Joan Mir criticizes MotoGP officials following an excessively aggressive incident with Marc Marquez

"The individuals responsible for overseeing this can't possibly overlook such actions"

Joan Mir has criticized the MotoGP officials for the punishment they imposed on Marc Marquez after his collision with the Honda pilot during the Thai Grand Prix.

During the final laps of the rain-soaked 26-lap Grand Prix at Buriram, Marquez was making his way from the rear of the field after falling from second place on the 14th lap due to a crash.

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During the third turn, he collided with Mir from Honda as he attempted to surpass him for the 15th spot, causing Mir to go off the track. The race officials then instructed Marquez to move back one place.

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He agreed, but it was only after he had passed LCR's Takaaki Nakagami, hence never giving the spot back to Mir.

Mir described the incident as crossing the line, yet believed the major problem was the severity of the sanction imposed by the officials.

"Pushing the boundaries? Not quite. Exceeding them," commented Mir, who finished 15th, whereas Marquez took the 11th spot.

"It closely mirrored what occurred during the sprint race in Jerez. The same scenario unfolded.

"I have decided not to make any statements because, in my experience, whenever I do, it backfires on me. Therefore, I'll leave it to you to form your own opinion on this matter.

Indeed, it's evident that those who are compensated for their roles must recognize that if there's an issue with one competitor, another takes the opportunity to battle back, gaining numerous spots, only for a position to be deducted at the race's conclusion.

"And as for my experience? I ended up losing three when you struck me. Therefore, it's definitely unfair how they've made their judgment."

"In my experience, whenever this occurred – and it occurred frequently with me in the past upon making contact with someone – [one would] receive a lengthy penalty."

"Extended circuit and you end up dropping the spots that likely cost me, because when you collided with me, I was on the extended track. That's the rational outcome."

Marquez acknowledged receiving the penalty, yet he justified his actions by stating that he was "side by side" with Mir when they collided.

Mir was having one of his most challenging races of the year on the Honda, but in the last 10 laps, he started experiencing issues with traction.

He explained, "During the final 10 laps, an incident occurred that made it impossible for me to remain on the bike."

"We've experienced a two-second drop in performance, and currently, the reason is unclear."

"It's regrettable, as I gave it my all, starting way back in 19th place. By the third lap, I was already battling to break into the top 10."

"The events that unfolded in the final laps were absurd. It's confusing to grasp what actually occurred. We aim to comprehend it to prevent a recurrence."

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Alex Rins believes Honda has superior edge grip, enhanced traction, and greater top speed compared to Yamaha. "In general, the conditions mirrored those in the dry. We encountered precisely the same issues…"

Alex Rins experienced a crash during the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix the previous weekend, however, he managed to validate his theories regarding the performance of his Yamaha YZR-M1 throughout the race.

Overall, Rins encountered identical challenges to those he and his factory Yamaha colleague, Fabio Quartararo, experienced in dry weather throughout the 27-lap race at the Buriram International Circuit.

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Primarily, this involved issues with getting the tyres up to temperature, and it took Rins a few laps to reach his best speed.

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"Essentially, it mirrored the arid conditions," Rins commented.

"We encountered identical issues; warming up the rear tire required a significant amount of time and numerous laps, leading to no grip at the race's outset."

"After the tire warmed up, about five or six laps in, I managed to clock times in the mid to low 1:40s range, even achieving a 1:40.3."

To provide context, Francesco Bagnaia, who won the race, recorded his fastest lap at 1:39.794. Throughout the latter part of the race, his lap times were consistently in the range of the mid to high-1:40s.

Rins maintained a consistent pace, yet once he reached the pack in front, his speed decreased to the 1:41 range.

"I managed to close the gap on a cluster of Honda motorcycles that were leading by three seconds."

Upon my arrival, it turned out to be rather exasperating. There I was, with no tasks at hand, merely focusing on braking recovery. Yet, they managed to outperform me significantly in terms of traction — their grip and top speed were far superior.

"So, I was there, contemplating the spots where I could potentially pass others and where I couldn't. Eventually, I noticed that [Luca] Marini seemed a bit stronger and Joan [Mir] appeared somewhat weaker than Marini, which gave me the opportunity to pass him, and I did overtake Joan.

"However, I was already pushing the boundaries a bit with the front tire. When I joined the pack, I attempted various maneuvers and lines to overtake and experiment, and I could sense that the front tire was too soft, leading to a loss of control."

The rainfall proved to be a hindrance for Rins as it prevented him from testing a modification he had applied to his setup following Saturday in clear weather conditions.

"Regardless, we've made a significant adjustment from yesterday to today which I haven't had the chance to evaluate in dry conditions; my testing was only in the wet. Therefore, we're going to proceed with this setup into Sepang to determine if it presents any potential benefits moving forward," he mentioned.

Conversely, the consistent performance traits of the YZR-M1 across both dry and wet environments have solidified Rins' understanding of the motorcycle's deficiencies, highlighting the areas in need of enhancement.

"Rins stated that the issues were identical to those experienced in dry conditions."

"On numerous instances, I've raced alongside Honda, and with Marini at Misano, encountering the same outcome: they possess superior edge grip, enhanced traction, and greater maximum speed."

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Potential MotoGP talent faces injury setback, casting doubt on postseason test debut

Fermin Aldeguer announces he has undergone surgery

Fermin Aldeguer has sustained an injury that could jeopardize his involvement in the MotoGP postseason testing.

Moto2 competitor Aldeguer has secured a deal with Ducati and is set to join the top-tier racing category with Gresini in 2025.

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His first experience on a MotoGP motorcycle, set for next year on a Ducati that's a year old, was scheduled to happen during the Valencia test, which takes place shortly after the season's last race.

However, during the opening lap of the Moto2 event in Thailand, Aldeguer experienced a crash.

He needs an operation on his left hand, and it is currently unclear when he will be able to resume activities.

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of his race in a social media post.

"I was hopeful, but things didn't turn out as planned."

"The collision with Tony Arbolino was intense, and I feel sorry for how the situation unfolded."

At this point, my main priority is to concentrate on my healing process, with the aim of returning to my usual routine quickly.

"I'll be returning home sooner than planned, but I'll make an effort to get things back to normal in Valencia. I'll keep you updated!"

If Aldeguer were to skip the Valencia test or participate under suboptimal conditions, it would not be the best way to begin his MotoGP career.

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Jack Miller described his experience during the race, saying, "I felt like I was being pursued and gave it everything I had." Reflecting on his competition with Acosta, Miller recounted, "We bumped into each other as we exited Turn 3, and I found myself on the outside as we approached Turn 4. At that moment, I thought to myself, 'This could end in one of two ways…'"

Jack Miller was just two laps away from securing his first podium finish of the season riding for KTM in the Thai MotoGP.

The Australian driver took advantage of the rainy conditions on Sunday to move from 15th to seventh place during the initial laps of the race.

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This involved overtaking GASGAS newcomer Pedro Acosta, as well as going past Franco Morbidelli and Brad Binder, who is his teammate at Red Bull.

Following Marc Marquez's crash, Miller was advanced to a position that could lead to his first MotoGP podium finish since the Jerez event in 2023.

In the final moments, Acosta fought back and took the podium away from Miller following an engaging and competitive exchange.

Facing significant issues with front grip, Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 overtook Miller, pushing him back to fifth place on the last lap.

"The initial few laps were quite intense," Miller stated. "I started in 15th place and my starts weren't the best. I chose not to use the front holeshot device because I didn't want to risk spinning the tires at the beginning."

"The spray was quite intense, and I was attempting to steer clear of the chaos. Many guys were losing control of their rear wheels and such, causing the group to break apart somewhat."

"I managed to navigate through, positioned myself in fourth place, and moved up to third when Marc had a mishap and went down."

"I was struggling a lot initially, feeling as though I had overheated the front tire."

"My ability to maintain speed while turning was nearly nonexistent. I had to come to a near-stop, straighten up, and then accelerate as I exited the corner."

"With about three laps remaining, it seemed she had worn out the middle of the tire completely."

"I was being chased and did everything in my power to fend it off. I was eager to secure a spot on the podium today, but it just didn't happen."

"Navigating through the field in the initial few laps likely put significant strain on the tires and set us back."

Reflecting on the intense battle with Acosta, who is set to fill his factory position next season, Miller smiled:

"I was giving it my all, truly!"

As he aimed for the inside line, we bumped into each other while exiting Turn 3 and continued to jostle as we approached Turn 4. Positioned on the outside, I realized that the situation could unfold in one of two ways: either I'd successfully navigate it or I wouldn't.

"I had been experiencing the front slipping on every lap at that point. Just as I started to accelerate, the front would give way. I figured, 'Why not test the front at the exact spot where it has been failing each lap?'"

"I managed to complete the task, but he countered at 5. I attempted to face him once more, but couldn't quite succeed. And that was the end of it."

"I was trying all possible solutions, feeling somewhat stuck as if facing an obstacle."

Towards the end, I changed the [engine] settings. We had an option with slightly reduced traction control, but honestly, it likely made things worse since I ended up losing control and spinning excessively even on straight paths.

"However, we persisted and demonstrated strong determination!"

In retrospect, Miller admitted that he should have opted for an even more aggressive race configuration, especially since he had only ten minutes during the warm-up to adjust to the wet conditions.

He mentioned that they made progress since the morning session by reducing the wheelbase by 8mm. He suggested that he would have shortened it by an additional 3mm at the back of the bike to enhance the grip during acceleration.

"The weight wasn't shifting enough to the back. It's easy to point out now, but after the warm-up, we made significant improvements and likely could have pushed further in that direction."

However, understanding this information might be crucial if rainfall impacts the Sepang event this weekend or the final race in Valencia.

"It's just the way it is, and you have to deal with it," Miller remarked about the experience of speeding on a MotoGP bike in rainy conditions. "You need to sense what’s occurring beneath you."

"The advantage of today's MotoGP bikes with their carbon brakes is that you don't have to apply an excessive amount of force to the lever. Instead, you carefully manage it and adjust to the traction."

"Now, when riding in wet conditions, you can truly sense what’s occurring on the bike, whether it was the Ducati or, more recently, the KTM."

"I really find it enjoyable. You have to adapt to the traction that’s there… Maneuvering the bike and everything, it’s simply entertaining."

Miller equaled his highest dry race result of the season by securing fifth place at the Buriram event, a position he previously achieved at Portimao.

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Analysis: MotoGP Championship Contenders Still Grapple with Challenges

Thailand MotoGP Event Sheds Light on Obstacles for Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin

Now, only two contenders remain. Throughout the year, it was widely believed that the fight for the championship would be between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. The 2024 Thai Grand Prix solidified this belief, as the points standings have now mathematically excluded everyone else, ensuring a repeat showdown from 2023 between these two riders.

Martin arrived in Buriram holding a 20-point advantage over Bagnaia, making the Thai Grand Prix potentially the most crucial event of the championship. If the weekend turned out to be similar to Australia, heavily favoring Martin, it would be challenging to envision a comeback for Bagnaia.

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After the sprint race, Bagnaia seemed to be struggling. Even though he secured pole position with a record-breaking lap on his GP24, he couldn't compete with his teammate Enea Bastianini in the 13-lap race and was unable to keep Martin from taking second place. Although Martin only gained two points, the reaction from Bagnaia's team suggested they felt as though the championship was slipping away.

The reigning champion had a rough start on Sunday. During the wet warm-up session, Bagnaia struggled with his braking technique. However, after discussing the issue with his team, they found a solution that turned things around for him.

He expressed his desire to dedicate this win to his team, noting that after their morning session, they had a discussion about how to better their situation since he was having significant issues with braking. "We managed to figure it out once more," he stated on Sunday. "I'm thrilled. The race was challenging, lengthy, and stressful, but I immediately noticed that I had a great feeling as soon as I began."

Martin had an excellent beginning in the race, at one point gaining nearly a second's lead in the initial laps. Meanwhile, Bagnaia chose to be patient, allowing his medium wet rear tire to warm up before making his move. On the fifth lap, the official Ducati rider had narrowed the distance to Martin to 0.434 seconds. However, Martin veered off at Turn 3, allowing Bagnaia to take the lead.

This was the pivotal moment of the race. Martin acknowledged from the beginning that he didn't feel comfortable on his GP24, and his error visibly shook him. He later mentioned that he "came very close to crashing" during the entire grand prix.

When Bagnaia took the lead, he wasn't the quickest on the track. That honor went to Marc Marquez, who was right behind him and applying significant pressure. Marquez made two attempts to overtake at the final corner, first on lap nine and then again on lap 13, before he ultimately fell at Turn 8 on the following lap.

Could this be the pivotal moment that preserved the Championship? 🤯 Jorge Martin confessed that witnessing Marc Márquez's accident provided him with insights into the track's conditions, allowing him to avoid a potential crash himself. #MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/OgO7vq2twY— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Key incident involving Marquez impacts championship battle

Marquez has faced numerous allegations of meddling in recent weeks. He is determined to secure more victories, fully aware that opportunities can vanish swiftly.

If Marquez had remained on his Gresini GP23 bike and overtaken Bagnaia, it would have helped Martin. Bagnaia would have earned four points instead of five; however, if Marquez had managed to hold Bagnaia back, the difference would have been nine points. Considering the balance between risk and reward, Bagnaia probably would have only lightly defended his lead against a competitor not involved in the championship fight.

Bagnaia benefited from the crash, gaining five extra points compared to Martin, which reduced his lead to 17 points. Besides his win over Martin in Australia, Marquez has also played a significant role in supporting his future teammate's championship goals, albeit indirectly.

When Marquez crashed, it actually helped Martin avoid a similar accident. As Marquez went down at Turn 8, Martin experienced a significant front-end issue. He confessed afterward that if not for Marquez’s crash, he likely would have crashed as well, because it gave him a warning to be cautious. If Martin had crashed and failed to score any points, Bagnaia would have gained a five-point advantage in the championship standings.

During the last two races, Marquez is expected to significantly influence the championship results. Enea Bastianini, after his crash at the Thai Grand Prix on Sunday, stated that he has no plans to follow team orders at his favored Sepang circuit this coming weekend.

What challenges might the title hopefuls face? Bagnaia and Martin both earned significant praise for their performances in Thailand. Throughout the weekend, Martin consistently emphasized that he doesn't need to secure victories at all costs; instead, his focus is on accumulating as many points as possible.

In the sprint race, he managed to secure second place despite the looming possibility of a penalty for exceeding track limits. This scenario could have mirrored his experience at the Emilia Romagna sprint, where a warning caused a lapse in concentration, resulting in an error that allowed Bagnaia to overtake him for the win. However, this time he stayed focused and achieved a result that held significant implications for the championship standings.

From this point until the season concludes, Martin only needs to secure second place behind Bagnaia to clinch the championship title.

His current lead makes him the favorite as he heads to Malaysia. However, this is unfamiliar ground for him. Last year, although he posed a significant challenge, it was Bagnaia who was anticipated to clinch the championship. Now, Martin carries that burden of expectation, and it's evident that it's affecting him.

"I started feeling the pressure about six or seven races back," he explained. "I'm always trying to gain insight from each experience. This weekend taught me something new, and I'm thrilled with my performance and have gained a lot of confidence from yesterday's race. I believe this is my true riding style, and it's what I intend to showcase in Malaysia because it's what has brought me success so far. My plan is to push hard and aim to get ahead of Pecco."

In every competition, Martin gains fresh insights about himself, yet he finds himself in a less favorable situation than his competitor. Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP world champion, is well-versed in managing the associated pressure and has experienced the fulfillment of reaching such a milestone. In contrast, Martin has not yet tasted that success and is set to transition to an Aprilia motorcycle in 2025. Currently, this move seems unlikely to position him for regular victories, much less maintain a strong bid for the championship title.

Bagnaia demonstrated remarkable resilience and delivered one of his finest performances in MotoGP at Buriram, which might be considered his most crucial win. Although he acknowledged his team's efforts in resolving the braking problems that had been hindering him prior to the race, it was ultimately Bagnaia's mindset that made the difference in such challenging circumstances.

Bagnaia explained that his resilience comes from his unwavering determination. He stated, "I never give up because I have faith in my abilities, in my team, in the effort I put in at home, and in myself. As long as there is an opportunity, I will never quit. This has always been my approach, and it will remain the same every season. I consistently give my all, and that won't change."

Despite securing nine grand prix victories this season, Bagnaia is still behind in the championship standings. In his last two title-winning seasons, the Italian racer hasn't faced such intense pressure. Currently, he finds himself in a challenging situation, competing against an equally skilled rider on a similar bike.

Bagnaia has a knack for delivering crucial performances when needed, but with seven instances of failing to finish races looming over him, he finds himself in a tough spot where another error could very well spell the end of his championship bid.

Two competitors emerged from Thailand with strong arguments for being named the 2024 MotoGP world champion. Each has the potential to achieve that ultimate victory, yet both encounter significant challenges as the season nears its conclusion in Malaysia and Valencia.

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Marc Marquez identifies key reason for his "error" in Thailand

Marc Marquez reviews his MotoGP showing in Thailand

Marc Marquez's performance at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix was a missed opportunity. He demonstrated impressive speed in the initial stages of the race but ultimately crashed while holding second place.

During the initial laps of the race, Marquez was engaged in a fierce contest with Francesco Bagnaia. He made two attempts to overtake Bagnaia at turn 12, but eventually lost control and crashed at turn eight on lap 14.

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Marquez was confident in his ability to secure a victory, yet he believed he should have been more patient instead of hastily attempting to pass Bagnaia, who ultimately won the race.

Marquez commented, "We had the quickest pace today, but reflecting on it a few hours after the race, perhaps we lacked patience during that particular phase."

"It's accurate to say it was extremely challenging, as I couldn't find a clear path to overtake Francesco Bagnaia."

"I intended to execute a precise overtaking maneuver, as I had the necessary speed and thought, 'We will have more opportunities.'"

"I constantly aimed to advance and be aggressive; when that wasn't feasible, I would let the front tire cool down before launching another attack."

"Throughout the race, I kept fluctuating in my performance, but during the second push, I noticed a significant increase in my speed."

"I made an effort to keep going and attempted to stay on his trail. Just a slight increase of one-and-a-half degrees in turn eight, and I lost control of the front, unable to recover from it—it was a near miss."

"As humans, we all make errors, and today was my day to do so."

Marquez mentioned that his sole opportunity to overtake Bagnaia was at turn 12, which is the last corner. The Buriram track features several areas that require heavy braking, particularly in the first part of the lap at turns three and four. However, Marquez found that turn 12 was the only spot where he could get near enough to make a move, mainly because it follows a sequence of slow corners, unlike turns three and four, which are preceded by long straight sections.

Bagnaia had superior grip when exiting corners 12 and one, which made it impossible for Marquez to overtake him in turn three. Additionally, Bagnaia's traction advantage continued as he exited turn three, making any attempt to pass in turn four equally unfeasible.

Marquez explained that he was consistently arriving at all the other braking points too late and from too far away.

"In the 12th turn, we were emerging from a series of slow corners. That's where I felt more confident and was gaining on him significantly. It was also the first major braking zone following the slow corners."

During lap 14, my mind was already focused on making a strong move in the last corner, but we never got to that point.

"I consistently aimed to grasp the method for surpassing."

Certainly, much like the previous day, I was trailing significantly in sectors one and two. However, I gained the upper hand in sectors three and four, where my speed surpassed his.

"Similar to yesterday, but today […] overtaking was more challenging."

Comparing the GP23 and GP24, Marquez noted that the Ducati Desmosedici GP24 has made improvements over the GP23, which he is currently riding. However, he clarified that the bike was not the reason he couldn't secure a victory in Thailand.

In certain regions, the GP24 has significantly advanced, according to Marquez. However, he mentioned that he doesn't ride the GP24. He added that his GP23 motorcycle was definitely set to win today, and he felt confident.

Indeed, it's accurate to say that the longer we utilize the rear ride height device on a track, the greater the distinction becomes between the GP23 and GP24 models, due to a minor enhancement in the latter.

"This is actually positive, as I'll possess it next year."

In the end, Marquez found a reason to stay positive about his race due to the speed he maintained following his crash, even though he lost his rear brake during the accident.

He stated, "Actually, even without using the rear brake, I was performing exceptionally well."

"That indicates I had even more speed. Immediately following the break, during the next lap, I recorded my quickest time in the first sector of the race. This is how it went."

"There are times when we claim victory without having the quickest pace, but today was different. We were the fastest, yet we made an error. These things occur."

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Maverick Vinales praises the "amazing" welcome from MotoGP fans in Thailand. Competitors share their opinions on beginning the 2025 MotoGP season in Thailand.

Maverick Vinales emphasized Thailand's enthusiasm for MotoGP, noting that while he might walk around Madrid unnoticed, in Bangkok, everyone recognizes him.

The 18th race of the 2024 MotoGP season is being held at Thailand's Chang International Circuit. This event has been an annual fixture since 2018, except for the years 2020 and 2021.

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This event ranks among the most favored on the full schedule, drawing a weekend audience of 179,811 people, making it the second-largest turnout outside of Europe in the previous year.

Over the upcoming two years, the MotoGP season is set to kick off in Buriram. Additionally, Somkiat Chantra will become the first top-tier racer from the country to compete in 2025.

Maverick Vinales from Aprilia thinks that kicking off the MotoGP championship in Southeast Asia is the most effective way to expand the series, given the region's unmatched enthusiasm for the sport.

He mentioned that the place is likely to be crowded over the weekend.

"The previous year was extremely busy. I believe it's quite interesting to pursue because it involves more than just the racing circuit."

To illustrate, when you visit Bangkok, numerous individuals are familiar with you. During my time in Bangkok, it was clear that I could travel to Madrid and remain unnoticed, but in Bangkok, everyone seems to recognize you. It's unbelievable.

"Our current goal is to build and expand this community. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the rest of Asia have a genuine enthusiasm for MotoGP."

"From all perspectives, they are familiar with all the competitors. They understand all aspects. Therefore, it's likely the best decision to continue expanding the championship."

Expanding MotoGP's presence in the Asian market holds significant value for the manufacturers. On Thursday, Joan Mir highlighted that a staggering 800,000 Honda scooters were purchased in Thailand last year.

Aleix Espargaro has expressed doubts about kicking off the season in Thailand, citing concerns about the time difference's impact on the European audience. However, he acknowledges that MotoGP must consider more than just the European market if it aims to enhance its worldwide presence.

When questioned about the idea of commencing the 2025 MotoGP season in Buriram, he responded, "I don't believe that's a good idea."

"I'm uncertain; it depends on where you aim to attract your followers. I'm not sure. I am passionate about the sport, but it's hard for me to evaluate because, from a European perspective, it doesn't seem like an ideal location to kick off the championship."

"It's not entirely fair for me to say this, considering there are more people globally than just Europeans. However, traditionally, events have begun in Qatar at a time that aligns more closely with typical European hours."

"However, it promises to be intriguing."

It's important to mention that the Thai Grand Prix is particularly accessible for European fans, as the race is scheduled for 9 a.m. Central European Time this weekend.

From a motorcycling perspective, Ducati's Enea Bastianini believes that kicking off the season in Thailand will pose a physical challenge.

Bastianini began by expressing optimism, saying, "It will likely be positive."

"It will be challenging due to the athletes' physical fitness level during that phase of the championship, which is well-prepared to handle a race of this nature."

Kicking off the race in such hot conditions won't be ideal for anyone. However, we are fully prepared and ready to face it.

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Ducati MotoGP competitors illustrate the brand's supremacy

The first eight spots in the Thai MotoGP Sprint were secured by riders on Ducati’s Desmosedici bikes.

In an unprecedented achievement, Ducati secured the first eight spots during a MotoGP Sprint event in Thailand, marking a first in the company's history.

Although the outcomes of Sprint events aren't included in the official race records, Ducati's recent achievement is somewhat accurate. Despite this, it's undeniable that during Saturday's event in Thailand, none of its motorcycles were outperformed by competitors from different brands.

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The last pair of Ducatis to cross the finish line belonged to the VR46 team, featuring Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Bezzecchi finished seventh among the eight Ducatis that dominated the top eight spots in the Sprint. He had a straightforward explanation for how the Bologna-based manufacturer managed to secure such a remarkable achievement in Thailand.

"He remarked on the bike's impressive speed."

"The GP24 motorcycle is incredibly swift, yet our GP23 model also boasts remarkable speed, maintaining its velocity throughout the season.

"They function effectively. I haven't used other bikes, so I'm unable to provide a comparison or judgment. It's clear that the bike is a strong contender, as evidenced by its performance."

Fabio Di Giannantonio, who races alongside Bezzecchi, expressed a more definitive opinion on what he believes to be the main factor behind Ducati's prevailing success in MotoGP.

"He expressed that the bicycle performs reliably under all circumstances, and they have successfully optimized tyre functionality."

"Despite alterations to the bike's structure, its performance remains impressively consistent, and we hardly notice any difference, which is the key point."

"Additionally, in the current MotoGP, we might not possess the top bike in a specific category, but what we have is a bike that scores 9 out of 10 across all categories, indicating that it's the most competitive bike overall."

Franco Morbidelli, who is set to join Di Giannantonio in 2025 and take over from Bezzecchi, shared his simple perspective on the strengths of the Ducati, a bike he's riding for his inaugural season.

"Morbidelli commented, 'This is the inaugural occurrence of the year. Essentially, it showcases the excellence of the Ducati. Whether it's the GP23 or GP24, either way, it's an outstanding piece of machinery.'"

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Should Marc Marquez have made the switch to Ducati earlier? "No, I consider myself a Honda team member."

"Making such a move can create significant pressure on oneself."

In the previous year at Buriram, Marc Marquez shared that he was departing from Repsol Honda to join Gresini Ducati. He made this decision to ensure he concluded his MotoGP career without any 'regrets'.

In an interview with Crash.net, Marquez expressed that the key aspect for him is to retire without having second thoughts about the choices he has made.

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As the second consecutive season without a victory with Honda drew to a close, Marquez faced additional surgeries on his right arm and other injuries as he pushed the underperforming RCV beyond its capabilities.

Opting to leave his lucrative factory Honda deal to race on a year-old Desmosedici has proven to be a highly rewarding decision.

The world champion, who has claimed the title eight times, is making a strong comeback in Thailand, having won three out of the last six Grand Prix races. In the world championship standings, he trails only behind Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Additionally, he has secured a spot with the factory Ducati team for the 202

Following his impressive comeback in MotoGP, highlighted by securing the top position during Friday's practice session at Buriram, Crash.net inquired whether Marquez wished he had parted ways with Honda earlier.

Marquez laughed and said, "No, not at all! We've accomplished a great deal with Honda, and I really feel connected to the team."

"At present, I'm on a Ducati, and next year I'll officially be part of the Ducati factory team. Naturally, I aim to represent Ducati with pride."

"Honda has played a significant role in my career and might continue to be the most crucial aspect, though it's hard to say for certain."

"I mentioned during my time at Honda that people would often comment, 'Honda is Honda, and he's achieving victories for them.' However, I pointed out that there were also other Honda teams involved…"

Marquez was the leading racer during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. After undergoing arm surgeries, he managed to secure his last three victories with Honda in 2021. In the interim, no other rider on an RCV bike claimed victory from the time Cal Crutchlow won in 2018 until Alex Rins

Marquez explained that if a skilled rider approaches Honda and expresses that they are not concerned about financial compensation, but only wish to ride Honda's top-performing motorcycle, the company will provide them with their best bike, assuming the rider is indeed talented.

"In this situation, I took a different approach. I approached Ducati and told them, 'I'm not concerned about anything else; my only desire is to ride the top-performing bike.'"

Despite the fact that the motorcycle is from last year and operated by a secondary team.

"In the future, once I retire, I'll keep to myself since I've given everything a shot," Marquez stated.

Certainly, making a switch to Ducati comes with significant pressure, and if you fail to meet your goals, there is a risk of facing negative criticism.

"I have already accomplished my goals."

"The goal was to extend the length of my career and regain a sense of competitiveness. Winning another title would be an added bonus."

"My primary objective has already been achieved."

Despite Marquez having a faint mathematical chance for the 2024 championship, his more practical aim is to maintain his third-place standing, staying ahead of Enea Bastianini, the competitor he will take over from in the factory team next year.

The closest competitor to Marquez in the GP23 standings is VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio, who holds the ninth spot overall, amassing less than half of Marquez's total of 345 points.

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Professional assessment on the fair or foul play in the Marquez vs. Bagnaia clash in Thailand

The showdown for the win between Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia in the Thailand MotoGP concluded with Marquez taking a fall.

Francesco Bagnaia clinched the 2024 MotoGP Thai Grand Prix victory by a margin of 2.9 seconds ahead of Jorge Martin. However, the highlight of the race was the fierce competition for the top spot between Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

In their confrontation, Marquez attempted to overtake Bagnaia during the last turn of the Buriram circuit, which is a sharp right turn requiring a shift down to first gear.

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Bagnaia managed to outmaneuver him on both exits, however.

"After the race, Michael Laverty mentioned on TNT Sports that Marc made a bold move by sending it from downtown into the final corner, not once but twice."

"He was exceptional, convinced that he could halt it without folding the front or endangering Pecco."

Pecco executed a smooth cut-back, allowing Marc some space.

"On the second occasion? His approach is more serious, and he pressures him more intensely."

It's evident Pecco is aiming for the cut-back; Marc attempted to block him, pushing him towards the kerb's edge.

"It's not about being unclean. It's about sending a message that 'I am present and ready to resist'."

"Marc aimed to reach the lead position, hoping to establish a steady pace. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to happen."

In the end, Marquez's race took a turn for the worse as he fell while catching up to Bagnaia at the ninth corner. He got back on his bike and ended up in 11th place. However, the fall dashed his aspirations of securing his fourth victory of the season right then and there.

Laverty believes that Marquez's accident wasn't a result of overexertion but rather an attempt to extract excessive performance from the front tire.

"Laverty mentioned that it didn't appear as though he had exceeded the limit. He was simply pushing the front tyre a little too hard. And oh, how he attempted to salvage it!"

Positioned similarly to a tripod, he had his knee embedded in the earth. Had the curbs not been there, he might have regained it. His knee was observed scraping against the ground.

Sadly, his opportunity for a win had come to an end.

"I didn't notice much amiss. Perhaps he slightly accelerated to maintain speed. He nearly managed to keep it balanced."

'Smart choice to accept second place'

The accident involving Marquez allowed Bagnaia to gain a lead of more than two seconds ahead of Jorge Martin, who at no point posed a serious challenge to the Italian. Ultimately, Bagnaia secured his ninth Grand Prix victory of the year and narrowed the gap in the championship standings to Martin to just 17 points with only two races remaining.

"Laverty mentioned that there were moments during Bagnaia’s race that likely caused him some anxiety."

"However, he remained calm and found a consistent pace that [Jorge] Martin couldn't keep up with. Pecco [Bagnaia] was outstanding."

Initially leading, Martin encountered errors that eventually allowed Bagnaia, and initially Marquez as well, to re-enter the race for the win.

"Laverty mentioned, 'Jorge set the pace from the start, advancing quickly on the first lap.'"

"The distance shown on his pitboard was decreasing, indicating to him that Pecco was catching up.

"He aimed to elevate his performance slightly. However, he applied the brakes too aggressively."

Describing the event where Martin lost the front position to Bagnaia during the third turn, Laverty stated, "Jorge lacks the ability to slow down in that final section, unlike Pecco. He ended up dropping two spots.

He carefully observed Marc and Pecco, admitting that they possessed a sense of rhythm.

I had concerns for Jorge since he frequently veered off course, particularly at Turn 1 and Turn 3. Continuing to push the limits like that, he was bound to crash eventually!

"Opting for second place was the smart choice in terms of the championship. Sacrificing a few points in favor of securing the finish was the strategy."

"He faced significant danger, but he managed it effectively."

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VR46 announces Andrea Iannone's return to MotoGP

Andrea Iannone set to make a MotoGP comeback with VR46 team

Andrea Iannone, who has previously secured a single victory in a MotoGP race, is set to return to grand prix racing in Malaysia. He will be joining the VR46 Ducati team, stepping in for Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Following a severe dislocation of his left shoulder at the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Di Giannantonio revealed in Australia last week that he would conclude his season ahead of schedule to undergo surgery.

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In Di Giannantonio's last race of the 2024 season, he secured a fourth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix while riding his GP23 Ducati managed by the VR46 team.

Following the news of his surgery that will conclude his season, scheduled for this Saturday, there has been widespread speculation that ex-MotoGP racer Iannone might step in for Di Giannantonio in the last few races.

The VR46 team has announced that Iannone will take over for Di Giannantonio in Malaysia, but they have not yet confirmed him for the Valencia race.

🚨 Surprise phone call 📞 Vacation plans are on hold, catch you at the #MalaysianGP 🤩 @VR46RacingTeam is teaming up with @andreaiannone29 for @MotoGP #PertaminaEnduroVR46RacingTeam #MotoGP #AI29 #VR46 pic.twitter.com/sgiXyYOswg— Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team (@VR46RacingTeam) 🚨 Surprise phone call 📞 Vacation plans are on hold, catch you at the #MalaysianGP 🤩 @VR46RacingTeam is teaming up with @andreaiannone29 for @MotoGP #PertaminaEnduroVR46RacingTeam #MotoGP #AI29 #VR46 pic.twitter.com/sgiXyYOswg

Andrea Iannone's final appearance in a MotoGP race was in 2019, riding for Aprilia. However, following a doping suspension, he was retrospectively disqualified from the Malaysian and Valencia Grand Prix events that year.

The victor of the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid. He claimed that the substance entered his system due to contaminated meat consumed during his visit to Malaysia in 2019.

Nevertheless, this argument was dismissed in the appeal process, and the World Anti-Doping Agency succeeded in having Iannone's suspension increased to the maximum duration of four years.

In time for the 2024 racing season, Iannone secured a spot on the World Superbike grid with GoEleven Ducati and achieved a victory during his debut season.

Iannone expressed his excitement about riding the bike of a world champion.

MotoGP represents the pinnacle of technology and performance in motorcycles. I am truly honored to have been considered for this opportunity, and I felt compelled to accept it right away when it was presented to me.

"The task is undeniably daunting, intricate, and challenging, especially since I haven't ridden a motorcycle in this category for several years and haven't conducted any tests or similar preparations."

"I am thrilled to collaborate with Ducati and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, not only because of their exceptional standards but also due to our longstanding friendship."

"I express my gratitude to Valentino Rossi, Alessio Salucci, Pablo Nieto, Gigi Dall'Igna, Claudio Domenicali, and Mauro Grassilli."

Uccio Salucci, who serves as the team director for VR46, expressed his joy in announcing that Andrea will be competing on the Ducati Desmosedici GP under their team's banner.

To begin with, Andrea has demonstrated excellent physical condition. He finished the WorldSBK season strongly and has consistently maintained a close relationship with Ducati.

He is a close friend to both Vale and myself within the VR46 family. We are thrilled to have him join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and to see him return to riding a MotoGP motorcycle.

"It's a fantastic tale! Meanwhile, we all extend our best wishes to Fabio, who is scheduled for shoulder surgery this week. We eagerly anticipate his return to the field in 2025."

According to a statement provided to Crash.net by WADA, regarding Iannone's comeback, they explained: "According to the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are allowed to resume participation in competitions after completing their suspension period. The type of competition does not affect this decision."

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Marc Marquez's accident in the Thai MotoGP inadvertently preserved Jorge Martin's lead in the championship standings.

"I was constantly on the brink of an accident"

Jorge Martin expressed that if Marc Marquez hadn't fallen before him in the Thailand MotoGP Grand Prix, he himself would have likely crashed due to foreseeing a front-end loss.

The front-runner in the championship secured a second-place finish in the rain-soaked Thai GP at Buriram on Sunday, as his main competitor for the title, Francesco Bagnaia, clinched a crucial victory.

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Initially, Martin took the lead but veered off course at Turn 3 during the fifth lap, falling behind both Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

On the 14th lap, at the eighth turn, Marquez experienced a crash while in second position, closely followed by Martin who also had a significant front end issue right behind him.

After the race, Martin commented that observing Marquez's fall enabled him to prevent his own crash. He noted that without this, he would have relinquished his lead in the championship standings.

"Right from the start, I felt incredibly positive, yet immediately, I realized that this sensation wasn't just the initial excitement," Martin, who now leads the championship by a reduced margin of 17 points, explained.

"I found myself losing traction frequently at the back. Moreover, I was widening the distance between us, and it was then I realized they had an additional advantage."

"I drifted too far on the third turn, allowing Pecco and Marc to pass me. Following that, I aimed to keep up with them, considering a possible maneuver towards the race's conclusion.

"However, the moment Marc went down, I too lost control at the front just like he did. Fortunately, I managed to recover from it."

"I managed to go wide, successfully avoiding a crash, and from that moment, I could maintain the gap between myself, Jack [Miller], and Pedro [Acosta], who were both gaining on me."

He elaborated, saying, “Throughout the race, there were numerous instances where I nearly lost control and crashed.

"Therefore, I was constantly on alert to rescue the situation. When I noticed Marc sliding at the front, I was also braced for a similar slide."

"That's my story of the save. Honestly, if Marc hadn't been there ahead of me, I probably would have ended up crashing."

"Because of that incident… I definitely feel sympathy for him, but the accident helped me gain some insight and foresee things a bit."

The precipitation before the competition added stress to the contenders for the championship, with Martin expressing that "I hope no one experiences the pre-race emotions I had: being in Pecco's or my position in the championship under these weather conditions is quite unfavorable."

Despite the intense competition with Martin and coming in second to Bagnaia, he complimented his competitor and considered it “a really positive weekend,” despite a slight drop of three points in the rankings.

"Believe me, the race took forever," he stated.

In the final laps, I was hoping desperately for the weather to clear up.

"I believed that under dry conditions, I had an edge over Pecco at that time, so I was hoping for it to be dry."

"He possessed incredible strength. Truly, he's an outstanding victor.

"He didn't become a three-time world champion by accident. He excels under any conditions. I aimed to match his speed, and only dropping three points is actually a great outcome for the weekend."

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