Alex Marquez playfully pokes fun at Pirro: “You mentioned that there wasn't much of a difference between GP23-24!”

“I was just having a bit of fun with him since I noticed he claimed in numerous interviews that the difference wasn't significant!”

During the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event this weekend, Alex Marquez playfully mocked Ducati's test rider Michele Pirro for remarks he had made previously, as Pirro resumed riding the GP23.

Although Marc Marquez, Alex's brother, has achieved three Grand Prix victories riding the year-old satellite bike, the other GP23 riders have only managed to secure two podium finishes collectively. They frequently mention problems with the front end of the bike compared to the GP22 model.

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Throughout this year, Pirro has been working on the development of the factory GP24 motorcycle. This bike is set to secure the world championship title on Sunday, with either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia as the victor.

However, he has been called to return to the previous model of the bike to stand in for Fabio di Giannantonio, who is injured, at VR46.

On Saturday, Alex mentioned that Michele had told him, "this bike is putting a lot of pressure on the front."

I responded, "You mentioned that there wasn't much of a difference between 23 and 24!"

"I teased him a little because I noticed he mentioned in several interviews that the difference wasn't significant!"

Pirro likely altered his viewpoint because the last time he rode the GP23, which was over a year ago, it still had the 2023 rear tire design.

After completing the Sprint in 21st place, marking his first MotoGP race of the year, Pirro remarked that it was beneficial to observe the distinctions between the 23 and 24 bikes.

The 2023 bike faces challenges with the 2024 tire. It performs well in certain races, but managing it becomes tougher in others.

Michelin has updated its rear tire for this year. The new Ducati GP24 has been designed and built to complement the features of this updated tire, but the increase in rear grip seems to have disturbed the balance of the GP23.

Marquez confirmed that Michele mentioned to him, and it is indeed accurate, that the rear tire has been changed this year.

"Perhaps the bike from the previous year, equipped with the tires from that time, performed better in terms of handling the front-end issues he's currently experiencing."

"Now he clearly understands how things truly are."

Marquez stated, "I'm not claiming that the GP24 is obviously superior to the GP23."

"Certainly, there will be some aspects that may not be as good, since it's not possible to enhance every part of a bike."

Rider #73 is only a few days away from experiencing the GP24 firsthand during the post-race test on Tuesday.

He emphasized that he had no preconceived notions about his upcoming machine. He urged others to simply enjoy the experience, pay attention to how the 24 bike performs, aim to complete as many laps as possible, and communicate his observations to Ducati.

When questioned about whether he believes the difference between the Ducati satellite team and the factory team will be reduced compared to this year, Marquez responded:

"I wish that the 24th turns out to be more favorable than the 25th!"

"Similar to the transition from GP22 to GP23, which was quite balanced, we hope that with some luck, the situation will be comparable, allowing us to be even closer than we have been this year."

Following his fifth-place result in the Barcelona Sprint, Marquez shared his thoughts.

This weekend, Alex has consistently performed better than his brother in every session except for qualifying. During that session, Alex ended up in eleventh place, while Marc benefited from drafting behind Francesco Bagnaia to secure a spot on the front row.

He expressed optimism about his performance in the Sprint, saying, "I felt really positive and even imagined competing for first place." He added, "I was in fourth position, and if I managed to pass Enea and Martin swiftly…"

When the GP24 is out in front without anyone to follow, it can still reach the braking point close to the others. However, I had Enea ahead of me, benefiting from Jorge's slipstream, and it was as if he just took off.

He expressed his frustration over the qualifying session, stating that it fell short of their expectations. He mentioned that one of his laps was disallowed due to a minor touch on the green, which would have secured him a position in P6.

"We were fortunate to locate the optimal positions in the initial corners, and this will be crucial come Sunday. Our speed is solid, and we're confident in our performance. However, making overtakes on this track proves to be quite challenging."

The upcoming grand prix on Sunday marks the final race in which the Marquez brothers will compete as teammates, as Marc is set to join the factory Ducati team with Bagnaia in 2025.

"Gresini feels like a large family, and when you include the fact that Marc and I are siblings, it's something truly special," Alex commented about this season.

At the beginning of the season's final event, Alex is positioned in tenth place in the world championship standings. He trails Franco Morbidelli by five points and maintains an eight-point lead over Aleix Espargaro.

For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the narrative surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's injury challenges.

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Alex Marquez playfully taunts Pirro: "You mentioned there wasn't much of a difference between the GP23 and GP24!"

"I was having a little fun with him because I noticed in several interviews he claimed there wasn't a significant difference!"

During this weekend's Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, Alex Marquez playfully reminded Ducati test rider Michele Pirro about some remarks he made in the past as Pirro returned to the GP23.

Although Marc Marquez, Alex's brother, has secured victories in three Grand Prix races riding the year-old satellite bike, the riders on the newer GP23 machines have only managed to achieve two podium finishes collectively. They frequently mention problems with the front end when compared to the earlier GP22 model.

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This year, Pirro has been working on the factory GP24, a bike that will secure the world championship for either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia this coming Sunday.

However, he has been called back to the older motorcycle to fill in for the injured Fabio di Giannantonio at VR46.

On Saturday, Alex mentioned that Michele told him, "this bike is putting a lot of pressure on the front."

I responded, "You mentioned there wasn't much of a difference between 23 and 24!"

"I was teasing him slightly because I noticed in several interviews that he mentioned there wasn't much of a difference!"

The shift in Pirro's perspective is likely due to the fact that the last time the Italian tested the GP23, more than a year ago, it was still equipped with the rear tire design intended for 2023.

Pirro expressed his satisfaction in observing the contrasts between the 23 and 24 bikes after concluding the Sprint in 21st position, marking his inaugural MotoGP race of the year.

The 2023 bike faces challenges with the 2024 tire. In certain races, the performance might be acceptable, but in others, it becomes harder to handle.

Michelin has updated its rear tire for this year. The new Ducati GP24 was specifically created with the features of this updated tire in mind, but the increased rear grip seems to have disrupted the equilibrium of the GP23.

Marquez confirmed that Michele told him, which is accurate, that the rear tire was changed this year.

"Perhaps the bike from last year, equipped with the tires from that time, handled better when it came to the front-end issues he is currently experiencing."

"That's how it is, and now he fully understands the distinction."

Marquez stated, "I am not claiming that the GP24 is definitively superior to the GP23."

"Certainly, there will be some aspects that may not improve, as it's not possible to enhance every part of a bike."

Number 73 only has a short wait ahead before experiencing the distinctions firsthand when he makes his debut on the GP24 during the post-race test on Tuesday.

He emphasized that he had no specific hopes for the performance of his future motorcycle. His goal is to appreciate the experience, understand the dynamics of the number 24 bike, complete as many laps as possible, and communicate his observations to Ducati.

When questioned about whether he anticipates a reduced disparity between the Ducati satellite team and the factory team next year, Marquez responded:

"I wish that the 24 turns out to be an improvement over the 25!"

"Much like the transition from GP22 to GP23, the conditions were very similar. If fortune favors us, the situation will mirror this, and we will be more competitive than we have been this year."

Following a fifth-place result in the Barcelona Sprint, Marquez shared his thoughts.

This weekend, Alex has consistently been faster than his brother in all sessions except for qualifying. During qualifying, Alex fell to eleventh place, while Marc, benefiting from following Francesco Bagnaia, secured a spot in the front row.

He expressed, "During the Sprint, I felt exceptionally positive. I even imagined myself contending for the win." He added, "I was in fourth place, and I thought that if I could swiftly pass Enea and Martin…

"When the GP24 isn't following anyone and lacks a slipstream, we can at least reach the braking point near them. However, I had Enea ahead of me, who was benefiting from Jorge's slipstream, and it was as if he just took off."

"I'm really upset about my performance in the qualifying session because it didn't meet our expectations," he said. "One of my laps was disqualified after I slightly went off track, and that lap would have placed me in sixth position."

"We were fortunate to identify the ideal spots in the initial corners, and that will be crucial for Sunday's race as well. Our speed is strong. We feel confident. We have all the necessary elements, but it's quite challenging to make overtakes on this track."

Sunday's race will mark the final time the Marquez brothers compete as teammates, as Marc is set to join the factory Ducati team with Bagnaia in 2025.

Alex described this season as a wonderful experience, noting that Gresini is like a large family. He added that the fact he and Marc are brothers made it even more special.

Alex is set to begin the final race of the season ranked tenth in the world championship standings. He trails Franco Morbidelli by five points and maintains an eight-point lead over Aleix Espargaro.

For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career unfold and eventually conclude. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Alex Marquez playfully pokes fun at Pirro, saying, “You mentioned that there wasn't much of a difference between the GP23-24 models!” Marquez added, “I was just having a bit of fun with him because I noticed he mentioned in several interviews that the difference wasn't significant!”

At this weekend's Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, Alex Marquez playfully reminded Ducati test rider Michele Pirro about remarks he had made in the past as Pirro returned to the GP23.

Marc Marquez, Alex's sibling, has clinched three Grand Prix victories riding a satellite bike from last year. In contrast, the other GP23 competitors have only managed to secure two podium finishes collectively, frequently mentioning problems with the bike's front end in comparison to the older GP22 model.

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This year, Pirro dedicated his efforts to working on the factory GP24, a bike poised to secure the world championship title for either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia this coming Sunday.

However, he has been called up to ride the older motorcycle to fill in for Fabio di Giannantonio, who is injured, at VR46.

On Saturday, Alex recounted that Michele had told him, "I'm experiencing significant pressure on the front of this bike."

I responded, "You mentioned that there wasn't much of a difference between 23 and 24!"

"I teased him slightly as I noticed he mentioned in numerous interviews that the difference wasn't significant!"

Pirro likely altered his view because the last time he tested the GP23, more than a year ago, it was equipped with the 2023 rear tire design.

Pirro expressed his satisfaction at observing the contrasts between the 23 and 24 bikes after concluding the Sprint in 21st place, marking his debut MotoGP race of the year.

The 2023 bike faces challenges with the 2024 tire. It performs well in some races, but in others, managing it becomes more challenging.

Michelin has updated its rear tire for this year. The newest Ducati GP24 was created and engineered with the features of the new tire in mind. However, the improvement in rear grip seems to have disrupted the stability of the GP23.

Marquez confirmed that Michele told him, and it's accurate, that the rear tire was changed this year.

"It's possible that last year's bike, equipped with the previous year's tire, might have been more effective in handling the front-end issues he's currently experiencing."

"He now fully understands the distinction as it stands."

Marquez stated, "I'm not claiming that the GP24 is definitely superior to the GP23."

"Certainly, there will be aspects that may not be as good, since it's impossible to enhance a bike in every single way."

Rider number 73 only has a few days left before he can personally experience the distinctions during his debut on the GP24 at the test following the race on Tuesday.

He emphasized having "no expectations" for his upcoming vehicle. His focus was on enjoying the experience, understanding the performance of the 24 bike, completing as many laps as possible, and providing Ducati with feedback about his experience.

When questioned about whether he believes the performance difference between Ducati's satellite and factory teams will decrease compared to this year, Marquez responded:

"I wish that the 24 turns out to be an improvement over the 25!"

"Similar to the transition from GP22 to GP23, it was quite balanced. Hopefully, we'll be fortunate, and next year we'll be even closer than we were this year."

Following his fifth-place result in the Barcelona Sprint, Marquez shared his thoughts.

Throughout the weekend, Alex has consistently been faster than his brother in all sessions except for qualifying. During qualifying, Alex fell to eleventh place, while Marc, benefiting from drafting behind Francesco Bagnaia, secured a spot on the front row.

During the Sprint, he felt quite positive. He even imagined himself competing for the win. "I was in fourth place, and if I managed to pass Enea and Martin swiftly…" he mentioned.

"When the GP24 is on the track without any riders ahead to provide a slipstream, we can still manage to reach the braking point nearly at the same time as the others. However, I had Enea in front, who was benefiting from Jorge's slipstream, and it was as if he just took off."

He expressed his frustration about his qualifying performance, stating it wasn't up to par. He explained that one of his laps was canceled because he slightly touched the green area, and that lap would have secured him a position in P6.

"We were fortunate to position ourselves well in the initial corners, and this strategy will be crucial again on Sunday. Our pace is strong, and we feel confident overall. However, overtaking on this track proves to be quite challenging."

The upcoming Sunday race will mark the final event where the Marquez siblings compete as teammates, as Marc Marquez is set to join the factory Ducati team with Bagnaia in 2025.

Alex expressed that the Gresini team feels like an extended family, and the experience becomes even more special since he and Marc are siblings. He described this season as something truly wonderful.

Alex is set to begin the final race of the season ranked tenth in the world championship standings. He trails Franco Morbidelli by five points and has a lead of eight points over Aleix Espargaro.

For two decades, Peter has been immersed in the paddock environment, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is deeply involved in covering Suzuki's departure and the ongoing injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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MotoGP reports unprecedented attendance figures

Listed below are the spectator numbers for each MotoGP event this year.

MotoGP has reported that this year's event had the highest number of spectators in its history.

The number of people attending the final event of the season in Barcelona on Sunday has pushed the yearly total past three million, marking a new record.

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Barcelona MotoGP Solidarity Event Attendance

Prior to the Weekend – 26,081

Saturday – 46,644 people

Sunday had a total of 62,123

Overall – 134,848

I'm

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

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The leading MotoGP competitor not riding a Ducati has outperformed his future 2025 teammate but concedes, "Our expectations were higher." He added, "Regrettably, the situation turned out to be more challenging than we thought."

Brad Binder's impressive performance in Barcelona secured his position as the leading non-Ducati racer in the 2024 MotoGP season.

The KTM factory rider finished in fifth position in the championship, trailing behind the Ducati foursome of Jorge Martin, Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini.

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In a potentially decisive move, Binder managed to outperform his KTM teammate Pedro Acosta in the last grand prix, securing fifth place in the rankings.

Acosta is set to move up from Tech3 to the main factory team in 2025, but Binder has already made a significant impression.

He quipped, "If it were for a world championship, it would be an entirely different matter!"

"Being in fifth place is nice, but I was hoping for a higher ranking

"I've placed sixth a few times, landed in fourth position once, and now I've secured fifth place once. It seems I'm consistently staying around this range."

"It would be great to make progress from this point…"

The rankings indicate that KTM is recognized as the closest competitor to Ducati, yet they have experienced a challenging season.

Maverick Vinales, representing Aprilia, was the sole competitor to clinch a victory in a Sunday race without riding a Ducati.

Binder pondered, "It's fair to describe it as an adventure. Our expectations were definitely higher."

"KTM and I both had higher expectations for this season."

Regrettably, it has proven to be more difficult than expected.

"We put in maximum effort no matter if we ended up in 10th place or nearly reached the podium."

"I'm pleased with the work that was done."

"This is not our final destination. We will move ahead from this point."

Starting from 18th position, Binder surged ahead to secure an eighth-place finish in the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, while Acosta ended up in 10th place.

"In all honesty, Binder mentioned that his Sunday was quite enjoyable."

The team adjusted a few details since yesterday, and the motorcycle performed excellently. I was extremely pleased.

"During the race, I made an effort to conserve my rear tire, which ensured I had some remaining grip at the finish."

"Climbing from 18th place to eighth was a thrilling journey and a positive achievement."

"I was really pleased to finish the race with the tire intact, which was the main challenge today."

"I focused on getting out of the turns smoothly without causing the tire to spin. My main objective today was to gain time by braking effectively and accelerating quickly."

"Ending up fifth in the championship is great. Given how hectic this year has been, it's really impressive."

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

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Aleix Espargaro expressed disapproval, stating, "It wasn't right; he spent the entire race supporting Jorge Martin!" This comment from Espargaro has upset a fellow competitor following the Barcelona MotoGP.

Enea Bastianini voiced disapproval of Aleix Espargaro following the MotoGP event in Barcelona on Sunday.

Jorge Martin secured the 2024 title by taking third place in the grand prix, while his close friend Espargaro, known for his strong performances on this particular track, finished in fifth position.

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During the race, Aprilia's Espargaro was engaged in an intense battle with Ducati's factory rider Bastianini for the fourth position.

Bastianini ended up in seventh place, which caused him to miss out on securing third place in the overall championship standings.

Following the incident, he expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "I am upset with Aleix's actions."

"In my opinion, it's not right. He doesn't consider himself a colleague of Martin."

"It was not a tidy matter."

"If I hadn't had the confrontation with Aleix, I might have been able to achieve more personally."

"He dedicated the entire race to Martin! Naturally, he shares a friendship with Jorge."

"However, you are unable to perform such an action."

Bastianini expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "I wasn't very pleased with how things went today."

"It was my final race with Ducati, and it didn't go as I had hoped."

"I gave it my all, but I struggled with the front from the beginning. This issue has occurred frequently."

"I was quick during the sprint, but we noticed an issue in the longer race."

"In the beginning, I faced numerous defeats. Today, I was defeated by Aleix."

"I couldn't achieve anything beyond what I did."

Bastianinia was unable to secure third place in the championship, which went to Marc Marquez instead.

Bastianini will be a part of Tech3 KTM starting next year.

'Bastianini Nears Bagnaia and Martin'

Enea Bastianini's two-year stint with the factory Ducati team has come to an end. In his debut year, injuries severely hampered his performance, and this year, he struggled to maintain a steady pace alongside championship contenders Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

He asserted that the capability is nearly on par with Pecco and Jorge.

"However, I lacked consistency and overlooked an element."

"When I was leading during both the qualifying and the race, I ended up staying in the back. Later, the roles were reversed. This situation isn’t favorable for winning the championship."

"If you're aiming for victory, you need to alter your strategy."

"I aim to have better luck in the future stages of my career. I'm confident that I can achieve more than what I will accomplish in the 2024 season."

"An exceptional squad," Bastianini remarked regarding his teammate Bagnaia. "We had numerous battles, all carried out with great respect for one another."

"We were a remarkable and cohesive group. Our efforts were focused on increasing our speed."

"The quality improved due to the collaboration we engaged in."

"Occasionally, we experimented with a new component on the motorcycle and engaged in extensive discussions to provide the best possible feedback to Ducati."

"The materials were also delivered to [Pramac]."

Bastianini commented on the new titleholder, stating, "Jorge has almost achieved perfection throughout this championship."

"I am pleased for him. He put in a great deal of effort to reach this outcome."

"He handled the race with exceptional skill, executing it flawlessly."

"I look forward to a future showdown with him. He'll be quick when riding the Aprilia."

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

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Jorge Martin expressed his concerns, saying, "I was filled with fears, thinking, 'I might never become a MotoGP champion.'" He added, "It's still hard for me to grasp; I'm truly in disbelief!"

In a dramatic season conclusion in Barcelona on Sunday, Jorge Martin made history by becoming the first Independent rider to clinch a championship in the MotoGP era.

Pramac Ducati's standout rider secured Spain's fifth championship title in the premier class by finishing third in a race where Francesco Bagnaia, the defending double champion from the official Ducati team, emerged victorious.

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"I'm in disbelief and utterly shocked!" exclaimed Martin, just after the podium festivities. "My emotions are all over the place, and I've shed many tears!"

"At this moment, I simply wish to rejoice alongside my team, family, and friends."

"It's been a lengthy path. My professional life hasn't been simple. Certainly, I've had some great chances, but I believe I created those opportunities. I've put in a lot of effort and made numerous sacrifices."

"During the previous season, I had the chance, but I believe I wasn't ready to finalize the agreement, so to speak. However, this year I felt it was my time."

"I am grateful to Pramac and Ducati for providing me with an incredible bike over the past four years and allowing me to compete fiercely alongside the exceptional Pecco."

Martin expressed that he was very frightened. Due to Martin's strong performance throughout this season, he only required a ninth-place result to secure his standing, assuming Bagnaia claimed his eleventh victory of the year in the grand prix.

However, putting that into practice is more challenging, particularly given that all three rear tire choices were suitable for the 24-lap race.

"Today's challenging conditions made selecting the right tires a tough decision. Some riders opted for hard tires, others for soft, and some chose medium. This situation made me quite apprehensive."

"I observed the competitors and thought to myself, 'wow, they're all impressive.' It's quite possible to end up in tenth place if they perform well. Everyone in the top ten has the ability to succeed."

Both Bagnaia and second-place finisher Marc Marquez opted for the soft rear tire, but Martin, who had earlier suggested he would follow Bagnaia's choice, decided to stay with his original plan and used the medium tire.

"I felt frightened initially, but eventually, I decided that the medium tyres were the safest option," he stated. "It was challenging, and perhaps the soft tyres offered better performance, but I managed to succeed."

"I believed in myself. I was confident that even with the 'least favorable' tire, I could still make it into the top nine, and I stayed very focused."

"Today was a thrilling experience for me at the race. It felt like I was in a supermoto training session, brushing elbows and shoulders, but this time on a MotoGP bike! I'm incredibly happy to have relished every moment of it."

As he approached the pinnacle moment of his career, he was still filled with a multitude of emotions.

"I believe that even if this had been a regular race, like those held here in May, I would have still come in third place because Marc and Pecco were more competitive. I gave it my all. However, the final 7 laps were definitely more challenging."

"I began to recall numerous memories. It felt like my entire career was flashing through my mind. I thought of my Dad, who would dedicate his weekends after work to training with me. I also remembered my Mum, who would prepare meals while I competed in pocket bike races. I thought about my Grandfather, who is no longer with us, but I believe he's watching over me from above."

"In an effort to stay present, I kept reminding myself, 'Jorge, you have to complete what you started. It's not over until you reach the end.' As I entered the final lap, emotions overwhelmed me, and I could feel tears welling up."

This level of excitement was markedly different from how the year started.

Martin admitted to facing challenges with his mental health. The 26-year-old rider expressed his difficulties, mentioning that he faltered against Bagnaia in the closing event of last season.

"The previous season went really well. Although I ended up in second place, I felt quite content. However, when January came around, I began experiencing significant anxiety and fear. I kept thinking, 'What if I never become a MotoGP champion?'"

"My coach played a significant role in my improvement, allowing me to concentrate more on the prospect of winning rather than being afraid of losing."

"If I don't win, it's alright. It's not the end of the world or my life."

"I was filled with optimism about winning, not just for myself, but also for my team, my community, and my family. This sense of hope was a significant source of motivation for me."

Martin can enjoy his Sunday before he begins getting ready for his new role as a factory rider for Aprilia. He is set to make his debut on Tuesday at the Barcelona circuit.

Martin expressed that anything that happens in his future will feel like a gift after this experience. He stated that he is committed to being the best version of himself and aims to achieve victory with Aprilia, but is also focused on enjoying the present moment.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the rise and fall of Valentino Rossi's career. He is closely following the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Marc Marquez discloses the technical changes that contributed to his podium finish at the Barcelona MotoGP.

"I have to commend my technician who worked tirelessly overnight—I doubt he got much sleep."

Marc Marquez wrapped up his stint with the Gresini Ducati team by securing a second-place finish, which ensured he took third place in the riders' championship.

Despite Marquez facing challenges at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as seen in Saturday's Sprint where he ended up in a far-off seventh place, the outcome still unfolded.

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“Today was challenging, particularly given that yesterday's Sprint race was tough,” Marquez stated during the post-race press conference in Barcelona.

He mentioned that making a few technical adjustments to his bike's setup was crucial to his better performance on Sunday.

"My technician was exceptional throughout the night—I suspect he doesn't get much sleep."

"We reviewed all our actions and essentially returned to the motorcycle setup we began with during the first practice session."

"During the warm-up, I began to feel an improvement, and in the race, I was able to ride according to my own style."

"Certainly, we had areas where we lacked strength, but I excelled in my strengths, which was incredibly encouraging."

Throughout the race, Marquez stayed closely behind Francesco Bagnaia, narrowing the gap at various moments. However, as the race neared its end, he fell back and did not pose a significant threat to take the lead.

Marquez mentioned that he spent several laps trailing behind Pecco, attempting to manage the circumstances.

"In the final five laps, I couldn't keep up with him. Each time I got near, the front end began to lose grip significantly due to the heat."

"Today, he outpaced me significantly. However, securing second place is the perfect conclusion to this wonderful chapter of my career with the Gresini team, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's the ideal way to express my gratitude."

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

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EXCLUSIVE: Ducati Compelled to Make Tough Choice Regarding Jorge Martin

Interview with Davide Tardozzi from Barcelona Paddock, conducted by Lewis Duncan

According to Ducati's team manager, Davide Tardozzi, the brand had to make some difficult emotional choices regarding their 2025 MotoGP roster, which has resulted in the loss of the new world champion.

Jorge Martin, the Pramac racer, secured the 2024 championship during the last event of the season at the Solidarity Grand Prix. He clinched the title by finishing in third place, even as his competitor Francesco Bagnaia took the victory.

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Martin is set to depart from Ducati and will be transitioning to Aprilia for the 2025 season. He will make his first appearance on the track during the post-season test on Tuesday.

In 2025, Martin was initially selected to join the factory Ducati squad alongside Bagnaia. However, the team changed its decision and opted to elevate Marc Marquez to the position after the eight-time world champion declined a proposal to ride a factory GP25 with the Pramac team.

As a result of the aftermath, Ducati saw Pramac move to Yamaha, Enea Bastianini switch to KTM, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi transfer to Aprilia.

When questioned by Crash.net regarding any regrets after Martin's championship victory in the summer, Tardozzi replied, "You see, this year Ducati had the 'Fabulous Four,' as the top four competitors in the championship belong to our team."

"Regrettably, we had to make several tough choices concerning matters of the heart."

"In the end, we made the decision, which means that, unfortunately, Martin and Enea will have to depart from Ducati since the preference is to have a different factory motorcycle."

"It’s unfortunate, but it was beyond repair. We hope the best for them moving forward."

There was another choice to be made, and regrettably, this led Pramac to switch to Yamaha and Jorge to join Aprilia.

"However, I believe Ducati will continue to be competitive next year, and it's important for us to demonstrate to the fans that our decision was the correct one."

As Ducati confronts the possibility that the number one plate—still undecided by Martin—might be seen on a factory Aprilia in 2025, Tardozzi maintains that the Bologna-based manufacturer remains “the true victor” of this year's world championship.

"Ultimately, to be completely frank, it was clear that we hoped Pecco would secure the championship victory," he stated.

"We are the Ducati Lenovo team, yet ultimately, it's Ducati that emerges as the true victor of 2024 since riders occupying the first, second, third, and fourth positions in the championship all represent Ducati."

Martin rides for Ducati. The Pramac team receives comprehensive backing from Ducati, including the use of factory bikes and the assistance of seven Ducati staff members.

"In conclusion, it seems that Ducati Factory emerged as the true victor of this championship."

Addressing Bagnaia's narrow championship loss by a margin of 10 points, despite securing victory in 11 grand prix races, Tardozzi commented, "Regrettably, he committed some errors."

"Eight did-not-finishes (DNFs) are the reason he failed to secure the championship title."

"Martin had eight zeroes compared to three, yet ultimately, he held the top spot for two years, which I believe was well-earned due to his champion status."

"I'm confident that he will compete for the title again next year."

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EXCLUSIVE: Insights into Marc Marquez's new look and branding for the offseason test

Information on Marc Marquez's first appearance with the factory Ducati team this Tuesday, reported by Lewis Duncan

Information has come to light regarding the color scheme and branding of Marc Marquez's factory Ducati during the MotoGP postseason test held on Tuesday.

A year after his initial appearance with Ducati during the post-2024 season test in Valencia with the Gresini team, Marquez is set to join the factory team's garage this Tuesday.

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According to information obtained by Crash.net, Marquez is set to participate in Tuesday's event wearing factory team colors. However, his motorcycle and his racing suit will not feature any branding, except for the Michelin logo and other neutral sponsor logos.

Marquez is associated with Red Bull as an athlete, whereas the official Ducati team is linked with Monster Energy.

There are additional conflicts with sponsors, including Marquez's connection with Samsung, which is at odds with Ducati's main sponsorship deal with Lenovo.

At this point, it is uncertain what the future holds for Marquez’s personal sponsors, including Red Bull, which have played a crucial role in supporting him through the challenging initial period of his recovery from the arm fracture he sustained at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix.

During the previous year’s test session in Valencia with the Gresini team, Marquez rode a GP23 motorcycle. The bike did not feature the team’s colors, and his leathers showcased only his personal sponsors.

Last year, Marquez's initial trial on the Ducati created significant buzz, as his debut with the official team is anticipated to be a major discussion topic this week.

Ducati's team manager, Davide Tardozzi, has taken steps to temper the high hopes surrounding Marquez's potential performance on the motorcycle.

Tardozzi expressed to Crash.net that their sole anticipation is to collaborate and become familiar with one another.

On Tuesday, there won't be any victories to celebrate. The focus should be on putting in the effort. The person who leads on Tuesday evening won't necessarily be the champion the following year.

During the summer, Marquez entered into a two-year contract with Ducati to compete alongside Francesco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion. He declined an opportunity to ride a factory GP25 for Pramac.

Due to strategic maneuvering, Jorge Martin has joined Aprilia, with the Spanish rider becoming part of the Italian team as the current world champion.

Throughout the season, Marquez has been racing on the GP23 with the Gresini team and has successfully secured victories in three grand prix events.

However, on Tuesday in Barcelona, he will have the opportunity to experience Ducati's GP24, the motorcycle that clinched this year's championship, as well as the prototype GP25, both for the first time.

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Barcelona MotoGP Rider Evaluations: Terrible Marks for a Pair of Aprilia Competitors

Crash.net provides an analysis of the performance ratings for each MotoGP rider at the final race of the season, the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP.

Here are our evaluations of the riders following the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, where five participants received scores under five.

Francesco Bagnaia – 9

Francesco Bagnaia had an outstanding performance in Barcelona, possibly showcasing his best weekend of the season. Despite an unusual crash during the start practice in FP1 at the first turn, he made very few errors throughout the event. He expertly managed the Sprint race and similarly kept Marc Marquez in check during the Grand Prix, even using a rear tire that, after Saturday's sessions, was not widely regarded as a viable choice for the race.

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However, he drops his 10 because he began Sunday as the World Champion and finished it as an ex-champion. There was little he could do on Sunday, but maybe that's the issue — it should have never reached that point, and he had the power to stop it from happening.

Marc Marquez – 8

By his usual exceptional standards, Marc Marquez often struggles at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. His only truly commanding performance at this track occurred in 2019 when his competitors eliminated each other, and during the Saturday session in 2016 after the track layout was altered mid-weekend.

It's quite odd, actually, since one would assume that a low-traction surface like Barcelona's would ideally complement Marquez's approach.

On Saturday, the Sprint race at the Catalan track highlighted Marquez's vulnerabilities. However, by Sunday, he skillfully handled a soft rear tire to remind Bagnaia that even with Jorge Martin moving to Aprilia next season, securing the 2025 championship won't be a straightforward task for the Italian.

Marc Marquez described his second-place finish in the season's final Grand Prix as the ideal conclusion to his tenure with Gresini. Additionally, this result allowed him to surpass Enea Bastianini and secure third place in the championship standings.

Jorge Martin – 9

Although typically two third-place finishes wouldn't earn Jorge Martin a score of nine, this weekend was an exception. He secured the championship without ever appearing at risk of losing it.

Throughout all of 2024, Martin remained largely unaffected by the stress of the situation. He consistently positioned himself in ways that would not jeopardize his chance at securing his first top-tier championship title.

Why not give him a perfect score of 10? The reason is that he didn't come in first place in the race

Alex Marquez – 8

Achieving a fourth-place finish is likely the best outcome Alex Marquez can expect, considering the noticeable disadvantage of the Desmosedici GP23 compared to the GP24. This is especially true given that one of the GP23 bikes is being ridden by his renowned brother.

Marquez's performance is not at the peak of his potential, especially when conditions are ideal for him. However, finishing the season with two consecutive fourth-place results is a solid finish to what has occasionally been a lackluster second season with Gresini for Marquez.

Aleix Espargaro – 7.5

Aleix Espargaro wrapped up his MotoGP journey by securing fifth position, but the overall experience felt somewhat underwhelming.

On Saturday, taking a lap on his vintage 2005 125cc bike was quite a spectacle, and his impressive performance in Q2 secured him the second spot on the grid. However, his starts were lackluster, and honestly, this reporter isn't particularly thrilled about the idea of assisting Martin in winning the title.

However, if that's the way he chose to end things, that's his decision. Ultimately, Martin was well beyond requiring the help that Espargaro was willing to offer.

Brad Binder – 7

The KTM team faced a challenging weekend in Barcelona. Their bike struggled with cornering, and the qualifying session was a complete fiasco. Additionally, Pedro Acosta experienced a mishap when his fairing was torn off during the first lap of the Sprint race. Despite these setbacks, Brad Binder managed to secure a position within the top six.

Binder showcased a remarkable comeback in both races. While he has already gained a reputation for such feats, moving from 18th to ninth place in the Sprint and then from 18th to sixth in the Grand Prix is commendable, even by the South African's standards.

Binder's achievement also allowed him to surpass Acosta for fifth place in the riders' rankings, making him the highest-ranking competitor not riding a Ducati. However, it also marked his third consecutive year without securing a Grand Prix win.

Enea Bastianini – 6.5

When considering Enea Bastianini's performance in MotoGP, his skill in conserving tires and finishing races strongly often comes to mind. However, his abilities in Sprint races might not be the first thing you associate with him.

Bastianini concluded his tenure as a factory Ducati racer by achieving a remarkable feat: securing a spot on the podium in seven consecutive Sprint races, capped off by finishing in second place on Saturday. This accomplishment is both impressive and unexpected.

His Grand Prix might not have been any of those things. It ended up being a source of frustration and disappointment when Bastianini ruined his race by cutting through the chicane during a duel with Aleix Espargaro and was unable to bounce back from the mistake.

Though his involvement in the podium competition might not have significantly impacted the outcome, he offered little support to Bagnaia in the championship battle during this final race. As Espargaro mentioned post-race, ending up seven seconds behind the winner while riding a factory Ducati in 2024 raises questions.

Franco Morbidelli – 6

Franco Morbidelli is set to continue for another year with the Desmosedici GP24. However, if his initial performance is any indication, the 2025 season might not be particularly exciting for the rider who has claimed victory three times in the premier class.

The Italian's season concluded in a manner consistent with how it had progressed overall: it wasn't terrible, but it also lacked the speed of the other GP24s.

Marco Bezzecchi – 6.5

Marco Bezzecchi, who will take over Franco Morbidelli's spot at the VR46 team next year, finished just after him. Ending his stint with VR46 on a ninth-place note, a team he evidently cherishes, likely wasn't the result Bezzecchi had hoped for this weekend. Throughout the event, the Italian racer occasionally displayed flashes of promise that hinted at a stronger performance.

Despite his efforts, he couldn't secure a qualifying position better than the third row, which effectively diminished his opportunity to compete for strong placements by Saturday lunchtime.

In positive developments for Bezzecchi, he is set to join Aprilia as a factory rider on Tuesday. However, the idea of partnering with Jorge Martin, who secured 32 podium finishes this season, might be somewhat intimidating for Bezzecchi, considering he achieved just one podium spot in 2024.

Pedro Acosta – 6

After securing the 10th spot in Barcelona, Pedro Acosta mentioned experiencing issues with his brakes. This conclusion to his debut season was consistent with how the latter part of his season had unfolded overall.

At the beginning of 2024, Acosta played a crucial role in the initial races, but as the year progressed into the latter half, he has taken on a more secondary role.

It's challenging to place all the blame on him, given Ducati's increasing dominance. However, the end of the season has been disappointing for him, as illustrated by the events of the last weekend. He didn't finish the Sprint race after colliding with Marc Marquez on the first lap and secured a 10th-place finish in the Grand Prix, seemingly due to brake issues.

Fabio Quartararo received a rating of 6.5. While Yamaha appeared to improve during the overseas races, the final race of the season in Barcelona seemed to suggest the opposite.

Kudos to Quartararo for his remarkable performance in the Sprint, where he competed fiercely against Morbidelli, Marc Marquez, and Bezzecchi. Despite his efforts, a final lap overtake by Binder pushed him out of the points.

In the Grand Prix, he just wasn't fast enough, which might have been partly due to his decision to use the hard-compound rear tire, as it appeared to give him no benefit throughout the 24-lap race.

Miguel Oliveira – 6.5

Miguel Oliveira's final performance for Trackhouse ended in a somewhat disappointing 12th place. However, considering it was his first competition since September, he showed remarkable consistency and notably outperformed his teammate, Raul Fernandez.

Jack Miller – 4

While KTM had a tough time in Barcelona, Jack Miller's experience was even worse. During his media briefing on Saturday, he bluntly referred to his Sprint performance as "terrible."

Struggling with maneuverability and lacking traction at the back, Miller had a poor qualifying session and didn't perform much better in the race, marking a disappointing conclusion to his stint with KTM.

From a historical perspective, hopping onto a Yamaha should have instantly resolved those cornering issues on a Tuesday. However, it's no longer 2018.

Johann Zarco – 6.5

Throughout the 2024 season, Johann Zarco has consistently excelled in qualifying sessions, particularly towards the latter part of the year. He has frequently succeeded in securing a spot for the Honda RC213V in Q2.

Once more on Friday, he ended up in fourth position during Practice, but that turned out to be the highlight of his weekend.

Zarco concluded his debut complete season riding for Honda in 14th place. Despite this, he distinctly positioned himself as the leading Honda rider, solidifying his status in that role.

Maverick Vinales – 3

Maverick Vinales finished his race with Aprilia in the 15th position, trailing his official team partner, Espargaro, by 17 seconds. Overall, it was a disappointing performance for the Spanish rider, who is set to join Tech3.

Luca Marini – 5.5

Luca Marini's remarkable composure while handling the RC213V this season stands out as one of the most notable achievements in MotoGP.

Marini's performance has not been as notable, particularly when set against Zarco. On Saturday, the Italian acknowledged that Zarco is employing a "unique" approach to gain additional speed on the Honda.

Takaaki Nakagami – 5.5

During the Friday morning's first practice session for MotoGP in Barcelona, Takaaki Nakagami managed to secure the fastest time. His impressive final lap on a new tire paid off, serving as a reminder to all that he was actively competing.

It's unfortunate that Nakagami, who appears to be a quite well-liked racer, got very little television coverage over the weekend. The only exception was a brief moment at the end of FP1, whereas Espargaro, another rider retiring, garnered a significant amount of attention.

Espargaro has a more impressive track record in MotoGP compared to Nakagami. However, the broadcast subtly transitioned Nakagami into his new HRC development position without much fanfare, while Espargaro's retirement took center stage throughout the weekend.

Regarding Nakagami's performance, it was satisfactory: he secured 17th place in both races.

Raul Fernandez – 3

This weekend, Raul Fernandez switched back to the 2023 aerodynamics used by Aprilia, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. As the only rider confirmed to continue with the Noale-based team for 2025, Fernandez finished 18th in the Grand Prix. He was 29 seconds behind the winner, seven seconds behind the underperforming Vinales, and 17 seconds behind his teammate Oliveira. This performance comes at a circuit where he previously led laps during the Catalan Sprint six months ago.

Augusto Fernandez – 4

Augusto Fernandez entered Barcelona with a hopeful outlook after securing a 10th place finish at Sepang just two weeks prior. Was his performance in Malaysia a significant milestone, or merely a temporary success?

If you thought the answer was 'breakthrough,' you'd be mistaken. Fernandez returned to his usual performance style this weekend, finishing in 19th place, which is typical for someone ranked towards the lower end of the top 20. This came after an incredibly unusual collision with his teammate, Acosta, during the first practice session (FP1), which resulted in a red flag being issued.

The most aggravating aspect of Fernandez's year, aside from his performance, is likely Yamaha's unexplained delay in naming him as a test rider for the 2025 season.

Michele Pirro – 6

This weekend, Michele Pirro aimed to prepare himself for the post-race test scheduled for Tuesday. Therefore, experiencing a crash just five minutes into the first free practice session on Friday morning likely wasn't part of his strategy.

However, other than that, he practically made no mistakes, which is essentially the most you can hope for from a substitute rider.

Alex Rins – 2.5

It was a challenging weekend for Alex Rins, who ended up in 21st place during the race. He only managed to finish ahead of Stefan Bradl. This result came after he received a double long lap penalty for failing to complete the initial single long lap penalty he was given for cutting the chicane between turns 1 and 2.

Stefan Bradl – 6

Similar to Pirro, Bradl participated primarily to prepare for Tuesday's testing session. His performance wasn't outstanding, but it was satisfactory. Additionally, his Team HRC bike sported an impressive livery.

Joan Mir – 4

Joan Mir concluded the Barcelona GP in a familiar fashion during his stint with Repsol Honda: by crashing out. He faced issues with rear tyre vibrations on Saturday, which also hindered his performance, leaving him without a solid Sprint result to rely on.

In the first qualifying session, he performed reasonably well. However, he narrowly missed securing one of the two spots for the second qualifying session, being edged out by Fabio Quartararo. This, nevertheless, was a positive indication that Mir still possesses some speed.

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

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Francesco Bagnaia remarked, "I accomplished what was necessary" – Martin "seems anxious, which is understandable."

"He appeared rather anxious, and that's to be expected. However, I believe he's capable of handling the pressure well during the race."

Defending MotoGP titleholder Francesco Bagnaia achieved what was necessary by securing pole position and winning the Sprint race at the concluding Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event of the season.

This has set the stage for a championship-deciding race on Sunday against the current leader in the world

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Following a brief setback to Martin and Enea Bastianini at the race's first turn, Bagnaia quickly overtook both riders and maintained the lead thereafter.

Bastianini, his teammate, executed a final-lap maneuver on Martin, snatching away the Spaniard's second-place position.

"I slightly miscalculated the initial braking, leaving too much space, which allowed both of them to pass me," Bagnaia explained.

"At that point, my speed was sufficient to create a lead and simply relish the experience. I was extending the lead without exerting too much effort. Thus, all was well.

"Looking ahead to tomorrow, adjustments will be necessary, particularly with the replacement of the back tire. The current soft tire is excessively soft, which might lead to issues during the final laps."

"Besides that, I accomplished what was necessary: securing the pole position and then coming out on top in the Sprint."

"I was optimistic about having a wider selection of competitors, yet we're aware of our current capabilities and our consistent performance throughout the season. Despite any challenges one of us faced, we secured a second-place finish, demonstrating that we operate on a superior level."

"I believe Enea performed exceptionally well today. However, for tomorrow, I'm expecting an additional effort."

Certainly, Martin continues to hold a strong position, as finishing third in the Sprint has given the Pramac racer a 19-point lead going into Sunday.

This implies that even if Bagnaia secures his eleventh victory of the season, Martin finishing in ninth place would suffice for him to secure his inaugural title in the premier class.

However, the stress implies that it may not be as straightforward as it seems for the #89.

"When asked whether tomorrow's scenario presents a mental challenge, Bagnaia responded, 'Not for me, but it does for him.'"

"I vividly recall back in 2022 [when Bagnaia was defending a 23-point advantage], and it seems to me that Jorge is feeling the pressure somewhat."

Throughout the entire weekend, it was noticeable that he was quite anxious, which is a typical reaction. However, I believe that when he is in the midst of a race, he handles the pressure quite effectively.

"Today, he performed exceptionally well, having begun the race from the second row and ultimately securing a place on the podium."

"I believe it won't be too difficult [for him] tomorrow."

Bagnaia is aware that Aprilia's leading rider, Aleix Espargaro, might help Martin during the race if the opportunity presents itself, as he has previously given Martin a slipstream during the qualifying rounds.

"Bagnaia expressed amazement at their bond, and he also mentioned that Jorge is set to join Aprilia next year, with the team aiming to have the top rider in their garage."

"Therefore, [Aleix] will never go on the offensive against Jorge or pass him. It's something I need to be aware of.

"Regarding what's to come tomorrow, it will unfold as it's meant to."

"However, I anticipate a race similar to today's: Jorge effortlessly leading while avoiding any risks, and he possesses a significant advantage since even if I secure a victory, he can still place 9th."

"This presents a challenging scenario for me, akin to what I experienced in 2022."

Bastianini, a team-mate, is currently engaged in a competition with Marc Marquez for the third position in the global championship.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of the racing world, including the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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