Luca Marini leads the pack, with Valentino Rossi in 6th place and Michael Dunlop in 45th at the Tavullia event. These are the standings from the free practice session of Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions.

On Thursday, Luca Marini led the field during the practice session at Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions event.

Rossi's yearly event is set for Friday and Saturday, but competitors from different racing series gathered a day in advance to train on the dirt course.

Honda MotoGP standout Marini took the lead in the initial stages.

GPOne has announced the sequence of events

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, both victors of the Isle of Man TT races, found themselves at the end of the lineup following their initial laps in Tavullia.

Pedro Acosta failed to log any time.

The Americana race is scheduled to happen on Friday evening.

In the previous year, Marini emerged as the winner in the Americana, which suggests a promising outlook for him once more.

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The Day of Champions won't take place at the 2025 British MotoGP, as it will be substituted with a "new format". After 34 years, the Day of Champions has been discontinued because of changes to the British MotoGP weekend schedule.

For 34 years, the Day of Champions event has been held before the British Grand Prix, but it will not occur in 2025.

Two Wheels for Life, the organization behind the Day of Champions since its inception at Brands Hatch in 1989, has revealed that the event will not be held during this year's MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The organization responsible for raising funds, partnering with the charity Riders for Health to provide motorcycles for healthcare professionals in remote African regions, has announced that the "Day of Champions," once filled with a "full day of activities," has been discontinued because of a "new schedule" implemented by Silverstone.

The statement indicates that events will occur over the weekend, aiming to present "the best of Day of Champions" in a new way. Details of this format will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

Andrea Coleman, who co-founded and serves as CEO of Two Wheels for Life, stated that the inaugural Day of Champions event occurred in 1989 at Brands Hatch.

"Throughout the years, we have created something unique in the motorcycle community, with the help of our amazing employees and volunteers, the competitors and their teams, and our dedicated fans, some of whom have been attending for all 34 years."

"We are thrilled to have secured significant funds to aid in providing healthcare services throughout Africa."

"Although we're disappointed to bid farewell to Day of Champions, we understand that change is a part of life. We're eager to embark on new initiatives that provide MotoGP enthusiasts with unparalleled experiences and opportunities to contribute to life-saving motorcycle projects."

The concept of Day of Champions was initially thought up by ex-Grand Prix racers Randy Mamola and Kenny Roberts. The goal was to allow fans to interact closely with their favorite riders while also raising funds for a charitable cause, specifically, the organization Riders for Health.

Following the conclusion of the Day of Champions event, Two Wheels for Life has announced that it is in discussions with Dorna, the MotoGP rights holder, to broaden its initiatives at different circuits in 2025. They are considering organizing new events, and details about these plans are expected to be released in the near future.

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Marc Marquez started the year 2025 by taking on laps with a brand-new Ducati, marking the beginning of a full day of riding.

As 2025 kicks off, it marks the start of new contract periods. For Marc Marquez, this signifies his official role as a factory Ducati rider, allowing him to enjoy the perks associated with this position beyond the MotoGP paddock.

At the start of the year, Marquez took to the racetrack riding the brand-new 2025 Ducati Panigale V2. Although this model has less power than its predecessor, it compensates with reduced weight due to its new twin-cylinder engine, which is the lightest V-twin engine Ducati has ever made.

Marquez was seen on the circuit at the Aspar Circuit in Valencia, which had its inauguration last year, alongside several other Grand Prix competitors.

Motorcycle racing star Marc Márquez took the new Ducati Panigale V2 for a spin at the Aspar Circuit. 🔴😮‍💨📸 Photo of Marc Márquez pic.twitter.com/fpaLLLqOuj— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

On this event, the eight-time World Champion was joined by several fellow riders. Among them was current Moto3 World Champion David Alonso, who was on an older version of the Yamaha R6. Additionally, Dani Holgado, Izan Guevara, Tony Arbolino, Alex Marquez, and Sergio Garcia were all riding 2017 model R6s. Meanwhile, Marquez's apprentice, Max Quiles, along with Angel Piqueras, were aboard Honda CBR600RRs.

Certainly, throughout the history of track days, there have been groups with less talent.

In addition to a full day of motorcycle training, Marc Marquez experienced his initial laps at the Aspar Circuit on a Ducati road bike for practice, after previously using unbranded Honda bikes last year. His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, frequently uses the Panigale V4 R superbike for his training sessions. However, Marquez has yet to be spotted riding that particular model, except during the previous year's Race of Champions at World Ducati Week, where all participants competed on the new Panigale V4 model slated for release in 2025.

The Spanish rider continues to use Honda CRF motocross bikes, but there might be a shift soon. Ducati's Desmo450 MX dirt bike is expected to start production later this year.

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EXCLUSIVE: Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia poised to “contest every race win”

“Undoubtedly, the greatest motorcycle ever…”

Emerging victorious in 19 of the previous year's 20 MotoGP competitions, securing all three top podium positions 14 times, achieving an unprecedented top-eight finish in the Buriram Sprint, and claiming their fifth constructors' championship along with their third consecutive riders' title.

Here are a few highlights from Ducati's historic 2024 season, marked by shattered records.

"Definitely the greatest bicycle ever created. They did an outstanding job," Luca Marini, who rode a Ducati at VR46 for his first three seasons in MotoGP, shared with Crash.net.

Despite reducing their lineup from eight to six motorcycles in 2025 and the departure of current champion Jorge Martin to Aprilia, Marini cautioned that Ducati's revised factory team, featuring Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, might result in increased dominance by Ducati.

When questioned about whether he believed 2024 would represent the height of Ducati's dominance in MotoGP, Honda's team rider Marini responded:

"I believe not. Having Pecco and Marc as teammates will likely motivate them to enhance their own skills through mutual competition.

"Honda acknowledges that competing with [Ducati] in the upcoming year is beyond our reach. We must bide our time. Therefore, our aim is to outperform the remaining manufacturers."

"However, should Aprilia and KTM fail to match Ducati's performance, it might just boil down to a duel between Bagnaia and Marquez for the win in each race.

"Thus, it's possible that the climax is still to come…"

In 2024, Ducati outperformed Honda's 2003 record in the MotoGP, surpassing the year when Honda's RC211V secured victories in 15 out of 16 races, with nine of those wins credited to Valentino Rossi, Marini's sibling.

That year, the sole additional victor was Loris Capirossi, who secured Ducati's inaugural MotoGP win at Catalunya.

Honda achieves total victory in 1997

Delving into the history of the 500cc class, Honda achieved an unparalleled feat by winning every one of the 15 grand prix races in the year 1997.

Could racers such as Bagnaia, Marquez, and the supported Fabio di Giannantonio potentially equal that unmatched achievement in 2025?

At the COTA Grand Prix, the only race where the Desmosedicis didn't come out on top last season, Aprilia's Maverick Vinales emerged victorious in Texas, followed by KTM's Pedro Acosta.

Enea Bastianini secured a third-place finish for Ducati, while Marc Marquez experienced a fall shortly after moving into the lead, attributed to a problem with his brakes.

During the previous year's Sprint races, Aprilia surpassed Ducati on three occasions, securing two victories on Saturdays with Vinales and another win credited to Aleix Espargaro.

Vinales has transitioned to Tech3 KTM following Espargaro's departure from regular racing to take on a role as a test rider for HRC.

Former teammate of Marini at VR46 and a victor in three MotoGP races, Marco Bezzecchi, is set to team up with Martin at Aprilia's refreshed roster, while Acosta will advance to join Brad Binder in the official KTM squad.

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For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing paddock, witnessing the rise and retirement of Valentino Rossi. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the ongoing health challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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MotoGP in America – "I anticipated challenges, but we're progressing"

Dorna's Chief Commercial Officer Rossomondo discusses the expansion of MotoGP in the US

Dan Rossomondo, the chief commercial officer of Dorna Sports, stated that MotoGP is making significant progress in increasing its visibility in the United States.

In 2022, Rossomondo, who previously led global marketing and media for the NBA, became the Chief Commercial Officer at Dorna. This move was widely viewed as a strategic effort to expand MotoGP’s presence in the United States.

There was a time when MotoGP visited the United States twice annually, and in 2013, it increased those visits to three times a year.

During that period, Formula 1 had recently made a comeback in the United States following a break between 2008 and 2011. Since last year, the country has hosted three races.

Currently, MotoGP holds just one race each year in the United States at the Circuit of the Americas located in Texas. However, discussions are underway to potentially add a second race in the country.

Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1, is in the process of acquiring Dorna, but the deal is currently paused as the European Union investigates the transaction. This acquisition is expected to increase efforts to boost visibility in the United States.

In discussing MotoGP's attempts to expand its presence in the United States, Rossomondo shared with the Sports Business Journal: "I'm not sure if it's been more challenging than expected, but I anticipated it would be difficult."

"My team and I need to begin deciding which areas we want to focus on and which direction we should move towards."

"However, the reality is that we can't swiftly increase from one race to three due to the unique safety measures our tracks demand. We'll need to explore various other approaches to achieve that goal."

The speaker expressed strong confidence in their progress, stating they are certainly moving forward. They noted that many individuals who were unfamiliar with their sport just a year ago are now viewers. Additionally, they have discovered numerous people who were secretly fans of MotoGP, indicating significant advancement.

"I'm confident that the results of our efforts will be evident this year."

Last season, Trackhouse Racing, a team owned by Americans, joined the series. This came about when Justin Marks' organization assumed control from RNF after it went under at the close of 2023.

For the 2025 season, MotoGP has revamped its branding by unveiling a new logo late last year, aiming to enhance its brand recognition.

A season launch event is set to take place in Thailand on February 9. The 2025 campaign will then commence in the country at Buriram towards the end of the month.

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Vinales Urged Yamaha to Leave the Motorcycle Unchanged During Unsuccessful Championship Season

"Leave the motorcycle as it is, I instructed them."

Maverick Vinales implied that he could have clinched the MotoGP world title in 2017 riding for Yamaha, had they left the 2016 M1 model he first tested unchanged.

Having spent slightly more than a season at Suzuki, Vinales secured a two-year agreement to become part of the Yamaha factory team, marking his third season in the top tier of racing in 2017.

Vinales led the 2016 Valencia test with that year's M1 model and secured victories in the initial two races of 2017, followed by another win at the French Grand Prix, overcoming his teammate Valentino Rossi.

The Spanish racer was ahead in the rankings by 17 points following the event, yet Vinales wouldn't secure another victory until the 2018 Australian Grand Prix, eventually dropping to third place in the 2017 rankings.

Vinales continued as a Yamaha rider until the middle of 2021, at which point his bond with the manufacturer deteriorated beyond repair, leading to his prompt dismissal following an incident where he intentionally pushed his M1's engine to excessive revs during the Styrian GP.

In a DAZN documentary focusing on his career, Vinales expressed his conviction that he had the potential to clinch the championship with the M1 he tried out at the close of 2016, urging Yamaha to leave the bike unchanged during the offseason.

He remarked, "Upon starting my journey with Yamaha, I entered with explosive energy."

"I came with a definite concept and goal in mind, and there was only one thing I requested from Yamaha: 'I aim to become the world champion."

"I have no desire to become anything different; please don't force me into being something I'm not, as my only interest lies in being who I am right now."

Upon riding the Yamaha during the Valencia trial, I was immediately smitten by it. I urged them to leave it as is. My choice was this specific one, the motorcycle previously used by Jorge [Lorenzo].

"I informed Yamaha, 'Deliver this motorcycle to me in Qatar, because with it, I'm poised to secure the world championship title. However, upon arriving at Sepang for the pre-season test, I questioned, 'where is that motorcycle?'"

"I secured victory in the initial race, clinched the second, and triumphed at Le Mans, marking it as one of the greatest days of my existence. I emerged victorious in a duel with my hero, Valentino Rossi."

"In Barcelona, a series of transformations occurred. I was completely at a loss."

"I instructed them to leave the bicycle alone."

Vinales teamed up with Aprilia during the concluding races of 2021 and continued with them until the close of 2024, securing a single grand prix victory during this period.

He becomes part of the KTM team within the Tech3 group for the 2025 season, expressing his perspective on the transition by saying, "I've ultimately realized you're faced with a choice: to be the challenger or to choose what he refers to as the dark side."

"You have a choice between KTM and Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati presents a significant challenge. How do you plan on outperforming the factory team?"

"The situation is quite complex. Even though I had the same motorcycle, my equipment wasn't on par. Therefore, my only choice was to join KTM and take on the role of the contender."

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Maverick Vinales instructed Yamaha to leave the bike as is during unsuccessful championship season

"I advised them to leave the bike alone"

Maverick Vinales implied that he could have clinched the MotoGP world championship in 2017 riding for Yamaha, had they not altered the 2016 M1 model he initially tested.

Following a little more than a year at Suzuki, Vinales inked a two-year contract to become part of the official Yamaha team, marking his third season in the top tier of racing in 2017.

In 2016, Vinales led the Valencia test riding the M1 from that same year and secured victories in the initial two races of 2017. He then clinched another win at the French Grand Prix, following a competitive showdown with his teammate Valentino Rossi.

The Spanish rider was ahead in the rankings with a 17-point lead following the event, but it wasn't until the 2018 Australian Grand Prix that Vinales would secure another victory, dropping to third position in the standings for 2017.

Vinales continued his partnership with Yamaha until the middle of 2021, when tensions with the company became unfixable, leading to his abrupt departure. This decision came after it was discovered that he intentionally pushed his M1's engine beyond its limits during the Styrian GP.

In a DAZN documentary focusing on his career, Vinales expressed his conviction that he had the potential to clinch the title with the M1 he sampled in late 2016, imploring Yamaha to leave the bike as it was throughout the off-season.

"He mentioned, "Upon entering Yamaha, my arrival was explosive."

"I came with a distinct vision and a singular goal, which was the sole request I made to Yamaha: ‘I aim to become the world champion."

"I have no desire to become something different; please don't force me into anything else, as this is what I aspire to be, and nothing else holds my interest."

Upon riding the Yamaha during the Valencia trial, I instantly became enamored with it. I pleaded with them to leave it as is. I desired that specific one, the motorcycle Jorge [Lorenzo] had previously used.

"I informed Yamaha, 'deliver this motorcycle to Qatar, because with it, I'm poised to clinch the world championship. However, upon my arrival at Sepang for the pre-season testing, I questioned, ‘where is that motorcycle?’"

"I emerged victorious in the initial race, secured a win in the second, and triumphed at Le Mans. It was among the greatest days of my existence. I succeeded in a competition against my hero, Valentino Rossi."

"In Barcelona, however, there was a surge of transformations. It was all beyond my comprehension."

"I instructed them to leave the bicycle alone."

Vinales teamed up with Aprilia during the concluding segments of the 2021 season and stayed on board through the conclusion of 2024, securing a single grand prix victory during his tenure.

He will be teaming up with the Tech3 group under KTM in 2025, expressing his thoughts on the transition: "I've realized that it boils down to two options: you either embrace the role of the challenger, or you venture into the dark side.

"You have the option of choosing KTM or Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati presents a significant challenge. How do you plan to outperform the factory team?"

"It's quite complex; while we might have identical motorcycles, the arsenal at our disposal differs. Thus, my sole choice was to switch to KTM and take on the role of the contender."

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Chico Lorenzo sheds light on the complex dynamics with his son, Jorge Lorenzo

Chico Lorenzo has openly discussed the current state of his relationship with his son.

Jorge Lorenzo has candidly shared the challenges he faces in his relationship with his dad.

The triple MotoGP champion acquired his skills at his dad's motorbike racing academy in Majorca.

However, even though the young man evolved into a victor, it negatively affected his personal connection with his father.

However, Chico has provided a glimmer of optimism for improved times ahead.

Moto.it inquired whether their relationship is currently 'excellent'.

"Indeed, it's not excellent, yet it's satisfactory," he replied.

During his visit to the EICMA fair in Milan, I accompanied him, and also in Lugano.

"He's spending the holiday season in Majorca."

Chico was questioned about the moment he recognized his son's talent for the first time.

During my childhood, I constructed my initial motorcycle at the time when Jorge had reached the age of three, showcasing impressive abilities even then.

"Indeed, his ambition was always to emerge victorious."

Throughout his career, he has consistently maintained a high level of professionalism at all times.

"From a young age, he was ready, demonstrating a level of expertise significantly above his peers."

Chico expresses his feelings towards his son's outstanding career success with the words, "it's satisfaction, satisfaction".

He identified his most cherished victory from his son's Grand Prix races.

"For me, the initial victory in Brazil back in 2003 was a significant milestone. Following that, my first win with Ducati at Mugello marked another important point in my career."

In 2003, Jorge Lorenzo secured his inaugural victory at the Rio de Janeiro grand prix in the 125cc category.

However, the championship moment his father cherished the most was the most infamous.

In 2015, Lorenzo triumphed over Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, clinching the premier award.

"Throughout the entire year, I stood by his side, witnessing firsthand the immense effort he put into clinching that fiercely contested world championship," Chico stated.

"He experienced an incredible year."

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Motorsport Icons Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi Come Together on the Track in Italy

Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, both icons in motorsport, competed on the same race track.

Isle of Man TT record-holder Dunlop is participating in Rossi's yearly 100km of Champions event in Tavullia this weekend.

Participants from different racing championships attend Rossi's annual event, but the presence of TT icon Dunlop, along with Davey Todd, brings an additional level of prestige.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop spotted together at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop seen at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3

On Thursday, Dunlop and Rossi participated in free practice on the track. Although their career journeys have been vastly different, this wasn't their initial encounter racing closely against each other.

During the previous summer, Monster Energy organized a unique track day at Silverstone, bringing together Dunlop and Rossi.

On that same day, John McGuinness achieved his record fastest lap at Silverstone. He remarked, "This small guy from Italy zoomed by me on the back straight…"

Someone named Valentino Rossi caught my attention, and I thought, "He's quite quick; I'll follow him closely."

He took me around Silverstone for the quickest lap I've ever completed.

"I clamped down on the screen, making every effort to hold on tightly!"

"I found it more intriguing to observe him. He is the finest globally."

In 2009, Rossi made a notable trip to the Isle of Man TT and completed several practice circuits.

Following the event, he remarked, "The track is amazing and left a strong impression on me, as I'm aware it's both risky and quick."

"I would never have imagined that a road like this could be used as a racetrack, and it's incredible to be riding a Superbike at full speed on it. You need to have a lot of courage!"

"It's not feasible to go all out on the first lap. I aim to complete five or six laps to gain a better understanding."

This weekend in Tavullia is much more relaxed, as the stars of the Isle of Man TT are returning the favor by visiting.

Dunlop and Todd are set to compete with Rossi and fellow MotoGP competitors such as Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Marco Bezzecchi on both Friday and Saturday.

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KTM stands firm in its decision to initiate the construction of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycles next week, despite facing financial challenges.

KTM's head of technology, Wolfgang Felber, stated that preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are proceeding as planned for KTM.

The future of the Austrian company in MotoGP hangs in the balance as it deals with a financial turmoil, prompting a reorganization of its operations.

According to information disclosed during the initial meeting with creditors, KTM has intentions to exit Formula 1 racing. However, it's expected that their operations will continue without change until 2025.

KTM's competition department is implementing a strategy that involves a 100-point plan aimed at reducing expenses due to the company's ongoing financial difficulties. This includes decreasing its participation in multiple racing categories.

In 2025, four factory KTMs will compete in MotoGP, distributed between its official team and Tech3, with riders Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a discussion with the German magazine Speedweek, Felber shared encouraging updates regarding KTM's progress for 2025.

"He mentioned that the plans for the upcoming season are proceeding as usual at this point."

"Over the past few years, we've streamlined our operations to ensure that the construction of new machines commences during the third week of the year."

"In 2025, the scenario remains unchanged. Starting next Monday, the process of reconstructing every motorcycle will commence."

"All activities are scheduled in a way that by the conclusion of the third week, we prepare the boxes for the major trial in Sepang.

"From that point forward, the motorcycles spend an extended period on the road. They will not return to Munderfing until the European season begins with the opener in Jerez."

Speculation is rife that KTM may halt progress on its 2025 motorcycle model because of its current economic difficulties.

Felber refrains from outright acknowledgment but mentions that the 2025 prototype performed as anticipated during last year's trials and has been established as the foundational bike.

"He further elaborated that the discussion revolves around a model of evolution projected for the year 2025."

"Considering an entirely new strategy was not an option. Our real trial run occurred during the final evaluations in 2024."

The 2025 iteration functioned as anticipated and established a foundation. The current strategy involves constructing all devices using new components accordingly.

"Ergonomic features vary and are unique to each rider, as do the methods for controlling the rear brake."

"We are also capable of repurposing certain components that have minimal wear. It's illogical to discard a handlebar stub that has barely been used."

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change in MotoGP scoring: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP champion believes the competition should ponder over awarding additional points

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati suggests that MotoGP consider revising the scoring system to incorporate bonus points within the existing sprint/grand prix structure.

Since the inception of the four-stroke era in MotoGP, the scoring structure has stayed consistent, allocating 25 points for a win in a grand prix and decreasing incrementally to award points down to the 15th place.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races brought about an increase in the total points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend, with up to 12 extra points available. A victory in these races awarded 12 points, followed by nine for the runner-up and seven for third place, decreasing down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

Now that there are 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining consistent performance has become increasingly crucial for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia claimed victory in 11 grand prix events, yet failing to score in eight races resulted in him trailing by 10 points behind Jorge Martin. Despite Martin, a Pramac team rider, securing victory in only three races on Sundays, his regular appearances on the podium in nearly every sprint were crucial for his success, missing the podium in just three instances.

"Adapting to the existing rules is essential, especially since the current system enabled me to contend for the championship until the final stages, despite experiencing eight failures," Bagnaia remarked during last year's Campioni in Pista event hosted by Ducati.

"Sprint races impact multiple aspects, adding an additional element. This has definitely altered the method of accumulating points over a weekend significantly."

"Adapting is key. However, with sprint races being introduced, there might be a thought to include additional rewards, maybe for securing victories in both events or achieving the quickest lap time."

In 2024, Bagnaia achieved a combination of sprint and grand prix victories on five occasions. If we consider an additional point for each of these achievements, this brings him an extra five points nearer to Martin in the overall championship race. Moreover, securing the quickest lap in six grand prix races contributes an additional six points to his score. Despite this, Martin securing two points for the fastest laps over the season or achieving just one combination of sprint and grand prix wins would still secure him the championship title.

Since 2019, Formula 1 introduced a system that awards points for the fastest laps, but it's only applicable to drivers who finish in the top 10. The rationale was to add an element of thrill and motivate those trailing to strive for an additional point, which could prove crucial.

However, it didn't quite achieve the intended impact, as the bonus frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead or lag that they could comfortably pit for a new soft tire on the second-to-last lap and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be abolished starting with the 2025 season.

In MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function as Formula 1 initially intended. Due to the brevity of the races, the competitors are not as widely spaced out as they are in F1. Additionally, the competitive nature of the equipment across the field means that a larger number of riders could potentially earn a point, with the decision being based on sheer speed rather than the specifics of the race situation.

IS A MOTOGP REGULATION ADJUSTMENT FEASIBLE?

During the 2024 season, an impressive variety of eight riders each achieved the quickest lap time in a grand prix event. Pedro Acosta accomplished this twice; Bagnaia led the pack with six; Martin also did it twice; Enea Bastianini succeeded three times; Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once; while Marc Marquez reached this milestone four times.

Although this change wouldn't have drastically changed the championship's final standings, it would have elevated Acosta to a tie for sixth place with his teammate Brad Binder, securing the spot over Binder due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere possibility of gaining an additional point entirely shifts the dynamics of a race. A competitor might be more inclined to get back into the race after a minor crash if they stand to earn two points for coming in 15th place, rather than a single point. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprints could also inject more thrill into the positions beyond the leading scorers.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Bagnaia at Ducati, expressed a differing opinion, stating, "I'm content with the current setup. It's a well-balanced system that keeps the championship competitive right up to the final stages, so I have no complaints about it as it stands."

Marquez's observation is accurate. The existing structure has resulted in the championship being decided in the final stages for two consecutive years. However, MotoGP might consider taking inspiration from British Superbikes to creatively celebrate a rider achieving a weekend sweep.

In the past few years, the British Superbike Championship introduced a Spring Grand Slam competition that spanned two rounds, offering a £50,000 prize to any rider who managed to secure wins in all six races. Although replicating this exact model might be too ambitious for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

Should a racer manage to secure both a sprint and race victory, and also record the quickest lap in a grand prix, they stand to earn an extra three points, elevating their maximum points for the weekend to 40. However, if they fail to achieve this triple feat, they receive no bonus points.

This boosts the motivation for each session, as a rider facing off against their top competitor for the championship might exert extra effort to claim the fastest lap, thereby preventing their rival from securing an additional three vital points.

Traditionalists often resist such modifications, labeling them as synthetic and 'contrary to the essence of MotoGP'. However, the implementation of sprint races has effectively dispelled this idea, showing that significant alterations to the format can be integrated smoothly and become a natural element of the sport.

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Isle of Man TT celebrities received warmly in Tavullia for the start of Valentino Rossi's competition

Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions kicks off with open trials today

Cyclists have taken to the course at Valentino Rossi's farm for his yearly gathering.

Once more, the Doctor has summoned an impressive lineup of motorcycling's elite to Tavullia, featuring several newcomers.

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop were among the victors at the Isle of Man TT race, joining the familiar faces in Rossi's hometown.

Todd's online posts (mentioned below) expressed his amazement at receiving an invitation to Rossi's home.

The Champions' 100-kilometer event is set to kick off on Friday, January 10, and will extend through

On Thursday, cyclists reached the farm, and the initial bicycles embarked on a trial ride.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop together at the farm 🤝 See the picture here: pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

"Rossi announced on Thursday night, 'The initial day at the ranch has been completed.'"

"It was excellent. Every participant enjoyed themselves."

"We conducted complimentary test runs. All participants are prepared and quick."

This Friday evening, the yearly Americana race is scheduled to take place. Luca Marini emerged as the winner of this event last year.

This time, Marini and Rossi team up with regulars Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Franco Morbidelli.

Pedro Acosta continues to draw significant attention, and Ryan Vickers stands out as another prominent participant.

Complete roster of participants:

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

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

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