Fabio Quartararo discusses Yamaha's major transformation in MotoGP for 2024

The 2021 world champion shares insights on a transformative year for Yamaha

Fabio Quartararo highlights that the most significant progress for the underperforming Yamaha MotoGP team in 2024 was a shift in mindset.

Yamaha is currently undergoing a period of reconstruction, transitioning from competing for the championship as late as 2022 to experiencing consecutive seasons without a single victory.

Yamaha's adoption of a revised concessions framework enabled ongoing engine enhancements throughout the season. Quartararo observed that the brand demonstrated a greater readiness to deploy fresh engines immediately upon their completion.

This marked a departure from Yamaha's usual method, and the common practice among Japanese makers, of waiting to release new components until they were completely perfected.

A crucial element of this transition was the introduction of Max Bartolini as the technical director.

"Indeed, I anticipated some improvement in speed, but what truly made a difference in the early part of the season wasn't just the bike's upgrade. It was crucial how we shifted our approach and mindset," he mentioned.

"The concessions were beneficial too. As soon as one engine performed well, we immediately had it for the following race."

We didn't need to postpone for the bicycle to undergo testing to ensure its safety. If it operates correctly, we install it.

"In the initial phase, it went one way, but as we moved into the latter half, I believe we achieved significant progress in certain aspects, notably within the electronics sector."

In response to Crash.net's inquiry about whether Yamaha has shed its previous mindset, he confirmed, "Definitely. As long as I'm involved, it will remain that way."

"If it doesn't, it won't be able to keep up. However, we've made adjustments this year. Therefore, it will be able to keep up in the upcoming years since we believe we've progressed slightly."

Yamaha's motorcycle innovation is set to accelerate for the 2025 season, thanks to a collaboration with Pramac that will see an additional two factory M1 motorcycles enter the competition.

For the first time since the conclusion of the 2022 season, when RNF transitioned to Aprilia, Yamaha will once again support a satellite team.

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Ducati's Unprecedented Success in 2024 MotoGP, By the Numbers

In 2024, Ducati set new benchmarks by leading the pack in MotoGP competition.

The 2024 MotoGP championship will go down in history for Ducati's complete supremacy, as it surged ahead to clinch yet another global title.

Since its introduction to MotoGP in 2003, amidst a period of Japanese supremacy in the sport, Ducati has experienced a rollercoaster of significant triumphs and challenges over the past twenty years.

In 2003, it kicked off its inaugural year with a victory, and by 2007, Casey Stoner had secured the Italian brand's initial world championship.

As Stoner kept achieving victories in the following years, capturing the championship became increasingly challenging due to the Desmosedici's complexities. Ducati reached its lowest point when Stoner departed in 2011.

The much-anticipated acquisition of Valentino Rossi only resulted in three podium finishes over two seasons, after which the MotoGP icon made his comeback to Yamaha in 2013.

As the year came to a close, Ducati hired Gigi Dall’Igna away from Aprilia to serve as general manager, aiming to revitalize the brand. Although progress took time, by 2016 Ducati had returned to winning races, contended for the championship until the last race in 2017, and consistently remained at the forefront of competition up through 2022.

Francesco Bagnaia made a remarkable comeback, erasing a 91-point gap halfway through the season to clinch the 2022 championship. He continued his impressive performance by securing the runner-up position in 2023, during which Ducati emerged as the leading powerhouse in MotoGP.

In 2024, it secured victories in 19 out of 20 Grand Prix races, establishing a new historical benchmark in MotoGP.

Ducati riders secured all three top spots on the podium 14 times during Sunday races, setting a new record.

In 2024, Ducati's team, consisting of eight riders, six contributed to earning 53 podium finishes and securing 16 pole positions, with a streak of 66 races where they consistently finished on the podium.

Ducati made certain that at least one of its riders finished in the top three in every sprint race.

By the close of 2024, Ducati has achieved a total of 106 grand prix wins, marking it as the sole European brand in MotoGP history to exceed 100 victories.

In the previous season, Ducati celebrated its fifth consecutive victory in the constructors' championship, with its affiliate team, Pramac, securing the teams' championship.

Jorge Martin secured his position as the brand's third global champion, achieving his initial top-tier championship following his tenure with the Pramac team.

"Ducati's supremacy, showcased through its motorcycles, racers, and technical team during the 2024 MotoGP season, will be eternally cherished by enthusiasts of the sport," stated Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati.

"I'm truly delighted for Jorge, an exceptional rider who developed alongside Ducati and achieved his childhood dream with our support."

"Following the wild excitement of 2022 and the 'achievement of enlightenment' in 2023, today we are here to honor the success of a framework: the 'Ducati System'."

A methodology influenced by the principles of Galileo Galilei, who is credited with founding the scientific method and contemporary science.

"A methodology that has propelled us to the forefront of track-racing contests, and is likewise utilized in our product research, design, and development, allowing us to showcase Italian engineering globally with pride."

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Johann Zarco Believes He Can Elevate His Performance in MotoGP

The French Rider Expresses Confidence in His Ability to Adjust

Johann Zarco is confident that he can continue to improve in MotoGP despite being further along in his career, as he always maintains a mindset that his past actions were not necessarily correct.

The two-time Moto2 world champion has been competing in the top division since 2017, starting his journey with the Tech3 Yamaha team.

Discover More: How Honda Identified Its Genuine MotoGP Champion in 2024

After enjoying a somewhat consistent presence on the podium for two years, Zarco faced a challenging 2019 season with KTM, which nearly brought his career to a halt. However, he managed to revive his fortunes by joining Ducati in 2020.

In 2023, Zarco clinched his inaugural MotoGP victory riding for Pramac Ducati. The following year, he transitioned to the LCR Honda team, quickly establishing himself as the top competitor for the Japanese brand.

Zarco secured Honda's top result of the year with an eighth-place finish at the Thai GP, consistently showcasing impressive speed in single laps.

As the 2024 season concluded, Zarco reflected on his ability to adjust to the RC213V, focusing on enhancing his riding strengths and addressing areas where the Honda excels to reduce time.

In response to a question about maintaining flexibility throughout his career, Zarco stated: "I prefer to maintain this mindset and I believe that keeping this perspective will assist me in achieving the pinnacle, or returning to it, as I've observed that there are certain riders who have the capability to accomplish things that others do not.

"This is the reason I'm hesitant to convince myself that my actions or past behaviors were justified."

"It was correct, yet perhaps not sufficiently so in the current context."

"Thus, I'm confident that certain insights will resonate strongly with both my mind and body. And when they do, I'm certain I will rise to the occasion."

Zarco is set to continue his partnership with Honda until the conclusion of 2025 under his existing contract.

He concluded the previous season ranked 17th in the standings, holding a 24-point advantage over the next highest-placed Honda rider, his LCR teammate Takaaki Nakagami.

The Honda factory team members, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, ended up at the lowest positions in the standings.

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Fabio Quartararo discusses the major transformation at Yamaha for MotoGP 2024. The 2021 world champion shares his thoughts on a year marked by significant changes at Yamaha.

Fabio Quartararo believes that the most significant advancement for Yamaha's underperforming MotoGP team in 2024 was a shift in their mindset.

Yamaha is currently undergoing a restructuring period, having transitioned from being a strong contender for the championship as recently as 2022 to experiencing two consecutive seasons without any victories.

Yamaha implemented a new concessions system that enabled ongoing engine updates throughout the season. Quartararo observed that the brand was more open to deploying new engines as they became ready.

This marked a departure from Yamaha's usual strategy, as well as the typical method of Japanese manufacturers, who typically wait to launch new components until they are completely perfected.

An important element of this transition has been the appointment of Max Bartolini as the technical director.

He stated that he anticipated the performance improvements to occur a bit more quickly. However, during the early part of the season, the crucial aspect wasn't just the bike's enhancement but the shift in our work approach, which significantly helped in altering our mindset.

"The adjustments made a difference, in my opinion. As soon as we had one engine functioning properly, we had it ready to use in the following race."

"We didn't need to delay testing the bike for safety reasons. As long as it functions, we implement it."

"In the first half, things unfolded in a certain way, but in the second half, we succeeded in making significant improvements, particularly in the electronics sector."

When questioned by Crash.net about whether Yamaha's previous mindset has finally changed, he responded, "Yes. At least as long as I'm involved, that's how it will be."

"If it doesn't, it won't be able to keep up. However, we only made the switch this year. Therefore, it will align in the coming years since we believe we've made some minor progress."

Yamaha's motorcycle advancements are set to accelerate in 2025, thanks to a collaboration with Pramac that will introduce two additional factory M1 bikes.

This marks Yamaha's return to having a satellite team for the first time since the conclusion of the 2022 season, following RNF's move to partner with Aprilia.

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Ducati's Commanding Performance in 2024 MotoGP Season

In the 2024 MotoGP season, Ducati set new benchmarks with its overwhelming success.

The 2024 MotoGP season is likely to be noted for Ducati's overwhelming supremacy as it clinched yet another world championship.

Since its introduction in 2003, against the backdrop of Japanese supremacy in MotoGP, Ducati has experienced significant peaks and valleys over the past twenty years.

It began its journey with a victory in 2003 during its inaugural year, and later, Casey Stoner achieved the Italian brand's first world championship in 2007.

As Stoner kept securing victories with the bike in the following years, the championship became increasingly elusive due to the challenging nature of the Desmosedici. When Stoner departed in 2011, Ducati experienced its lowest point.

Valentino Rossi's much-anticipated signing resulted in only three podium finishes over two seasons, leading the MotoGP icon to make his way back to Yamaha in 2013.

Towards the conclusion of that year, Ducati recruited Gigi Dall’Igna from Aprilia to serve as the general manager, aiming to revitalize the brand's performance. Although the progress was gradual, Ducati achieved race victories once more by 2016, contended for the championship up to the last race in 2017, and consistently maintained a leading position until 2022.

Francesco Bagnaia managed to erase a 91-point gap halfway through the season to secure the 2022 championship. He continued his success by winning again in 2023, during a period when Ducati established itself as the leading power in MotoGP.

In 2024, it set a new MotoGP record by winning 19 out of 20 grand prix races.

Ducati riders completely dominated the podium on Sundays a total of 14 times, setting a new record.

In the year 2024, Ducati's team, consisting of six out of its eight riders, secured a total of 53 podium finishes and claimed 16 pole positions. Additionally, the team has maintained a streak of podium appearances in 66

Ducati managed to have at least one of its riders finish on the podium in each sprint race.

By the conclusion of 2024, Ducati has accumulated 106 grand prix wins, establishing itself as the sole European company in MotoGP history to exceed one hundred victories.

In the previous season, Ducati secured its fifth consecutive constructors’ championship, and the Ducati-affiliated team, Pramac, clinched the teams’ championship.

Jorge Martin achieved his first premier class title, becoming the third world champion for the marque after his time with Pramac.

"The 2024 MotoGP season showcased Ducati's overwhelming superiority through their motorcycles, riders, and technical team, leaving a lasting impression on the sport's enthusiasts," stated Ducati's CEO, Claudio Domenicali.

"I am thrilled for Jorge, an exceptionally skilled racer who developed his career with Ducati and, alongside us, fulfilled the dream he had cherished since childhood."

Following the exhilarating excitement of 2022 and the achievement of heightened consciousness in 2023, we are now eager to honor the success of what we call the "Ducati System."

A framework influenced by the lessons of Galileo Galilei, who is credited with developing the scientific method and laying the groundwork for contemporary science.

"A method that has propelled us to excel in track-racing events, and one that we also utilize in the study, creation, and advancement of our products, showcasing Italian engineering with pride on a global scale."

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Why Johann Zarco Believes He Can Still Make Progress in MotoGP

The French rider discusses his confidence in his versatile skills.

Johann Zarco is confident that he can continue to improve in MotoGP despite reaching a later stage in his career. He attributes this potential for growth to his mindset of never taking his past actions as unquestionably correct.

The two-time Moto2 world champion entered the top-tier category in 2017, marking his debut with the Tech3 Yamaha team.

Discover more: How Honda Identified its Genuine MotoGP Leader in 2024

After spending two years frequently reaching the podium, his 2019 season with KTM was so poor that it nearly concluded his career. However, in 2020, Zarco found a fresh start with Ducati.

Following his inaugural MotoGP victory in 2023 with Pramac Ducati, Zarco transitioned to LCR Honda for the 2024 season, emerging as the top performer for the Japanese manufacturer.

Zarco achieved Honda's top result of the season by finishing eighth at the Thai Grand Prix, consistently showcasing impressive speed in individual laps.

As the 2024 campaign concluded, Zarco discussed his ability to adjust to the RC213V. He focused on enhancing the strengths of his riding style while addressing areas of improvement, taking advantage of the Honda's time-saving capabilities.

When questioned about maintaining flexibility throughout his career, Zarco stated, "I enjoy maintaining this mindset, and I am confident that it will assist me in achieving or regaining a top position, as I notice that some riders have the capability to accomplish things, while others do not."

"That's the reason I avoid convincing myself that my actions, past or present, were justified."

"It was correct, although perhaps not entirely correct for today."

"I'm confident that certain things will start to make sense both mentally and physically for me. When that happens, I'm certain I'll be able to perform better."

Zarco is set to continue with Honda under his existing contract until the conclusion of 2025.

He finished the previous season ranked 17th in points, standing 24 points ahead of the next highest-ranking Honda rider, his LCR teammate Takaaki Nakagami.

Honda's factory team riders, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, ended up at the lowest positions in the rankings.

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Jorge Martin acknowledges three MotoGP competitors for enhancing his skills during the 2024 championship race

“Whenever one didn't stand out, another was always in contention to win…”

Jorge Martin has acknowledged his top three rivals in the MotoGP championship for contributing to his improvement as a rider, which ultimately led him to secure the 2024 world title.

Martin clinched his initial top-tier championship after a season-long contest that remained undecided until the final race, with the ex-Pramac competitor securing victory by a margin of 10 points.

The Spanish racer made history as the first rider from a private team to clinch the championship in the contemporary period, joining the ranks of Ducati's world champions alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner as the third to achieve this feat.

Insight: Initial Optimism Observed in Jorge Martin's Maiden Aprilia MotoGP Trial

As the 2024 season approached its climax, Martin and Bagnaia stood out as the leading contenders, with Bagnaia securing 11 grand prix victories compared to the ultimate world champion, Martin's, three throughout the season.

On occasion, Martin found himself in direct competition with Gresni's Marc Marquez and the official Ducati competitor, Enea Bastianini, who rounded out the leading quartet in the rankings, following the front-runners.

"Martin mentioned that Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini have all contributed to his improvement as a rider, pushing him to perform at his best."

"Whenever one didn't have the chance to win, the other one did, and I was consistently part of that struggle, which ultimately set me apart."

"Securing the championship proved to be an immense challenge, as we set a new record for the highest points ever, indicating the level of competition we faced. Overcoming such fierce opponents is truly remarkable."

Martin has also stated that after securing the world championship, he triumphed over “the prime versions” of Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024.

The current titleholder is set to join Aprilia for his championship defense in 2025, following Ducati's decision reversal earlier this year, opting for Marquez over Martin for its factory team promotion.

So far, Martin has not announced whether he will compete using the number one plate.

During the off-season trials in Barcelona last month, Martin embarked on his first ride on the RS-GP, choosing to retain his customary number 89.

In 2025, Bastianini will part ways with Ducati to join the KTM team, accepting a position to compete with the Tech3 team, where he will team up with ex-Aprilia competitor, Maverick Vinales.

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Aprilia's new technical chief, Fabiano Sterlacchini, sheds light on departure from KTM: "Compatibility issues emerged"

Sterlacchini takes on the role of technical director at Aprilia

Fabiano Strelacchini, the newly appointed technical director at Aprilia, stated that his departure from his MotoGP position at KTM was a "joint decision," following a realization of "diminished compatibility."

Sterlacchini, who had a long tenure at Ducati, made the move to the KTM team in June 2021.

By the time summer arrived this year, Sterlacchini had departed from his role at the Austrian brand, and it was during the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix that his appointment as Aprilia's new technical director was made public.

He takes over from Romano Albesiano, who is moving to Honda after guiding Aprilia from the rear of the field upon its return in 2015 to achieving their first race victories in MotoGP.

In a conversation with TG Regione Marche, Sterlacchini mentioned that his departure from KTM was influenced by logistical reasons, acknowledging that he was aware of this factor from the beginning.

"Thus, there were underlying factors; as soon as the significant compatibility ceased to exist, it was a choice made together."

Sterlacchini embarked on his journey with Aprilia as the season concluded, marking his involvement in the extensive transformation happening at the Italian brand, encompassing an updated roster of riders.

Aprilia has announced that Jorge Martin, the 2024 world champion, will join its official team, partnering with Marco Bezzecchi, as newcomer Ai Ogura gets promoted to compete for Trackhouse.

Following the initial trial of the fresh squad in Barcelona the previous month, Sterlacchini observed, "Things are progressing satisfactorily.

"The initial strategy employed by both Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi was quite optimistic."

"They displayed several impressive features of the bicycle.

"Clearly, there are certain areas that require improvement, and by addressing the challenges presented by these two riders, we will gain a clearer understanding of our current standing and identify the specific areas that need enhancement."

"Both of them are emerging from an extremely speedy motorcycle, and specifically, Jorge holds the title of the current world champion."

In 2024, Aprilia became the sole brand apart from Ducati to secure a grand prix victory, thanks to Maverick Vinales' triumph in the United States.

However, a decrease in performance of the RS-GP during the latter part of the season resulted in Aprilia falling to third place in the manufacturers' rankings, trailing behind KTM.

Vinales, who is set to switch to KTM in 2025, was the team's top performer in the championship, finishing seventh.

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Exploring why the Spanish Grand Prix is considered the top race of MotoGP in 2024

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the crew shares their insights on which race stood out as the finest in 2024

The 2024 MotoGP championship was filled with unforgettable events, yet a single race distinguished itself as particularly noteworthy.

Throughout the season, which spanned 20 rounds and included 40 races, Ducati led the pack, securing the majority of victories on its journey to clinching the world championship.

At the Jerez Spanish Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia continued his success, securing another victory to bring his total to 11 wins on Sundays in 2024.

However, he faced stiff competition throughout from Gresini's Marc Marquez. Riding a Ducati model designed for 2023, Marquez was in the midst of getting accustomed to the new bike following his significant switch from the factory Honda team after the last season concluded.

Marquez and Bagnaia entered the Spanish Grand Prix with heightened tension from a previous encounter at the Portuguese Grand Prix, which had taken place just a couple of weeks earlier, intensifying the atmosphere in the closing laps.

For Jordan Moreland, the social media manager at Crash.net, the Spanish Grand Prix of 2024 stood out as the season's most unforgettable race.

"In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, he mentioned, 'everyone will be yelling 'it's clearly Sepang'."

"Those were the initial four laps. Ideally, you'd want that excitement towards the finale. In my opinion, the most memorable races historically are those where the action unfolds closer to the conclusion."

"I believe the event that really stood out this year, and also provided a glimpse into what the future might hold, is Jerez."

"I believe the moment Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia faced off was truly a highlight of the season for me. Sitting there, watching that showdown, I couldn't help but get incredibly thrilled. The suspense was palpable even through the screen."

Marquez is on his tail, executing a pass, Bagnaia retaliates by slipping beneath him, their bikes touch, Marquez attempts another pass on the following lap. And then they’re neck and neck all the way to the finish.

Following the event, the jubilant mood was evident, with both parties participating in celebrations. Marquez was thrilled to return to the podium.

"It somewhat introduced Marquez's fresh approach for 2024. Bagnaia really demonstrated his resilience when facing Marquez, especially considering their past encounter at Portimao. To me, it felt like a classic MotoGP race, echoing the vibes of races from years past."

Crash Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan shares Moreland's views, stating: "My issue with Sepang lies in the initial three laps, which were indeed thrilling. However, the remainder of the race was tedious, utterly disappointing. It hardly justified staying awake for.

"Should anyone feel the need to raise objections with me, they're welcome to. Winning a race isn't determined in the initial few laps; it's about who crosses the finish line last. Reflect on the historic confrontations like the one in Barcelona in 2009, the numerous thrilling encounters in Austria between Marc and Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso], and the Silverstone race in 2019."

"The initial three laps at Sepang were fantastic, but the remainder left much to be desired. I'm not a fan of having all the excitement confined to the beginning."

"It's disappointing to sit through a movie where the highlight is the initial 10 minutes, followed by two hours of uneventful content."

Therefore, in my opinion, Jerez truly deserves it because it epitomized MotoGP at its peak, reminiscent of those classic clashes and recent fights that we continue to passionately discuss.

"Clearly, when considering Marc's use of an older motorcycle, the limitations of that bike may not have been as noticeable at the time, especially when compared to the GP24."

"Even then, the GP23 wasn't considered an impressive setup. Considering it was only his fourth weekend riding it and he was competing with someone many believed would clinch the world championship, Marc truly deserves a lot of praise for his performance."

"As you mentioned, Jordan, it's a glimpse into what we're anticipating for next year, following on from Portugal's example."

"It contained all the necessary components: the syringe from Portugal, the uncertain future at that moment, and the anticipation of whether Marc would return to a leading position.

"I believe Jerez met all those expectations."

MotoGP Editor at Crash, Peter McLaren, believed a number of races warranted recognition while looking back at the standout events of 2024.

"Challenging, wouldn't you agree?" McLaren remarks.

Sepang is notably remembered due to all that was on the line, including the intense competition. However, the excitement was short-lived, only lasting until the initial phases. The common problems, such as tyre pressure among others, played a role.

In my opinion, the Misano races were highly dramatic, both of them, especially if you were in search of excitement. Reflecting on COTA, it might stand out as the event that interrupted Ducati's flawless season, considering how Maverick Vinales clinched that victory from 11th position, which was truly impressive.

"Another moment worth mentioning would be the Catalunya sprint. The event was filled with suspense, featuring five different leaders within just 12 laps, and at one point, three distinct motorcycle brands were at the forefront. However, Bagnaia experienced a fall, and shortly after declaring his retirement, Aleix Espargaro triumphed on his local circuit."

"Another moment that stands out to me comes to mind. However, I'd say it applies to all of those situations. I guess the competition at Le Mans was quite intense among the leading contenders and Marc Marquez too.

"We were somewhat let down by the mid-season races due to the lack of exciting moments, although there were instances of decent competition."

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Jorge Martin acknowledges three MotoGP competitors who improved his performance in the 2024 championship race. He remarked, "If it wasn't one of them winning, it was the other who had the chance to take the victory…"

Jorge Martin has acknowledged that his top three competitors in the MotoGP championship have played a significant role in improving his skills as he clinched the 2024 world title.

Martin clinched his inaugural premier class championship in a fiercely contested battle that stretched to the final moments, ultimately securing victory by a margin of 10 points over his rivals. The former Pramac team member emerged as the champion.

The Spanish racer made history by being the first rider from an independent team to clinch the championship in the current era, marking Ducati's third world champion following victories by Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner.

Report: Initial Indications of Promise in Jorge Martin's First Aprilia MotoGP Test

During the final part of the 2024 season, Martin and Bagnaia stood out as the leading contenders. Bagnaia clinched victory in 11 grand prix races, while the rider who ultimately became the world champion secured three wins throughout the season.

On several occasions, Martin found himself in direct competition with Gresni's Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, a factory Ducati racer, both of whom finished in the top four of the standings, just behind the leading pair.

"Martin expressed that Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini have all contributed to his improvement as a rider, pushing him to put forth his maximum effort."

"When one wasn't on the brink of victory, the other was, and I was always in the mix, which ultimately made the difference."

"The title was extremely challenging to secure, as we set a new historic points record, indicating just how competitive the event was, making our victory over them truly remarkable."

Martin has stated that after his world championship victory, he defeated "the best version" of both Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024.

In 2025, the current champion will switch to Aprilia for his attempt to defend his title. This move comes after Ducati reversed an earlier decision this year, opting to elevate Martin to its main team instead of choosing Marquez.

So far, Martin has not announced whether he will use the number one plate.

During last month's post-season test in Barcelona, when Martin first rode the RS-GP, he used his usual number 89 on his bike.

In 2025, Bastianini will depart from Ducati as he accepts an opportunity to join KTM, where he will compete for the Tech3 team alongside Maverick Vinales, who previously rode for Aprilia.

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New Aprilia Technical Director Clarifies Departure from KTM: “Compatibility Issues Arose”

Fabiano Sterlacchini appointed as Aprilia's technical leader

Fabiano Strelacchini, the newly appointed technical director at Aprilia, stated that his departure from his MotoGP position at KTM was a decision reached by both parties. He noted that the move came after realizing there was no longer strong alignment between them.

Having spent a significant amount of time at Ducati, Sterlacchini departed to become part of the KTM initiative in June 2021.

By the summer of this year, Sterlacchini had departed from his position with the Austrian company and was introduced as Aprilia's new technical director during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

He takes over the position from Romano Albesiano, who is moving to Honda after playing a crucial role in guiding Aprilia from their return to MotoGP in 2015, when they were at the back of the pack, to achieving their first race victories.

In an interview with TG Regione Marche, Sterlacchini discussed his choice to part ways with KTM, mentioning that logistics played a role in his decision, although he was aware of this factor from the beginning.

"There were reasons behind the decision; once it became clear that there was no longer significant compatibility, both parties mutually agreed to it."

At the conclusion of the racing season, Sterlacchini took on his new position with Aprilia, marking a significant shift for the Italian company. This change is accompanied by a new roster of riders.

Aprilia is excited to have 2024 world champion Jorge Martin join their factory team, partnering with Marco Bezzecchi. Meanwhile, newcomer Ai Ogura advances to compete for Trackhouse.

Following the initial trial with the new team in Barcelona last month, Sterlacchini remarked, "Things are progressing quite smoothly."

"The first strategies adopted by Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were quite promising."

"They demonstrated several impressive features of the bicycle."

"Clearly, there will be areas that require improvement, but interacting with these two riders will provide us with a benchmark to assess our current standing and identify the areas that need our attention."

"Both riders hail from extremely fast bikes, and notably, Jorge is the current world champion."

In 2024, Maverick Vinales secured a grand prix victory in America for Aprilia, making it the only other manufacturer besides Ducati to achieve such a feat that year.

However, a decline in performance for the RS-GP during the latter part of the season led Aprilia to fall to third place in the manufacturers' rankings, trailing behind KTM.

The rider who achieved the best position in the championship for the team was Vinales, who will transfer to KTM in 2025, finishing in seventh place.

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Why the Spanish Grand Prix Stands Out as MotoGP’s Top Race of 2024

In the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the team shares their thoughts on why the Spanish Grand Prix was the standout event of the 2024 season.

The 2024 MotoGP season was filled with unforgettable events, yet there was one race that truly captured everyone's attention.

Throughout a schedule comprising 20 rounds, a total of 40 races took place, with Ducati emerging as the dominant force, ultimately clinching the world championship.

Francesco Bagnaia clinched yet another victory at the Jerez circuit during the Spanish Grand Prix, increasing his tally to 11 Sunday wins in the 2024 season.

However, he faced strong competition throughout from Marc Marquez of the Gresini team. Marquez, riding a 2023 model Ducati, was still getting accustomed to the new bike following his significant transition from the factory Honda team at the conclusion of last season.

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Marquez and Bagnaia carried the tension of their recent confrontation at the Portuguese Grand Prix, which had occurred only weeks earlier, into the closing laps of the race.

According to Jordan Moreland, who manages social media for Crash.net, the Spanish GP in 2024 became an unforgettable event due to a series of perfect circumstances.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, he mentioned that people will undoubtedly be saying, "It has to be Sepang."

"The initial four laps have been completed. Ideally, such excitement would occur in the final stages of the race. Historically, the most thrilling races have featured significant events unfolding at the conclusion."

"In my view, the race that truly exemplified this year's excitement and provided a glimpse into potential developments for the next year was the event in Jerez."

"There was a moment in the season that truly captivated me—when Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia faced off. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling the palpable tension as I watched."

Marquez is chasing closely behind and successfully overtakes him, but Bagnaia quickly regains his position. The two riders collide, and Marquez attempts another move on the following lap. They remain neck and neck until the finish.

"The mood following the event was electric, with both individuals joining in the celebrations. Marquez was particularly thrilled to find himself back on the podium."

"It provided a fresh perspective on Marquez's 2024 approach. Bagnaia demonstrated his determination when competing against Marquez, especially after their earlier encounter at Portimao. In my opinion, it was a classic MotoGP race, reminiscent of those from years past."

Experienced journalist Lewis Duncan from Crash shares a similar opinion to Moreland, stating: "The issue I have with the race at Sepang is that while the initial three laps were indeed thrilling, the remainder was incredibly boring. It was such a letdown that it wasn't even worth staying awake for."

"Feel free to express any complaints to me. A race is not determined by the initial three laps; it’s the final stretch that truly matters. Consider those legendary duels from history: Barcelona in 2009, the intense confrontations in Austria featuring Marc and Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso], and the thrilling Silverstone race in 2019."

"The initial three laps at Sepang were exciting, but I wasn't impressed with the remainder of the race. I prefer not to have all the action concentrated at the beginning."

"You wouldn't enjoy a movie if the most exciting part is at the beginning and then you're left with two hours of dull content."

"That's the reason I believe Jerez should host it, as it epitomized MotoGP at its finest. It reminded me of those classic duels and more recent contests that we still passionately discuss."

"Clearly, you also consider the factor of Marc riding an older model of the bike, which perhaps didn't show its shortcomings as much back then as it does now compared to the GP24."

At that stage, the GP23 wasn't considered an outstanding piece of machinery. Despite this, during just his fourth weekend on the bike, Marc managed to compete closely with the rider widely expected to clinch the world championship. This achievement certainly deserves a great deal of recognition for Marc.

"Indeed, Jordan, as you mentioned, it served as a glimpse of what might come next year, ideally building on the outcome from Portugal."

"The situation had several components: there was the uncertainty surrounding Portugal, an unclear future scenario, and anticipation about whether Marc could return to leading the pack."

"In my opinion, Jerez provided all of those elements."

Crash MotoGP's editor, Peter McLaren, believed that a number of races should be highlighted when looking back at the standout events of 2024.

"It's challenging, right?" McLaren remarks.

"Sepang is memorable due to the high stakes and the intense competition. However, the excitement was short-lived, as the race was cut short by typical problems like tyre pressure and other related issues."

"If you were seeking excitement, the Misano races delivered on that front, both of them were quite dramatic. When we reflect on the season, we might recall the COTA race as the one that disrupted Ducati's flawless run. Maverick Vinales' victory from the 11th position was an impressive performance."

"Another notable event to mention is the Catalunya sprint. It was filled with excitement and racing drama, featuring five different leaders over the course of 12 laps. At one point, there were three different motorcycle brands in the lead. Then, Bagnaia crashed, and Aleix Espargaro, just days after announcing his retirement, secured a victory at his home track."

"Another memorable moment comes to mind, but honestly, any of those could be highlighted. Le Mans also stood out as an exciting clash involving the two championship contenders and Marc Marquez."

"We felt somewhat let down by the races during the middle of the season as the excitement was lacking, although there were still some moments of good competition."

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