as an excellent training ground for MotoGP when it comes to piloting skills."

"Essentially, staying a bit more doesn't cause you any harm."

"Thus, in this category, extending your plans by an additional year poses no issue whatsoever."

Should Alonso dominate in Moto2, he might attract proposals from the leading MotoGP teams, eager to secure a deal with a rising star.

This season, he surpassed Valentino Rossi's record of victories in the Moto3 category.

Alonso is aware that the top teams in MotoGP will be keenly observing his performance in 2025.

"He expressed appreciation for their enthusiasm, indicating that it reflects positively on the situation."

"This also helps us recognize that we're on a journey, yet it's crucial to continue putting in effort because otherwise…

“We hadn’t arrived at our goal yet, and we still need to persist. Our focus remains on constantly striving for betterment, curious to explore this novel category. While we're thankful, our journey of hard work persists.”

Alonso characterized the way he rides.

"He mentioned that Marc Marquez is his point of reference, but when it comes to his riding style, it's somewhat similar to Pedro Acosta," he stated.

"I'm unsure, as my riding style leans towards being adept at braking and favoring V-curves, not really focusing on cornering. I aim to be as well-rounded as I can, yet perhaps in a manner similar to Acosta's approach."

James spent ten years as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, covering a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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"Pedrosa showcased exceptional skill, Marquez demonstrated unrivaled courage – yet Rossi was the all-rounder," says Jorge Lorenzo about MotoGP icons.

Jorge Lorenzo has shared insights on what set apart some of his most formidable competitors.

Lorenzo has been retired for five years after a MotoGP career that brought him two championships.

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He famously competed against Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner, and Dani Pedrosa in some of the most memorable clashes in MotoGP history.

"Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez, and Casey Stoner left an indelible impression on me. And, of course, Valentino Rossi," he shared with Gazzetta.

Lorenzo and Pedrosa

The intense competition between the two Spanish riders reached its peak when the Spanish Monarch intervened, mandating a handshake between them following the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix.

"Pedrosa excelled in the 125cc and 250cc categories due to his exceptional skill, despite his small stature," Lorenzo noted.

"Primarily, he utilized his strength significantly to lift the motorcycle."

"This was notably challenging, and he was the pioneer in making it so evident."

"We replicated everything using the method."

Lorenzo's last year competing in MotoGP was spent alongside Marquez, riding for the Repsol Honda team. During this time, Lorenzo witnessed Marquez in his championship-winning prime.

"Lorenzo described Marquez as having an incredibly fierce mentality."

"He was the sole cyclist who wouldn’t admit to enjoying a tumble. Not that anyone relishes the idea of falling, but he harbored no fear towards it."

"Similar to a pitbull, his desire to triumph persisted regardless of his health condition."

"Even on tracks where his motorcycle wasn't performing optimally, he carried a strong desire. His goal was always to outperform you."

He believed he was descending, yet the prospect of falling didn't scare him. In this regard, he was distinct.

Lorenzo on Stoner

Additionally, Stoner secured his second championship title in 2011, with Lorenzo finishing in second place.

"Lorenzo described Stoner as having an innate skill."

For instance, the circuit was moist with areas of water, he pulled it out of the garage and established a new record on the track for you.

Everyone needed an additional two or three seconds.

"Hence, the capacity to innovate and recognize the boundaries of the path is instantly remarkable."

"Such an innate gift! It's something you're born with or not…"

The rivalry between Lorenzo and Rossi escalated to the point where a physical barrier was needed in the Yamaha team area while they were both on the team. The aftermath of the 2015 season, claimed by Lorenzo, continues to have repercussions to this day.

"Lorenzo acknowledged, "Valentino? He's got it all."

Inherently intelligent and highly charming as an individual.

"A significant separation, a cyclist capable of extensive improvisation on the motorcycle.

During the competition, fatigue was evident, yet he maintained a gentle approach in the struggle. His clarity of mind was remarkable.

"Highly versatile. He may not have had exceptional qualities, but he was incredibly well-rounded."

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

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MotoGP 2024: A total of 865 crashes, with Jerez being the site of the most incidents and Phillip Island having the most dangerous turn

An analysis of the 865 crashes documented in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 this season.

During the 2024 world championships, there were a total of 865 incidents of riders falling in the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 categories. This marks a decrease of 144 falls compared to the year before.

Excluding the abbreviated 2020 season due to Covid-19, the number of crashes was the smallest since 2013, with 863 incidents occurring across 18 rounds.

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In contrast, the 2024 season included 20 races, and according to official statistics from MotoGP.com, the Moto2 category experienced the most significant decrease in crashes per race.

During the initial year of using Pirelli tires, Moto2 experienced an average of 13.4 crashes per weekend, amounting to 268 overall. This figure compares to an average of 17.2 crashes in 2023 and a peak of 24.8 crashes in 2011.

In the Moto3 category, which also transitioned from Dunlop to Pirelli tires, the average decreased from 15.4 last year to 13.1, totaling 262.

In the second season featuring Sprint races, MotoGP saw a small decrease in the total number of falls, going from 358 to 335. This translates to an average drop from 17.9 falls to 16.8 falls per race weekend.

The majority of crashes in MotoGP occur during Friday afternoon sessions. Out of the 335 crashes recorded in the MotoGP category, the Friday afternoon practice emerged as the session with the highest number of incidents, totaling 91 throughout the season.

The grand prix race followed, featuring 80 participants, while the Sprint race included 68 competitors.

The untimed sessions were predictably the least hazardous, with just eight incidents occurring during the Sunday warm-up and eleven during the half-hour practice on Saturday morning.

In the 15-minute Q2 sessions, the significance and high pressure of Qualifying were highlighted by 37 accidents.

In the Moto2 and Moto3 categories, the races were by far the most incident-heavy, with 102 and 91 crashes occurring in each class, respectively.

Jerez described as the most challenging Grand Prix of 2024

The Spanish Grand Prix held in Jerez, where there were wet conditions on Saturday, resulted in the highest number of accidents this season with 74 incidents. This was followed by Mandalika with 67 accidents and Phillip Island with 64 accidents.

The figures were significantly lower than the peak weekend counts seen in recent years, with Valencia 2018 recording 155 accidents and Le Mans 2021 reporting 118 incidents.

The opening round in Qatar was considered the 'safest' event of the season, recording 28 falls. Aragon and Mugello, both held on dry tracks despite Aragon's newly laid and somewhat gritty surface, each saw 29 falls.

The analysis of each corner reveals that Turn 4, also known as the Miller Hairpin, at Phillip Island was the most hazardous spot for riders this season. During the Australian Grand Prix, this particular turn was the site of 29 crashes across various categories.

The weather played a role, as the Moto2 and Moto3 classes experienced rainy conditions on parts of Friday and Saturday.

The recently added chicane, known as Turn 2, at the Red Bull Ring, which took place under completely dry conditions, was the next most significant with a count of 19.

At Sachsenring's first turn and Mandalika's sixteenth turn, there were 15 falls in each location.

Harm Sustained

The outcomes of the incidents, rather than the sheer quantity, hold greater significance and were documented in the formal records accordingly.

Most injuries categorized as 'rider unfit' involved the hands or feet.

Qatar:

Portimão:

Circuit of the Americas

Jerez:

Assen:

The Red Bull Ring:

There is currently no

Mandalika:

Motegi:

Phillip Island:

Buriram:

Sepang:

The list of injuries was only revised on the day of the race, meaning the details might be partial since riders often had additional medical evaluations away from the tracks.

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

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Marc Marquez Reveals His All-Time Top Five MotoGP Icons – With a Surprising Pick

Marc Marquez Unveils His Quintet of MotoGP Legends

Marc Marquez has revealed his selection of the all-time greatest MotoGP racers, which notably features an unexpected choice.

Six-time top-tier champion Marquez has chosen not to include his name on the esteemed roster.

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Despite his absence from some lists, he is widely regarded by many as one of the best riders in history.

Just two competitors have secured more top-tier championships than Marquez.

Marquez stated that he would never consider himself for this list, as reported by Gazzetta following his appearance on a Spanish podcast.

Marc Marquez lists his all-time top five motorcycle racers

"Definitely, Giacomo Agostini, Angel Nieto, Mick Doohan, Jorge Lorenzo, and Valentino Rossi are on my list,” Marquez stated.

The iconic Agostini holds 15 world championships, and his record of eight titles in the top category is unmatched.

Between 1966 and 1975, the Italian secured his awards riding for MV Agusta and Yamaha. Nowadays, he continues to greatly admire Marquez's talent.

Nieto holds the record for the most championships by a Spanish rider, dominating the lower divisions with a total of 13 titles.

Australia's Doohan secured five championships in the premier class, just one fewer than Marquez.

Doohan triumphed over a severe leg injury to secure his status as a legend.

Similarly, he had become as closely associated with Honda as Marquez had, prior to Marquez's transition to Ducati.

Marquez surpassed Lorenzo, ending his prime years in MotoGP. Subsequently, Lorenzo spent his last season racing alongside Marquez as his teammate.

Lorenzo claimed victory in two championships and experienced an iconic competition with his Yamaha colleague Rossi.

Rossi has consistently been Marquez's most intense competitor and his most vocal detractor.

They bravely battled for several years, with 2015 being especially infamous.

If Marquez secures another victory next season, he could equal Rossi's record of eight premier class championships, riding for the official Ducati team.

Francesco Bagnaia, a protégé of Rossi, shares the Ducati team space, guaranteeing the continuation of their historic rivalry.

For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula One racing.

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Suzuki unveils new perspective on re-entering MotoGP

Toshihiro Suzuki, the president of Suzuki, talks about the potential return to racing.

The president of Suzuki, Toshihiro Suzuki, has not dismissed the possibility of the Japanese brand making a comeback to racing events such as MotoGP, although there are no current plans for this.

In a surprising move, the brand decided to leave MotoGP after the 2022 season, despite recently signing a new five-year contract with Dorna Sports to continue participating in the series.

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Due to financial challenges and evolving market dynamics, Suzuki made the decision to disband the team that secured the world championship with Joan Mir in 2020.

Suzuki's choice to exit MotoGP led to the company pulling back all of its factory involvement in motorsports.

A significant change in regulations is set to take place in 2027, introducing 850cc four-stroke engines that run entirely on sustainable fuels. The general belief is that this development might be sufficient to attract a new manufacturer to enter the competition.

In the past few years, Dorna had deliberately left the grid positions that Suzuki vacated open for a manufacturer, amid ongoing speculation about BMW's interest, although nothing has materialized yet.

In August, Dorna's head of sports operations, Carlos Ezpeleta, clarified that the situation had changed, stating that any manufacturer wishing to enter the competition must now partner with an established team.

This situation would create a setup akin to Aprilia's comeback to MotoGP in 2015, where their factory team operated from the Gresini garage until the conclusion of 2021.

During an interview with Italy's Corriere dello Sport, Suzuki-san hinted at the possibility of the brand re-entering the racing scene. However, he emphasized that this would only happen once they have developed a "complete and varied" lineup of motorcycles for their customers.

He stated that winning in MotoGP was extremely significant for their team.

"Nonetheless, it isn't particularly significant if we lack a full and varied selection of models to satisfy every motorcycle fan."

"I believe that we are not currently in that scenario."

"It is crucial for us to swiftly provide a comprehensive selection of products that meets the needs of modern riders."

"If all proceeds as planned, we will resume racing and achieve victory once more."

During the World Superbike round in Assen last April, FIM president Jorge Viegas informed the press that he had conversations with Suzuki. According to him, Suzuki mentioned plans to allocate their funds towards developing a new engine.

"I believe they will return. Competing is essential for selling bikes."

This year, Suzuki participated in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race with a GSX-R motorcycle that ran on a fuel blend containing some sustainable elements, and they secured the eighth position.

A major challenge for Dorna, if Suzuki becomes capable of managing a MotoGP project again, would be deciding whether to accept Suzuki's return.

The likelihood of this happening hinges on Suzuki's ability to demonstrate sustainability over the long term, especially considering the company has exited MotoGP twice since the modern era started in 2002.

The brand's last MotoGP event as of now took place at the 2022 Valencia Grand Prix, where it concluded with a strong performance. Alex Rins achieved his second victory of the season riding the GSX-RR.

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Valentino Rossi's MotoGP squad hailed as "superior"

"The squad is exceptional. It's a top-tier team"

Fabio Di Giannantonio has described Valentino Rossi's VR46 Racing MotoGP team as being "in a different class," comparing the Ducati-affiliated team to "a factory team."

MotoGP icon Rossi ventured into grand prix racing management in 2014 with a Moto3 team, later broadening his initiative to include a Moto2 team starting in 2017.

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In 2021, the VR46 team supported Luca Marini's segment of the Avintia Ducati MotoGP team, prior to Rossi's group making a full entry into the top division the next year.

Within a span of three years, the VR46 team has achieved victory in grand prix races thanks to Marco Bezzecchi and will become an official Ducati team in 2025 after Pramac transitions to Yamaha.

Di Giannantonio, finishing as the leading rider for VR46 in 2024, had his MotoGP career preserved by Rossi's squad and is set to continue next year on a GP25.

"Di Giannantonio remarked that this has been the peak season of his career, attributing it to his unparalleled consistency and exceptional performance, a level he admits he hasn't maintained throughout a year in MotoGP before. He shared these thoughts while on the mend from a shoulder surgery that concluded his season."

"This year has presented numerous challenges, not least of which was the difficulty experienced with the bike, aside from the injury."

"Yet, we remained engaged and constantly battled. Prior to sustaining my injury, I had completed the Silverstone race, closely trailing behind Pecco [Bagnaia] and [Marc] Marquez."

"This year had the potential to be outstanding for us. However, we must focus on the positive aspects."

I experienced significant growth both in my riding abilities and personally.

"Credit must also go to the team, for they are truly remarkable. Trust me, this team operates on a different level. They are exceptional. It's a premier team."

In late 2023, Di Giannantonio's future in MotoGP seemed uncertain after Gresini brought Marquez on board for the upcoming season. However, the Italian rider's fortunes turned when he clinched victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Despite being sidelined for three races because of an injury in 2024, Di Giannantonio consistently ranked as the runner-up in the GP23 series, just behind Marquez, over the course of the season

Regarding his progression to currently possessing factory equipment for 2025, Di Giannantonio remarked: "My experience is rather unique, you could say.

"Growing up, I never considered an alternative career path. My dream was always to become a MotoGP rider. Upon achieving this, I've always had faith in myself and the efforts we put into our work."

"I've always had faith in our ability to accomplish this. To me, this matter is something deeply ingrained in my existence, something I hold a strong conviction in. I am someone who loves to envision possibilities and strives to turn those visions into reality."

"It's primarily an objective for me – I'm someone who enjoys establishing objectives and reaching them. Reflecting on last year, we came to a realization during a moment when I was nearly left without a position. We asked ourselves, 'What's the current objective?' The answer was to enhance my skills as a rider. So, the plan was to focus on maximizing my development as a rider and striving to perform at my best."

"After achieving our objective, what's our next aim? We should seek out a spot, given that we've enhanced our skills as a rider. We secured it during the last phases.

"For the 2024 season, the objective was to maintain a superior performance and ensure consistency across all races."

"We've achieved our goal once more. I'm passionate about establishing objectives and diligently working towards them, as I truly believe that everything is achievable."

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