Jack Miller speculates on Marc Marquez's performance at Sepang

Pramac Yamaha competitor discusses ideas regarding Ducati's factory team

According to Jack Miller, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia are not fully revealing their capabilities following the second day of activities in Sepang.

The Ducati factory team, considered by many as the frontrunners for the 2025 MotoGP title, ended up in 14th and 5th positions on Thursday during preseason testing. Their results were partly affected by each rider experiencing a crash.

Miller, who is now riding for Pramac Yamaha, has been observing their activities.

"The team in red appears to be holding back for now, Miller suggested."

"I'm certain they have some easy options ready to use for tomorrow."

"We also have some gentle strategies at our disposal."

Naturally, all MotoGP riders and their teams attending the three-day preseason test at Sepang will focus on improving their bikes rather than just showcasing top performance.

However, there is still a strong curiosity about how Marquez and Bagnaia perform, especially in comparison to one another.

Friday marks the last day for testing before the sessions resume in Buriram next week, potentially providing new insights into their comparative performance.

Jack Miller Adjusts to Life with Yamaha

Jack Miller, who recently joined Pramac Yamaha, is satisfied with how well he is settling in following his departure from KTM.

He mentioned on Thursday that he ended the day by pushing for a fast lap, and he was satisfied with his racing lines, his riding performance, and the bike's handling.

"Today, we achieved progress as I felt both at ease and steady."

"Adjustments are needed on the map to enhance its effectiveness."

Miller stated, "I feel great and increasingly comfortable every time I leave."

"We are currently figuring out how to handle the map and strategize for the time attack."

"The bicycle is boosting my confidence. We're currently in the process of building."

"I’m extremely pleased with the progress; the team has been putting in a lot of hard work every evening to create new bicycles and setups."

"We'll make an effort to discover more tomorrow. I believe there is still some room for improvement regarding my performance on the track."

"If we can alter the map, we can reduce the distance even further. We will continue pursuing the goal."

Miller highlighted the necessity of enhancing the electronics as a crucial area for improvement.

"They require improvement," he acknowledged. "However, they are diligently focusing on this, particularly concerning the strategy and the engineers' program for making necessary modifications."

The program isn't the simplest to operate, especially when it comes to making adjustments for each corner or gear.

"They are aware of this and are taking steps to enhance their response time."

Statements given by Peter McLaren in Sepang

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Yamaha's hypothesis faces harsh evaluation in Sepang test incidents

"During the Shakedown, we hardly witnessed any crashes, if at all…"

The first day of the MotoGP Sepang official test was marked by several accidents, which Yamaha rider Alex Rins attributed to the gusty weather at the Malaysian track.

Rins, who ended the first day in 14th position following his participation in the final two days of the previous weekend's Shakedown test in Sepang, observed that the Shakedown witnessed minimal accidents throughout its duration, unlike the numerous incidents that occurred on the initial day of the official test.

During the testing, Raul Fernandez experienced a crash which resulted in a fractured left hand, causing him to miss the rest of the session. Similarly, current World Champion Jorge Martin suffered fractures in his hand and foot following a high-side crash at turn two, leading to his withdrawal from the subsequent two days of testing.

"Truthfully, during the Shakedown, we hardly witnessed any accidents, if any at all," Rins remarked following the initial day of the official Sepang test.

"I'll indicate the wind, given its considerable strength."

I felt somewhat frustrated because I managed to complete only 41 laps – hitting 42 would have been pleasing.

"I managed to complete only 41 laps and spent a considerable amount of idle time waiting for the wind to decrease."

Rins elaborated on the sections of the circuit that were significantly impacted by the wind.

"The wind was particularly harsh around turn four, and it remained strong through turn five, as well as turns nine, 11, and 13, following the change in direction where [Pedro] Acosta had an accident – it's uncertain whether his crash was caused by the wind," he mentioned.

Rins hinted that the numerous falls on the first day in Sepang were due to the wind, in addition to a shift in the testing strategy for him and Yamaha.

"Truthfully, the plans have been slightly altered today due to the strong winds," he remarked.

"During the Shakedown, we had the opportunity to experiment with various aspects; tweaking the setup slightly, and testing out some new components such as the chassis."

The outcome of the chassis evaluation during the Shakedown didn't meet high expectations, yet Yamaha managed to make improvements to the chassis design. Consequently, our agenda for today included experimenting with an updated chassis, slightly altered, along with a new upper wing attached to the fairing.

"However, the wind prevented us from doing so."

Rins found his performance hindered by the breeze, whereas his team member Fabio Quartararo viewed the weather circumstances differently.

"He mentioned that there were 15 turns, and he believed that the wind affected his performance in about four or five of those turns."

"So, in my opinion, for the remaining 10, it's possible to determine whether [the new component] was an improvement or not."

Regardless, Rins' concerns regarding the conditions prompted a shift in his strategy, opting to concentrate on tyres rather than experimenting with Yamaha's latest parts.

"He mentioned that they altered their strategy to evaluate the three distinct Michelin front tires provided."

"We encountered three distinct varieties: the first resembled the soft [compound] we're familiar with, but featured a modified structure that proved quite satisfactory; while the subsequent two showcased a unique casing, differing in size."

Rins mentioned that the pair of tyres featuring varying casing sizes were the prototype tyres planned for 2026, and he was uncertain whether the third tyre would be used in races by 2025.

With the final two days of the trial ahead, the Spanish participant is focused on realigning with his original testing strategy.

"Besides that, I wasn't able to handle much more work," he added.

"Definitely, we've got another two days ahead of us. I didn't use any qualifying tyres to clock a fast lap since it wasn't the appropriate time, which is what we agreed upon with our team."

"Tomorrow, we plan to evaluate both the chassis and the fairing to see if we can discover anything noteworthy."

In a different strategy from Rins, Quartararo opted to fit a fresh tyre towards the end for a quick lap attempt. This attempt resulted in a slightly improved time compared to his performance in the Q2 session of the previous year's Malaysian Grand Prix. Last November, he clocked a 1:57.592, which he bested with a 1:57.555 during the first day of this year's testing.

"He expressed optimism, stating, 'This is a good sign. It's preferable to being slower. Moreover, we didn't specifically aim for a time attack, making it encouraging that we were already… quicker than the qualifying.'"

"Yet, I was in high spirits; throughout the qualifying rounds, your primary goal is to nail the lap time. This time, however, we were experimenting with various setups and eventually fitted a fresh tire towards the end with the aim of achieving a strong lap time."

"I believe that having ridden for two days, followed by two days of rest, and then returning, has indeed contributed to improving the lap time, but I also feel that we performed well."

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Marco Bezzecchi discusses the main distinctions between the Aprilia and Ducati MotoGP motorcycles. Bezzecchi is progressing with adjusting to the Aprilia during the testing sessions at Sepang.

Marco Bezzecchi remarked that the Aprilia MotoGP motorcycle requires more physical effort than the Ducati he used to ride. He made this observation while adjusting to the new bike during the Sepang test sessions.

The rider, who has claimed victory in three grand prix races, spent the initial three years of his MotoGP career racing on Ducati bikes with the VR46 team. He has now secured a contract with Aprilia's factory team for the 2025 season.

On the first day of testing at Sepang, Bezzecchi ranked 18th in terms of speed. By Thursday, at 4:30pm local time, he had climbed to 12th place, enhancing his time from 1 minute 59.207 seconds to 1 minute 58.5 seconds.

While managing a hectic testing schedule and simultaneously adjusting to the RS-GP, Bezzecchi has identified a significant distinction between the Aprilia and the Ducati.

"The bicycle requires a bit more physical effort," he mentioned.

"Luckily, we aren't facing any problems with the temperature. However, it takes a little extra effort to maneuver the bike."

He mentioned, "I'm feeling slightly more cheerful today compared to yesterday, as I'm beginning to gain confidence with the bike."

"I'm beginning to improve my braking skills and approaching corners with greater confidence, as the bike is providing positive feedback."

"Overall, I'm pleased. There are still numerous things we need to experiment with, but for now, I have no complaints."

Bezzecchi observed that the Aprilia's braking performance is impressive, which aligns well with his riding style. However, he acknowledged that he is currently facing some challenges with the bike when using new tires.

He mentioned that he's facing more difficulties with new tires since he's become accustomed to the worn ones he used extensively yesterday and today.

"When I install new tires, I find it a bit more challenging. Additionally, the riding technique is different, so I need to adjust accordingly."

"They seem to have made significant progress compared to the previous year. Naturally, I can't say for certain how last year's bike performed, since I had already tested the initial version of the 2025 model back in Montmelo."

"However, I can confirm that their performance is excellent."

Marco Bezzecchi participated in the Sepang test without Jorge Martin. He expressed admiration for the bike's aerodynamic features and noted that the engine's power left a strong impression on him. However, he mentioned that improvements are needed in the electronic systems to better manage and harness the engine's full power.

Aprilia's testing schedule faced significant setbacks due to two separate incidents: Jorge Martin's crash, which resulted in several broken bones, and Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Racing injuring his hand in an accident.

Test rider Lorenzo Savadori has been called in to assist, but Bezzecchi mentions that his responsibilities haven't grown significantly beyond the initial plan.

When questioned about whether he had to take on additional duties while Martin was away, he responded, "Somewhat, but not entirely."

"We both needed to test the same things. It's unfortunate that he's not with us, as having feedback from both of us would be more beneficial for our team than just having one perspective."

"I am doing my utmost to provide the most accurate remarks and feedback that I can."

"Today, Sava is with us, and he consistently delivers outstanding work. Undoubtedly, his performance is excellent."

Statements given by Peter McLaren, Editor at Crash MotoGP

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Re

Another fracture sidelines another MotoGP competitor following turmoil at Sepang

Fabio di Giannantonio's injury verified post-Sepang trial mishap

VR46 Ducati's Fabio Di Giannantonio will miss the remainder of the Sepang MotoGP testing due to a collarbone fracture sustained in a Wednesday crash.

The individual from Italy had to spend the winter recuperating, choosing to sit out the last two events of the 2024 season for a surgical procedure on his shoulder, which was dislocated during the Austrian Grand Prix.

In preparation for the upcoming pre-season, Di Giannantonio made his comeback to the racetrack at Mandalika last week, participating in an exclusive track event riding a Ducati Panigale V4.

During the Sepang trials on Wednesday, he was among the numerous riders who experienced crashes. Nonetheless, his VR46 squad initially declared him to be 'OK'.

VR46 has officially announced that Di Giannantonio has sustained a collarbone fracture and will be returning to Italy for surgical treatment, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the testing period.

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati disclosed that his injury occurred following a second fall at Turn 5 in the practice start session that took place at the day's conclusion.

"A brief announcement confirmed that Fabio Di Giannantonio sustained a fracture to his left collarbone as a result of his crash at Turn 5 during the Sepang Test."

"The rider from Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is set to return to Italy this evening for a surgical procedure."

Di Giannantonio stands as one of the trio of racers equipped with the GP25 Ducati for this season and had to forego his initial chance to test the motorcycle in Barcelona last November because of a surgery on his shoulder.

With only a week remaining before the upcoming test in Buriram, Di Giannantonio faces a quick recovery period to ensure he can spend crucial time on the GP25 on the track before the season kicks off in Thailand.

Despite his accident, he finished Wednesday's session as the seventh quickest, having completed 49 laps.

He's among three cyclists returning home after the first day of trials because of an injury.

Prominently, current world champion Jorge Martin is set to go back to Spain to undergo surgery for several fractures, following a severe accident on his Aprilia.

Trackhouse Aprilia's Raul Fernandez will miss the remainder of the test, heading home for an operation on his fractured left hand.

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A new MotoGP rider is amazed at how quickly he has adjusted

"In the simulation, I felt incredibly comfortable…"

Last weekend, during the Shakedown, Fermin Aldeguer managed to carry out a Sprint simulation, demonstrating remarkable speed even after an initial crash.

"In the simulation, I felt amazing," he expressed. "I had a minor crash on the second lap, but once I got back on my bike, I carried on and the sensation was unbelievable."

"We plan to conduct another simulation tomorrow to compare the results from the Shakedown with our current status. This will help us assess our progress."

Indeed, Aldeguer is riding one of the most powerful motorcycles in MotoGP history during his debut season—the Ducati Desmosedici GP24. He is collaborating with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who previously led Marc Marquez to three Grand Prix wins in 2024 and helped Joan Mir secure the championship in just his second year in the top class.

Nonetheless, even in just a few days as a MotoGP racer, Aldeguer has proven he can match the speed of much more seasoned riders using the same bikes.

Aldeguer acknowledged that he had an advantage over many of his competitors, having spent three extra days at the Sepang circuit this year due to his participation in last weekend's Shakedown. Despite this, when questioned if he was taken aback by how swiftly he adapted to the MotoGP bike, the Spanish rider confidently responded, "Yes, for sure."

"In the end, we complete an additional three days compared to the other riders," he went on to say, "yet the track remains identical for everyone, and we are present."

"We need to keep moving forward without focusing on rankings or time. It's all about following my instincts, adapting, and making significant progress each day."

Pirelli Comparable to Michelin

For all newcomers to MotoGP, like Aldeguer, getting used to the tyres is a crucial part of the transition. The Michelin tyres used in MotoGP have distinct features compared to the Dunlop tyres, and more recently, the Pirelli tyres that Aldeguer has experienced in Moto2.

"It's not the same since I've swapped out both the tyres and the bike, which is entirely new," Aldeguer explained.

"When riding a Moto2 bike, I can maintain speed through the middle of the corner. However, with the MotoGP bike, that approach doesn't lead to fast lap times. Instead, you need to brake aggressively and then rely on the electronics to accelerate out of the corner. I don't notice any difference in the tire during this process."

Aldeguer mentioned that Pirelli tires have comparable wear traits to Michelin tires, especially when contrasted with the Dunlop tires that were utilized in Moto2 up until the conclusion of 2023.

"In this regard, the Pirelli resembles the Michelin more closely because you can sense the decline in performance. You might need to use the same setting, but the experience is entirely different," Aldeguer explained.

"I am currently working to comprehend how to utilize this Michelin tire effectively, both when braking and when accelerating out of a turn."

One of the challenges in assessing the tyres during the test sessions in Sepang is the restricted availability of tyres, along with the fact that the medium-compound tyres are not well-suited to the conditions. As a result, the majority of riders opt to conserve their supply of soft tyres rather than utilize the medium ones.

Aldeguer mentioned that he opted for the soft compound tire exclusively because the medium option did not perform well.

"After witnessing the accidents yesterday, it's clear that now is not the time for risk-taking. It's wiser to remain cautious, avoid errors, and begin the season on a positive note to maintain our momentum."

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Aprilia provides an update on Jorge Martin following a serious crash during MotoGP testing

Aprilia leader Paolo Bonora shares the latest on Martin's condition

The sporting director of Aprilia has confirmed that Jorge Martin, the current MotoGP world champion, is doing well after his severe crash during the Sepang test. Martin is scheduled to undergo surgery in Spain on Friday.

On Wednesday, during the first day of testing in Malaysia, Martin experienced two crashes, the latter being a severe highside incident at Turn 2.

He sustained several broken bones and was transported to the hospital. As a result, Martin was unable to continue with the rest of the Sepang test, and his ability to join the Buriram test was highly uncertain.

In an interview with MotoGP.com's After the Flag, Bonora provided an encouraging update regarding Martin's health. He also mentioned that Aprilia had to intervene to prevent Martin from getting back on the track following his accident.

"We really want to focus on the good aspects of this situation," he stated.

"Firstly, we are extremely pleased that Jorge is doing well today. He is feeling at ease, had a restful night, and did not encounter any specific issues."

"We are pleased because following such a severe accident, everyone was concerned about his well-being."

"We're pleased with the situation. To be frank, the biggest challenge yesterday was getting him to relax; he was eager to get back on the track and was keen to find out about the progress of the test and what we were evaluating."

"It was amusing because he recovered so well. He is scheduled to undergo surgery in Spain tomorrow."

"We are currently awaiting the results of the medical evaluation and their official announcement."

"We are now anticipating only good outcomes in relation to him, as his strength and skills are essential for us, and we are eager for his return."

On Wednesday, Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, stated that the data indicated the bike had no problems and that Martin's actions during the crash were not out of the ordinary.

Although Martin's absence has hindered Aprilia's testing schedule, Bonora notes that a successful initial run with Lorenzo Savadori has mitigated the impact.

"In this case, we were fortunate as we conducted an excellent trial run with Lorenzo," he mentioned.

"We examined each component that was included in our plan."

By the time the formal IRTA (International Race Teams’ Association) test took place, we already had a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of the new components.

"Lorenzo performed exceptionally well. To be fair and completely truthful, Marco provided us with a wealth of straightforward information over these two days. He maintained consistency in his approach."

"He ignored the timings and concentrated entirely on his strategy, resulting in a highly successful test for our team."

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A newcomer to MotoGP is amazed at how quickly he has adjusted to the sport's demands. "During the simulation, I was really comfortable…"

During the Shakedown last weekend, Fermin Aldeguer managed to conduct a Sprint simulation where he demonstrated remarkable speed, even though he experienced a crash early on.

"In the simulation, I felt amazing," he mentioned. "I had a minor crash on the second lap, but after getting back on my bike, I carried on and the sensation was incredible."

"We'll conduct another simulation tomorrow to compare the Shakedown with the current situation and assess our progress."

Indeed, Aldeguer is riding one of the most powerful motorcycles in MotoGP history, the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, during his debut season. He is collaborating with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who previously guided Marc Marquez to three Grand Prix wins in 2024 and helped Joan Mir secure the championship in just his second year in the top class.

However, it's also accurate to say that within just a few days of starting as a MotoGP rider, Aldeguer has already proven he can match the speed of riders with significantly more experience on similar bikes.

Aldeguer acknowledged that he has three additional days of practice on the Sepang track compared to many of his competitors, thanks to participating in the Shakedown last weekend. Despite this advantage, when questioned whether his swift adjustment to the MotoGP bike had caught him off guard, the Spanish rider confidently responded, “Yes, for sure.”

"In the end, we complete an additional three days compared to the other riders," he added, "yet the track remains consistent for everyone, and we are present."

"We need to keep going this way—ignoring our rank and the clock. It's all about trusting my instincts, adjusting to the situation, and making significant progress each day."

Pirelli Comparable to Michelin

Aldeguer, like all newcomers to MotoGP, must adjust to the distinct nature of the tyres. The Michelin tyres used in MotoGP offer different features compared to the Dunlops and, more recently, the Pirellis that Aldeguer has experienced while competing in Moto2.

"The situation is not the same since I replaced the tyres and also modified the bike; it's now entirely different," stated Aldeguer.

"When riding the Moto2, I maintain speed through the apex of the turn, whereas with the MotoGP bike, although it's possible, it's not the optimal way to achieve high speeds. The key is to apply strong braking and then rely on the bike's electronics to accelerate out of the corner. I haven't noticed any difference in the tire performance."

Aldeguer mentioned that the Pirelli tires have comparable wear properties to the Michelin tires, especially when contrasted with the Dunlops that Moto2 used until the conclusion of 2023.

Aldeguer mentioned that, in this regard, the Pirelli is akin to the Michelin, as you can sense more of the decline, and although you might need to use a similar approach, the experience is entirely distinct.

"I'm currently figuring out how to handle this Michelin tire, including its performance during braking and when accelerating out of turns, and that's all there is to it."

One of the challenges in grasping how the tires perform during the test sessions in Sepang is the restricted number of tires available. Additionally, the medium-compound tires don't match the conditions well, causing most riders to opt for conserving their soft tires rather than using the medium ones.

Aldeguer mentioned that he exclusively utilized the soft compound tyre, as he found the medium compound to be less effective.

"Given the crashes we witnessed yesterday, now is not the time to take unnecessary risks. It's wiser to remain cautious, avoid making errors, and begin the season on a positive note without losing direction."

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Fabio Quartararo reveals the significance of a one-word message on his dashboard that serves as a reminder.

"He shares that his natural inclination on the track is to give it his all…"

On the inaugural day of the Sepang MotoGP trials, it marked Fabio Quartararo's third day on the Malaysian tracks, wherein his cockpit, he's adopted a single-word note as a mnemonic aid.

On the first day at Sepang, Quartararo was observed with the term 'smooth' displayed in his rider cockpit, which he mentioned was part of a deliberate attempt to alter his riding technique.

"Quartararo mentioned that it became apparent to him last year, particularly during the period they began focusing on the electronics, which he notes were from Thailand, that the Ducati was operating in a certain manner. He expressed a strong desire to overhaul the electronics entirely by himself."

"When I'm on the track, my natural impulse is to give it everything I've got and to fully utilize the bike at all opportunities."

"Yet, there are moments when moving at a slower pace actually leads to greater speed. This is why I always keep the word 'smooth' in view on my dashboard, as a constant reminder to stay relaxed while riding."

In general, Quartararo felt optimistic about the initial day of the official testing session.

"Essentially, today involved testing various electronic components, revisiting several configurations we heavily examined during the Shakedown. It was primarily about reconfirming those findings," he explained.

"The day turned out well for us, particularly for the engineers, as it provided clarity on the path we need to follow."

Quartararo further stated, "I'm trying not to get ahead of myself with optimism. I believe we're proceeding in the right direction."

"Today marks just the initial day of the examination, and we still need to observe the following ones."

It's evident that a number of them accelerated quickly right from the first day, yet now we've been here for three days.

"Thus, it's important for us to maintain impartiality and strive for efficiency; then, we'll assess our situation in Thailand."

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Fabio Quartararo reveals the significance of a single-word dashboard message that serves as a reminder:

"The moment I hit the track, my natural reaction is to give it everything I've got…"

The inaugural session of the Sepang MotoGP trials marked Fabio Quartararo's third day on the Malaysian tracks, where he has a single-word note in his cockpit for motivation.

On the first day at Sepang, Quartararo was observed with the term ‘smooth’ displayed in his rider cockpit, a detail he mentioned was linked to a deliberate attempt to modify how he rides.

"Quartararo mentioned that it became evident to him last year, particularly during the period they began focusing on the electronics aspect of their work, which he noted was largely based out of Thailand. He observed a distinct direction in which Ducati was headed and expressed a strong desire to overhaul the electronics entirely by himself."

"When I'm out on the track, my gut reaction is to give it everything I've got and to fully utilize the bike every moment."

"However, there are times when moving at a more deliberate pace actually helps you speed up. Thus, I constantly keep the term 'smooth' displayed on my dashboard. It serves as a constant reminder for me to stay relaxed while riding the bike."

Overall, Quartararo had an optimistic view of his initial day at the official test.

"Essentially, today involved testing electronics, focusing on several configurations we extensively evaluated during the Shakedown. It served primarily as a reconfirmation," he explained.

"The day turned out well for our team, particularly for the engineers, as it provided clearer insight into the path we must follow."

Quartararo further stated, "I'm hesitant to be overly optimistic right off the bat. I believe we're approaching this in a positive manner.

"Today marks just the initial day of the examination, and there are more days ahead to observe."

"From the get-go, several participants quickly made their move on the initial day, yet now we've been here for three days."

"Therefore, it's essential for us to remain impartial and strive for efficiency to ascertain our position in Thailand."

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Stand-in for Jorge Martin shares insights on Aprilia's progress while he is sidelined

Even with Jorge Martin injured, Aprilia's testing goes on at Sepang

Lorenzo Savadori is handling most of the testing tasks for Aprilia, which were originally supposed to be managed by Jorge Martin.

MotoGP titleholder Martin will miss the last two days of the official testing at Sepang following a severe accident on Wednesday.

Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse suffered a crash and sustained injuries on Wednesday, resulting in Aprilia having only half of their riders available.

Consequently, test rider Savadori has been assigned to take over for Martin.

"We don't have my personal test bike here; instead, we have the bike used by the official racers," Savadori mentioned on Thursday in Sepang.

"We experimented with various aerodynamic designs and an alternative electronic setup."

"Our primary aim is to work on enhancing the bike itself, rather than concentrating on its performance. It's important for us to gain a clearer understanding of certain solutions."

"In certain areas, we're implementing elements for the first time. During the initial testing phase, we lacked the time to do so."

Savadori asserts that Aprilia is advancing in resolving their issues with the motorcycle's braking capabilities.

"Indeed, this bicycle represents an improvement over the previous model, particularly in terms of braking capabilities," he mentioned.

"It's not sufficient, but it's a small move in the right direction."

Enhancements have been made to both the handling of the bike and the engine's braking system

"A combination of factors," Savadori mentioned. "The RS-25 hasn't undergone significant modifications. Overall, the bike's performance and balance were satisfactory. We made progress in certain aspects."

Jorge Martin is no longer in the race, yet Aprilia continues to compete. According to Savadori, Aprilia has made advancements in how they manage power output, engine deceleration, and grip control.

"We implemented changes and enhancements at every stage," he stated.

However, they continue to face problems with their back tire, and a solution has not been found yet.

"It's a challenging task," stated Savadori.

In this trial, we're collaborating on this project. It's more complex than just handling the electronic components.

"It's essential to grasp the direction and evaluate the information; this is a significant task."

“Jorge isn’t available to participate, so I’m stepping in to take his place.”

Savadori has not been able to focus on improving the Aprilia's performance across various temperature conditions.

"I haven't found the time to give this a try," he remarked.

"For Aprilia, the initial testing phase lasted for three days. I evaluated the bike to ensure all components functioned properly."

"I wasn't able to attempt everything. Perhaps we'll give it a shot during this trial."

Statements given by Peter McLaren in Sepang

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

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Replacement for Jorge Martin outlines Aprilia's progress during his absence

Despite Jorge Martin's injury, Aprilia's testing at Sepang moves forward

Lorenzo Savadori has taken on most of the testing tasks for Aprilia, which were originally supposed to be handled by Jorge Martin.

MotoGP titleholder Martin will not participate in the last two days of the official testing at Sepang due to a severe accident he experienced on Wednesday.

Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse had an accident and suffered an injury on Wednesday, resulting in Aprilia having only half of their riders available.

Savadori, serving as the test rider, is assigned to take over for Martin.

On Thursday in Sepang, Savadori mentioned that they did not have his test bike but instead had the bike meant for the official riders.

"We experimented with various aerodynamic designs and implemented an alternative electronic setup."

"Our priority is to work on enhancing the bike rather than concentrating on its performance. We must gain a clearer understanding of certain solutions."

"We utilized certain components here for the first time. During the initial testing phase, we didn't have enough time."

Savadori asserts that Aprilia is advancing in resolving their issue with halting the motorcycle.

"Indeed, this bicycle represents an improvement over the previous model, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of the brakes," he remarked.

"It's never sufficient, but it's a small move in the right direction."

Enhancements can be seen in both the motorcycle's handling and the engine's braking capabilities.

"The RS-25 hasn't undergone major modifications," Savadori explained. "Overall, the bike's handling and balance were satisfactory. We've made progress in certain aspects."

Jorge Martin is out of the race, yet Aprilia continues to compete fiercely. According to Savadori, the team has made significant advancements in how they deliver power, manage engine braking, and control traction.

"We carried out modifications and enhancements at every stage," he stated.

However, the problem with their back tire continues and remains unresolved.

"It's quite challenging work," commented Savadori.

"In this experiment, I'm involved, and our objective is to achieve this goal. It's more complex than just interacting with the electronic components."

"It is important to grasp the overall direction and thoroughly examine the data, as this is a significant task."

"Jorge is unavailable to ride, so I am stepping in for him."

Savadori hasn't been able to improve the Aprilia's performance across varying temperatures.

"I truly haven't found the time to give this a shot," he mentioned.

"For Aprilia, the initial test session lasted three days. I evaluated the motorcycle to ensure all components were functioning properly."

"I didn't get the chance to try all the options. Perhaps we can attempt it during this trial."

Statements given by Peter McLaren in Sepang

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Pecco Bagnaia: Jorge Martin's crash was "the most unfortunate manner imaginable"

"It's perhaps a reminder for some enthusiasts that handling these motorcycles is not as simple as it seems…"

Francesco Bagnaia attributes Jorge Martin's accident during the MotoGP Sepang trial to misfortune rather than excessive risk-taking.

Current MotoGP titleholder Martin experienced two falls during his initial day testing the Aprilia RS-GP, marking just his second day with the team. His second mishap involved a high-side accident at the second turn, resulting in broken bones in his left hand and foot. Consequently, he was unable to participate in the following two days of the official testing session.

"When asked about his thoughts on the risks associated with MotoGP after spending a few months away from riding, Bagnaia responded that it truly doesn't cross his mind, especially after the initial day in Sepang."

"It's always a possibility, yet today proved to be an unfortunate day as Martin took a fall and ended up back in the garage. Furthermore, during his first timed lap, he experienced another crash, this time a significant one."

Perhaps the back tire hadn't sufficiently heated up due to it being of a harder type, which typically doesn't perform as well. There's also a possibility that the temperature wasn't optimal, leading to a crash similar to the one Marc Marquez experienced in 2019.

"For me, it's an unfortunate circumstance, but I'm holding onto the hope that he'll soon return to Thailand, or at the very least, be prepared for the opening race."

"He didn't take a risk today; instead, he had an accident at the slowest turn, in the most unfortunate manner, but it's an incident that can occur.

"Perhaps it's worth noting for certain enthusiasts that handling these motorcycles is not as straightforward as it might seem."

Improved power output but diminished braking on the GP25

Regarding Bagnaia's performance, it was somewhat subdued when it came to lap times, with the three-time World Champion ending up in 17th place, trailing by 1.392 seconds behind the leading time posted by Fabio Quartararo.

However, the Italian mentioned that his ability to run was restricted because of a shortage of tyres, which also hindered his capacity to accurately evaluate the newly introduced Desmosedici GP25 in relation to its previous model, the GP24.

"Bagnaia expressed challenges in evaluating the motorcycles, citing a shortage of tyres as a significant impediment to conducting thorough tests. He referred to the initial day of the season as more of a day for making sacrifices."

"Frankly, our approach was to begin sifting through everything. Therefore, we kicked things off with the most significant aspect and quickly realized, through our experiences with another specification, that it wasn't quite effective. However, a change in perspective came thanks to Marc [Marquez], who managed to perform an impressive time attack on the GP24 towards the day's end, giving us a clearer sense of direction."

"We've gathered a significant amount of information to go through, and I believe we performed exceptionally well today. Our instincts were largely in sync, which reaffirms our trust. We opted for an alternative approach and ultimately united towards the day's end."

"Therefore, we provided a substantial amount of information to the technicians and engineers, and by tomorrow, we'll have a clear starting point."

Although hesitant to make a firm judgment about the GP25 when compared to the 2024 bike, Bagnaia nonetheless offered some insights into the distinct traits of the new motorcycle.

"The GP25 offers an improved experience with its power output, providing a smoother and more accurate performance, especially when compared to the slightly rougher transitions experienced with the GP24," he commented.

"However, the standout feature of the GP24 was its braking and entry capabilities, which currently, the GP25 hasn't matched yet. Therefore, we need to focus on improving it, though fortunately, there's ample time available for this task."

Bagnaia explained that the engine seems to be influencing his perception that the GP25's braking capabilities are not as good as the GP24's, but he mentioned it's not a matter of inertia.

"He believes it's primarily the engine's build rather than its inertia," he commented.

"Possibly, it's the arrangement."

The Italian mentioned that on Wednesday, he was utilizing the GP24 chassis to concentrate more on the advancements of the new engine.

"Today's setup was the GP24 frame, but with an updated engine," he explained. "Our priority is to get to grips with the engine first, before integrating the new frame."

"Diggia [Fabio Di Giannantonio], who was already utilizing the updated chassis, expressed satisfaction with the braking performance, indicating optimism for its effectiveness."

The postponement of the launch of the updated chassis can be attributed to the limited testing period available prior to the season's start. Additionally, the decision is influenced by the freeze on engine development set for 2026.

"Bagnaia explained that the primary reason for Ducati's decision to prioritize engine testing is the limited time available, unlike before, when inquired about the impact of the upcoming development freeze."

"After completing a five-day testing period, we'll head to Thailand for the initial race a week later."

"Essentially, the most critical aspect, the foremost priority, is to grasp the engine's mechanics, as history has shown us the need to occasionally take a step back, which we aim to avoid this time around. The GP24 was an outstanding motorcycle in several ways, and our goal is to enhance those qualities."

"In my perspective, the engine performs excellently when accelerating, particularly in power output. However, we need to enhance the braking system, and I believe we already have a solution in mind."

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

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