Aprilia: Jorge Martin's crash during testing wasn't due to a bike problem or a rider error

"It was a significant crash that seemed to occur without an apparent cause…"

The CEO of Aprilia, Massimo Rivola, stated that there was "no error with the bike and no error on his part" concerning the accident that might have prematurely concluded Jorge Martin's MotoGP pre-season.

On Wednesday, during the first day of testing at Sepang, the current world champion experienced two crashes. The second incident, a severe highside at Turn 2, resulted in him sustaining several fractures.

Martin is set to stay overnight at the hospital before heading back to Europe for an operation, which raises significant uncertainty about his involvement in the Buriram test planned for next week.

According to Rivola, Aprilia's analysis indicated that Martin's motorcycle had no issues at the time of the accident. Furthermore, it was noted that Martin was not accelerating, and his tires were operating within the optimal range.

According to Rivola, the accident occurred while using the same tires, but he did not directly fault Michelin for the incident.

In the early hours of wearing the number 1 plate, @88jorgemartin experienced a terrible highside. He is currently in the hospital undergoing tests for pain in his left foot and right hand. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Meanwhile, we extend our heartfelt support to the World Champion. #MotoGP

"This is clearly an issue," stated Rivola.

"A serious accident occurred without any apparent cause, with neither any error from the bike nor from him."

When questioned about whether Martin's two accidents were alike, he responded by saying, "It's intriguing since both incidents involved using the same set of tires."

"The initial one was located on the right side, while the subsequent one was positioned on the left."

"The medium tire is designed with an asymmetrical pattern. Therefore, if you find that the medium tire isn't performing optimally on the right side, then logically, it should have a softer compound on that side when you make a right turn."

"I'll rely on you to gather additional information."

Rivola has announced that Aprilia plans to have test rider Lorenzo Savadori continue with the bike for the remainder of the testing session. He also acknowledged that Martin's initial full day on the RS-GP 2025 might occur during the first practice session at the Thailand Grand Prix.

"The schedule is as follows: a mandatory 24-hour stay in the hospital," he stated.

"He's scheduled to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. The following day, he will travel to Europe for the surgery."

"Following that, we'll observe the body's response and recovery process. The excellent news is that there is no concussion, which is the most crucial aspect, to be honest."

"Today turned out to be a fortunate day when observing the crash. Following this, we feel assured that he will be ready for the first race."

"We witnessed Jorge and numerous other racers performing incredible feats, so why not watch him compete in Thailand?"

"In Thailand, we plan to include Sava as a backup for additional testing, although it will be challenging."

"It's possible that Martin's initial experience with the 25 bike might occur during FP1."

Martin wasn't the only Aprilia rider sidelined due to an injury, as Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez also sustained a fractured left hand following a crash.

Davide Brivio, the head of the Trackhouse team, commented that Fernandez's crash was unusual because he wasn't exerting much effort at the time.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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Aston Martin announces the unveiling date for Fernando Alonso's 2025 Formula 1 car. The company shares its schedule for the 2025 launch.

Aston Martin has announced that they will unveil their 2025 Formula 1 car on February 23, ahead of its debut on the track in Bahrain.

All ten teams are set to attend F1 75 Live at the O2 in London on February 18, where it is anticipated that they will display their liveries instead of unveiling their new car models.

Aston Martin has announced that their latest vehicle will be revealed just five days following the main launch event for F1.

On February 24, Aston Martin will make its debut on the track during a promotional event at the Bahrain International Circuit.

This event is set to happen only 48 hours ahead of the pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Aston Martin's Outlook for 2025

In the 2025 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin is among the only two teams that have decided to keep both of their current drivers.

Fernando Alonso, who has clinched the F1 world champion title twice, continues to partner with Lance Stroll

Considering their performance last year, it seems improbable that they will compete at the forefront.

In the initial months of 2024, Aston Martin was able to hold its own against Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, but their performance soon declined.

In 2023, they faced difficulties improving their car during the season, which led to a decline in their rankings.

As 2026 approaches with adjustments to the regulations, Aston Martin might decide to shift their attention away from this year's efforts to prioritize the next season's preparations.

Adrian Newey will start his role as the new managing technical partner on March 3, directing his attention to the team's projects for 2026.

Andy Cowell has taken on the role of team principal for the upcoming season, while Mike Krack will shift to a position that involves working at the track.

Enrico Cardile holds the position of technical director at Aston Martin, after transitioning from his previous role at Ferrari.

Given the strong end-of-season performances by Alpine and Haas in 2024, Aston Martin might not maintain their recent position of fifth in the constructors' championship and could potentially finish lower.

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Brad Binder highlights a transformative trait of Pedro Acosta that he aims to emulate at KTM

Brad Binder provides insights into the factory KTM team's upcoming test in Sepang

Brad Binder recognizes the need to draw motivation from Pedro Acosta's handling of the KTM in a specific aspect.

Acosta made an impressive debut last season and has since been elevated to KTM's premier MotoGP team, where he will team up with Binder.

Binder narrowly surpassed Acosta in the previous season's championship, finishing just ahead of him as the highest-placed non-Ducati rider. He has identified how the rising talent is extracting more performance from his equipment.

"Binder mentioned that the first step for him is to focus on corner entry when inquired about how he could emulate Acosta's technique in riding."

"I have to start the procedure sooner. I consistently procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate, and then suddenly, I rush to complete it as quickly as possible!"

"Lacking grip at the front end can lead to difficulties."

"I have to approach it with more care. It's something I noticed he had been practicing since the start."

"Accomplishing this will simplify my life."

Brad Binder hopes for a couple of significant adjustments from KTM

This week, from February 7-9, Binder alongside Acosta will participate in the 2025 MotoGP official test in Sepang, stepping in for KTM's test riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, who participated in the Shakedown.

Binder identified two key improvements he desires for his KTM's progress: “One aspect I believe is vital is reducing the spin as we accelerate down the straight. That's an area where I feel significant gains can be made throughout the season.

"Moreover, if our ability to maneuver improved, there wouldn't be a need to overly exert the lead, resulting in fewer problems in that area."

"Any of the two would be greatly valued."

Binder remains positive about KTM's outlook, stating, "I really haven't talked to Dani or Pol yet, but I've had discussions with my team."

"They seem more optimistic than they have been in quite a while, particularly following the initial trial.

"Everyone is excited. They have a lot of activities scheduled."

He maintains that all updates or components introduced during the season will be made available to the new Tech3 team members, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

"He mentioned that the previous year was no different. What applied to one person applied to everyone."

Every attempt we made was shared with the four riders for their feedback, after which improvements were implemented.

"I sense that our partnership is more akin to a quartet than a duo. Despite the physical barrier, all other aspects are transparent."

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Jorge Martin ruled out of Sepang test due to injuries sustained in major crash

Recent news on Jorge Martin's health following a significant highside accident

Jorge Martin will not participate in the remainder of the Sepang pre-season test due to sustaining several fractures from a significant accident.

In November, Martin had an impressive debut as a factory rider for Aprilia during the post-season test in Barcelona. However, his preparations for the 2025 season faced a significant twist on Wednesday at Sepang.

During the first day of pre-season testing in Malaysia, Martin experienced two falls while getting accustomed to the RS-GP.

In the second crash, he was thrown off his Aprilia at Turn 2 as he began a fast lap, and Martin struck the ground with significant force.

Jorge Martin experienced a dramatic highside at the second turn during the MotoGP Sepang Test. 😳 #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/NmhUuWQPq8— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 5, 2025

He was transported to the hospital for examinations, and Aprilia confirmed that he has broken bones in his right hand and left foot.

He will stay in the hospital for observation until the next day and is scheduled to fly back to Europe on Thursday for an operation. His ability to take part in the Buriram test next week is highly uncertain.

A short announcement from Aprilia stated: "Jorge Martin has sustained a fracture in his right hand and multiple fractures in his left foot."

He has had both a CT scan and an MRI, and neither showed any signs of injury.

He is set to remain in the hospital for the night and is scheduled to return to Europe the following day to have surgery on his right hand and left foot.

Jorge Martin experienced a closed fracture at the head of the 5th metacarpal in his right hand, as well as closed fractures of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsals in his left foot.

Martin took to social media to share his thoughts, stating, "The beginning of the 2025 season hasn't gone as planned! However, the Martinator always bounces back with more strength!"

Raul Fernandez Latest News

An Aprilia bike from Trackhouse that has seen better days 😳📸 Photo courtesy of Gold & Goose #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/S1vgiSIrQM— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 5, 2025

An Aprilia bike from Trackhouse that has seen better days 😳📸 Photo courtesy of Gold & Goose #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/S1vgiSIrQM

Martin is the second Aprilia rider to miss the Sepang test because of an injury. This follows Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez, who had an accident on Wednesday, resulting in a fracture to his left hand.

The rider is currently returning to Barcelona to undergo surgery. Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio mentioned that Fernandez is eager to get back on his bike for the Buriram test scheduled for next week.

For 2025, Aprilia will proceed with its preparations using only two racers, both of whom are newcomers to the motorcycle.

Trackhouse newcomer Ai Ogura secured the 16th position on Wednesday after delivering impressive performances during the shakedown last weekend.

On Wednesday, Marco Bezzecchi secured the 18th position riding the factory team's RS-GP.

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Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso face setback at Le Mans due to Jos Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso are seeking a partner to join them in the Le Mans race.

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso are looking for a third team member to join them in their goal of racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a team.

Champion drivers Verstappen and Alonso have shown interest in teaming up for the renowned endurance race in the future.

There were plans to create a team of three drivers, including Max Verstappen's father, Jos. However, after Jos, a former Formula 1 driver, indicated that he no longer wishes to compete at Le Mans, the team is now looking for someone to take his place.

Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion who has never participated in the iconic race, has announced that they are currently looking for an additional driver to take over for his father.

Max Verstappen mentioned to Mirror Sport that although they are aware of their desire to pursue it, his father Jos, despite still having the skills, simply has no interest in continuing with it.

"It's okay, let's wait and find out what unfolds. Plenty of outcomes are possible. There are several excellent drivers to choose from. I also have many friends in the racing world, making it a tough decision to select just one."

Last year, Verstappen disclosed that Alonso, who drives for Aston Martin, was keen on joining him as a teammate for a possible Le Mans challenge.

He expressed a strong desire to participate in Le Mans, stating, "I absolutely want to experience it." Reflecting on past visits when his father competed there, he fondly recalled the incredible atmosphere. The endurance aspect, the large crowds, and the unique experience of driving through the night and witnessing the sunrise were aspects he found particularly appealing.

"I talked with Fernando regarding the matter, and he mentioned that he would only be interested in doing it again if I were involved. That sounds really exciting."

"For the Le Mans race, there's no set minimum weight requirement for drivers. I'm on the heavier side, so I need to team up with lighter drivers to balance it out. Fernando is pretty light, which is great, but we'll still need another light teammate – I'll have to search for one!"

There are ongoing rumors about Red Bull's Verstappen possibly making a surprising move to Aston Martin, where he might team up with two-time world champion Alonso in Formula 1.

A representative from Aston Martin firmly refuted a report by The Daily Mail, which suggested that the team, located in Silverstone, was preparing an enormous £1 billion offer to lure Verstappen, as reported by Crash.net.

Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull that runs through the conclusion of 2028, and he has consistently affirmed that he plans to remain with the team.

In the months ahead, his future over the long term is expected to be a major topic of discussion.

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Pedro Acosta cautions KTM on the importance of heeding essential advice to prevent an erratic Sepang MotoGP test outcome. He asserts that KTM veered off course in the previous year.

Pedro Acosta has expressed the view that KTM may have experimented excessively with its MotoGP bike during parts of 2024, suggesting that the team take a page out of Moto2's book for its testing strategy at Sepang in 2025.

Acosta is set to kick off his second season in the top tier by participating in the Sepang pre-season test this week with the KTM factory team.

The brand has faced a challenging winter owing to its financial difficulties. Despite this, motorsport chief Pit Beirer has assured that the company's preparation for the upcoming season remains on track.

Pedro Acosta suggests strategies for KTM

Acosta mentions that there is a plethora of options to explore on the RC16 in the coming three days, yet he cautions the company against going overboard by experimenting with too many alternatives.

He believes this was an obstacle in the previous year, and recalls that a few years back in Moto2, KTM encountered a similar setback, becoming more competitive after halting development.

"Let's observe what it's like for me to not be on a MotoGP bike for three months," he commented in response to Crash.net's inquiry about his anticipations for the Sepang test.

"I'm feeling alright, though it's clear there's plenty to explore. However, it's important to stay grounded, not to lose oneself, and recognize the right moments to decline or accept opportunities."

"Throughout the previous year, we often experimented with various strategies, even during race weekends, which possibly led us to stray from our intended path."

"When KTM participated in Moto2, their development came to a halt just as Brad Binder and Jorge Martin began to make progress."

"It's important for us to stay grounded and approach the exam calmly to see how far we can go."

Acosta is eager to figure out how KTM's competitors managed to outperform them last year. He also mentions that during the off-season, he has concentrated on adjusting his riding technique, acknowledging that he might have been "too aggressive" towards the season's close.

"He emphasized the need to identify how competing brands are distinguishing themselves from us."

"I'm not certain of the precise location, but ultimately, they're employing the back tyre differently from how we do, and it's in that specific aspect where they're gaining an advantage."

"This winter, I made an effort to alter my approach to riding slightly, aiming not to concentrate solely on leading but to ease up on the brakes and adopt more flowing lines instead. My goal was to achieve greater smoothness in my movements, as I realized that towards the season's close, my technique had perhaps become overly aggressive."

Comments shared by Peter McLaren, the Editor for Crash MotoGP

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Yamaha's explanation proposed for severe crashes during Sepang tests

"There were hardly any crashes, if any at all, during the Shakedown…"

During the first day of the official MotoGP test at Sepang, numerous riders experienced crashes. Yamaha's Alex Rins attributed these incidents to the gusty weather conditions at the Malaysian track.

After ending the first day in 14th position, Rins, who participated in the second and third days of last weekend's Shakedown test in Sepang, observed a stark difference. While the Shakedown test saw minimal incidents, the initial day of the official test was marked by numerous crashes.

Raul Fernandez suffered a crash that resulted in a fracture to his left hand, preventing him from participating in the rest of the test. Similarly, reigning World Champion Jorge Martin experienced a high-side crash at turn two, leading to fractures in his hand and foot. Consequently, he will not be able to take part in the second and third days of testing.

"In truth, during the Shakedown, we barely witnessed any crashes," Rins mentioned following the initial day of the official testing in Sepang.

"I'll highlight the wind, as it was extremely powerful."

"I felt a bit frustrated because I completed just 41 laps. It would have been great to make it 42."

"I completed just 41 laps and spent a considerable amount of time waiting for the wind to calm down."

Rins elaborated on the sections of the track that were most impacted by the wind.

"The wind was particularly troublesome at turn four, and it was quite strong at turn five. It was also noticeable at turns nine, 11, and 13, especially after changing directions at the spot where [Pedro] Acosta had his crash. I'm not sure if the wind was the cause of his accident," he mentioned.

Yamaha's Strategy Shift

Rins proposed that the large number of crashes on the first day in Sepang was due to the wind. He also indicated that both he and Yamaha would be altering their testing strategy.

"To be truthful, the gusty wind today has somewhat altered the original plan," he mentioned.

"During the Shakedown, we had the opportunity to try out various elements, including adjustments to the setup and some new components such as the chassis."

During the Shakedown, the performance of the chassis wasn't very impressive, but Yamaha managed to make some improvements. Today, the plan was to evaluate the slightly modified new chassis and to try out a new upper wing on the fairing.

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

Although Rins faced challenges due to the wind, his teammate Fabio Quartararo viewed the situation differently.

"There are 15 turns on the track, and I felt that the wind was causing issues for me in about four or five of them," he mentioned.

"In my view, you can determine from the remaining 10 whether the new component was an improvement."

Due to concerns regarding the conditions, Rins decided to alter his strategy. Rather than evaluating Yamaha's new parts, he concentrated on testing the tyres.

"We altered our strategy and evaluated the three front Michelin tires provided to us," he stated.

"There were three distinct types. The first was like the soft compound we use here, but with an alternative construction that wasn't too bad. The other two featured a different casing and were of a different size."

Rins mentioned that the two tires featuring different casing sizes are the ones being developed for the 2026 season. However, he was uncertain whether the third tire would be used in competition in 2025.

As the final two days of the test approach, the Spanish participant is focused on realigning with his original testing schedule.

He added that he wouldn't have been able to accomplish much else.

"Certainly, we still have two days left. I didn't use any qualifying tires to achieve a fast lap time because it wasn't the appropriate moment, as we discussed with our team."

"We'll be examining the chassis and the fairing tomorrow to determine if we can discover any improvements."

In contrast to Rins, Quartararo opted to fit a fresh tire towards the end to target a fast lap time. Ultimately, this time was just slightly better than the one he achieved in Q2 during last year's Malaysian Grand Prix. He recorded a 1:57.592 last November, compared to the 1:57.555 he set on the first day of this year's test.

He expressed optimism, saying, "It's a good thing. It's preferable to being slower. Additionally, we weren't specifically aiming for a time attack, so it's encouraging that we were already […] quicker than during the qualifying session."

"I was feeling pretty positive; during the qualifying session, the main goal is to achieve a fast lap time. At that point, we were experimenting with different setups and added a fresh set of tires towards the end to aim for an impressive lap time."

"We've been riding for two days, taken two days off, and then returned to improve our lap times. I believe this approach has been beneficial, and we performed well."

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

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Jean Todt weighs in on the potential benefits of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari

Jean Todt shares his opinion on Lewis Hamilton's decision to switch to Ferrari.

Ex-Ferrari chief Jean Todt is uncertain whether the team is in a stronger position to compete for Formula 1 world championships with the addition of Lewis Hamilton.

The F1 world has been buzzing since last year when it was revealed that Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, would be making a high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari. As the start of his first season with the Scuderia approaches, excitement continues to grow.

The British driver, who is 40 years old, has been intensifying his preparations for the 2025 season. He has been behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2023 and 2024 models as a component of a comprehensive pre-season testing regimen. This initiative aims to familiarize him with the new team and ensure he is ready for the upcoming challenges.

Ferrari is eager to break their 17-year drought and claim a world title after narrowly missing out on last year's constructors' championship to McLaren by a margin of only 14 points. In a significant team change, Hamilton has taken over the spot previously held by Carlos Sainz, who has now joined Williams.

However, the former team leader and ex-FIA president, Todt, remains skeptical that Hamilton joining Ferrari will be the crucial factor in reigniting their success.

When asked what's preventing Ferrari from winning, he mentioned that they are only lacking a small amount, emphasizing that they've nearly succeeded in the past, according to an interview with Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

"The team had a strong combination with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz; their loss wasn't due to the drivers' performance."

"Clearly, the roster is still high-caliber, even with Hamilton included."

"Is it going to outperform the last one? I really don't know; we'll need to evaluate how the car performs."

Hamilton joining forces with Charles Leclerc in 2025 is set to give Ferrari one of the most formidable driver pairings in Formula 1.

However, Todt believes that Leclerc, who has won eight grand prix races, will not be intimidated by the challenge of competing against one of the most legendary drivers in Formula 1 history.

In contrast, Todt thinks that Leclerc will be driven to enhance his performance further.

Todt expressed that he believes Hamilton will not have an impact on Leclerc.

"Charles might find this as a chance to boost his motivation, similar to how George Russell felt at Mercedes."

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Pecco Bagnaia: Jorge Martin's accident was "as unfortunate as it gets"

"Perhaps fans should keep in mind that handling these bikes is far from simple…"

Francesco Bagnaia thinks that Jorge Martin's crash during the MotoGP test in Sepang was due to unfortunate circumstances instead of excessive risk-taking.

Current MotoGP titleholder Martin, who was riding the Aprilia RS-GP for just the second time, experienced two crashes on the first day of the official test. His second crash was a high-side at turn two, which resulted in fractures to both his left hand and left foot. Consequently, he will be unable to participate in the second and third days of testing.

Bagnaia admitted that he doesn't really think about the dangers of MotoGP, even after spending a few months away from the bike, as he commented following the first day in Sepang.

"I understand that such incidents are always possible, but today was particularly unfortunate. Martin fell and returned to the garage, and then during his first timed lap, he suffered another crash, which was quite severe."

"It’s possible that the back tire hadn’t reached an optimal temperature since it was the harder type, which isn’t very effective. Perhaps the temperature wasn’t ideal, leading to a crash similar to the one Marc Marquez experienced in 2019."

"I find the situation unfortunate, but I'm hopeful he'll return to Thailand or be prepared for the first race."

"I believe he wasn't taking any risks today; he simply had an accident at the slowest turn, in the most unfortunate manner. It's one of those things that can occur."

"Perhaps some supporters should keep in mind that handling these motorcycles isn't as simple as it seems."

"Improved power delivery, but braking issues on the GP25"

Regarding Bagnaia's performance, it was relatively subdued when looking at lap times. The three-time World Champion ended up in 17th place, trailing Fabio Quartararo's leading time by 1.392 seconds.

The Italian explained that his ability to run was restricted because he didn't have enough tires. This shortage also stopped him from effectively evaluating how the new Desmosedici GP25 stacked up against the earlier model, the GP24.

"It’s challenging to comment on the bikes as we lack sufficient tires for proper testing, making today more of a day of compromise," Bagnaia remarked regarding his first day of the season.

"We initiated this process primarily to sort everything out. We began by tackling the most significant issue and realized that the other specification wasn't performing optimally. However, we gained valuable insight into the right path to take, thanks to Marc Marquez's impressive time attack on the GP24 towards the end of the day."

"We have additional information to review, and I believe we performed excellently today. Our impressions were quite similar, and we have confidence in this. We experimented with a new approach and united by the end of the day."

"We provided extensive information to the technicians and engineers, allowing us to begin work with clear direction tomorrow."

Even though Bagnaia was hesitant to firmly state his opinion on the GP25 in comparison to the 2024 model, he did share a few thoughts on the new bike's characteristics.

He expressed that one positive aspect of the GP25 is its power delivery, noting that it feels smoother and more precise. In comparison, the GP24 had a somewhat uneven power delivery when exiting.

"The standout feature of the GP24 was its braking and corner entry capabilities, which are not currently matched by the GP25. We need to address this, but fortunately, there is ample time to make improvements."

Bagnaia explained that he believes the engine is affecting his perception of the GP25's braking performance, suggesting it seems to be a downgrade compared to the GP24. However, he emphasized that this issue is not related to inertia.

He stated, "I believe it's primarily about how the engine is built, rather than the engine's inertia."

"It could be the arrangement."

The Italian mentioned that on Wednesday, he had been using the GP24 chassis to concentrate more on the new engine.

"The structure we used today was the GP24 frame, paired with the new engine," he explained. "Initially, it's crucial to focus on understanding the engine, and afterward, we'll incorporate the new frame."

Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was already trying out the new frame, expressed satisfaction with its performance during braking. Therefore, I believe it will be beneficial.

The new chassis is being introduced later than planned due to limited testing opportunities before the season starts, coupled with the engine development freeze set for 2026.

Bagnaia explained that the reason for prioritizing engine testing at Ducati is the upcoming development freeze, and they don't have as much time as they used to.

"After completing these five days of testing, we will head to Thailand one week later for the opening race."

"The most crucial aspect is to comprehend the engine, as we've previously had to take a step back, and we wish to avoid repeating that scenario. The GP24 demonstrated remarkable qualities in certain areas, and our goal is to build on those strengths."

"In my opinion, the engine performs excellently when accelerating and delivering power, but there's a need to enhance the braking system; fortunately, we have an idea of the necessary improvements."

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

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Honda's latest MotoGP prospect acknowledges challenges with ride height mechanism

"How does it compare, moving from Moto2 to MotoGP?"

Somkiat Chantra has acknowledged facing initial challenges with Honda's ride height mechanism.

The newcomer to MotoGP used the three days of testing at the Shakedown, a provision allowed by the regulations for his debut season in the category.

Chantra, alongside fellow Honda racers and competitors from the MotoGP, will participate in the official three-day Sepang test this week, where he'll continue adjusting to his motorcycle.

"Everything went smoothly. We tested out the new motorcycle," commented Chantra.

"Additionally, we were in the process of improving our skills with the bicycle. Our proficiency was on the rise."

"Transitioning from Moto2 to MotoGP? It's primarily the advanced electronics and the ride system."

"Additionally, utilizing the data, we dedicated significant effort to accurately positioning the ride apparatus. It was improving, becoming more precise."

Chantra was questioned on whether he was activating the ride height mechanism sooner or later than he should.

"He was significantly ahead of me, especially when you compare it to Takaaki Nakagami's timing," he responded.

Somkiat Chantra from Honda discusses adjusting to challenges

Chantra reveals that getting used to the demands of handling a MotoGP motorcycle is a significant challenge.

He stated, "Currently, we possess two motorcycles. My crew isn't attempting to alter the configuration.

"They expect me to familiarize myself with the bicycle and grasp its functioning, then return and share my insights on it."

Following the Barcelona trial, I experienced discomfort while riding. Since that time, I have focused on rehabilitating my back and improving my overall physical condition.

"In Sepang, the turns are rapid. Personally, the goal is to harness additional power to propel the motorcycle forward."

Chantra needs to familiarize himself with the numerous technological components on his Honda, a significant change from Moto2.

"He mentioned that his bicycle was equipped with a pair of brakes, one attached to the back wheel and the other operated by his hand."

"It's not the same. My group mentioned, 'we'll maintain it as is'."

"At a certain moment, we apply the brake pedal."

"During the initial day of the trial run, recalling every detail proved to be challenging."

"After completing two circuits, they switched the layout…"

"Day after day, I made an effort to recall every detail."

Chantra felt uplifted after receiving a visit from Nakagami, the dedicated Honda test rider for this season.

Additionally, Ai Ogura is joining him in moving to MotoGP, signing with Trackhouse.

"On the final day, Nakagami paid me a visit. He made an effort to avoid exerting any pressure on me.

"He expressed his wishes for me to have a good time with the bicycle."

"Ai is making the transition from competing in Moto2 to racing in MotoGP."

"During our leisure moments, our conversations often revolve around MotoGP, discussing its intensity and velocity."

Statements given by Peter McLaren, Crash MotoGP Correspondent

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Collision Hub

Another injury sidelines a MotoGP competitor following the tumultuous events at Sepang. Fabio di Giannantonio has been confirmed to have sustained an injury during the Sepang testing session.

Fabio Di Giannantonio of the VR46 Ducati team will not participate in the remainder of the Sepang MotoGP test due to a collarbone fracture sustained in a crash on Wednesday.

The Italian decided to skip the last two races of the 2024 season to undergo surgery on his shoulder, which he injured at the Austrian Grand Prix, leading to a recovery period during the winter.

Ahead of the upcoming pre-season, Di Giannantonio worked towards regaining full fitness and recently made a comeback to track activities at Mandalika. Last week, he participated in a private track day riding a Panigale V4 Ducati.

During the Wednesday session of the Sepang test, he was among the riders who experienced crashes, but his VR46 team initially indicated that he was unharmed.

VR46 has announced that Di Giannantonio has broken his collarbone and will return to Italy to undergo surgery, which means he will miss the remainder of the test.

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati has stated that he sustained the injury following a second accident at Turn 5, which occurred during the practice start session at the conclusion of the day's activities.

A statement briefly announced that Fabio Di Giannantonio suffered a fracture to his left collarbone after crashing at Turn 5 during the Sepang Test.

"The rider from the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is set to return to Italy this evening to have surgery."

Di Giannantonio is among just three racers riding a GP25 Ducati this year. He was unable to test the bike for the first time in Barcelona last November because he underwent shoulder surgery.

With only seven days remaining before the upcoming test in Buriram, Di Giannantonio faces a quick recovery to ensure he is ready to spend crucial time on the GP25 track ahead of the season's kickoff in Thailand.

Even after his accident, he managed to secure the seventh fastest time by the end of Wednesday's session, completing a total of 49 laps.

Three riders are leaving after the first day of testing because of injuries, and he is one of them.

World champion Jorge Martin, who is currently holding the title, is set to travel back to Spain for an operation due to several fractures he sustained following a severe accident on his Aprilia.

Raul Fernandez, who rides for Trackhouse Aprilia, will miss the remainder of the test to undergo surgery for a fracture in his left hand.

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Marc Marquez: Recent GP25 Improvements Noticeable, Yet Sepang MotoGP Test Reveals Ongoing Issues

Eight-time world champion kicks off pre-season testing with promising performance

Marc Marquez has noted that the newest Ducati development, introduced during the Sepang MotoGP test, shows some improvement over the GP25 model he tested in November. However, he did mention that there are still "some problems" that need to be addressed.

Last year, Marquez competed using the GP23 at Gresini. He experienced the factory Ducati equipment for the first time during the post-season test in November, where he rode both the GP24 and a prototype of the GP25.

Ducati introduced a new bike at the Sepang test this week, building on the GP25 model used in Barcelona. During the test session in Malaysia on Wednesday, Marquez clocked the second-fastest time of the day.

Marquez mentions that the general "idea" of the bike remains consistent, although in certain aspects it seems "improved," even though there are some initial problems that need addressing.

Marquez expressed that right from the initial ride, he felt extremely comfortable on the bike, as if he hadn't spent two months away from MotoGP.

"This simplifies matters significantly, as having that sense allows for more accurate feedback, which is crucial right now given that we are experimenting with numerous ideas."

"Today, we focused on the top priority, which was the engine. This is similar to what every manufacturer does because once you approve the engine, it remains unchanged throughout the entire year."

"We aimed to concentrate on the tasks at hand. A particularly encouraging aspect was that Pecco and I once again shared the same observations."

Within the team, the two riders began pursuing separate approaches while aiming to achieve the same objective.

"Alright, we're gradually working to achieve the right balance for the bike. Often, when a new bike hits the track, it can present various issues. However, the team is effectively addressing these challenges."

Essentially, the idea of the bike for the cyclist while riding remains mostly the same.

"There are a few distinctions compared to the November bike."

"There is some truth to the fact that they are beginning to address the issues. It's slightly improved compared to Barcelona. However, the 2024 model is a bike that will be available for a year, and once you start using it, it performs well."

"When you get a new bicycle, you have to learn how to balance it and discover various aspects about it."

"That's why Pecco [Bagnaia] and I are approaching things differently, yet we exchange many of our observations."

"Three days might seem like a substantial amount of time, but it's actually very limited. It's extremely brief."

Marc Marquez Highlights Characteristics of GP25

Marquez notes that the GP25 stands out due to its noticeably "smoother" engine, and he believes Ducati has successfully extracted additional power from it.

"The engine seems to be running more smoothly, which is a positive trait for the rider," he mentioned.

"You constantly seek to increase power, and we've managed to do that to some extent. However, we now need to address some issues, which I believe can be resolved with electronics and related technologies."

He mentioned that he is "very satisfied with the braking stability" of the GP25.

Marquez mentions that he is in better physical shape compared to the start of the 2024 pre-season. However, he acknowledges that his age and past injuries are affecting his readiness.

"I'm feeling really great today," he mentioned.

"However, we will find out tomorrow. I anticipate feeling more unwell physically. It's noteworthy that this is the first winter like this. Last year, the winter went well, but I underwent surgery for the arm pump."

"During the winter, I focused on training effectively. I paid close attention to my motocross sessions to ensure I was in top physical shape."

"Naturally, I have to put in extra effort and work harder than I'm accustomed to, as being 32 might be a contributing factor."

"I believe it has a lot to do with all the injuries I've experienced, so I have to put in extra effort. I accept this reality and commit to it. Out of the 24 hours in my day, I dedicate 12 to taking care of my body."

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