Aleix Espargaro's initial reaction to the Honda MotoGP motorcycle: 'He found it impressive'

The ex-Aprilia rider experienced his initial rounds on the Honda during the Barcelona trials

Honda's official MotoGP competitors shared their perspective on Aleix Espargaro's first impressions of the RC213V following his trial run at the Barcelona test after the season ended.

Espargaro, who has clinched victory in three grand prix races, concluded his career as a full-time racer at the end of the Solidarity Grand Prix and has since taken up a new position with Honda as a test rider.

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On Tuesday in Barcelona, the Spanish rider took his initial turns on the RC213V and remarkably placed 14th on the leaderboard, surpassing full-time competitor Joan Mir.

Espargaro chose not to communicate with the press, however, Luca Marini disclosed details regarding his discussions with Honda's recently appointed test rider.

"He expressed his excitement about Aleix getting his first experience on the bike right here in Barcelona, considering it might be his most favored track."

"His incredible speed on this circuit and his outstanding performance with Aprilia have significantly contributed to the bike's development. His initial feedback from this track will be particularly beneficial."

"I briefly conversed with him amidst the exam, and I plan to have a more in-depth discussion later. However, the lap times are promising."

"His feedback indicates he's on to something, and from my perspective, all he needs is a bit more time to familiarize himself with the bike since it's quite unique compared to the rest. However, he'll figure out how to contribute to our efforts."

Mir observed that Espargaro identified both the strengths and weaknesses in the Honda that others had noted before, humorously adding that he was "impressed" by the weaknesses.

"Mir mentioned that the individual tested our fundamental model, the basic motorcycle we offer. To my understanding, he didn't experiment with any new features," he added, expressing his dissatisfaction with Honda's failure to introduce new products during the test.

He was taken aback. He plans to discuss it further. Indeed, the points he raised, which consistently come up in praise, include the bike's insufficient torque, its inadequate grip, and its shortfall in power.

"In locations where grievances are less common, his complaints were similarly infrequent. Within the rotating zone, he mentions feeling somewhat comfortable."

"He didn’t have much to criticize about the bike’s fundamental design and its geometry, as those aspects were quite satisfactory. However, he was notably taken aback by our shortcomings in terms of grip, acceleration, and overall top speed."

Honda's team leader, Alberto Puig, commended Espargaro for his "accurate" insights shared with the Honda engineers from the test team.

"He expressed immense joy and astonishment in his conversation with motogp.com, stating, 'We are extremely pleased and quite taken aback."

"It's no shock, given his speed. He was in contention for a top spot on Sunday."

"Indeed, the individual possesses the agility, yet what truly astonished me was his interaction with our engineers: he was direct, accurate, and explicit in his communication, clearly articulating what he perceives as the strengths and weaknesses of the motorcycle."

"This is precisely what we aimed for: someone with experience but also speed, because ultimately, it's about finding the right balance."

"Definitely optimistic, he appears joyful, and I am convinced that his involvement with us and Honda will play a significant role. We're beginning, and it's essential we devise a solid strategy alongside him."

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Alex Rins discloses Yamaha's regret regarding a problem with the 2024 MotoGP motorcycle

"He had an in-depth conversation with the team, during which they expressed their apologies"

Alex Rns disclosed that Yamaha issued an apology to him for failing to address the braking challenges he faced during the 2024 MotoGP season, following the Solidarity Grand Prix.

The racer who has won six grand prix titles had a challenging debut season with Yamaha, only managing to accumulate 31 points and finishing 18th in the rankings.

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Rins encountered a major challenge with the M1, specifically an inability to maintain rear tire grip during braking – an issue he claims Yamaha couldn't resolve.

Following what he termed as "arguably the worst or nearly the worst race of my career" during the Solidarity GP in Barcelona, he mentioned that the Yamaha team management extended an apology for not resolving this issue on his behalf.

"When questioned about the area Yamaha should focus on for enhancements in 2025 following the post-season test, he responded, emphasizing that, in his opinion, Yamaha should prioritize upgrading the braking and entry."

"This year, they couldn't provide me with a competitive bike for this field."

Throughout all the races, I faced difficulties maintaining traction with the rear tire. Ultimately, when you lack rear tire grip, it hampers your ability to decelerate the bike effectively during braking. This issue leads to either veering off course, or, in instances where I managed to halt the bike, it resulted in excessive heat on the front tire, causing it to fail.

Following the race, I had a detailed conversation with both Max Bartolini and Massimo Meregalli, during which they offered their apologies.

"I'm fairly serene knowing they're addressing the issue, yet we must also enhance the engine's performance and the electronics."

Yamaha experienced an active testing session on Tuesday in Barcelona, where both of its main riders were equipped with three M1 motorcycles in their respective pits.

Yamaha planned to evaluate a fresh engine and frame, alongside exploring innovative configuration concepts.

Rins expressed satisfaction with the updated frame, yet he believes he is "not yet prepared to handle this level of performance" due to the new engine's output not aligning with his approach to riding.

"During the preparation phase, we made incremental changes, not exactly to the extent I had hoped for. However, after the race, in discussions with the engineers, they mentioned that the upcoming tests wouldn't result in a drastic transformation. They're anticipating a modest improvement, perhaps in the range of five to 10 percent," he further stated.

"I experimented with a set-up adjustment I hadn't attempted over the Grand Prix weekend, which simplified handling the bike for me."

"Besides, Yamaha introduced several innovations, including a fresh chassis and engine design, which I found quite impressive."

"I managed to maintain a higher speed through the center of the turn. I anticipated a more significant enhancement in the braking aspect, yet the improvement was minimal."

"Concerning the engine, it's accurate to say that it exhibits greater power on the straightaways and when coming out of turns. However, when it comes to my particular way of riding, we're not yet equipped to handle this level of power."

"The bicycle exhibited a high level of aggressiveness, with considerable spinning, necessitating adjustments to the electronic components for this motor."

"Our efforts weren't heavily concentrated on the electronics due to time constraints. Instead, our primary attention was toward developing the new engine and chassis, along with some adjustments to the setup."

"In my opinion, we lacked an additional engine to experiment with a varying setup internally. This could have been the fifth or sixth new engine I've had the opportunity to try out."

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MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin embroiled in a contentious dispute on Spanish television

Martin entangled in controversy over TV interview contract negotiations

Newly crowned MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin found himself embroiled in a contract disagreement between two Spanish television networks regarding a scheduled interview.

Last weekend, Martin secured his first-ever MotoGP world championship title at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

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In the contemporary period, he is the first racer to secure a championship victory for an independent team, and he is also the third rider to win a MotoGP title for Ducati.

Martin was scheduled to feature on the Spanish television program La Revuelta, broadcast on Television Espanola. This show was launched this year to compete with the established El Hormiguero.

While sitting in the dressing room for La Revuelta, Martin had to call off his appearance because of contractual obligations imposed by El Hormiguero.

The contract dispute seems to revolve around Atresmedia, the network that includes El Hormiguero, having an agreement with Dorna Sports to broadcast certain races for free on La Sexta.

"David Broncano, the host of La Revuelta, mentioned that MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin was supposed to visit today and is currently in the dressing room downstairs."

"Just 30 minutes prior to our departure, he informed us that El Hormiguero had discovered he was on his way."

The organizers have used their influence to ensure that no guests show up here instead of elsewhere. They've applied their usual methods of persuasion, and as a result, Jorge informed us that he is unable to participate in the interview.

"He mentioned that he is unable to participate in the show, as it could lead to certain consequences."

El Hormiguero released a statement regarding the incident, explaining that it was a minor misunderstanding.

"Fourteen days prior to the last MotoGP event, we had made arrangements for Jorge Martin to be featured solely on our show."

"Earlier today, a representative from their team mistakenly altered the appointment that was originally arranged with a different cyclist."

Following the incident, Dorna, the company responsible for organizing the Motorcycle World Championship, reached out to the officials to address the issue.

As reported by Autosport, El Hormiguero identified the contractual dispute following a since-removed tweet from Martin concerning his appearances in La Revuelta.

La Revuelta released a short statement on social media supporting Martin and his team, asserting that they are not responsible for the current situation.

"To eliminate any uncertainty, Jorge Martin and his crew took all necessary steps yesterday to make sure the interview could be aired."

"Their conduct was flawless, and we look forward to having him return so we can celebrate his achievement as a world champion."

Martin posted on Twitter expressing gratitude to the La Revuelta team and the attendees, stating, "I had a fantastic evening! I look forward to returning soon to enjoy it with everyone."

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KTM refutes claims of Red Bull providing financial support amidst company difficulties

KTM's MotoGP initiative remains on course despite financial challenges

The Pierer Mobility Group has released a statement refuting claims that Mark Mateschitz, part-owner of Red Bull, might assist KTM in overcoming its financial difficulties.

KTM, which has a title sponsorship arrangement with Red Bull for its MotoGP racing team, has experienced a dramatic 90% drop in its stock prices since February 2022. These financial difficulties have forced the company to implement significant actions.

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An Austrian firm has reduced its board of directors from six members to just two, and is preparing to lay off up to 300 more employees, in addition to previous job reductions.

KTM plans to temporarily halt its manufacturing operations during the initial two months of 2025 as it seeks to secure approximately €100 million.

According to a recent report by the Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten, Mark Mateschitz, the son of the late Dietrich Mateschitz who co-founded Red Bull, might be in a position to financially rescue KTM. Discussions on this matter have reportedly already been held.

The Pierer Mobility Group issued a statement refuting the claims, stating: “Contrary to the newspaper reports, Pierer Mobility wishes to make it clear that there have been no talks regarding Mark Mateschitz becoming part of Pierer Mobility or KTM.”

KTM has made it clear that its MotoGP initiative is proceeding without any disruption, despite the financial difficulties the company is facing.

This development coincides with the removal of the Husqvarna brand from the Moto2 and Moto3 line-ups for the upcoming year. Additionally, Tech3 will cease operating KTMs under the GASGAS branding.

Tech3 will go back to using the name it had during 2021 and 2022, which was Tech3 KTM Factory Racing.

In a conversation with Salzburger Nachrichten, Pit Beirer mentioned, "We intend to continue participating in all the racing series we are currently involved in."

"No matter the task, we commit to it entirely."

"The attention has shifted completely to the orange brand, KTM. In certain racing series, we are currently putting in threefold the effort."

The junior program, starting with the Rookies Cup, remains secure. Our collaborators and financial backers are standing by us during this challenging time.

The achievements of the company in the past two decades are closely connected to its involvement in motorsport.

"We are the most effective promotional asset for the business. The organization has experienced steady growth for more than two decades."

"Our strategy for success involved winning races first, which then allowed us to sell motorcycles."

"We are prepared to compete and do not participate in motorsports simply for the sake of it."

"We are currently experiencing a challenging period, and as the motorsport division, we are committed to playing our role in bringing stability to the organization."

"We belong to a family and must support each other during this time. Our experience in sports has taught us resilience. We are committed to giving our all to the company, and we will overcome this challenge as a team."

Since entering the MotoGP class in 2017, KTM has secured seven grand prix victories. However, the eight-year period they initially planned to become serious title contenders has now passed.

In 2024, the brand secured the second position in the MotoGP constructors' rankings, but it has not achieved a grand prix victory since 2022.

In the upcoming year, the factory team will include Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder, while Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will become part of the Tech3 team, which receives backing from the factory.

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MotoGP newcomer shares experience of nearly having a "heart attack" prior to initial test run

Somkiat Chantra discusses debut day with LCR Honda

Somkiat Chantra, a newcomer to the LCR Honda MotoGP team, expressed that he was extremely nervous, even joking that he "nearly had a heart attack," before participating in his initial test run on the motorcycle this past Tuesday in Barcelona.

In an unexpected move during the 2024 rider market changes, the two-time Moto2 race victor was chosen by Honda to replace Takaaki Nakagami at LCR.

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On Tuesday, Chantra participated in the post-season test in Barcelona, where he rode the bike for the first time, completing 61 laps and finishing near the bottom of the timing chart.

After completing his initial day riding the Honda, Chantra admitted that he felt quite anxious before starting his first session.

"Undoubtedly, before I hopped on the bike, I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety, almost as if I was on the verge of a heart attack," he remarked.

"When I hopped onto the bike, I thought, 'Alright, let's figure out how the bike operates and what it's capable of.'"

Chantra aimed to familiarize himself with the Michelin tires and carbon brakes during his initial test, as he had been using Pirelli tires and steel brakes in Moto2 in 2024.

"According to him, today marked his initial experience with the MotoGP bike, as he focused on getting accustomed to the carbon brakes and familiarizing himself with the tires, which are unlike those used in MotoGP."

"My team often advises me to exercise caution on the left side since the tire tends to cool down quickly when driving straight."

"I was attempting to figure out how to handle the tire."

According to the Thai rider, he was taken aback the first time he accelerated the RC213V and then applied the brakes at the straight's end, which truly made him appreciate the speed of a MotoGP motorcycle.

"As I was on the exit lap, I attempted to apply the brakes and the gas more gently," he mentioned.

"When I got to the final corner, I attempted to push a bit harder. Once I was positioned behind the screen, everything seemed fine."

"When I applied the brakes and raised my head, everything happened quickly. With each lap, the situation improved."

In 2024, Chantra will be among the three newcomers advancing to MotoGP. He will join Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura, who will be with Trackhouse, and Fermin Aldeguer, who will compete for Gresini.

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In the 2024 MotoGP championship, it wasn’t a crucial mistake by Pecco Bagnaia that cost him the title. Instead, Bagnaia was defeated this year by Jorge Martin, the very competitor he had triumphed over in 2023.

In the 2024 MotoGP season, the championship showdown once again featured Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. However, unlike the previous year, Martin emerged victorious, surpassing Bagnaia, who was outperformed by Martin's significantly enhanced performance compared to 2023.

At first glance, Bagnaia and Martin were so closely competitive throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons that each claiming a championship over the last two years seems just.

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Nevertheless, it can be argued that the absence of a fight in both years might be attributed to a significant error made by Bagnaia.

Following the 2023 Catalan Sprint, Bagnaia held a 62-point lead over Martin in the championship standings. At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, last September, he was the sole competitor who could even come close to matching the speed of the Aprilia racers — Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Up to that moment, Bagnaia was performing at his peak and was undoubtedly the standout racer.

However, everything shifted following Bagnaia's accident at the second turn during last year's Catalan Grand Prix. Brad Binder, who was unable to avoid colliding with the Italian racer as he approached the third turn, played a significant role in the incident.

There is no doubt that if that crash hadn't occurred, Martin would have faced a significantly harder challenge in the latter part of the season trying to catch up to Bagnaia. In reality, one could even suggest that without the crash, Martin might not have been a genuine contender for the 2023 title at all.

He indeed became a contender for the title primarily due to a crash at turn two, which affected Bagnaia's physical condition for the upcoming San Marino Grand Prix and shook his confidence during the subsequent races in Asia.

Certainly, there were numerous other developments and surprises during 2023, yet their significance largely stemmed from the crash in Catalunya. That incident not only awarded Martin points but also provided him with crucial momentum.

From that point to the season's conclusion, Bagnaia often found himself struggling to keep up with Martin. There were instances where he managed to match him, but at other times, he fell short.

It was both Martin's errors during the 2023 season and Bagnaia's exceptional performance that secured the championship for Bagnaia.

Consider the crash that occurred during the Indonesian Grand Prix, the decision-making around tire selection at the Australian Grand Prix, and, naturally, the intense finale in Valencia that resulted in a collision involving Marc Marquez.

Certainly, Martin faced his own setbacks, most notably during his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix, which remains largely unexplained. However, this incident wasn't as detrimental to him as the events in Indonesia or Valencia.

Martin's success in 2024 can be attributed to his ability to identify and address his weaknesses from 2023. Achieving 32 podium finishes out of 40 races is an impressive achievement, despite securing victory in only three Grand Prix events this year.

In the eight races where he failed to secure a podium finish, one was the Texas Sprint. That weekend, Ducati faced significant issues with rear tire vibrations, although he still managed to outperform Bagnaia in both races. Another instance was the Barcelona Sprint, where he came in fourth while Bagnaia crashed. In four races—the Spanish Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Italian Sprint, and Indonesian Sprint—he suffered crashes, all of which were won by Bagnaia. In the San Marino Grand Prix, Martin finished 15th after changing bikes, while Bagnaia secured second place. Lastly, Martin placed fourth in the Japanese Sprint after qualifying 11th due to a crash in Q2.

During the races where Martin experienced crashes, he was at the forefront in Spain, ahead in Germany, leading in Indonesia, and trailing only behind Bagnaia in Italy. In San Marino, when he switched to his bike suited for rainy conditions, Martin was in second place, just behind Bagnaia.

Apart from the previously mentioned races in Texas, Martin consistently had a strong chance of reaching the podium throughout 2024, and he frequently lived up to that expectation.

In 2024, Martin achieved 32 podium finishes, with half of them being second-place results. Bagnaia clinched victory in nine of those events.

This demonstrates Martin's newfound ability to find stability, a trait he lacked in 2023 when he was more immature and uncertain about his skills. This lack of maturity and confidence resulted in errors such as those in Indonesia and Australia, but these incidents were notably infrequent in 2024.

In 2023, Martin might have attempted to compete with Marc Marquez in Aragon, but by 2024, he understood that Marquez wasn't his main rival. Similarly, in 2023, Martin might have continued pushing hard to surpass Bagnaia in Malaysia, but in 2024, he came to the conclusion that finishing in second place was sufficient.

Throughout 2024, there were numerous occasions like this, which were crucial to Martin's ultimate achievement. Although Bagnaia secured nearly four times the number of Grand Prix victories compared to Martin, he frequently found himself in the position of pursuing Martin.

What enabled Martin to demonstrate such maturity? Just a year ago, he overanalyzed his way out of securing a world championship.

The key moment occurred in Catalunya 2023, marked by Bagnaia's fall. This incident brought Martin into the championship race toward the end of the season, providing him an opportunity to demonstrate that he was not yet prepared to claim the title in 2023. As a result, it highlighted the aspects he needed to improve upon to enhance his prospects for a title win in 2024.

Had Martin not stayed close to Bagnaia in the final phases of 2023, he wouldn't have experienced the stress of the championship race. This pressure was crucial for him to learn and understand his own reactions under such conditions. Without the insights he gained in 2023, he wouldn’t have been able to make the necessary improvements over the winter. Consequently, he would have entered 2024 with plenty of speed but lacking the crucial mindset needed to secure the championship this year.

Could that have altered the results of the 2024 event? It might have, though it's undeniably uncertain to determine definitively.

In 2023, Bagnaia provided Martin with the opportunity to grasp the insights needed for a championship win in 2024. However, it remained Martin's responsibility to correctly understand and apply those insights.

Martin's victory in 2024 unexpectedly provides three-time World Champion Bagnaia with an opportunity to gain similar insights.

There's no mystery about what caused Bagnaia to miss out on the championship this year. It wasn't due to Brad Binder's determination in Jerez, a mechanical problem at Le Mans, or Alex Marquez's oversight in Aragon. The real issue was his loss of control in Catalunya, Silverstone, and particularly at Misano.

It will take time to determine if Bagnaia can achieve similar progress as Martin during the approaching winter season.

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

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Aleix Espargaro shares initial impressions of Honda's MotoGP motorcycle: 'He found it remarkable'

The ex-Aprilia rider completed his initial laps on the Honda during the Barcelona testing session.

Honda's MotoGP riders have shared some of Aleix Espargaro's first impressions of the RC213V, which he tried out during the post-season test in Barcelona.

Espargaro, who has achieved three grand prix victories, ended his career in full-time racing after the Solidarity Grand Prix. He has since taken on a new position with Honda as a test rider.

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On Tuesday in Barcelona, the Spanish rider completed his initial laps on the RC213V, achieving an admirable 14th place on the timing charts, surpassing the full-time racer Joan Mir.

Espargaro chose not to address the press, but Luca Marini was willing to discuss his discussions with Honda's newly appointed test rider.

He expressed his excitement about Aleix testing out the bike for the first time at the Barcelona track, which he considers possibly Aleix's strongest.

"He is incredibly quick on this track and has secured impressive outcomes with Aprilia here. This will significantly aid in the bike's development, particularly with his initial feedback at this location."

"I briefly chatted with him while the test was ongoing, and I plan to have a more in-depth conversation with him later. However, his lap times are impressive."

"His perspective indicates something important, and I believe he simply requires a bit more time to get accustomed to the bike, as it's quite distinct from the rest. However, he will eventually figure out how to assist us."

Mir observed that Espargaro identified both the strengths and weaknesses of the Honda similar to what others have experienced. He humorously mentioned being "impressed" by the shortcomings.

"He tested our basic model, which is the regular bike we offer. As far as I’m aware, he didn’t experiment with any new features," Mir commented, expressing dissatisfaction with Honda's failure to introduce new items in the test.

He found it impressive and plans to discuss it further. Indeed, his observations align with common critiques we often hear: the bike's insufficient torque, lack of grip, and inadequate power.

"In areas where we usually have fewer complaints, he also didn't express much dissatisfaction. Regarding the turning zone, he mentioned that he felt relatively fine."

He didn't have many complaints about the bike itself or its design, as they were quite satisfactory. However, he was notably surprised by the bike's insufficient grip, acceleration, and top speed.

Alberto Puig, the manager of Honda's factory team, commended Espargaro for providing "accurate" input to the engineers on the Honda test team.

He expressed to motogp.com that they were extremely content and pleasantly shocked.

"It's not shocking since he's quick. On Sunday, he was competing for a spot on the podium."

"The individual possesses remarkable speed, but what truly impressed me was how he communicated with our engineers. He was straightforward, precise, and clear in expressing his thoughts on the bike's strengths and weaknesses."

"This is exactly what we needed: someone with experience who is also quick, because ultimately it's important to have a mix of both."

"He seems quite cheerful, and I'm confident that his role with both our team and Honda will be significant. We should kick things off with a solid strategy involving him."

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Alex Rins disclosed that Yamaha has issued an apology concerning a problem with their 2024 MotoGP bike. "I had an in-depth conversation with them, and they expressed their regrets

Alex Rins disclosed that Yamaha issued an apology to him following the Solidarity Grand Prix for not resolving the braking issues he faced during the 2024 MotoGP season.

The racer, who has clinched six grand prix victories in his career, faced a challenging debut year with Yamaha, managing to accumulate only 31 points and finishing 18th in the overall rankings.

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The main challenge Rins encountered with the M1 was insufficient rear grip during braking, a problem that he claims Yamaha was unable to resolve.

Following what he referred to as "one of the worst races of my life, if not the worst," at the Solidarity GP in Barcelona, he mentioned that Yamaha's management apologized for not resolving the issue he faced.

When questioned following the post-season test about which area Yamaha should focus on improving for 2025, he responded that if he had to pick one, it would be the braking and entry.

"This year, they couldn't provide me with a bike that would allow me to compete effectively here."

Throughout all the races, I faced difficulties maintaining traction with the rear tire. Without this grip, the bike couldn't be properly controlled during braking. This lack of control meant I either ended up going wide on turns or, in cases where I managed to stop the bike, the front tire overheated and ended up damaged.

Following the race, I had a detailed conversation with Max Bartolini and Massimo Meregalli, during which they expressed their apologies.

"I am confident they are addressing this issue, but we also need to enhance the engine's power and the electronics."

On Tuesday in Barcelona, Yamaha experienced a hectic day of testing, as each of their factory riders had access to three M1 motorcycles in their respective garages.

Yamaha had several things to evaluate, including a new engine, a redesigned chassis, and some fresh setup concepts.

Rins expressed satisfaction with the updated chassis but mentioned that he feels unprepared for the power generated by the new engine, as it does not align with his riding technique.

"We made incremental adjustments during the setup, not entirely to my preference. However, after discussing with the engineers post-race, they mentioned that the upcoming tests won't lead to dramatic changes. They anticipate perhaps a 5 to 10% improvement, rather than a complete transformation."

"I experimented with a setup adjustment that I hadn't used during the Grand Prix weekend, and it has made handling the bike somewhat easier for me."

In addition to that, Yamaha introduced several updates, including a revamped chassis and a new engine. I found the new chassis to be quite impressive.

"I managed to maintain a higher speed while going through the middle of the turn. I anticipated that the braking performance would be superior, but the enhancement was only minimal."

"The engine indeed offers more power on straightaways and when coming out of corners. However, with my current riding technique, we aren't fully prepared to harness this power."

"The motorcycle exhibited a lot of forceful spinning, indicating that we need to modify the engine's electronic settings."

"Our efforts were not primarily on the electronics due to time constraints. Instead, we concentrated on developing the new engine, the new chassis, and made some adjustments to the setup."

"In my opinion, we lacked an additional engine to experiment with a unique setup. This might have been the fifth or sixth new engine I've tried out."

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Francesco Bagnaia confesses: "I understand the reasons behind my defeat"

Ex-MotoGP titleholder contemplates the loss of his championship

Francesco Bagnaia expresses that he harbors 'no frustrations' over not securing the 2024 MotoGP championship, stating he "understands the reasons for his loss."

In the final race of the 2024 Solidarity Grand Prix season, which took place last weekend in Barcelona, Jorge Martin emerged victorious over the two-time world champion.

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After taking the championship battle to the last event and securing victories in both races at Barcelona, Bagnaia ultimately fell short against Martin by a margin of 10 points.

Ahead of the weekend, the two-time MotoGP world champion conceded that overcoming a 24-point shortfall, after failing to finish eight races throughout the season, was expected to be a significant challenge. He showed sportsmanship in acknowledging his loss to Martin.

After a test session in Barcelona on Tuesday, where Bagnaia finished third with 58 laps completed, he discussed his lack of frustration over his recent loss and explained how he moved past the weekend's events.

"Truly, I don't consider myself someone who gets upset over such matters," he commented, in response to inquiries about whether he was bothered by not securing his third top-tier championship.

"I understand the reasons behind my defeat. I won't try to justify the outcome."

"After the race in Malaysia, given that I came into the final Grand Prix trailing by 24 points, it was hard to envision clinching the victory."

"Jorge performed exceptionally well. This is satisfactory. To be honest, I spent a lot of time walking around Barcelona just yesterday, Monday."

"I just found myself waking up in the field and thought, 'alright, I'll head out for lunch at a beachfront eatery'."

"After that, I spent an hour walking, covering a distance of about 10 kilometers for the entire day, and it was beneficial."

Following the Solidarity Grand Prix on Sunday, Bagnaia shared a photo on his social media channels showing him tearing apart the number one decal that had adorned his Ducati for the past two years.

He stated, "My intention was to take it out on my own without relying on anyone else to do it for me.

"I placed the numeral one on the initial fairing, which meant I had to take off the numeral one from the final fairing of the season.

"Therefore, I believe it was the right decision."

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Insight: Initial Optimism Shown in Jorge Martin's Inaugural Aprilia MotoGP Testing

A review of Jorge Martin's initial performance on an Aprilia, by Lewis Duncan in Barcelona

On a chilly yet sunny Tuesday morning in November, Jorge Martin received a warm reception from a notably sizeable audience (considering it was a testing event) in Barcelona. Present was a rider who appeared quite at ease, a stark contrast to his demeanor throughout the previous weekend's Solidarity Grand Prix.

To give him credit, it was entirely justifiable that he was feeling the pressure, given it was his last opportunity to clinch his inaugural MotoGP world championship. Indeed, he turned his aspirations into success during the season's concluding grand prix on the previous Sunday, securing a third-place finish while Francesco Bagnaia took the race victory.

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The celebrations were short-lived. By Monday, all traces of Ducati and Pramac had been removed from his racing attire, marking his initial engagement with the Aprilia factory team, whom he'll join in the racing circuit come 2025.

Entering the garage decked out in his racing suit on Tuesday, Martin couldn't hide his joy. That joy remained unmistakably etched on his face even after he came back to the pit following his initial five-lap stint on the 2024-spec RS-GP.

To a certain degree, it mirrored the initial moments Marc Marquez had with the Ducati during the previous year's Valencia test after the season ended. While the context of their transitions significantly diverged, Martin nonetheless garnered considerable attention.

He has swapped the top motorcycle in the competition for a bike that ranked third among manufacturers in 2024, although it was the sole brand to interrupt Ducati's series of grand prix wins, thanks to Maverick Vinales' victory at the Americas Grand Prix.

Jorge Martin takes to the track with the 2024 Aprilia RS-GP 🏍️#MotoGP #BarcelonaTest pic.twitter.com/hmPjoghThg— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) November 19, 2024

However, the performance of the RS-GP towards the latter part of 2024 likely didn't sit well with Martin. With Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro at the helm for the factory team, from the British Grand Prix through to the season's close, they collectively amassed 137 points and secured just two podium finishes in sprint races. In contrast, Jorge Martin alone reached and surpassed this total in just five rounds.

After participating in seven rounds, during which Aprilia secured a victory at the Americas GP and two sprint triumphs, Martin opted to join the team. While Aprilia wasn't performing at Ducati's standard, it was far from being at its lowest, which was evident in the latter half of the season.

On his initial ride, dividing his efforts between the 2024 RS-GP and the upcoming 2025 RS-GP models, Martin managed to cover 77 laps. This impressive count was only surpassed by his teammate Marco Bezzecchi and the newcomer from Trackhouse Aprilia, Ai Ogura. The freshly crowned world champion landed in 11th place on the leaderboard, trailing by 1.056 seconds behind the pace leader, Alex Marquez of Gresini.

This doesn't hold significant value, but there's a slight sense of achievement in being the premier rider to change manufacturers for the trial.

Due to contractual obligations with Ducati that last until the year's end, Martin is restricted from engaging with the press. Consequently, his impressions of the RS-GP will remain unknown until February. During the testing phase, Martin appeared at ease on the bike at certain moments, but less so at other times. His initial attempt on the 2025 RS-GP concluded with a minor accident at Turn 5 during the last three hours of the testing session. Additionally, he didn't undertake any significant long-distance tests, leaving little to infer from his performance.

Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, remarked that Martin's response to the RS-GP was surprisingly more favorable than anticipated, and he seems to have taken a significant liking to the bike. For the time being, we'll have to rely on his assessment, particularly given the track's history of favoring Aprilia. Nonetheless, Martin's physical demeanor seemed to support Rivola's observations.

Aprilia's freshly appointed technical chief, Fabiano Sterlacchini, engaged with the press recently. Although he declined to make definitive statements regarding the RS-GP, given his recent involvement with the project, he did share insights into the team's spirits following Martin's initial experience on the motorcycle.

"Having Jorge, a rider with a world title in biking, join us is a tremendous opportunity. It gives us a clear reference point and helps us focus on what areas we need to prioritize," he shared with the press, including Crash.net, on Tuesday.

"In the brief period we've collaborated, just half a day yesterday and today, I see him as a blend of a victor and a guide. Honestly, the manner he's tackling his responsibilities is remarkable. So, truly impressive."

The 2025 Aprilia initiative marks a significant departure from its 2024 counterpart. Setting aside Raul Fernandez (who couldn't test the RS-GP 25 owing to an ongoing parts shortage), Aprilia has entirely revamped its team. Martin will be accompanied by newcomers Bezzecchi and Ogura.

Romano Albesiano, the driving force behind the bike's evolution for the RS-GP, has left his position as technical director for Honda. Following him is Aleix Espargaro, another key figure in transforming the Aprilia into a compelling option for elite riders like Martin.

Aprilia is facing a crucial winter season as it aims to revamp its strategy for 2024, introducing new technical direction and fresh riders. The addition of Martin to the team brings additional expectations, yet CEO Massimo Rivola observed on Monday that the team appeared remarkably cohesive, as if they had been collaborating for a significant period.

Martin's display of maturity throughout the year, leading to his championship victory, has evidently positioned him well for the challenge with Aprilia.

After moving to the Noale-based team when Ducati decided against advancing him to its main squad, there's been much speculation about Martin potentially bringing the premier title to Aprilia. The absence of a prominent number one on the front of his RS-GP during his outing in Barcelona might just reveal his current mindset.

Indeed, when Crash.net inquired before the weekend about his feelings regarding the championship scenario, particularly about Ducati's decision favoring Marc Marquez over him for the factory seat, his answer revealed a rider whose drive isn't fueled by vengeance.

He expressed, "In my view, it's not about not being up to par for them. I'm confident in their belief in me, evident from the contract I hold. It was a different scenario, possibly with a stronger focus elsewhere. I can't imagine their discussions centered around me not being capable enough for a factory bike."

"I am content with their choice, assuming they believe it's the optimal decision, and I am pleased with what lies ahead for me. I believe this ensures we maintain a positive relationship. The future is uncertain, and anything could happen when the next contract period arrives in two years. However, what matters most is that we continue to have a strong relationship."

Undoubtedly, defending his title will be a challenging endeavor for Martin. The RS-GP isn't matching the performance of the Ducati and might not catch up by the beginning of 2025, or possibly throughout the entire season. However, given the opportunity to stay with Ducati under Pramac following Marquez's advancement, Martin chose to chart a new course for himself. Regardless of the outcome, his courage to forge his own path deserves commendation.

During the Barcelona race weekend, Ducati's leader Davide Tardozzi commented, saying, "should Aprilia decide to acquire the top spot, we'll watch to see if they can maintain it into the next season."

The remark somewhat obscures the full reasoning behind Aprilia's acquisition of Martin. However, judging by the significant impression he made during his initial ride, it seems the investment has paid off handsomely…

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"Maverick Vinales was immediately impressed with the speed, feeling confident 'right from the get-go' during his first outing on a KTM MotoGP bike.

'Absolutely suits how I ride,' he remarked enthusiastically."

Maverick Vinales embarked on his mission to be the inaugural MotoGP racer to secure victories on four distinct motorcycle manufacturers, starting with his first outing on a KTM during the Barcelona testing session on Tuesday.

The Spanish racer, who has claimed victory in ten races with Suzuki, Yamaha, and Aprilia bikes, was also marking his initial laps as a member of the Tech3 team, in his new role as a satellite rider.

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The initial reaction was favorable.

"Beginning the day without any preconceived notions, I aimed to maintain an open mind. Yet, immediately, even from the first lap, I experienced a positive sensation. Everything felt instinctive," Vinales expressed.

"Clearly, I have a lot to learn and incorporate into my approach to riding. However, the experience was positive. We didn’t do a lot of testing. I simply requested to use Pedro’s settings to get a feel for the bike and grasp how it operates."

During the middle part of the day, Vinales found himself in fourth place on the leaderboard, but later slipped to the 12th position.

He finished merely one second behind the top tester, Alex Marquez from Gresini Ducati, and was closely trailing Brad Binder's fastest KTM by just 0.3 seconds.

"Currently, I'm not encountering any issues, but it's clear I haven't pushed the bike to its maximum potential yet," Vinales remarked. "Therefore, I'm choosing to keep a low profile at this stage and focus on reaching the bike's limit before I begin to delve into identifying any deficiencies.

"However, I never encountered any sort of barrier. Each occasion I ventured out, my speed increased progressively."

Vinales, the sole racer to triumph over Ducati in a grand prix this year, thanks to his victory at COTA, stated:

One aspect of the bike that really complements my approach to riding, and stands out as a positive, is its performance when coming out of a turn. Essentially, the sooner you get back on track, the quicker you can accelerate.

"This suits my biking technique perfectly. I tend to lift the bike quite soon, and there's consistently force propelling you as you exit the turn."

"I'm still figuring out the dynamics of the bike, particularly its stability. However, I notice that as I attempt to initiate a slide, I must learn to gauge the extent to which I can apply the front brake at various stages."

"Before the test, my main worry was handling the fast turns, since I've always performed well with other bikes in those situations. However, theoretically, all those bikes were supposed to excel in fast corners."

"I'm particularly fond of this one due to its capability in handling quick turns. Specifically, corners like 13-14 feel quite intuitive and allow for maintaining a high speed through the bend."

Vinales discovered that the RC16, not only excels in cornering speed but also outperformed Aprilia's RS-GP, securing the second place in the constructors' championship, trailing only behind Ducati this year.

The Spanish rider achieved the fastest speed recorded during the test, reaching 354km/h without any drafting assistance, surpassing Aprilia's top speed of 352.9km/h from the Grand Prix weekend.

"Speed is immediately noticeable," Vinales expressed. "Additionally, the exit performance is impressive, along with the traction. And as I've pointed out before, the moment you accelerate, the motorcycle propels forward out of the turn. However, it truly shines when in 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear; it's incredibly swift."

Another distinctive feature of the orange device is its capability to start up efficiently.

"After completing three practice starts on Tuesday, Vinales expressed his realization for his numerous position drops [this season], stating, 'Now it makes sense why I fell behind so much,' and optimistically added, 'It's alright, I'll make a comeback next year. So, that's wonderful.'"

Relative to the RS-GP's significant downforce, the KTM appeared "quite nimble. It's demanding but not overly so. Switching directions comes with more ease."

Distinct characteristics of the KTM include its chassis made from carbon fiber instead of aluminum, and its preference for WP suspension over the commonly used Ohlins.

"Right from the initial braking, the sensation was positive. To be honest, I anticipated some uncertainty, thinking, 'let's wait and see…' but the suspension definitely gets my approval," he commented.

This encompasses the back apparatus, which is excellent. Its descending motion is quite sleek and fluid, preventing the tire from spinning, which is outstanding.

Following a decade-plus tenure as a team's primary racer, Vinales is optimistic about enjoying the team spirit at Tech3, where newcomer Pedro Acosta secured five podium finishes and was at the forefront for 13 laps in grand prix races this year.

"Positive vibes, great environment. I'm confident that we can forge a solid team," Vinales expressed. "It feels like a family. That's the sense I get from the interaction among the mechanics. And likely, it's exactly the feeling I've been looking for."

"Vinales mentioned, "We barely made any changes to the bike, just some straightforward tweaks. However, I was quite tempted to just grab Pedro's bike and push it to its limits until I could speed up."

"I had the opportunity to collaborate somewhat with Dani [Pedrosa] and Pol [Espargaro], aiming to grasp how to exert more force on the bike and when to handle it with care. It was a pleasant experience interacting with them."

Vinales' colleague, Enea Bastianini, who recently transitioned from Ducati, secured the 16th quickest time, lagging by 1.269 seconds, following a significant crash at Turn 5.

The upcoming authorized MotoGP trial is scheduled to take place in Sepang come February.

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

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"Marc Marquez clarifies the humor behind the Gresini middle finger gesture, stating, 'They were ahead of us!' He added, 'My dad was among the group too!'"

After completing his initial day of testing with the factory Ducati team, Marc Marquez returned to the pits at Tuesday's MotoGP session in Barcelona, where his previous team from Gresini eagerly awaited his arrival in the pit lane.

The entourage was composed of Alex, the younger sibling, their parent Julia, and Gresini team's leader Michele Masini, all sharing a laugh as they watched #93 zoom by.

Marc replied with a solitary finger gesture and subsequently clarified the humor behind it:

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Check out this Instagram post from the official MotoGP™ account (@motogp).

"Marc Marquez mentioned, "Team Gresini is constantly making jokes!"

During their final lap, they found humor while standing outside the garage, chuckling over their Sunday declaration to me, ‘Every race, we’ll be ahead of you!’

Right from the initial trial, Alex and the team completed ahead of me!

"Surprisingly, my dad was among them too! Hence, he's heading towards being the quickest one! That's why I exclaimed, 'get lost!'"

"Only kidding!"

Alex, who led the testing scores in his first appearance with the GP24, shared, "The whole team greeted him, saying, 'hey, we're ahead of you!'"

"Throughout the weekend, our rivalry is akin to that of siblings, and following the Sprint on Saturday evening, where Alex outperformed Marc, we really gave him a hard time about it back at the hospitality area."

"He told me, 'Hold off until Sunday. Hold off until it's all done.' And then, come Sunday, he [assaulted me].

"Today, we simply bid him farewell by saying 'ciao' as we found ourselves face to face with him once more!"

Marc secured the fourth quickest time in the trial, transitioning from the GP23 to an experimental model of the GP25.

For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the ongoing challenges Marc Marquez faces with injuries.

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