Pecco Bagnaia unveils remarkable resemblance to Marc Marquez

"Truly, it's astonishing how [for] the first time in my career I've…"

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez collaborate as team members for the initial time this winter, readying the factory Ducati setup for the 2025 MotoGP championship.

As always, a crucial choice that needs to be determined is the engine configuration, since it must be selected for the entire season before it gets officially approved prior to the first race in Thailand.

However, the significance of the year 2025 is amplified due to the halt in development scheduled for the 2026 season. This freeze implies that the engine chosen within the forthcoming weeks for 2025 will be operational for two consecutive years.

Bagnaia emphasized the significance of the test, noting, "The outcomes and our comments on this test will have implications for the next two years. Therefore, it's crucial that we approach this decision with a level head and without haste."

"Possibly, you're achieving an impressive lap time on the new motorcycle, but that could be due to the fresh tires. Thus, every choice must be made with considerable [deliberation], and I believe we're performing exceptionally well."

Due to the significance of this examination, Bagnaia feels heartened by the resemblance between his observations and the input provided by his latest team member, Marc Marquez.

"Bagnaia expressed amazement, stating, 'For the first time in my career, it's remarkable to share the exact same sentiment as my teammate.'"

"This is excellent, as it significantly aids the engineers in their development efforts. Indeed, both share a positive outlook on the new engine, yet they also share similar inquiries regarding certain aspects of it."

Marquez also shared similar sentiments regarding the input from each rider, as he navigates his own challenges this year transitioning from the Desmosedici GP23 to the GP25, essentially bypassing the GP24 model completely.

"He admitted to After the Flag that it's among the toughest challenges for him."

"Switching from one bicycle to another means I'm dealing with two unfamiliar bikes. This requires me to be highly focused and extremely accurate."

"Currently, our feedback aligns closely with what Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] has mentioned, which is significant."

Bagnaia remains uncertain about selecting the engine model for 2025, describing his decision as a toss-up.

"Currently, it's a toss-up," he remarked. "The reason being, the GP24 serves as an excellent foundation, and there's a consensus that it still holds potential for further development.

The GP25 excels in speed and acceleration, especially on straight paths, thanks to its capability to reach maximum velocity which is largely due to its smooth performance coming out of turns. This smoothness allows for effective throttle control, enhancing its acceleration further.

"However, when it came to braking, the GP24 performed phenomenally. We achieved remarkable feats in braking with it, feats that are currently challenging to replicate with the GP25, despite making progress in closing the gap."

Bagnaia mentioned that the disadvantages he faces in braking due to the updated engine outweigh the benefits he receives from its enhanced acceleration and smooth performance.

"He pointed out that the disparity in acceleration is different from the disparity that can exist in braking and entering," he remarked.

"Therefore, we need to find a middle ground, as currently, the increase in speed we're achieving is slightly outweighed by the decrease in effectiveness when we brake."

Certainly, Bagnaia's hesitation is echoed by Marquez, who conveyed to After the Flag, "We still have to grasp the situation fully since we need to determine our path, given that the season kicks off in just three weeks.

"Thus, we must make another attempt tomorrow and assess everything thoroughly."

Marquez mentioned, "Our task is focused on determining the path for 2025, particularly in terms of the engine and aerodynamics. Ducati aims to be highly accurate in their approach," he explained, "whilst also being cautious to ensure they make the right choice."

He emphasized, "It's crucial to be absolutely certain about the path forward. We understand that the GP24 package is strong in competition, and we must be completely convinced, or observe a distinctly advantageous feature in the GP25, because once the engine is homologated, it's locked in for two years."

"It's important that you grasp this clearly."

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Alex Marquez Believes True Capability of Official MotoGP Motorcycles Remains Unveiled

“Our approach is solid yet humble”

Alex Marquez expresses that it would be ideal to kick off the 2025 MotoGP season immediately, given his impressive performance in testing. However, he cautions that the true capabilities of the manufacturers are yet to be revealed.

The rider from Gresini has taken over the GP24 Ducati, which was the standout performer last season, securing victories in 19 out of 20 grand prix events and clinching the brand's third consecutive world championship.

Beginning his tenure with Ducati on a high note in 2023 aboard the GP22, Marquez encountered difficulties in his 2024 season following his transition to the problematic GP23.

Leading the pack in the Barcelona trials last November on the GP24, Marquez secured the third quickest time on the second day of the Sepang trials, trailing the front-runner by only 0.130 seconds.

Currently positioned as the second quickest Ducati in the trial, trailing behind the leader of day two, Franco Morbidelli, Marquez is convinced that his lead will soon vanish.

"Being a part of Thailand's race by tomorrow would be ideal," Marquez stated.

"That would be ideal. However, they will continue to enhance their performance. The Ducati team, without a doubt, was experimenting with numerous components.

"Tomorrow could be the final day, yet it's in Thailand where things will truly come to fruition, showcasing the full capabilities not only of Ducati but also KTM and the rest of the manufacturers."

"Thus, we are performing well, we are quick, we are stable."

"However, remaining grounded since much of the preseason still lies ahead."

Alex Marquez Highlights Ducati's Advantage

Marquez points out that the GP24 shows a marked enhancement in corner-entry over the GP23, and mentions he can detect a slight increase in performance during acceleration due to the GP24's ride height mechanism.

"He also mentioned feeling more at ease when entering corners."

"In the '23, I struggled to execute at the braking point, particularly due to excessive weight at the front, which caused pushing from the back.

"This bicycle is naturally suited for this particular rear tire, as if it was made specifically for it, making it simpler to navigate into turns and sense the bike's equilibrium."

"Utilizing the ride height mechanism, during certain accelerations, there's a noticeable improvement in the ability to apply more torque, thanks to a reduction in front wheel lift."

"In particular circuits, such as Turn 3 in Thailand, it will definitely provide an advantage. However, even a minimal gain of 0.003 seconds is always beneficial."

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test: Alex Marquez Leads on Last Day

Gresini Racer Tops Friday's Time Trials

Alex Marquez, riding for Gresini Ducati, led the last day of the Sepang MotoGP pre-season test, edging out his teammate from the factory team, Francesco Bagnaia.

The initial segment of the final day focused on time attack sessions, where a hectic qualifying simulation saw the lead position shift several times.

At the forefront on Friday was Alex Marquez from Gresini, who clocked a time of 1m56.493s on his GP24, placing him at the top of the leaderboard by the conclusion of the second hour.

Marquez completed 50 laps on his GP24, finishing the test on a high note, as there was no competition towards the finish line.

Two-time world champion Bagnaia set the pace in the first hour with a lap time of 1 minute and 56.5 seconds. Although this was his best effort, it left him just 0.007 seconds short of securing the top position.

Fabio Quartararo secured third place for Yamaha, clocking a lap time of 1 minute and 56.724 seconds, setting a new record for the Japanese manufacturer at the Sepang circuit by improving their previous best by eight-tenths of a second.

On Thursday, Franco Morbidelli led the pace, securing fourth place on the VR46 Ducati. Meanwhile, on Friday, factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez attracted attention with an impressive quick simulation run.

On Friday, he finished 70 laps as Ducati aims to finalize its engine choice for the 2025 season.

Pedro Acosta was the fastest KTM rider, finishing in sixth place, 0.682 seconds behind the leader. Meanwhile, LCR's Johann Zarco claimed seventh, making him the highest-placed Honda rider.

Joan Mir secured the eighth position on his official Honda, clocking a time of 1 minute 57.279 seconds after a late surge. Meanwhile, Alex Rins ensured both Yamahas finished in the top 10 by achieving a time of 1 minute 57.351 seconds, placing him in 10th place.

Marco Bezzecchi led the Aprilia riders by securing ninth place with a lap time of 1 minute 57.328 seconds. The Italian rider completed 61 laps on his RS-GP, focusing on collecting as much data as possible for the team, especially since both Jorge Martin and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez were not present.

Fermin Aldeguer led the newcomers by securing 11th place for Gresini, while Jack Miller finished in 12th for Pramac Yamaha, wrapping up his last day ahead of schedule after completing a comprehensive testing plan.

On Friday, Yamaha had Andrea Dovizioso testing on the circuit. The Italian rider completed 58 laps and achieved his fastest lap time at 1 minute 59.929 seconds, placing him in 22nd position, just behind Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori.

The last two days of testing are scheduled to take place in Thailand next week on February 12 and 13, ahead of the season's start later in the month in Buriram.

Results from the third day of MotoGP testing at Sepang

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VR46 acknowledges that Fabio di Giannantonio got injured during a celebration that didn't go as planned. Fabio di Giannantonio's attempt at showing off backfired.

Fabio di Giannantonio suffered an injury due to a crash that occurred following a celebration that did not go as planned.

The VR46 Ducati motorcyclist experienced a significant crash during the first day of the MotoGP preseason testing at Sepang.

He fractured his collarbone, which led to him being excluded from the last two days of testing in Sepang, and he is now preparing for surgery to fix the injury.

There is no television video available of his accident that occurred on Wednesday.

In an embarrassing turn of events, it has been verified that the rumors about his crash were true, as it resulted from a failed wheelie.

According to Uccio Salucci from VR46, he came to Sepang with strong enthusiasm, having not been on a MotoGP bike since October, as reported by Sky Italy.

As the session concluded, he attempted a wheelie, but the front tire was unfortunately 0.3 degrees off and ended up closing on him.

"The element of misfortune had a significant role, and there's nothing you can criticize about someone like him…"

Di Giannantonio was absent from the concluding segment of last season as a result of an injury.

This season, he has access to a factory-spec Ducati, making him the sole rider besides Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia to benefit from such an advantage.

On the first day in Sepang, he remarkably recorded the seventh quickest time.

However, his excitement about coming back to MotoGP and achieving a decent lap time was short-lived when his attempt to impress ended in disaster.

Due to Giannantonio's broken collarbone, the timeline for his recovery remains uncertain.

The third Ducati GP25 racer on the lineup now faces a significant setback as the season's start approaches, all because of an accident that occurred under very unexpected conditions.

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Michelin provides insights to Jorge Martin and Aprilia, detailing the cause of the accident.

Michelin offers new explanation for the incident involving Jorge Martin.

Michelin has announced that there was a variation in the temperature of the rear tire on Jorge Martin's bike when he crashed during the MotoGP test in Sepang on Wednesday.

In his second accident of the day, Martin, the current World Champion, sustained fractures in his left hand and foot, resulting in his absence from the rest of the testing session.

At the moment of the accident, the Spanish rider was using medium-compound tires, identical to the ones he had during his initial crash earlier in the day.

Back then, Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia Racing, stated that the tyre temperature during the crash was within a normal range. However, on Friday, Piero Taramasso, the two-wheel manager at Michelin Motorsport, clarified that although the surface temperature of the tyre was indeed normal, there was a noticeable temperature difference inside the tyre compared to Martin's Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, at the time of the incident.

“We received all the information from Aprilia, and I’m grateful for that,” Taramasso stated.

"In the past hour, we have managed to review all the information. Due to the large volume of data, the process requires time."

Initially, Massimo Rivola mentioned that the tire's temperature seemed fine. However, he was referring to the surface temperature of the tire, which can fluctuate significantly based on factors like sliding and the bike's spinning motion.

"The temperature at the back, specifically the inner layer temperature, is the key indicator we use to determine whether the tyre is functioning properly. For example, this information is provided by the sensor from McLaren."

Taramasso provided further clarification, noting that teams typically measure what he calls the "cavity temperature" to gauge a tyre's temperature in the pits. This refers to the temperature of the air within the tyre.

He explained that the temperature inside the cavity is distinct from the temperature of the inner layer, which refers to the temperature of the rubber inside the tire. He also noted that it is usual for the various temperature readings from a single tire to differ.

"We examined all the information," stated Taramasso, "and the findings are unmistakable: when Jorge [Martin] exited the pit for his final attempt prior to the accident, the tire was 15 degrees cooler."

"Therefore, 15 degrees is a significant amount."

At the time of his crash, we analyzed his tire temperature against Marco Bezzecchi's rear tire temperature. Both were on the same type of bike, at the same moment, using a medium compound rear tire. We found that his tire was 15 degrees cooler.

Taramasso mentioned that the usual temperature range for the inside layer of a rear tire is from 90 to 100 degrees. Therefore, when Martin crashed, the 15-degree decrease in temperature represented a reduction of approximately 15 to 16.6 percent.

Taramasso explained: "This was a significant factor, especially when you consider the track conditions. It was very slippery, there was wind, it was cold, only reaching 30 degrees whereas it's usually 50 degrees here, and we had rain overnight. These poor conditions, coupled with the tyre not being prepared, led to the crash."

Additionally, Taramasso explained that Martin chose to use the medium tire during that phase of the test to conserve the soft-compound tires for future use, as the medium tire had been largely overlooked throughout this week's testing.

"Currently, every team begins with the medium option," stated Taramasso.

"On a race weekend, it's typical for teams to begin with the medium tires on a Friday, despite them not being ideal for the conditions. This strategy is used to preserve the softer tires for later."

It seems likely that a similar tactic was used here: they began with the medium tires because they understood that the soft tires offered better performance. Therefore, to clear the track, they opted to start with the medium tires.

"However, everyone faced the same situation. Additionally, the equipment we frequently used during the test performed flawlessly, even during the Shakedown."

On Wednesday, Taramasso responded to Aprilia's statements which suggested that a faulty tire was responsible for the crash.

On Wednesday, Massimo Rivola stated that there was a serious accident that seemed to occur without any apparent cause, with no errors from the bike or the rider.

"I had a conversation with them and shared all the reports," Taramasso stated on Friday.

"They comprehend the information we present, and it's not merely my perspective; it’s simply a statistic – this is data, and they trust the data."

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Results – Day 3 (Friday)

The lap times recorded on the third and concluding day of the 2025 Official MotoGP test in Sepang, held on Friday.

Updates on the schedule each hour…

During a frenetic first hour of time trials on the last morning at Sepang, Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo emerged as the leader, surpassing Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo by 0.224 seconds.

Quickest time on the second day:

Franco Morbidelli set a time of 1 minute and 57.210 seconds on a Ducati motorcycle.

Quickest time recorded on the first day:

Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, completed a lap in 1 minute and

Quickest time recorded in the Shakedown Test

Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, set a lap time of 1 minute 57.794 seconds on the

Sepang MotoGP official records:

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati, clocking in at 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024)

Record lap time in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocking in at 1 minute 58.979 seconds (2023)

Following the Sepang test, there will be just one additional official test session taking place in Buriram from February 12-13, before the season kicks off in Thailand on February 28.

The engine specifications for Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will remain unchanged from the Thai Grand Prix through to the conclusion of 2026. This decision aims to lower development expenses in preparation for the upcoming 850cc era set to commence in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha are allowed to keep working on engine development at present because of their D concession status.

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading the coverage of Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test – Day 3: Live Coverage

Bringing you real-time updates from the last day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official test, which kicked off on Friday morning in Malaysia.

On the first day, Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, set the fastest time, but on the second day, Franco Morbidelli, representing VR46 Ducati, claimed the top spot.

Following injuries sustained on the first day, three riders are missing: current titleholder Jorge Martin (Aprilia), Fabio di Giannantonio (VR46), and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia).

There are only five days allocated for official pre-season testing ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season. These tests include three days at Sepang and two days at Buriram, with the season set to begin in Thailand on February 28.

The testing sessions at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening. These are followed by practice starts

Leading six positions: Bagnaia, Quartararo, Morbidelli, A. Marquez, Bezzecchi, Aldeguer.

Bagnaia improves his speed on the next lap, clocking in at 1 minute and 56.500 seconds.

Ducati's top rider currently holds a lead of 0.224 seconds over Quartararo, a fellow former world champion.

Bagnaia achieved a pole position with a time of 1 minute and 56.337 seconds. However, any times recorded during testing are not recognized as 'official' lap records.

While Acosta remains at the same level, Bagnaia, who set the fastest lap from pole position at last year's Grand Prix, leaps from fourth to first place with a time of 1 minute 56.660 seconds.

Bagnaia is giving it his all, currently setting the quickest pace midway through the circuit…

Pedro Acosta has climbed to 7th place for KTM and has recorded the quickest time in the first sector…

Currently, the leading rider for each brand is as follows:

Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, finished in first place.

Morbidelli, riding for Ducati, finished in second place.

Bezzecchi, riding for Aprilia, finished in 5th

Binder, riding for KTM, secured the 7th position

Zarco, riding a Honda, finished in ninth place.

I

Quartararo eases up after the second sector, yet he still maintains a lead of 0.224 seconds over Morbidelli.

Although Quartararo experienced a comparatively 'slow' performance in the first sector, he managed to excel in sectors 2, 3, and 4, reclaiming the lead position with a time of 1 minute and 56.724 seconds.

He's speeding through another quick lap, clocking the fastest time in the first sector…

Thirty minutes spent on testing have been lost.

In first place is Morbidelli, followed by Quartararo in second, with Bagnaia securing third. Aldeguer comes in fourth, while Bezzecchi takes the fifth spot. Binder is in sixth position, and M. Marquez is seventh. Zarco holds the eighth place, A. Marquez is in ninth, and Acosta rounds out the top ten.

On the second day, Franco Morbidelli has taken the lead, closely followed by Quartararo, with a slim margin of 0.029 seconds separating their times in the 56-second range.

Francesco Bagnaia is currently the nearest competitor to Quartararo, trailing by 0.231 seconds.

Leading the pack are Quartararo, Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, M. Marquez, Aldeguer, and Ogura, comprising the top six positions.

Quartararo has returned to the track and answered the challenge by becoming the first rider this week to achieve a lap time in the 1 minute and 56 seconds range, clocking in at 56.977 seconds.

Wow! Marco Bezzecchi, riding for Aprilia, jumps from the back of the pack to the top of the leaderboard with a time of 1 minute and 57.458 seconds.

Marquez heads to the pits, leading by a mere 0.006 seconds over Quartararo, while newcomer Fermin Aldeguer continues to make a strong impression in third place.

Marc Marquez has set the quickest time for Ducati.

Marc Marquez secures the second position with a lap time of 1 minute and 57.951 seconds, trailing Quartararo by 0.233 seconds.

Records from the Sepang MotoGP:

Fastest lap achieved by Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati: 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024).

Record for the quickest lap in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute and 58.979 seconds in the year 2023

Quartararo is the first racer to reach the '57s mark today.

Franco Morbidelli achieved the quickest time of the week so far with a lap of 1 minute and 57.210 seconds recorded yesterday.

Fabio Quartararo is the inaugural racer to achieve a time in the '58-second range today.

Under the bright sun at Sepang, the final day of the official pre-season testing begins with the green lights signaling the start.

Competitors head directly onto the circuit, and we anticipate numerous time trials during the first hour…

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2025 Official Sepang MotoGP Test – Day 1 Overview

Review of the first day's events at the 2025 Official Sepang MotoGP test.

All MotoGP racers hit the circuit for their initial 2025 outing during the Sepang Official test, happening from Wednesday through Friday.

Newcomers Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra, along with Yamaha's official test riders and their regular racers, participated in a three-day introductory test session at Malaysia's track during the weekend.

Other Honda racing competitors besides Chantra, including Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco, were qualified to participate in the shakedown, yet they chose not to engage.

The group, along with current title holder Jorge Martin and newcomer to Ducati Lenovo, Marc Marquez, will be back on a MotoGP motorcycle for their first ride since the previous November in Barcelona.

Teams have only five days allocated for formal pre-season trials, with three days scheduled in Sepang followed by two days in Buriram, ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season's kick-off in Thailand on February 28.

Trials at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, succeeded by practice launches…

Concluding lap durations – Authorized Sepang MotoGP Trial: First Day

The quarter-hour warm-up session has just commenced, attracting both team participants and enthusiastic supporters to the starting line.

Johann Zarco overcomes his launch control system to execute a massive wheelie down the entire front straight!

The first day of trials concludes with Fabio Quartararo leading, followed by Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Fermin Aldeguer, Franco Morbidelli, and Joan Mir.

Marc Marquez makes a last-minute surge to secure the second position, narrowly missing the top spot by just 0.051 seconds behind Fabio Quartararo.

As day one draws to its final 25 minutes, Mir stands out by climbing to 5th position for Honda.

Leading quartet remains Quartararo, A. Marquez, Aldeguer, Morbidelli.

Raul Fernandez has concluded his testing session at Sepang.

Trackhouse has announced that he will be returning to Spain this evening due to a fractured metacarpal bone in his left hand.

Quartararo is clocking in fastest times in several sectors; he's a mere 0.016 seconds away from overtaking Alex Marquez for the lead… he manages to shave off an additional 0.2 seconds, securing the first position for Yamaha.

With 40 minutes remaining on the first day of the Official test, Alex Marquez leads the pack riding the Ducati GP24, followed by Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo and his Gresini teammate Fermin Aldeguer.

Joan Mir has now placed a second Honda within the top ten positions, while Johann Zarco is at the forefront of the RC213V effort, securing the 7th place.

Lap times at 5pm: Official Results from Day 1 of the Sepang MotoGP Test

Di Giannantonio achieves a new personal record, securing the 6th spot in speed rankings, right after Marc Marquez.

Remarkable performance by the youthful Italian, who is back on a MotoGP motorcycle for the first time since the Thai Grand Prix last October. He was uncertain about the endurance of his recovering shoulder.

It

Fabio di Giannantonio is delivering his top performances of the day, successfully making his way into the leading ten.

The GP25 rankings currently place Marc Marquez in 5th, Fabio di Giannantonio in 9th, and Francesco Bagnaia in 15th position.

Leading the pack with 60 minutes left on the clock: A. Marquez takes the lead, followed closely by Quartararo, Aldeguer, Morbidelli, M. Marquez, Zarco, Miller, and Acosta rounding out the top eight.

Morbidelli achieves a new personal record for the lap, yet stays in 4th place, trailing by 0.376 seconds.

Franco Morbidelli has launched another assault in the GP24.

The latest member of the VR46 team has secured the 4th position, indicating that Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, who is in 2nd place, is the sole rider not on a GP24 bike among the leading quartet.

Johann Zarco propels Honda to a fifth-place position, trailing Alex Marquez by just slightly more than half a second.

At Aprilia, which has reduced its lineup to only two racers for the 2025 season, Ai Ogura leads the team by securing the 10th position as the top RS-GP rider, followed by Marco Bezzecchi who is in 15th place.

Newcomer Aldeguer supports Alex Marquez's quick pace, marking the day's quickest time in the first sector with his GP24. Although his performance in the remaining sectors doesn't match up, he still manages to move up from 7th to 3rd place.

With less than 90 minutes remaining, Pedro Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer are setting personal bests, as indicated by the orange sectors lighting up. However, they still hold the 5th and 7th positions, respectively.

Several top-performing industries as identified by a Marquez – however, this time it's Alex, not Marc.

In November, Alex achieved the fastest time in Barcelona and has now dethroned Fabio Quartararo from the top spot, edging him out by a mere 0.016 seconds on his Gresini GP24.

Update from VR46: 'Franky Morbidelli experienced a fall at Turn 6. The rider is unharmed.'

The following riders are the swiftest who did not participate in the Shakedown test:

Marc Marquez finished in second place.

Pedro Acosta ranked 4th

Alex Marquez secured the 5th position.

Franco Morbidelli finished in seventh place.

Maverick Vinales finished in 9th place.

Maverick Vinales achieves his top performances in all four sectors, climbing from 14th to 9th place for Tech3 KTM.

This time, a different 'Fernandez' has taken a tumble, with Yamaha's test pilot Augusto Fernandez going down at Turn 9. 'Rider is safe'.

Jack Miller, wearing the number 6, is showcasing impressive sector times, as the latest addition to Pramac Yamaha, piloting a completely black M1, secures the third position on the timesheets, trailing by +0.622 seconds.

Following the GP25 assessment: Marc Marquez secured the 2nd position, trailing by 0.506 seconds, while Francesco Bagnaia placed 12th, lagging by 1.193 seconds. Fabio di Giannantonio, who had an earlier mishap, finished 18th with a gap of 1.782 seconds.

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Jorge Martin rushed to the hospital following two falls during the Sepang MotoGP test, while Raul Fernandez sustains a broken metacarpal.

BREAKING UPDATE: Jorge Martin sidelined for Sepang test following severe accident injuries

Defending MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin experienced a disastrous beginning to the 2025 pre-season testing, encountering two highside crashes on his Aprilia during the initial hours at Sepang.

The accidents happened during the sharp initial bends.

After his initial tumble, Martin managed to get back on his bike and return using a maintenance path.

The subsequent event occurred just after Martin had navigated the right turn of Turn 1. As he transitioned his RS-GP to the left to enter Turn 2, he encountered a loss of control at the rear.

The Spanish man was catapulted upwards, flipping in the air before forcefully landing on his feet and subsequently crashing face-first onto the pavement.

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

The meeting was momentarily halted as he was transported to the medical center via ambulance. He has since been moved to a nearby hospital for additional examinations.

Considering the magnitude of the crash, it would be unexpected for Martin to make a comeback to the circuit immediately on the first day. Furthermore, his participation in the remaining testing sessions remains uncertain until the outcomes of the medical examinations are revealed.

Aprilia announced: "Following an incident at Turn 2, Jorge Martin has been transported to the track's medical facility. He is scheduled for additional health assessments, and we will provide an official health update as soon as it becomes available."

An updated statement announced: "Jorge is scheduled to be transported to Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, which is 6 kilometers away from the circuit, for medical examinations. Currently, he is experiencing pain in his left foot and right hand."

Martin had finished only 13 laps and was in the 21st position when he experienced his second crash. This happened as he commenced his first fast lap during his third attempt.

April's initial day took a further downturn

The day for Aprilia took a further hit just after 1pm, when Trackhouse announced that Raul Fernandez had sustained a fracture in the metacarpal bone of his left hand.

Fernandez suffered a fractured toe during what seems to be an incident on an out-lap, however, the primary concern is his hand injury. Consequently, he will be unable to participate in the remainder of the testing session.

The Spanish rider sustained injuries on the first day of the Sepang test last year, leading him to miss the remainder of the event because of significant bruising to his hip and pelvis.

Ai Ogura, the newcomer on Fernandez's team, luckily emerged unscathed from a high-speed crash at Turn 1.

By midday, Ogura had emerged as the quickest rider on an Aprilia, securing the 18th spot, with Martin's teammate from the official team, Marco Bezzecchi, trailing behind him.

This morning, VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio escaped injury after crashing at Turn 5 (as shown in the image), and it's also been reported that Pedro Acosta, who recently joined Red Bull KTM, experienced a fall.

Peter has spent two decades in the racing circuit, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Outcomes – Day 1 (Wednesday)

Concluding lap times for the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official test, recorded at 6pm on Wednesday.

UPDATE: Following the conclusion of testing, di Giannantonio experienced another crash at Turn 5 during the practice starts, resulting in a fractured left collarbone. He will be returning to Italy this evening.

Updates on results every hour…

Monster Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo leads the pack on a breezy first day at the Official Sepang MotoGP test as the fastest shakedown rider.

Ducati's new team member Marc Marquez clinched an impressive second place finish, outpacing the GP24 bikes of his sibling Alex Marquez, newcomer Fermin Aldeguer, and Franco Morbidelli.

Joan Mir secures a sixth-place finish for Honda. Leading the effort for KTM, Pedro Acosta finishes 11th, while newcomer Ai Ogura emerges as the best-performing RS-GP rider for Aprilia, landing in 16th on a challenging day for the team.

Raul Fernandez, a member of the Trackhouse team, has incurred a hand fracture and is set to fly back to Spain this evening. Meanwhile, current world champion Jorge Martin is continuing to receive medical evaluations in the hospital.

Today also witnessed crashes involving di Giannantonio, Ogura, Acosta, Enea Bastianini, and Morbidelli.

Rider has moved up X spots from the previous hour.

Rider maintains the same rank as the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest Trial Run Duration

Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha clocked in at 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on Day

Authoritative records from the Sepang MotoGP

Top Circuit Time: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute 58.979 seconds (2023)

Rider has moved up X spots since the last hour.

The cyclist remains in the same spot as they were an hour ago.

˅X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest time recorded during Shakedown Test

Fabio Quartararo, representing Yamaha, clocked in at 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on Day

Established Records at the Sepang MotoGP

Top circuit time: Francesco Bagnaia achieved a time of 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez achieved it in 1 minute and 58.979 seconds (2023).

Following a three-day introductory session for newcomers, official test riders, and competing racers from Yamaha and Honda, the Official Sepang MotoGP Test, which includes all riders and teams for the 2025 season, kicked off at 10am on Wednesday in Malaysia.

The initial goal is to surpass Fabio Quartararo's leading Shakedown lap of 1m 57.794s recorded on Sunday.

Formal assessments are scheduled from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with practice launches occurring afterwards.

Following the Sepang trials, just a single official test remains, scheduled in Buriram on February 12-13, ahead of the season's inaugural race in Thailand on February 28.

From the Thai Grand Prix onwards, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will have their engine designs locked until the conclusion of 2026. This move aims to cut down on development expenses before transitioning to the upcoming 850cc phase in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha presently have the liberty to progress with their engine innovations, thanks to their D-level concession status.

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For two decades, Peter has witnessed the likes of Valentino Rossi enter and exit the racing scene. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure from the races and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Alex Marquez believes that the true capabilities of the factory MotoGP bikes have not been fully demonstrated. He stated, "We're performing well but staying grounded."

Alex Marquez expressed that it would be ideal for the 2025 MotoGP season to kick off immediately, given his impressive performance in recent tests. However, he cautioned that the true capabilities of the manufacturers are yet to be fully revealed.

The Gresini team member has taken over the GP24 Ducati, a motorcycle that was a powerhouse last year, securing victories in 19 out of 20 races and earning the brand its third consecutive world championship.

After beginning his 2023 season impressively as a Ducati rider on the GP22, Marquez faced challenges in 2024 when he transitioned to the problematic GP23 model.

During the Barcelona test last November, Marquez led the pack on the GP24. At the Sepang test on the second day, he secured the third-fastest time, trailing the top pace by only 0.130 seconds.

At present, Marquez holds the position of the second-fastest Ducati rider in the test, trailing only behind Franco Morbidelli, who led on the second day. However, Marquez believes that his lead will soon diminish.

Marquez expressed that it would be ideal to participate in the Thailand race as early as tomorrow.

"That would be ideal. However, I believe they will continue to make progress. The Ducati team at the factory was definitely experimenting with various components."

"Tomorrow might be the last day, but particularly in Thailand, they will consolidate everything, revealing the true capabilities of not only Ducati but also KTM and the other manufacturers."

"We're performing well, moving quickly, and maintaining strength."

"However, we must stay grounded as the pre-season has a long way to go."

Alex Marquez highlights Ducati's advantage

Marquez observes that the GP24 shows a significant enhancement in corner-entry performance compared to the GP23. Additionally, he mentions experiencing "a slight increase in sensation" during acceleration, thanks to the GP24's ride height mechanism.

"I feel most at ease particularly when entering corners," he mentioned.

"In 2023, I struggled with braking points, mainly because there was excessive weight at the front, which resulted in pressure from the rear."

"This motorcycle is truly designed for this specific rear tire, making it much easier to enter turns and maintain the bike's balance."

"[Using the ride height device] during certain accelerations, you notice a slight improvement, allowing you to apply more torque since there is a reduction in front wheel lift."

"In certain sections, like Turn 3 in Thailand, it will offer a significant advantage. However, even a gain of just 0.003 seconds is always appreciated."

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Joan Mir's fastest lap during the Sepang MotoGP test was thwarted due to his bike running out of fuel. On Thursday at Sepang, Honda showed encouraging progress.

Honda's Joan Mir believes that during the MotoGP Sepang test on Thursday, he could have improved his time by three-tenths of a second if he hadn't run out of fuel on his final fast lap.

On Wednesday, the Japanese company seemed to start strong, with 2020 world champion Mir placing sixth on the timesheets and stating it was his best testing day with Honda to date.

The impressive performance carried over into the second day of testing at Sepang, where Mir maintained his position in sixth place. He managed to enhance his time from 1 minute and 58.1 seconds to 1 minute and 57.791 seconds, nearly a full second quicker than his qualifying lap at last year's Malaysian Grand Prix.

He might have achieved an even faster time if he hadn't run out of fuel at the final turn during his best lap, which prevented him from securing a position in the top four.

On Thursday, Mir concentrated on testing the engine and is of the opinion that the 2025 model shows improvement. However, he acknowledges that it still requires an increase in power.

He mentioned that they tested the final 2024 setup alongside the latest engine specifications for this year.

"Initially, making the decision was challenging, as we installed the engine and it likely didn't suit my preferences very well."

"In the morning, I wasn't particularly pleased, but we dedicated significant effort to adjusting the electronic aspects. Our goal was to ensure the engine was properly configured, focusing on elements like engine braking and throttle management."

"It's a new engine, yet it retains the characteristics of last year's model. The overall feel is quite alike. Ultimately, I was pleased and I've already mentioned that, in my opinion, the 2025 version is superior or, to put it differently, holds more promise."

"We managed to enhance our lap time compared to yesterday. However, I encountered a fuel shortage at the final corner. Consequently, I reached the finish line with the bike running at reduced power."

"We were just three-tenths behind, which means we're quite close despite the issue. Overall, I'm pleased with our progress, but there are still some areas that need improvement."

"For instance, when the track heats up, we all face difficulties. We lag behind the rest."

"We are lagging behind in lap times compared to our competitors. They seem to manage this aspect more effectively. For some reason, our bike begins to skid slightly, complicating matters for us, especially when the temperature rises."

"We need to address that issue. Tomorrow, we'll focus on refining the electronics and configuration. I believe there's still room for improvement."

Joan Mir highlights continued issues with Honda

The problems with rear grip that have been troubling Honda for several years were not resolved by the new engine that Mir favored.

"Our acceleration has slightly improved, but the main focus is on enhancing the top speed," he mentioned.

"We increased our speed by 1 kph on the straight, but we likely need an additional four or five kph."

"That's the situation right now. Yesterday, we were somewhat content with a less powerful engine, but today, with a bit more horsepower, the bike is easier to handle. It's an improvement."

Luca Marini, who finished 15th on Thursday, dedicated his day to evaluating new aerodynamics and feels that the newest version represents a noticeable improvement.

"Today's agenda centered entirely on aerodynamics. I experimented with various setups, including fairings and wings, and I'm pleased because we ultimately discovered the ideal balance," he remarked.

"We need to determine whether it will be ready for Buriram or if we’ll have to kick off the season using the previous package. The old package is still excellent, as it took us all day to find an improved balance with the previous fairing."

"We'll find out soon enough. The improvements in turning are significant, and there's been no sacrifice in acceleration, wheelie control, or braking ability. Overall, it was an excellent achievement."

Statements made by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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