Aleix Espargaro reflects on his departure from Aprilia in MotoGP, noting, "In recent times, we've claimed victory in three out of the last four races at this venue." As he prepares for his final race with Aprilia, Espargaro is determined to secure a podium finish, stating, "Our performance here has been remarkable."

Aleix Espargaro is aiming to recreate his impressive performance at Montmelo one last time as he prepares for his final race with Aprilia in MotoGP.

On Sunday, the well-known racer will officially conclude a 20-year career in grand prix racing at the rescheduled season finale in Barcelona. Following this, they will embark on a new phase as a test and wild-card rider for Honda.

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Since joining Aprilia in 2017, Espargaro has been the standout rider on the RS-GP, achieving significant milestones like securing its first pole position, podium finish, race victory, and even leading the world championship.

However, Maverick Vinales, Espargaro's teammate, will put a stop to Espargaro's streak in 2024. Vinales will enter the final round with a 43-point lead over Espargaro, making it impossible for Espargaro to catch

Vinales stands out as the sole competitor to have outpaced Ducati in a grand prix this year, thanks to his flawless performance at the Circuit of the Americas. On the other hand, Espargaro might have posed a tighter challenge had he not been hindered by an injury at Assen, which also caused him to miss the race in Germany.

When looking at their performance records at Catalunya with Aprilia, Espargaro holds the upper hand. Last season, he achieved flawless victories in both races. This year, in May, he secured the pole position and won the Sprint race, finishing fourth in the grand prix, 12 seconds ahead of Vinales.

Expectations are soaring for Espargaro to enhance his record with Aprilia, which currently includes 3 MotoGP wins, 2 Sprint race victories, 15 podium finishes, and 5 pole positions, all as he gears up for his final weekend 'in black'.

Espargaro expressed that the Barcelona circuit feels like home to him, highlighting his fondness for it and its compatibility with both his and Aprilia's racing style.

"We've seen remarkable success recently, clinching victory in three of the past four races and setting a new track record. These achievements suggest that we have the potential to remain in the lead."

"I am eager to complete my final race with Aprilia in a strong position, aiming for a spot on the podium."

"I plan to concentrate completely from the beginning and we'll put in our utmost effort to achieve a positive outcome."

Massimo Rivola, the team's director, commented that it would be a memorable moment to watch Aleix conclude his Aprilia journey at his local circuit in Montmeló, the place where he recently secured a pole position and a sprint race victory.

The positive development for Espargaro and Aprilia is that the overheating issues that troubled the RS-GP in Sepang will not be a concern in Barcelona's cool autumn weather.

In contrast, the 2024 aerodynamic package seems to be less effective in the quicker turns at the Circuit de Catalunya. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez attracted attention while riding the 2023 model bike back in May.

In addition to his race this weekend, Espargaro will undoubtedly be watching his good friend Jorge Martin closely. Martin, who will be riding for Aprilia in 2025, has an opportunity to clinch the MotoGP championship for Pramac Ducati this Saturday.

In the meantime, the Barcelona MotoGP event, organized in support of solidarity, will serve as Vinales' last appearance with Aprilia before he moves to Tech3 KTM in 2025.

Following victories in the first three rounds, which included Sprint races, Vinales has not secured a podium finish since then. As a result, he has fallen behind Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder's KTMs in the standings for the top non-Ducati competitors.

Vinales expressed his fondness for the Montmeló circuit, highlighting it as one of his favorite venues due to its proximity to his home. He noted that competing in his home Grand Prix always fills him with enthusiasm.

"The forecast indicates that the weather will be erratic, featuring cooler temperatures."

"This weekend is going to be quite unique: we'll be competing in Valencia, and it's also going to be my final race with Aprilia, so I'll put in my maximum effort."

Vinales has participated in 64 races with Aprilia, during which he secured one MotoGP victory, achieved wins in two Sprint events, reached the podium 13 times, and earned 2 pole positions.

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Casey Stoner criticizes the sprint race setup: "MotoGP is not challenging enough"

Casey Stoner shares his opinion on the current MotoGP weekend structure.

Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has expressed disapproval of the sprint race format, arguing that it artificially alters the dynamics of the grand prix races.

Last year, MotoGP implemented a new format featuring a sprint race on Saturdays at each event, and Francesco Bagnaia emerged as the 2023 champion.

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As we approach the season finale this weekend, Bagnaia is currently 24 points behind Jorge Martin. Despite this, Bagnaia has secured victory in 10 of the 19 Sunday races, while Martin has only managed to win three.

Martin's exceptional performance in the Saturday sprint races might play a vital role in securing his inaugural championship title, provided he maintains his substantial lead. His victory in the Saturday sprint in Barcelona would officially crown him as the champion.

However, Stoner, who has won the championship twice, expressed to GPOne: "Motorsport is meant to showcase top riders on the most challenging vehicles to operate, but currently, MotoGP isn't challenging enough."

"The riders lack sufficient command over the motorcycle, largely due to the engineers having too much influence."

"They scheduled the sprint race, which cuts down the time available for drivers to focus on preparations for the longer race."

"It is not intended for a world championship to involve small-scale models; instead, it should be a test of endurance."

"It's similar to announcing a marathon and then declaring that running 10 laps isn't enough because a marathon is 43 kilometers long!"

"It is extremely demanding and challenging work. Therefore, we require consistency because the world championship is intended to be a long-distance competition."

"You need to consider the entire race distance rather than just rely on participants who excel briefly using the soft tyre."

“It is important to note that points should not be awarded for sprint races, as the main race on Sunday is when points are traditionally earned.”

"Preparing a bike for a race is quite challenging. It's essential to ensure that you can maintain concentration for the duration of the event."

"Currently, our emphasis is on a single lap, as it's crucial to advance past Q2 right from the initial practice session."

"This prevents everyone from focusing on race preparations and completing those tasks."

"I believe this explains why, on Sundays, there's often a significant gap between the riders, as not everyone is prepared to match the race pace."

Considering the advancements in electronics and aerodynamics, Stoner stated: "Overall, I believe that MotoGP bikes have become some of the simplest motorcycles to handle globally."

Casey Stoner claimed the MotoGP championships in 2007 riding for Ducati and again in 2011 while racing with Honda.

His win with Ducati turned out to be misleadingly hopeful for the brand. Over the following 15 years, they faced difficulties and failed to secure a championship title, even after bringing on board Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

In 2022, Bagnaia broke that streak, while Stoner has frequently criticized the modern technology used in MotoGP bikes.

He has criticized the format that's been in place for two years, which might help Martin win the championship over Bagnaia.

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

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Jorge Lorenzo's decisive opinion on the rivalry between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia

A detailed examination of the competition between Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin by the two-time champion

Jorge Lorenzo has shared his thoughts on the championship showdown involving Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia.

Pramac's Martin is ahead of factory Ducati rider Bagnaia by 24 points as they head into the final race of the season this weekend in Barcelona.

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Martin has the opportunity to claim his first title by defeating reigning champion Bagnaia, provided he secures victory in Saturday's sprint.

"Considering the current rankings, Martin has a stronger opportunity, but nothing is guaranteed until the very end," stated Lorenzo, a two-time MotoGP champion, in an interview with Motosprint.

Jorge would need to make numerous errors to lose the championship. He worked diligently with a sports psychologist to manage his enthusiasm, yet he still committed errors, similar to Bagnaia.

The world championship was marked by numerous errors, yet it appears to be Martin's season. I would be delighted if this turns out to be true, as he is an intelligent and gifted young man who certainly deserves to secure at least one MotoGP title.

"I can relate somewhat to Martin, as well as to Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo."

"Pecco and Jorge both have a tendency to lean significantly off their bikes, and Jorge, in particular, shares a burst of energy akin to mine, allowing him to accelerate quickly and distance himself from competitors."

"Martin and Pecco both maintain a steady and smooth performance once they take the lead, similar to how I used to be."

Marc Marquez, as an example, may not always be the most precise, but he possesses different strengths. He tends to be more detached, dynamic, and aggressive.

The final event of this weekend has been moved to Barcelona due to the deadly floods that hit Valencia.

Bagnaia stated that he would refrain from participating in Valencia due to the calamity, even if it meant losing the championship.

Lorenzo commended the champion's perspective, saying, "In the face of a disaster like what happened in Valencia, sports take a backseat."

"Expressing myself like Bagnaia did? I believe his message was well-received, and I think I could have done the same. Hats off to him, though, as he has shown himself to be quite a gentleman."

Bagnaia and Marquez will compete against each other for the last time before they come together as teammates for the factory Ducati squad in 2025.

Lorenzo mentioned that the outcome will be determined by the events that unfold during the race.

"If tension exists in that area, it will also affect things externally. However, if one is significantly quicker than the other, the issue won't occur."

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

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One year after Marc Marquez's influential smile, he discusses how he has adjusted to riding a Ducati. Marc Marquez outlines the process of getting accustomed to his GP23.

Nearly a year has passed since Marc Marquez's grin illuminated the MotoGP scene.

During the post-season test in Valencia, when he tried out the Ducati for the first time, his demeanor was incredibly telling and noticeably different from his recent behavior while riding his Honda.

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This weekend in Barcelona, Marquez will compete on the year-old Desmosedici for the final time before transitioning to Ducati's factory equipment as part of their official team in 2025.

Marquez shared with Motosan that the smile he had last year marked the beginning of his journey with Ducati. He explained, "It was more about finding inner peace, as making such a significant decision naturally comes with some uncertainties."

"Having ridden the same bicycle for a decade, I was uncertain about my ability to handle the Ducati."

"However, it's not that I doubted my abilities; if I had, I wouldn't have chosen to proceed."

"I was taken aback, as I was already feeling great from the first round."

"One of my key strengths as a cyclist is adjusting to the current circumstances."

"The potential for improvement varies, but I like to achieve peak performance as soon as possible."

In May, Marc Marquez showcased two of his finest performances of the MotoGP season at the Catalunya circuit. Astonishingly, he secured podium finishes twice, despite starting from 14th position. #MotoGP

Marquez described the process he underwent to transition from riding an underperforming Honda to mastering the GP23 Ducati. This particular Ducati model had clinched the championship the year before and is currently ranked just after the GP24.

He mentioned that the initial step is learning how to operate the motorcycle and then adjusting to it accordingly.

"There comes a time when you can no longer adjust, and you begin to focus on what is necessary to feel more at ease or identify where you are at the greatest disadvantage."

"Upon reaching that point, the technician and the rider start to establish a connection. This marks another shift in the process."

"When you approach those competitive times, you'll encounter your initial barrier, which is not very high and can be easily overcome."

"After that, you bypass it and begin focusing on more technical adjustments. I mentioned this in both Jerez and Austin."

"However, with each attempt, the barrier becomes taller; you keep trying to return, repeating this process until you find the solution and progress."

This season, Marquez has made a comeback to winning grand prix races, achieving three victories on Sundays.

With just one round remaining in the championship, he holds the third position, leading Enea Bastianini by a mere point.

Marquez has undoubtedly been the quickest among the four GP23 racers, securing him a spot on the factory team for the upcoming season.

The next phase in his impressive ability to adapt involves getting used to improved Ducati machinery.

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

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Johann Zarco: 'Significant Progress in Rankings, It's Never Too Late'

"It might have taken some time, but it's better to be late than never."

After a longer wait than anticipated, Johann Zarco finally managed to accomplish his 2024 goal by placing the RC213V within the top ten of MotoGP. The LCR Honda rider concluded the flyaway rounds on a high note with this achievement.

Poised to end the season as the leading Honda rider, the French competitor improved his highest grand prix placement from 12th in the first half of the year to ninth in Mandalika and then secured eighth place in Buriram during the flyaway races.

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During the dry race in Indonesia, Zarco secured ninth place, marking his nearest finish to the lead with a gap of 15.151 seconds.

In recent qualifying sessions, Zarco showed strong performance, most recently reaching Q2 at Sepang. He came close to securing another top ten finish in the grand prix there.

"I'm quite pleased with this outcome, as it validates the significant progress I made in the rankings during the international races," Zarco remarked.

"I have achieved the roles I set as goals at the start of the year."

"It might have taken some time, but it's always preferable to be late than not to show up at all."

"We should feel pleased as this is a significant advancement. I believe I am now handling the motorcycle more effectively than I was earlier in the year, and my feedback has become more precise."

"I have the ability to be accurate, and we find the solutions we need, indicating that I'm heading in the correct direction."

Zarco attributed his progress to a mix of the newest aerodynamic features from Honda and enhancements in his own braking techniques.

"We've made significant progress in handling fast corners. The bike's ability to turn has enhanced, thanks to improvements in aerodynamics, which was a key factor in our advancement," he stated.

Braking is truly an art and a talent that few riders possess. I make an effort to hone this ability because it holds significant importance. When you grasp this concept, it allows you to truly enjoy riding.

"It's not just about applying more force; it's about balancing lean angle with sliding and pressure. That's what sets things apart."

The continuous series of races was beneficial as well.

"I focused on practicing my braking skills using the supermoto and my CBR. However, I haven't been riding much since I'm seven weeks out from returning. It's great that when you have back-to-back races, you can treat them as the ultimate training session."

Zarco is currently in 17th place in the world championship standings, having accumulated 53 points, as he approaches the final race of the MotoGP season at the Solidarity Barcelona event this weekend.

Takaaki Nakagami, a fellow Honda rider, ranks next with 31 points, placing him in 19th position. He is trailed by Joan Mir, who has accumulated 21 points and sits in 21st place, while Marini follows with 14 points, landing him in 22nd position.

For two decades, Peter has been immersed in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently at the center of reporting on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Aleix Espargaro expressed concern over Jorge Martin transitioning from Ducati to Aprilia, stating, "The switch after such an extended period with Ducati's victorious motorcycle won't be simple."

Aleix Espargaro has expressed his support for Jorge Martin to clinch the MotoGP title, though he shares his concerns about the upcoming season.

Heading into the final race in Barcelona this weekend, Pramac's Martin is ahead by 24 points over reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia.

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In 2025, Bagnaia is set to continue with the top equipment in the sport, whereas Martin will transition from Ducati to Aprilia.

"Espargaro expressed great delight," he shared with Motosprint regarding Martin taking over his spot in the Aprilia team.

"The thought also intimidates me since transitioning from Ducati, where I've gotten accustomed to a victorious motorcycle, to Aprilia, which operates on an entirely distinct design, will undoubtedly be challenging after such a lengthy period."

"It's going to be tough, yet he's my closest pal, and entrusting my bike to him feels like a dream come true."

Experienced MotoGP rider Espargaro is set to retire following the race this weekend, now rescheduled to take place in Barcelona, his hometown, instead of the flood-affected Valencia.

Martin's Aprilia might sport the #1 if he secures the championship title this weekend.

Espargaro firmly believes his buddy, who didn't make it on the last day of 2023, will secure his inaugural championship.

"He announced Jorge as the winner."

"He holds a strong edge, demonstrating his speed in the recent competitions."

The distinction in skill that Pecco and Jorge hold over their counterparts is remarkable, echoing the iconic rivalries from historical racing periods.

"Each of them is worthy of this distinction."

Martin is determined to demonstrate that Ducati made a mistake by choosing Marquez over him for the 2025 factory ride, by clinching the championship title this weekend.

As soon as Ducati confirmed their choice of Marquez, he promptly inked an agreement to join Aprilia.

Martin has been bypassed for the Ducati factory team selection on three occasions.

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

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Pedro Acosta outlines his primary goal for the MotoGP season finale. He stated, "The primary aim is to conclude the season as the top-performing Pierer Mobility motorcycle."

Pedro Acosta, concluding his first MotoGP season at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP this weekend, has a clear primary goal in mind.

This season, Acosta has achieved five podium finishes on Sundays and four in Sprint races. In contrast, the next-best KTM rider, Brad Binder, has managed one grand prix podium and one in a Sprint race.

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Acosta enters Barcelona holding a slim three-point advantage over his upcoming factory teammate as they compete for fifth place and the highest-ranking non-Ducati rider in the overall standings.

After traveling through a significant portion of Asia, we finally got some rest, and it felt wonderful to return home!" Acosta expressed.

"We're heading to Barcelona for the last round, a track I enjoy and where I feel confident and capable of performing well."

In May, when MotoGP made its stop in Catalunya, Acosta secured fifth place in the qualifying round. He went on to finish third in the Sprint race and was in contention for the lead during the grand prix before he unfortunately crashed.

In the Sprint race, Binder suffered a crash, but managed to secure an eighth-place finish in the main grand prix.

Acosta mentioned that the primary goal is to end the season as the top-performing bike from Pierer Mobility, and securing a podium finish at home would be a great bonus.

"We're committed to putting on a great performance and striving to collect as much as possible for the Valencia community. Let's do this!"

Should Acosta maintain his grip on fifth place, he would outperform the championship standing of Johann Zarco, another rookie for Tech3 MotoGP, back in 2017.

Augusto Fernandez, who is currently a teammate of Acosta, is set to participate in his last race as a regular MotoGP competitor in Barcelona, as he is anticipated to transition to a role involving Yamaha testing.

"In light of the events in Valencia, we are dedicating this weekend's race to them,” Fernandez commented, alluding to the severe floods that led to the relocation of the season's final race to Barcelona.

"In my opinion, following our top 10 finish in Malaysia, we can look forward to a promising weekend, particularly as we head to Barcelona, which is one of my favorite tracks!"

In 2025, the GASGAS brand will no longer be featured on the grid as Tech3 will revert to the Red Bull KTM colors with a completely new team of riders, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

"This weekend marks our final appearance in red, so let's give it everything we've got one last time!" stated team manager Nicolas Goyon.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. He is deeply involved in reporting on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury problems.

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Michelin reveals an 'exceptional' set of tires for the MotoGP championship showdown in Barcelona. Competitors will have a choice of seven distinct tire types for the newly scheduled final race of the season in Barcelona.

The venue for the final race of the MotoGP season has been switched from Valencia to Barcelona at the last minute. As a result, Michelin will supply what it describes as a 'special tyre package' for this crucial championship event.

Due to the severe flooding in Valencia, the circuit switch will result in Michelin providing a combination of the tyres that were used in Barcelona back in May, along with additional compounds that are better suited for the significantly cooler weather expected this weekend.

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The outcome is a selection of seven distinct tire choices. This includes four options for the front: an asymmetric Soft, a symmetrical Medium, a symmetrical Hard compound, and an asymmetric Hard. Additionally, there are three asymmetric rear tire options available in Soft, Medium, and Hard. Notably, the Medium and Hard rear tires were previously classified as Soft and Medium in May.

"From May to November, the variations in temperature required us to make adjustments," stated Piero Taramasso, who manages two-wheel racing at Michelin.

The circuit's setup doesn't significantly alter the conditions, yet this challenging track is infamous for offering minimal traction. Additionally, it features an asymmetrical design that exerts considerably more pressure on the right side of the tires.

"In line with the guidelines for these situations, we will supply extra rubber mixtures for both the front and rear."

"We began with the setup utilized in May and introduced a softer rear tire option for potentially cooler track conditions. This addition will enhance the existing Soft and Medium compounds, which will now serve as Medium and Hard. These configurations proved highly effective in both the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix events."

The trio of rear tires will feature an asymmetrical design, with extra reinforcement on the right side. As for the front tires, the decision was made not to include the Hard compound Michelin Power Slick that was available in May, as it is believed it would not be utilized.

"We will retain the Soft and Medium tire options and introduce two asymmetrical designs typically used in Valencia, the Sachsenring in Germany, or Phillip Island in Australia. However, these will feature additional reinforcement on the right side."

"Our goal is to provide our partners with a range of solutions for optimal tire temperature management, ensuring the final stages of the championship are as thrilling as the exciting races witnessed throughout the season."

Jorge Martin enters the final race of the weekend with a 24-point advantage over Francesco Bagnaia. The race offers a maximum of 37 points.

On the final lap of the Barcelona Sprint in May, Bagnaia lost his leading position by falling, but he managed to secure a win against Martin in the grand prix.

In May's races, the medium front tire was the preferred choice, paired with soft rear tires for the Sprint race and medium rear tires for the Grand Prix.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the era of Valentino Rossi. He is now closely covering the developments surrounding Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Davide Tardozzi cautioned that Ducati is set to face a setback in their public relations efforts. "It will be painful, there's no question about it…"

Ducati is likely to come out on the losing end of the public relations battle if Aprilia reveals a bike with the #1 plate for their 2025 model, according to what Davide Tardozzi has

Jorge Martin from Pramac Ducati heads into the final MotoGP race of the season in Barcelona with a 24-point advantage.

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He is the leading contender to secure his inaugural championship, but he plans to join Aprilia in 2025. As a result, Ducati's competitor might have the opportunity to display the prestigious #1 plate on Martin's motorcycle next year.

Ducati's team leader, Tardozzi, emphasized that their satisfaction will come from Martin winning the championship on a Ducati, no matter how next year's Aprilia might look.

Michael Laverty from TNT Sports remarked, "There's no question that it's going to hurt."

"They may try to present it positively by noting he is recorded as the Ducati champion, but they will not win the public relations battle next year."

"And Aprilia is set to win. They'll definitely put the #1 plate on their bike!"

"You would take advantage of that opportunity."

Francesco Bagnaia, the champion for the last two years, is faced with the daunting task of mounting a significant comeback in Barcelona to keep his title.

He arguably doesn't have much support on the track, as his teammate Enea Bastianini has no obligations to Ducati following their decision to replace him for the 2025 season, and he is set to join KTM.

Marc Marquez will be teaming up with Bagnaia soon, but he's probably not interested in participating in the championship battle.

Laverty informed Ducati that they cannot compel Enea to offer assistance. He added that Martin has demonstrated greater consistency and has made fewer errors.

"They have a two-time world champion, yet this hasn't been Pecco's successful season."

Pramac is on the verge of achieving a major success by outperforming their own factory team for the championship.

It would be notable for their partnership to conclude, as Pramac has committed to becoming a satellite team for Yamaha starting in 2025.

Neil Hodgson commented, "It's enormous. That team is a satellite team, meaning they don't have as many staff members."

"Joining the official factory team is a significant advancement."

"A satellite team has never before won the MotoGP championship. I remember Valentino Rossi secured his victory in 2001 riding a full factory motorcycle."

"However, we have not experienced it, particularly at this level."

"It’s a significant achievement for a satellite team to outperform the main factory team."

"If it occurs, and it's with Pramac? They are known as the approachable team, consistently maintaining a friendly demeanor."

Paolo Campinoti, the team leader, has dedicated 25 years to this paddock and has invested millions of his personal funds into it.

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

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Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi Reunite for a Race at VR46 Ranch

The two-time MotoGP Champion, Stoner, joined Rossi for a ride at his VR46 ranch

The long-standing competition between Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi seems to be dissipating, following their recent ride together at Rossi's VR46 Ranch.

Twice-crowned MotoGP champion Stoner and Rossi, who has clinched the world championship nine times, were embroiled in a fierce competition on the tracks throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.

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The competition between them reached its peak during the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix, where Rossi collided with Stoner. This incident prompted Stoner's memorable comment to the experienced Italian, saying, "your ambition outweighs your talent."

In January, Stoner pointed out that incident and Rossi's subsequent effort to apologize as a time when he lost respect for Rossi.

In a conversation with Moto.it, Stoner mentioned, "Seeing Vale join Ducati was tough too, considering the immense pressure they faced, which they truly didn't warrant."

"They were performing excellently, and we accomplished a significant amount of work, given our quite limited budget."

"Regrettably, Valentino and his engineer, Jeremy Burgess, expressed quite unfavorable opinions about myself and my team."

"They essentially implied we were clueless and promised to repair the bicycle promptly. I find that quite insulting, considering my team's involvement."

"Despite our limited budget, we remained contenders for the championship, outperforming those with more substantial financial resources."

However, it seems the duo is moving on from previous issues, with Rossi extending an invitation to Stoner to join him for a ride at his ranch in Tavullia the previous weekend.

Casey Stoner is wholeheartedly embracing his time in Italy 🤩❤️‍🔥 He's experiencing complete exhilaration at Valentino's Ranch in Tavullia! #SkyMotori #SkyMotoGP #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi pic.twitter.com/W8L56bYfV3

Casey Stoner is wholeheartedly embracing his time in Italy 🤩❤️‍🔥 He's experiencing complete exhilaration at Valentino's Ranch in Tavullia! #SkyMotori #SkyMotoGP #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi pic.twitter.com/W8L56bYfV3

At EICMA, the premier global motorcycle expo held in Milan, Rossi extended an invitation to Stoner, the MotoGP winner in 2007 and 2011, to join him for a ride on the renowned dirt track at his ranch.

Stoner shared a quick update on social media, displaying a photo of them enjoying a meal together.

Stoner expressed, "The dynamic between Vale and me has undergone significant transformations over the past 12 years, encompassing changes in our families and friendships.

"However, the love for motorcycles remains unchanged. I appreciate the chance to ride on the same track with you once again!"

Rossi has declared that his yearly 100km of Champions race at his ranch is scheduled for January 10-11. This event will include regular participants from his VR46 Academy alongside other notable figures from the world of motorcycle racing.

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Official Statement: Iannone Misses Out on Barcelona MotoGP Appearance, VR46 Opts for Pirro

Ducati's reserve rider to take Di Giannantonio's spot for the final race of 2024

The VR46 MotoGP squad has revealed that Andrea Iannone will be absent from the GP23 race at the Solidarity Grand Prix, with Michele Pirro stepping in as his replacement.

VR46 regular Fabio Di Giannantonio concluded his 2024 campaign at the Thai Grand Prix, deciding to undergo an operation on his left shoulder, which he had dislocated during the Austrian Grand Prix in August.

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Di Giannantonio's surgery went well, however, it requires him to sit out the final two events of 2024 to ensure he's ready for the GP25 pre-season trials coming this February.

Valentino Rossi chose to offer Iannone his initial MotoGP appearance since 2019 during the previous week's Malaysian Grand Prix, where the Italian racer finished 17th, displaying moments of quickness over the course of the event.

At that moment, Iannone was uncertain about his participation on the motorcycle for the final race in Barcelona, which was relocated from Valencia because of the lethal floods affecting the area.

Ahead of the upcoming Barcelona finale this weekend, dubbed the Solidarity GP, VR46 has announced that Ducati's test rider Pirro will step in to replace Di Giannantonio on Monday.

This event will be Pirro's initial appearance in 2024, as Ducati is believed to be eager to take advantage of Di Giannantonio not participating, to provide their test rider with some important race experience before the test following the Solidarity GP.

This year, Pirro hasn't had the opportunity to participate in any wildcard events because of the regulations that limit Ducati's involvement in such races.

"First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude towards the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Ducati for giving me this incredible chance to finish the season in MotoGP," Pirro stated.

"Competing in this division is always a pleasure, especially under Valentino's banner. I extend my gratitude to him, along with Uccio [Salucci] and Pablo [Nieto].

"I extend a warm embrace to Fabio, who has been performing admirably. However, dealing with the demands of this engine capacity without being fully fit is challenging. He's poised for a significant chance next season with the GP25."

"I'm looking forward to competing with the GP23; it will give me a chance to observe the progress we've achieved."

"I don't have any specific hopes for the outcome of the race, yet I'm eager to compete, especially for those impacted by the flooding in Valencia. I aim to do justice to both the team and our collective effort. Looking forward to meeting you on the racecourse."

Participating in the Solidarity GP ensures that Pirro will continue his streak of racing in at least one MotoGP race each year since his only full-season effort in 2012.

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MotoGP Announces Rescheduled Inaugural 2025 Test in Barcelona

Confirmed Test Following the Solidarity GP

MotoGP has announced that the initial testing for the 2025 season is scheduled for the Tuesday immediately following the last race of the 2024 season in Barcelona.

Except for the 2020 COVID-19 campaign and the following 2021 season, MotoGP has customarily held a test session right after the season's last race each year.

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Lately, the examination has taken place in Valencia, where it has occurred on the Tuesday following the season's concluding race for the past two years.

Originally scheduled for 2024, the Valencia GP has been called off following severe flood incidents in the Valencia area that occurred earlier this month.

MotoGP has successfully arranged an alternative race, named the Solidarity GP, scheduled to take place in Barcelona this weekend. However, there has been no update regarding the status of the planned test.

Dorna Sports was anticipating the formal IRTA (International Race Teams’ Association) test to proceed on Tuesday, November 19, but confirmation was still pending.

Nonetheless, a representative from Dorna assured on Monday that the scheduled test prior to this weekend's final event will proceed as intended.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 10am local time and continue until 5pm (9am-4pm GMT). Following the conclusion, there's a 15-minute practice session planned.

Even with the switch in location, MotoGP intends to maintain its customary year-end celebrations.

Plans are still being confirmed, but MotoGP intends to hold its award ceremony the Sunday following the season's last race, where the world champion's trophy will be presented to either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia.

MotoGP is set to unveil its redesigned logo at the upcoming award ceremony.

The upcoming post-race trial this year is set to feature major debut appearances by several prominent figures, with Marc Marquez notably joining the Ducati team's ranks to try out the GP25, which he will race with Bagnaia in the 2025 season.

Martin, who is on the brink of clinching the championship title this weekend with a 24-point lead over Bagnaia, is poised to test the factory Aprilia for the initial time.

Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini are set to make their debut on the KTM, while Marco Bezzecchi will get a taste of the Aprilia for the first time.

Jack Miller is set to team up with Pramac once more, marking the first occasion for both him and the team to experience Yamaha gear. The involvement of his teammate, Miguel Oliveira, remains in doubt due to a wrist fracture he sustained during an accident at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

The rider from Portugal got back to training on his bike over the last weekend and might be looking forward to his last race in Barcelona with Trackhouse Aprilia.

Ai Ogura, from Trackhouse Aprilia, and Somkiat Chantra, of LCR Honda, are set to experience their first encounter with MotoGP bikes before they embark on their debut seasons.

Fermin Aldeguer is scheduled to test the Gresini Ducati, yet his attendance is in doubt due to his ongoing recovery from a wrist fracture sustained during the Thai GP.

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