"The individual expected to dominate in 2025, a prospective champion, and a significant competitor predicted to fall short

Forecast concerning Marc Marquez offered for 2025"

Predictions for the MotoGP season in 2025 have been released, suggesting potential challenges for the reigning champion.

The 2025 MotoGP season will see significant changes in its roster, as champion Jorge Martin transitions from Ducati to Aprilia.

Marc Marquez moves up from his year-old Ducati to a factory position, joining the team alongside their standout rider, Pecco Bagnaia. The pair are anticipated to compete at the top, likely contending with one another.

"According to Marco Melandri, Marquez is the one everyone will need to surpass," reported GPOne.

"When attendance is required, he's present. He avoids errors, and even if things don't go smoothly, he manages to correct them."

"He tends to have more crashes compared to others, but he usually does so during practice sessions when it doesn't impact his performance significantly."

The GP23 lagged behind the GP24, yet no other competitor managed to surpass him using the previous year's model. This serves as a significant benchmark.

If Martin manages to outperform him, it might serve as a motivation for Pecco to react positively. Additionally, it may also provide Pecco with the understanding that he can be defeated.

Nonetheless, I believe Marc will enjoy the benefits of his efforts.

Jorge Martin excluded

Melandri thinks that champion Martin will face consequences for moving to the less competitive Aprilia team.

Melandri stated, "Not in the coming year."

"I truly doubt they can narrow the large gap with Ducati, especially not within a single season."

The previous victory for Aprilia occurred in Barcelona, although the Desmosedici was not far behind.

"Jorge is distinct from Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro, but I don't anticipate him competing for victory."

Emerging MotoGP Talent: Acosta's Rise Anticipated

Pedro Acosta is expected to shine in the MotoGP scene, though Melandri believes his breakthrough might not occur until after 2025.

When questioned about Acosta's potential to compete this year, Melandri responded, "Yes, if there are enhancements to the bike."

Currently, KTM is not experiencing a particularly successful period overall, so the situation is challenging.

"In my view, he represents what lies ahead."

Melandri commented on Acosta's abilities, noting that having Vinales and Enea Bastianini in the team will help gauge how skilled he really is.

"If he owned a Ducati, he would be competing at the forefront."

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"It's important to recognize your own abilities; my intensity isn't on the same level as Pedro Acosta's."

"The enthusiasm and drive that the younger generation exhibits are incredible!"

Pol Espargaro has looked back on his time in MotoGP as his racing career approaches its end, acknowledging that he lacks the same intensity as Pedro Acosta.

A year ago, KTM decided to remove the experienced racer Espargaro from their main lineup, assigning him to a testing and reserve position to open up a spot for Acosta.

In his debut season, Acosta impressed everyone and, come 2025, he will advance to the factory KTM squad, justifying their choice to substitute him for Espargaro.

At 33 years old, Espargaro participated in three races this season as a wild card entry while continuing to serve as a test rider for KTM. Additionally, he balances this with his responsibilities as a broadcaster on Spanish TV.

He expressed that he has arrived at a point in his life where he feels at ease.

"I maintain my physical fitness in a way that I find enjoyable. I also discuss on television to help viewers understand the complexities of these bikes, which involve intricate aerodynamics and electronics."

"I listen to the feedback from the test team. I'm currently having a good time in my life."

"I didn't catch it. It's a wonderful sensation, particularly when you achieve a positive outcome."

"Ending up in 10th place at the San Marino race this year, especially after a chaotic, rain-soaked event? Achieving a top 10 position in MotoGP, given the intense level of competition…"

"I will still long for it, even when I reach the age of 60 or 70."

"You have to recognize your own capabilities. My intensity when riding a bike doesn't match that of Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, or Pedro Acosta."

"The enthusiasm and vigor that the younger individuals contribute are incredible!"

"You should allow them to enter the factory, as they are likely to outperform you."

During the first race of the 2023 season, Espargaro experienced a severe accident, resulting in significant injuries to his back and jaw.

"Following the accident, he understood it was no longer solely about him," he stated.

"I have a wife and two daughters. It was difficult to be at home and unable to hold my daughter because of the pain in my back or arms."

"I gave Pedro an opportunity, and just see how incredible he is!"

KTM embraces 'contrasts'

By the year 2025, Espargaro will play a vital role in shaping the future of KTM.

The company is introducing Vinales and Enea Bastianini as part of their revamped Tech3 squad.

According to Espargaro, Maverick is an enthusiastic motorcyclist who excels when pushing boundaries.

"For him to succeed, he must truly experience it."

"Enea is entirely different. He is more level-headed and composed, making it unpredictable to foresee his actions."

"It's enjoyable to collaborate with these two individuals. They bring a wealth of experience."

Maverick has achieved victories on every motorcycle he has ridden in MotoGP, and the hope is that this move will allow him to compete for the championship with a KTM.

Over the last two years, Enea has delivered impressive performances, excelling both on Saturdays and Sundays.

"They are quite distinct, originating from two separate Italian motorcycles."

"There are advantages and disadvantages; let's work on enhancing the disadvantages while preserving the advantages."

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Intriguing Parallels Between Jorge Martin and Valentino Rossi Suggest First Victory?

Seasoned MotoGP Racer, Connected to Both Camps, Shares His Perspective

Jorge Martin has become the latest MotoGP champion to switch manufacturers right after winning the title, a feat last accomplished by Valentino Rossi back in 2003.

In 2024, Martin secured the championship title while racing for Pramac Ducati, but he is set to join the official Aprilia team in 2025.

He is just the sixth top-tier champion to start the following year with a different brand.

In 1966, Mike Hailwood made the transition from riding for

In 1976, Giacomi Agostini made a switch from Yamaha to MV.

In 1982, Marco Lucchinelli made a transition from Suzuki to Honda

In 1989, Eddie Lawson switched from racing for Yamaha to joining Honda, but he returned to Yamaha in 1990.

In a well-known move, Rossi left Honda following his 2003 championship victory to sign with Yamaha, a team that wasn't very highly regarded back then.

Rossi was unable to test the Yamaha at the end of the 2003 season because Honda restricted him, postponing his eagerly awaited first appearance.

Rossi secured a victory at Welkom in his first race riding for Yamaha and went on to clinch the 2004 championship with his new team.

In 2004, Davide Brivio was instrumental in bringing Rossi to Yamaha. Currently, he is the head of Trackhouse Aprilia as Martin becomes part of the factory team of the manufacturer.

Brivio commented that there are resemblances between the actions of Rossi and Martin if you consider the situation.

"Back then, Valentino departed from Honda while they were leading in MotoGP. Similarly, Jorge is now exiting Ducati as they currently dominate the MotoGP scene."

"Therefore, it's uncertain."

Is it possible for Martin to secure a victory in his first race with Aprilia in Thailand, similar to Rossi's initial win

Brivio responded by saying, "Certainly, it's challenging, but why shouldn't we try?"

The highly experienced Brivio commented: "Ducati has a strong alternative plan with Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez."

"Naturally, they are a team that poses a significant challenge to overcome."

"As we approach 2025, it appears that there might be a more even distribution among manufacturers."

"The leading riders are more evenly distributed, which benefits the event."

"Ducati is expected to have performed well for the entire MotoGP event."

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A specific instance was identified in the 2024 MotoGP season where KTM missed the opportunity to remain competitive at the forefront.

Despite kicking off the season on a high note, KTM ended up going through another season without securing a win in the premier class.

The 2024 MotoGP campaign kicked off on a high note for KTM, yet concluded without the Austrian manufacturer securing any victories.

KTM's streak without a win stretches further, tracing back to Miguel Oliveira's victory at the 2022 Thai Grand Prix more than two years ago (or to Jerez 2023 if Sprint races are taken into account).

Despite starting the season on a high note, with Brad Binder and newcomer to the 2024 MotoGP, Pedro Acosta, both securing podium finishes in the season's initial races, the Austrian team maintained their momentum.

"Francesco Guidotti, the former team principal for Red Bull KTM, shared with MotoGP.com that the team kicked off the season on a high note, achieving podium finishes with various riders, which significantly raised their expectations."

Starting from the halfway point, we faced some challenges and perhaps took a few paths that weren't ideal for us; the leading competitors slightly enhanced their performance, which further widened the gap between us.

"During the middle of the season, we experienced an unusual period, which I believe was when we missed the opportunity to remain in contention at the forefront."

Despite facing challenges in 2024 that led to his dismissal, Guidotti had no grievances regarding the behavior of the riders from the Austrian brand, KTM.

"I believe the approach taken by the riders was appropriate; they remained persistent, and so did we, both the technicians and the management. However, truth be told, we weren't exactly in the right mindset to compete. Therefore, we needed to go back to the drawing board and begin anew."

Towards the end of the season, KTM consistently led the pack despite a few accidents and mishaps, but generally, they performed well.

"'Somewhat okay' isn't our ideal, but it's our current reality. We overlooked numerous opportunities, numerous possibilities at the start of this year, and when you skip out on those, you end up missing out on success, you face defeat."

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Crash examines five MotoGP competitors requiring a standout 2025 season

The lineup for the 2025 MotoGP season features an impressive collection of talent, including 15 riders who have previously won premier class grand prix races.

Top performers are well-distributed among all five manufacturers, with numerous notable transfers occurring – such as Marc Marquez joining the Ducati factory team, 2024 world champion Jorge Martin moving to Aprilia, and Maverick Vinales switching to KTM.

Heading into 2025, several athletes find themselves in a position where they must demonstrate their worth, be it due to contractual obligations or other motivating factors.

Crash examines five racers facing a crucial season ahead.

Jack Miller – Pramac Yamaha

Entering his 10th season in the top tier in 2025, Miller's move back to Pramac, coinciding with their transition to Yamaha, comes after an underwhelming last season with KTM. For the Australian, this shift to Pramac appears to be a serendipitous twist, largely influenced by location.

Keep in mind, a few newcomers were considered for the second Pramac position, among them Sergio Garcia, whose chance was ultimately dismissed due to his Spanish nationality.

Miller's nationality as an Australian isn't the only factor for his comeback to Pramac. At 29, his record includes race victories and a wealth of experience that Yamaha will find extremely beneficial.

However, his record shows only a single victory over the past three years, and he concluded 2024 without securing any top-three finishes, his highest being two fifth-place finishes in grand prix races. Additionally, he finished 204 points behind his teammate Brad Binder. Miller was particularly affected by the challenges KTM faced due to the vibration problems stemming from Michelin's 2024 rear tyre.

However, Binder and Pedro Acosta demonstrated that impressive outcomes could be achieved with the RC16, and Miller fell significantly behind in comparison.

Heading into the 2025 season on a single-year contract, and with a new generation of talent eager to step up from Moto2, it appears this year could be crucial for Miller's career.

His main focus will be to advance the progress of the M1, but he will also be expected to achieve results if his peers begin to succeed. Should this not occur, the limited availability on the 2026 grid might result in Miller being left out.

Franco Morbidelli, who rides for VR46 Ducati, appears to be the safest in terms of retaining his position for the 2026 season. Unless Celestino Vietti delivers an exceptional performance in Moto2, the VR46 Academy lacks a clear successor deemed ready for MotoGP. Additionally, it's uncertain if Ducati is considering elevating any of its riders.

At the age of 30 and entering his eighth year in MotoGP, there's a concern that Morbidelli might only be viewed as filling a spot.

Following his achievement of securing three grand prix victories in 2020 and achieving second place in the overall championship standings, Morbidelli has experienced a decline in performance. His challenges began with an outdated Yamaha model at the beginning of 2021, which did little to aid his performance, and were compounded by a leg injury that sidelined him. Upon his return, he was provided with a top-tier Yamaha bike, which he struggled to adapt to and perform well on.

During his tenure of over two years with the factory Yamaha team, his top achievement was a fourth-place finish. For the 2024 season, he secured a coveted factory Ducati spot with Pramac. However, his adjustment was hindered by a concussion he suffered before the season started.

During the early part of 2024, despite facing challenges, Morbidelli demonstrated moments of quick pace, such as taking the lead in the German race, securing a podium finish in the Sprint at the San Marino Grand Prix, and being in contention for another podium spot before experiencing a crash the following day.

Considering his superior equipment, it would have been expected for Morbidelli to secure several additional podium finishes during the latter part of the season. The availability of an extra spot at VR46 meant Morbidelli's position was secure, yet this situation should be seen merely as a stroke of luck.

Should the improvement from the GP24 to the GP25 not be as significant as it was the previous year, Morbidelli must capitalize on this edge during the initial races to return to his known performance level.

Brad Binder is currently tied to KTM under a contract that runs until 2026. However, there are a couple of reasons why he's included in this list.

Currently, there's a cloud of doubt surrounding the Austrian brand due to its economic difficulties and ongoing overhaul. Should the KTM endeavor collapse and prove irretrievable, four leading riders would be left scrambling for a spot in an already crowded field. It's fair to mention that Pedro Acosta might have the edge over his competitors in such a scenario.

Since joining the MotoGP circuit, Binder has reliably performed for KTM, maintaining his form through the previous season. Despite achieving podium finishes solely in the season's first race, his regular placements within the top eight and just a couple of instances where he didn't score points in races he participated in, significantly contributed to KTM securing the second spot in the constructors championship.

He concluded the year as the leading KTM rider, edging out newcomer Acosta by a mere two points. When it came to maximizing the performance of the RC16, Acosta frequently achieved this, despite his need to improve his conversion rate.

Potentially, 2025 marks the inaugural year in MotoGP where Binder faces a team-mate who truly challenges his skills. Thus, this will be our first opportunity to witness Binder being put through his paces. Consequently, this situation brings up an unresolved inquiry: What is the true caliber of Brad Binder's talent?

Though his circumstances aren't as dire as certain individuals in the lineup, the direction of his professional path could significantly depend on his performance alongside Acosta in the 2025 season.

Luca Marini – Honda

Marini's contract timing doesn't align with the typical schedule for factory agreements, as his deal with Honda extends through the conclusion of 2025.

Currently, Honda isn't experiencing a high demand from riders eager to join its team. However, this situation is subject to change as the company makes progress up the racing grid. Should Honda achieve greater advancements by 2025, it may aim to attract a more prominent rider to its lineup.

Currently, amidst the challenges KTM is experiencing, there's significant speculation around Acosta becoming a key focus. Naturally, it makes sense for Honda to consider this option. Joan Mir has committed through 2026 despite facing difficulties, and Johann Zarco is likely to secure a renewal due to his impressive performance in 2024.

Marini was unable to secure any points in the initial eight races, and this streak would have stretched to nine if a penalty hadn't elevated him to 15th place. After another four races without earning points, he finally scored his first legitimate points during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Despite showing improved performance in the latter part of the year, he ended up at the bottom of the rankings among those who competed throughout the entire season.

Anticipating miraculous performances from Marc Marquez's successor at Honda was unreasonable. However, there's a specific level of performance that factory riders must achieve, and Marini must demonstrate this by 2025 to sustain his professional trajectory.

Francesco Bagnaia's position with Ducati is secure. His contract extends through 2026, and given his outstanding performance, it would take a significant justification for Ducati not to continue their partnership with the two-time world champion beyond then.

However, he is encountering the most challenging phase of his MotoGP journey, as Marc Marquez joins the official Ducati team in 2025.

Heading into the upcoming season, Bagnaia has an impressive record of 11 Grand Prix victories in 2024, yet fell short of clinching the championship, finishing 10 points behind Jorge Martin, a season marked by eight instances where he didn't score. His journey over recent years has been marred by errors, a challenge that will only intensify with Marquez joining as his teammate.

Securing three wins in his debut season on a Ducati with an older GP23 model, Marquez is undoubtedly set to challenge Bagnaia significantly.

Marquez's successful maneuver to secure a spot on the factory Ducati team altered the dynamics of power. Bagnaia's situation is made even more challenging by not entering the year 2025 as the defending world champion.

Bagnaia's rapid pace and his position as one of the current top competitors is undeniable. However, Marquez, given the same equipment, will push him to his limits. The outcome of this challenge could very well shape his professional legacy.

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Valentino Rossi announces an impressive lineup for the 100Km of Champions race

Rossi, joined by Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta, highlights a star-studded roster for the event in Tavullia

The 100Km of Champions flat track race, hosted at Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia, is set to present an impressive lineup in 2025, with racers such as Pedro Acosta and Michael Dunlop slated to participate.

For more than a decade, the yearly gathering at Rossi's VR46 Ranch has been organized by the MotoGP icon, attracting top talents from various motorcycle racing categories.

The upcoming 2025 version is scheduled for January 10th and 11th, and the list of participants for this occasion will be made public on Friday.

Leading the event as always is the nine-time grand prix world champion Rossi, with the MotoGP rookie star of 2024, Pedro Acosta, also participating.

In the world of MotoGP, two-time world champion and VR46 Academy affiliate Francesco Bagnaia will make an appearance, joined by Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Augusto Fernandez, Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli, and Miguel Oliveira.

In other grand prix categories, racers such as Xavi Artigas, Manu Gonzalez, and Tatsuki Suzuki will compete.

Michael Dunlop, the most accomplished rider in Isle of Man TT history, will participate, alongside Davey Todd, the victor of the Senior TT.

Ryan Vickers and Tim Neave team up with fellow British Superbike paddock member Todd, as Nicolo Bulega and Dominique Aegerter represent the World Superbikes contingent.

Last year, Marini and Rossi claimed victory in the premier team race, with Marini also securing a win in the Americana competition.

Complete list of participants:

Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Kurvinen Lasse, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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KTM identified a crucial MotoGP moment that marked their missed opportunity to remain competitive at the top. Despite beginning the 2024 MotoGP season on a strong note, KTM ended yet another year without securing a victory in the premier class.

The 2024 MotoGP season for KTM began on a high note; however, the Austrian company concluded the season without securing any victories.

KTM's struggle to secure a victory persists, with their last win dating back to Miguel Oliveira's success at the 2022 Thai Grand Prix, which was over two years ago. Alternatively, if Sprint races are taken into account, their last win was at Jerez in 2023.

Despite starting the season on a high note, the Austrian manufacturer saw both Brad Binder and 2024 MotoGP newcomer Pedro Acosta secure podium finishes in the initial races.

Francesco Guidotti, the former team principal of Red Bull KTM, shared with MotoGP.com that they had a strong beginning, achieving several podium finishes with various riders, which set high expectations.

"Starting from the middle of the season, we faced some difficulties as we took some paths that might not have been ideal for us. Meanwhile, the key competitors improved slightly, which widened the gap even further."

"There was a peculiar period during the middle of the season, and I believe that's when we missed our opportunity to remain near the top."

Even though KTM faced challenges in 2024 that eventually led to him losing his position, Guidotti had nothing negative to say about how the riders from the Austrian brand behaved.

The riders displayed commendable behavior by persistently pushing forward. Similarly, our team, including technicians and management, maintained their determination. However, we must admit that we weren't really in the competitive mindset. It became necessary for us to go back to the beginning and restart the process.

Towards the end of the season, KTM consistently performed well, despite experiencing a few crashes and incidents. Overall, their performance was quite solid.

"We're aiming for better than 'not too bad,' but that's our current reality. At the start of the year, we let too many opportunities slip by, and as a result, we didn't perform well and ended up losing."

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A Revelatory Moment at Suzuka Assists Johann Zarco with Honda in MotoGP

French Rider Discusses Shift in Mindset Throughout the 2024 Season

Johann Zarco acknowledged that he faced mental challenges at the outset of his inaugural MotoGP season with Honda, a realization that came to him following a test for the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The French rider teamed up with the LCR team under Honda for the 2024 season, yet faced challenges in securing strong performances during the initial months of the year.

Progress made with the RC213V enabled Zarco to regularly score points in the latter part of the season.

He consistently earned points in the last nine races, achieving Honda's highest finish of the season with an eighth place at the Thai Grand Prix.

Zarco observed that an insight into his psychological strategy for the project, which came to him during a Suzuka 8 Hours test, enhanced his performance in MotoGP riding.

"Zarco mentioned in a conversation with Paddock-GP that it was beneficial to have experienced mental growth throughout the year."

"After participating in the trial run for the Suzuka 8 Hours, it dawned on me that my feedback and issues were nearly identical to those I encountered in MotoGP."

Thus, I thought, 'the issues you face in MotoGP are also battles within your own mind.

"You're holding onto emotions and viewpoints that should be expressed. Consider the topic from a new perspective."

"Once I began engaging in that activity, my performance on the MotoGP bike improved significantly, though we're still not at the top level."

"That's what enabled me to stand out significantly by year-end in comparison to my fellow competitors."

He also mentioned, "The endurance bike is regarded as the top choice, and I had initially thought it would be significantly simpler."

"Indeed, achieving high speeds on any bicycle is challenging and particularly demands mastery of specific skills. This served as a valuable prompt for me to maintain those skills or learn how to adjust them accordingly."

Zarco concluded his inaugural season with HRC as the highest-ranked rider for the brand, finishing 17th in the standings.

He also clinched victory at the Suzuka 8 Hours with Team HRC, teaming up with Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe.

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Five MotoGP Racers Who Require a Strong 2025 Campaign

Crash examines the five racers who must deliver a standout season.

The 2025 MotoGP lineup is one of the most competitive in recent years, featuring 15 riders who have previously won in the premier class, all set to compete in the upcoming season.

Top talent is well-distributed among the five manufacturers, with some notable transfers occurring. These include Marc Marquez joining the factory Ducati team, 2024 world champion Jorge Martin moving to Aprilia, and Maverick Vinales heading to KTM.

However, some individuals will enter 2025 with something to demonstrate, whether due to contract issues or other factors.

Crash examines five cyclists who are in need of a standout performance this season.

Jack Miller – Pramac Yamaha

In 2025, Jack Miller will celebrate a decade in the top tier of racing. Following a disappointing last season with KTM, the Australian racer has managed to continue his career by rejoining Pramac as they transition to Yamaha, benefiting from a stroke of luck due to his location.

It is important to note that multiple newcomers were considered for the second Pramac spot, among them was Sergio Garcia, who was ultimately not chosen due to holding a Spanish passport.

Miller's Australian nationality isn't the only factor behind his upcoming return to Pramac. At 29 years old, he boasts race victories and a wealth of experience that will greatly benefit Yamaha.

Over the past three seasons, he has only secured one victory, finishing the 2024 season without reaching the podium and achieving his best grand prix finishes with two fifth-place results. He also trailed his teammate Brad Binder by 204 points. Miller was particularly affected by the vibration problems that KTM encountered due to Michelin's 2024 rear tire.

However, Binder and Pedro Acosta demonstrated that impressive performances were achievable on the RC16, while Miller fell significantly behind.

Miller is on a crucial one-year contract for 2025, while promising newcomers in Moto2 are eager to step up, making this season pivotal for him.

His main objective will be to advance the M1's progress, but he will also be expected to produce results if his teammates begin to succeed. Should that not occur, the limited spots available on the 2026 grid might result in Miller being pushed out.

Franco Morbidelli – VR46 Ducati

Franco Morbidelli appears to have a relatively secure position for the 2026 season. The VR46 Academy currently lacks a Moto2 rider who is prepared to move up to MotoGP, unless Celestino Vietti delivers an exceptional performance. Additionally, it is unclear if Ducati has any intentions to elevate another rider to the top level.

At age 30 and entering his eighth season in MotoGP, Morbidelli faces the possibility of being seen as just another participant.

After securing three grand prix victories in 2020 and ending the season as the championship runner-up, Morbidelli's fortunes have declined. The outdated Yamaha model he began the 2021 season with offered little assistance, and a subsequent leg injury further hindered his performance. Upon his comeback, he was provided with a factory-spec Yamaha, which he struggled to master.

During his two-plus seasons with the factory Yamaha team, his highest achievement was a fourth-place finish. For the 2024 season, he secured a coveted factory Ducati position at Pramac, although a concussion before the season began made his transition more challenging.

Throughout the initial months of 2024, Morbidelli faced challenges but demonstrated bursts of speed, such as when he took the lead in Germany, secured a podium finish in the sprint race at the San Marino Grand Prix, and was in contention for another podium before experiencing a crash the following day.

Considering his superior equipment, Morbidelli was expected to secure additional podium finishes in the latter part of the season. With VR46 providing an available seat, Morbidelli's position was safe, though this can only be seen as a stroke of luck.

Should the difference between the GP24 and GP25 not be as significant as it was in the previous year, Morbidelli must capitalize on this benefit in the initial races to regain the performance we know he can achieve.

Brad Binder – KTM

Brad Binder is under contract with KTM until the conclusion of 2026. Nevertheless, he is included on this list for a couple of reasons.

Currently, the Austrian manufacturer is facing a financial crisis and undergoing a restructuring process, which has created a sense of uncertainty. If the KTM project fails and collapses, four high-profile riders will be seeking positions in a grid with limited availability. It is fair to suggest that Pedro Acosta is likely to be given precedence over the others.

Since joining MotoGP, Binder has been a reliable performer for KTM, and the previous year was no exception. Although his only podium finishes occurred during the first race of the season, his regular top-eight finishes and just two races without points in the grands prix he participated in contributed to KTM securing the second position in the constructors' championship.

He concluded the year as the leading KTM rider, edging out newcomer Acosta by just two points. When it came to extracting the maximum performance from the RC16, Acosta frequently achieved that, although his ability to capitalize on opportunities still requires improvement.

In 2025, it's debatable that Binder finally has a teammate who can truly compete with him in MotoGP. This means it will be the first opportunity to see Binder thoroughly challenged. Consequently, an unanswered question remains: exactly how talented is Brad Binder?

Although his circumstances aren't as dire as those of some other competitors, the future of his career could largely depend on how he compares to Acosta as a teammate in 2025.

Luca Marini – Honda

Unlike the majority of factory agreements, Marini's contract with Honda extends for two years and will conclude at the end of 2025.

Currently, Honda isn't overwhelmed with interest from riders eager to join its team. However, this situation is subject to change as they work on improving their standings in the rankings. If Honda makes significant progress by 2025, it may be able to attract a more prominent rider to their team.

At present, given the numerous challenges KTM is encountering, there's considerable discussion about Acosta being a key focus for them. Naturally, it makes sense for Honda to consider this option as well. Joan Mir, despite facing difficulties, is committed until the end of 2026, and Johann Zarco is highly likely to receive a contract extension due to his impressive performance in 2024.

In the initial eight races, Marini failed to secure any points, and this streak would have continued into the ninth race if not for a penalty that elevated him to the 15th position. After enduring another four races without earning points, he finally scored at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Although his performance improved in the latter half of the year, he ultimately ended up at the bottom of the rankings among those who competed full-time.

It was unreasonable to anticipate remarkable results from Marc Marquez’s successor at Honda. However, factory riders are expected to reach a particular standard, and Marini must demonstrate this in 2025 to ensure the continuation of his professional trajectory.

Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati

Francesco Bagnaia's position is secure, as he is contracted with Ducati until the end of 2026. Given his ongoing performance, it would take an exceptionally compelling reason for Ducati to consider not continuing with the two-time world champion after this period.

However, the biggest challenge of his MotoGP career awaits him, as Marc Marquez will be joining the factory Ducati team in 2025.

As the new season kicks off, Bagnaia enters with an impressive record of 11 grand prix victories in 2024. However, despite this success, he fell short of clinching the championship, losing to Jorge Martin by a mere 10 points, partly due to eight races where he did not score. In recent years, Bagnaia has struggled with errors, and this issue will face a significant challenge now that Marquez has joined him as a teammate.

In his debut season with Ducati, Marquez achieved three wins with an older GP23 model, indicating the significant challenge he will pose to Bagnaia.

The dynamics of power changed significantly once Marquez successfully maneuvered his way into a factory Ducati position. Bagnaia faces additional challenges because he will not be starting 2025 as the current world champion.

There is no question about Bagnaia's pace and his status as one of the top competitors currently. However, if Marquez is given the same equipment, it will challenge this notion to the fullest. The outcome of this situation is expected to play a crucial role in shaping his career…

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Five Outside Contenders to Watch in Non-MotoGP Races in 2025

Highlighting our selection of riders who could make waves beyond the MotoGP circuit in 2025.

Marc Marquez's transfer to the Ducati Lenovo Team alongside Francesco Bagnaia, along with Pedro Acosta moving up to the main KTM team, and Jorge Martin's switch to Aprilia in 2025, has stirred excitement in this year's MotoGP scene. However, the intrigue isn't limited to MotoGP's elite level. The question arises: Who will stand out in the other racing categories?

The performance of Toprak Razgatlioglu throughout the 2024 season didn't quite measure up, especially when you stack it against Alvaro Bautista's achievements in 2023.

In his championship-winning season, Bautista crossed the finish line first in 27 events, whereas Razgatlioglu achieved this feat in only 18 races during his title year. Furthermore, when comparing their respective championship years, Razgatlioglu accumulated 101 fewer points than what Bautista had secured in the preceding year.

A significant reason for that situation stemmed from Razgatlioglu's accident during a practice session at Magny-Cours, where he suffered a punctured lung. This unfortunate incident sidelined him for two rounds, equivalent to missing six races.

In the competitions he participated in, Razgatlioglu did not secure a podium finish in three instances: two of these occurred during the initial round at Phillip Island (with one resulting from a critical bike malfunction), and the remaining instance was a ninth-place finish in the Assen Superpole Race, during which he wore out an SCQ tyre in roughly three laps.

It's remarkable to remember that 2024 marked Razgatlioglu's inaugural championship victory on the BMW M1000 RR, a motorcycle that had never secured a victory in dry conditions and hadn't seen a win since 2021. This year was a milestone for BMW, achieving its first-ever championship title, and a groundbreaking achievement for the SMR team, which had been managing BMW's official WorldSBK campaign since transitioning from BSB in 2016, without previously clinching the championship.

Naturally, this suggests that Razgatlioglu has the potential to enhance his performance with BMW, a prospect that likely doesn't excite other competitors in this year's WorldSBK lineup.

Indeed, the idea may not be as appealing, even to some viewers tuning in from home. Without a doubt, Razgatlioglu stands as one of the most thrilling competitors in the recent annals of motorcycle racing, and perhaps currently the most exhilarating. However, the notion of one rider's continued supremacy can become tiresome to the audience.

Ultimately, it's hard to dispute Marc Marquez's thrilling performance as a rider, yet by the time the Indianapolis race rolled around in 2014, his supremacy in MotoGP had admittedly lost some of its luster.

David Alonso's performance during the 2024 Moto3 season was nothing short of remarkable. He secured victory in 14 races and made it to the podium a total of 15 times out of 20 races, showcasing his ability to win not only by speed but also through superior strategy, setting him apart from his rivals.

Following an impressive season, Alonso is set to ascend to Moto2 in 2025. The main issue at hand is his physique, which was ideal for Moto3 but may not be as well-matched for the larger, more substantial Moto2 bike.

Undoubtedly, if Alonso encounters any challenges related to his size, the wisdom, modesty, and serenity he demonstrated in 2024 will likely aid him in finding a resolution.

If Alonso's stature doesn't affect his performance, the Colombian has the potential to transform a competitive setup into a win. With 18 victories to his name, he's on par with the newly crowned MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin and Alex Rins. Among those racing full-time in 2025, only Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez have more wins.

Typically, a hallmark of a rider on the path to success is their ability to quickly adjust to a different motorcycle or racing class. In 2025, we'll have the opportunity to observe how fast Alonso, undoubtedly the standout performer in the junior ranks right now, can make this transition.

Davey Todd

Since as early as 2022, Davey Todd was viewed as a likely contender for a TT championship victory, and he turned those predictions into reality in 2024 by securing victories in both the second Superstock TT and the Senior TT the previous year.

The Englishman stands out not just for his exceptional riding skills, but also for his remarkable flair in doing so.

He might not handle the motorcycle with the same flair as Michael Dunlop, often known for his dramatic maneuvers, yet he demonstrates a remarkable ability to slide the bike — reminiscent of his technique on shorter tracks — in a manner that seems effortlessly mastered.

Apart from the TT, Todd is expected to dominate at this year's North West 200 in the large motorcycle category, particularly since Glenn Irwin has withdrawn from road racing for 2025.

Additionally, this year marks Todd's return to the British Superbike Championship (BSB), following his achievement of securing his second National Superstock championship in three years by 2024. Despite the BMW not appearing to be the top contender in the previous season's championship, the FHO Racing team has demonstrated its capability to secure victories with BMW in the BSB as recently as 2023.

Overall, by 2025, Davey Todd might emerge as the top versatile rider, excelling on road courses and competing fiercely against Britain's elite on the short tracks.

Nicolo Bulega

In the previous season of WorldSBK, although Toprak Razgatlioglu emerged as the top performer, Nicolo Bulega was the competitor who consistently challenged him, marking himself as the closest rival.

Although this might not seem particularly thrilling on its own, it was Bulega's debut season, a period during which he needed to make his mark within a factory Ducati team that had been focused on Alvaro Bautista for the last two years.

It's unlikely that Bulega will face a downturn in his sophomore year in the Superbike category, and although Razgatlioglu is anticipated to enhance his performance in his second year riding for BMW, dismissing the Italian as a contender for a tightly contested 2025 season, compared to 2024, would be a mistake.

Guido Pini

In a recent development, Guido Pini joined the Moto3 World Championship lineup for the 2025 season, confirming his involvement with the Intact GP team just a month ago.

He is set to team up with David Munoz at Intact, a racer who entered Moto3 amid high expectations, yet has largely struggled to fulfill those promises to date.

Pini, who is set to celebrate his 17th birthday later this month, competed in just seven races in the JuniorGP series the previous year, yet impressively secured the runner-up position in the championship during his debut season. His achievements included three victories, two second-place finishes, and two fourth-place results.

The individual from Italy is presently overseen by Emilio Alzamora, known for mentoring Alex and Marc Marquez in their careers. Additionally, he is in the process of recuperating from his second significant injury within a year.

In 2024, Pini's limited participation in races can largely be attributed to injuries he suffered early in the previous year, which resulted in him missing the initial three JuniorGP rounds. Additionally, just last week, the young Italian suffered a major setback when he broke both of his legs during a training session.

This implies that Pini's entrance into Grand Prix racing could be challenging, particularly given his notable stature. Nonetheless, he brings an impressive resume to the table, having clinched the European Talent Cup in 2022, and securing a second-place finish in the same competition the following year, just behind Max Quiles. Quiles, mentored by the previously mentioned Marc Marquez, is set to debut in the World Championship this year with the Aspar team.

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

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Valentino Rossi unveils an extensive lineup for the 100Km of Champions race, featuring renowned names like Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta among others set to compete in Tavullia.

The 2025 edition of Valentino Rossi's 100Km of Champions flat track race, held at his ranch in Tavullia, is set to showcase an impressive lineup, featuring riders such as Pedro Acosta and Michael Dunlop.

For more than a decade, Rossi's VR46 Ranch has hosted an annual gathering organized by the MotoGP icon, attracting prominent figures from various motorcycle racing disciplines.

The event scheduled for 2025 is set to occur on January 10th and 11th, and the participant list will be made public this Friday.

Leading the event once again is Rossi, the nine-time grand prix world champion, and 2024 will also see the participation of MotoGP's exciting newcomer, Pedro Acosta.

Representing MotoGP, two-time world champion and VR46 Academy participant Francesco Bagnaia is set to attend, alongside Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Augusto Fernandez, Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli, and Miguel Oliveira.

Racers such as Xavi Artigas, Manu Gonzalez, and Tatsuki Suzuki will compete in the other grand prix categories.

Michael Dunlop, the most triumphant competitor in the history of the Isle of Man TT, is set to compete alongside Davey Todd, who has previously claimed victory in the Senior TT.

Ryan Vickers and Tim Neave have teamed up with British Superbike paddock member Todd, as Nicolo Bulega and Dominique Aegerter represent World Superbikes.

Last year, Marini and Rossi emerged victorious in the team event during the main race. Additionally, Marini secured a win in the Americana event.

Complete list of participants:

Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Kurvinen Lasse, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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Suzuka Revelation Aids Johann Zarco’s MotoGP Journey with Honda

French Rider Discusses Mindset Shift in 2024 Season

Johann Zarco acknowledged that he became aware of "mental issues" during a challenging beginning to his initial MotoGP season with Honda, following a test session for the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The French rider signed up with the LCR team for the 2024 season under Honda's banner, but faced difficulties in achieving strong performances during the initial months of the year.

However, improvements made to the RC213V allowed Zarco to regularly score points during the latter part of the season.

In the last nine races, he consistently earned points, achieving Honda's top performance of the season with an eighth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix.

Zarco mentioned that not only did he make improvements with the bike, but he also had a breakthrough regarding his mindset during a test for the Suzuka 8 Hours. This newfound perspective helped him enhance his performance in MotoGP.

In an interview with Paddock-GP, Zarco expressed satisfaction with his mental growth throughout the year.

"I believe this realization came after I tested the bike for the Suzuka 8 Hours, where I noticed that I had nearly identical feedback and issues as I did in MotoGP."

"I thought to myself, 'the issues you face in MotoGP are mirrored by the challenges you have mentally.'"

"You have emotions and convictions that must be expressed. Try to see the topic from a new perspective."

"When I began doing that, I improved my ability to ride the MotoGP bike, staying within its limits, though we still have a long way to go."

"That factor enabled me to significantly stand out from the other riders as the year concluded."

He mentioned, "The endurance bike is regarded as the top choice, and I found myself assuming it would be significantly simpler."

"Riding quickly on any bicycle is quite challenging and demands specific skills. It served as an important reminder for me to maintain those skills or learn how to adjust to them."

Zarco concluded his inaugural season with HRC as their leading competitor, securing 17th place in the rankings.

He was victorious at the Suzuka 8 Hours race, teaming up with Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe for Team HRC.

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