Rising from the Ashes: Honda’s Bold Transformation for the 2025 MotoGP Season
Insight: The Significance Behind Honda's Updated MotoGP Appearance for 2025
Honda is unveiling a revamped visual identity for the 2025 MotoGP season, a move that signifies a much-needed reboot for the renowned Japanese motorcycle manufacturer in the competitive MotoGP scene.
Heading into the 2025 MotoGP season, Honda has reason for optimism as their situation is unlikely to deteriorate further.
In the past half-decade, there's been a significant decline in performance, with three seasons without a victory since 2020 (last season included), the departure of its longtime main sponsor Repsol, and the loss of the era's top rider, Marc Marquez, to Ducati.
Honda's decline has been thoroughly recorded. The company's struggle with problematic RC213Vs was concealed by Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion, until 2020 when an injury forced him to miss the entire season, revealing the issues. This led Honda to rethink its design strategy, unfortunately leading to further setbacks. Marquez, having endured much to return to fitness, found himself parting ways with HRC at the conclusion of 2023, as his efforts were not reciprocated by the company.
Consequently, there were low expectations for the 2024 season. However, the outcome was much more disastrous than anticipated.
Honda once again took a misguided approach to its development strategy at the beginning of 2024, resulting in a repeated cycle of backtracking to establish a correct path. Despite some indications of progress in the later parts of the season, highlighted by Johann Zarco securing the brand's top finish of eighth place in Thailand (during a rain-affected grand prix), the year-end statistics presented a bleak picture.
For the fourth consecutive year, Honda ended up at the bottom of the constructors' championship, accumulating only 75 points – a significant drop of 110 points from their 2023 score, where they unexpectedly won with Alex Rins at COTA. Throughout the last season, HRC never succeeded in earning ten or more points in any of the races.
The top performer for the team in the rankings was Johann Zarco, who secured the 17th spot with 55 points. The team's official pair, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, unfortunately found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard among all season-long competitors, amassing a total of 35 points together. Selected to fill in for Marquez from a limited selection of candidates, Marini failed to earn any points until the German Grand Prix, which was nine races into the season, and that too came about due to a penalty imposed on another rider ahead of him.
Given Mir's scoring rate of 1.05 points per round and Marini's 0.7, Repsol's choice to conclude a collaboration that has been solid since 1995 is understandably excusable.
As 2025 approaches, Honda finds itself at its lowest point.
Challenging periods necessitate resilient spirits. It's evident that Honda has come to terms with the reality that its current strategies are falling short. A significant factor contributing to the lag of Japan's MotoGP teams behind their European counterparts is a difference in cultural approaches to development and problem-solving. European teams tend to be more direct and willing to learn from mistakes through a process of trial and error. In contrast, Japanese manufacturers adopt a more systematic approach, insisting that a development must be proven effective before it is implemented on the racetrack.
Naturally, the most effective method to verify the success of a development is by putting it through competition. Yamaha managed to do this in 2024, thanks to the recruitment of Max Bartolini, a seasoned engineer from Ducati, as their technical director. Following Yamaha's strategy, Honda has also brought on board a renowned European engineer to lead its development efforts in 2025.
Honda had considered bringing on board ex-KTM figure Fabiano Sterlacchini, but in the end, chose to appoint Romano Albesiano, the technical director from Aprilia. Albesiano, hailing from Italy, successfully transformed the RS-GP from being the subject of paddock ridicule to a competitive motorcycle, compelling enough to attract the current world champion, Jorge Martin, for the current racing season.
Albesiano's challenge at Honda mirrors his previous experience at Aprilia in 2015, though he now has access to the significantly more powerful resources of the esteemed Honda Racing Corporation. Despite recent struggles, Honda boasts an impressive history, securing six championships in a span of seven years with Marquez from 2013 to 2019, clinching the title in 2011 with Casey Stoner, triumphing over Valentino Rossi and Yamaha in 2006 with Nicky Hayden, and dominating the early years of the modern era with Rossi in 2002 and 2003.
Honda clearly hasn't lost its winning touch. Therefore, the assertive rhetoric shared during Honda's 2025 unveiling ceremony, introducing their fresh livery design and Castrol as the title sponsor, comes as no surprise.
"Luca Marini attributes the optimistic outlook to the influx of fresh engineering talent joining the project, including Romano and other highly skilled engineers on the team," he explains to Crash.net regarding his confidence in Honda's progress by 2025.
"I believe this represents a significant transformation that Honda has never experienced before. Consequently, we are witnessing the beginning of shifts in our approach. I mentioned it last year, and now, more than ever, I can observe the evolution during this winter. Clearly, Romano only began his involvement with this initiative in January, so it's going to require a period to truly sense his influence and contribution to this new endeavor. However, merely exchanging insights and the feedback from other brands, particularly the operational strategies currently employed by Italian companies, is going to revolutionize everything. We need a bit of patience, but there's an overwhelming sense of optimism and enthusiasm among everyone involved."
Colleague Joan Mir concurred, stating, "I've had discussions with [crew chief] Santi [Hernandez] regarding the recent enhancements we're getting. It appears he's very hopeful. Consequently, this brings me joy and also makes me hopeful.
"I'm not anticipating a return to the forefront, but we're open to experimentation: we have a variety of engines and chassis to test out. If these elements can provide the improvements we've long sought, I'll be satisfied."
Albesiano didn't play a role in shaping the 2025 motorcycle that's already been tested at the Sepang track before the season starts. He'll require time to thoroughly examine every aspect and craft something that reflects his vision. However, certain allowances will aid him in this endeavor.
Marini is optimistic that by the latter half of the year, Honda will have made considerable progress. Although the intense competition presents a challenge, Honda possesses all the necessary resources to achieve this.
This also encompasses what appears to be a distinct version of Joan Mir
Since moving to Honda in 2023 after Suzuki unexpectedly exited MotoGP, the 2020 world champion has faced challenges. In his initial season with the RC213V, marred by injuries, Mir managed to accumulate 26 points, with his peak performance being a fifth-place finish at the Indian GP. This achievement was primarily attributed to the advantage the Honda gained from a stiffer rear tyre carcass.
In 2024, it seemed as though Mir was more often found navigating through gravel pits than riding his RC213V. Throughout the season, he encountered 17 crashes and failed to finish in 10 of the 20 grand prix events. His highest achievement for the year was securing an 11th place finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Throughout various points in his career with Honda, Mir has considered leaving MotoGP. However, the worry of not succeeding has prevented him from taking that step, leading to his recent commitment to a fresh two-year contract with HRC starting in 2025.
Following the test in Barcelona, Mir expressed frustration over what he perceived as Honda's failure to provide new components, frequently vocalizing his opinions more than other riders from the same team. While his feelings are justified, as a MotoGP champion, there's an anticipation that he would act as a figurehead for the brand, making the most out of the equipment at his disposal, similar to Fabio Quartararo's approach at Yamaha.
In response to Crash's inquiry about what steps he must take to enhance his leadership qualities by 2025 and improve his performance irrespective of how his bike measures up to his expectations, Mir provided an impressively straightforward response.
"Indeed, it's challenging. Transitioning from a history of strong performances and consistently being considered a key competitor in the world championship to a position where you're overlooked is a reality I've had to confront," he explained.
"Embracing the reality is essential. Initially, it was a tougher challenge for me to come to terms with it. However, given our current circumstances, I understand the actions we need to take to turn things around. No one should doubt my belief in our mission, given that I'm still present and putting in as much effort as I am capable of."
"One strategy that significantly aids me while I'm at home is pushing myself to the limit in my training, striving to achieve peak physical condition, and doing my utmost to eliminate any thoughts of not having done enough. This approach serves as my form of therapy. Despite everything, I'm eagerly anticipating getting started. I'm determined to turn things around, to get going, to grasp what we'll be exploring in the tests, and to learn from the fresh perspectives the new arrivals at Honda will offer. Beyond that, I'm curious about how Honda will respond following all our efforts."
Before the season has even started, Honda has already claimed a victory of sorts: its new livery is undeniably the standout. Yet, this is merely the outward sign of a brand taking strides forward. The uninspiring last Repsol design seemed like the team was clinging to former triumphs, with Marquez's shadow still lingering around it – a sentiment that was reflected in their performance on the racetrack.
The tangible signs of this fresh phase are beginning to emerge. With Albesiano leading the technical overhaul, there's a growing sense of optimism among the two main riders who are in dire need of a morale boost. The expansion of the test team, now including Aleix Espargaro, is set to fast-track improvements that the team's racers have been eagerly awaiting. Additionally, Takaaki Nakagami taking on a new role in testing will help enhance the dialogue between the team's European and Japanese divisions.
It may seem unlikely that Honda could aim for top finishes towards the season's end in the same manner as its competitor Yamaha, considering their current trajectories. However, there's real optimism within HRC that brighter days are ahead after a period of significant struggles.
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MV Agusta Reclaims Independence: Splits from KTM Amid Financial Struggles, Regains Full Control
MV Agusta Parts Ways with KTM
MV Agusta has declared its separation from KTM, resulting in the Sardarov family taking back complete ownership of the firm.
A little more than two years since the Pierer Mobility Group, via its subsidiary KTM AG, initially purchased shares in MV Agusta, the Italian company has now fully regained its independence.
On January 31, MV Agusta revealed in a statement that the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, which had seen 50.1 per cent of its ownership transferred to KTM AG since the previous spring, will revert to being completely overseen by its CEO, Timur Sardarov.
The Italian firm announced that KTM's recent economic difficulties prompted the action.
"The statement highlights that MV Agusta's operations might have faced significant challenges due to the recent financial developments at Pierer Mobility AG, despite having a prosperous year."
The statement further clarifies that MV Agusta will remain unaffected by KTM AG's current reorganization efforts amidst its bankruptcy processes, enabling the company to persist in its trajectory of favorable expansion.
MV's announcement confirms that despite parting ways with KTM and PMG, its worldwide network of dealerships will maintain their operations as normal.
Timur Sardarov expressed, "This is a proud moment for everyone at MV Agusta. Achieving complete ownership of the company signifies that we are now more robust and concentrated on achieving excellence than before."
In the last two years, the firm has considerably enhanced its procedures, infrastructure, and employee base.
The foundational shifts implemented are key to the remarkable outcomes realized in 2024 and are expected to sustain our prosperity moving forward.
"I am completely assured in the capabilities of our executive team, whose foresight, together with the commitment and expertise of our revitalized dealership network, will elevate MV Agusta to unprecedented levels.
"My pledge, along with my family's, is to serve as an essential influence for the Varese squad, the local area, and all our collaborators."
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Honda Reveals New Era with Castrol as Title Sponsor and Fresh Livery for 2025 MotoGP Season
Honda unveils brand-new MotoGP colors, announces Castrol as the primary sponsor
This marks the first season since 1994 that the official Honda team will not have Repsol as their sponsor
The Honda team has revealed a completely new color scheme for the 2025 MotoGP championship, marking a departure from its three-decade-long sponsorship deal with Repsol, as Castrol steps in to take its place.
From 1995 onwards, every premier class racing factory Honda has featured a Repsol-themed paint scheme, marking the Spanish oil major's role as the principal sponsor.
Nonetheless, the emblematic partnership concluded last year when the Honda team officially revealed its new factory HRC colors for the 2025 season during its launch event in Indonesia.
Honda announced that starting in 2025, Castrol will be its main sponsor.
Honda faced a challenging 2024 season, ending up at the bottom of the constructors' standings with a mere 75 points.
Discover More: Honda's Journey to Identifying Its Genuine MotoGP Captain in 2024
The team's competitors, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, ended up at the bottom of the championship rankings, with the company's top performance in a Grand Prix being an eighth-place finish by LCR's Johann Zarco during a rainy Thai GP.
Zarco led Honda's rankings, holding the 17th spot.
The previous year also represented the third time in five years that Honda failed to secure a race victory.
In an effort to climb back up the competitive ladder, Honda has implemented major changes to its team lineup for the 2025 season.
In a significant move, it has brought on board Romano Albesiano from Aprilia to assume the role of technical director, succeeding Ken Kawauchi, who has transitioned to the test team.
Albesiano played a pivotal role in transforming Aprilia from the slowest factory team on the grid upon its MotoGP comeback in 2015, to a team celebrating numerous grand prix victories throughout his decade-long tenure with the Italian brand.
Joining Aprilia's test team as well, former three-time grand prix champion Aleix Espargaro steps in, having concluded his career in full-time racing at the close of the previous season.
Honda became the last manufacturer team to reveal its livery for the 2025 season, succeeding Yamaha and KTM who had made their announcements in the two days prior.
Only the LCR team remains to unveil its colors for the upcoming season, with the announcement scheduled for February 8, just a day prior to the official MotoGP season kickoff event.
This week, Honda has actively participated in the Sepang shakedown, taking advantage of the opportunity to conduct unrestricted testing throughout the year with its race riders, thanks to concessions.
The official testing period kicks off in Malaysia from February 5th to 7th, followed by the concluding pre-season tests in Thailand on February 12th and 13th. This sets the stage for the 2025 season, which commences with races from February 28th to March 2nd in Buriram.
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Rins Tops the Timesheets on Day 2 of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown, Setting the Stage for Final Showdown
Results from the Second Day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test – Saturday
The lap times following Saturday's completion of day two at the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test.
Here are the final lap times from day two of the Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test, with Yamaha's Alex Rins leading the pack.
*Beginner.
The times shown represent the fastest single lap achieved by each rider today, not the quickest lap on each unique motorcycle they rode.
The Yamaha testing squad stands out as they do not assign specific rider names to their transponders, opting instead to label all of their motorcycles with the generic title "Test Rider."
Andrea Dovizioso spent the entirety of the first day riding for the Yamaha test team and continued to do so for the majority of the second day. Towards the close of day two, Augusto Fernandez embarked on his initial laps as a test rider for Yamaha.
In the final moments, Alex Rins climbed to the lead position in the time rankings, surpassing KTM’s Pol Espargaro and his Monster Yamaha colleague, Fabio Quartararo.
Ai Ogura secured the fourth position and was the leading newcomer, closely followed by Fermin Aldeguer of Gresini Ducati. On the second day, both riders were prominent at the forefront of the leaderboard, around the time Somkiat Chantra experienced his initial MotoGP rounds of the year with LCR Honda.
In addition to Rins and Quartararo, Pramac Yamaha's newest team members, Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, also took to the track, alongside Aleix Espargaro who alternated rides on the HRC test bike with Takaaki Nakagami.
The last day of the preliminary tests is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday.
Quickest first day record:
Pol Espargaro, riding for KTM, clocked a time of 1 minute
I
The times mentioned represent the fastest lap each rider achieved today, regardless of the various bikes they may have ridden.
The Yamaha testing squad stands out as the sole group whose transponders do not display specific rider names, instead uniformly labeling each of their motorcycles as "Test Rider".
Andrea Dovizioso spent the entirety of the first day riding for the Yamaha test team and returned to the track for a second day. Meanwhile, Augusto Fernandez has joined the activities this weekend as well.
Quickest opening day record:
Pol Espargaro, riding for KTM, clocked a time of 1 minute
Authorized Records from Sepang MotoGP
Quickest round: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)
Quickest lap time: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocked 1 minute and 58.979 seconds (2023)
The Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test scheduled for 2025, welcoming newcomers Ai Ogura (Trackhouse), Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini), and Somkiat Chantra (LCR), along with factory test riders and competing racers from Yamaha and Honda, is set to commence this Friday in Malaysia.
Pol Espargaro led the pack for KTM on the initial day, with Yamaha's racers, including Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira, set to participate on the following day following their team's unveiling in Kuala Lumpur the previous evening.
Examinations are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, however, a wet circuit due to nighttime rainfall (along with the necessity to conserve tires allocated for private testing) resulted in a sluggish beginning to the second day, with only Michele Pirro having finished a lap by noon.
The authorized test at Sepang, open to all teams and competitors, is scheduled from February 5th to 7th…
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Peter, with two decades of experience in the paddock, witnessed Valentino Rossi's era from start to finish. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.
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Joan Mir Finds Hope in Honda’s 2025 Direction: Santi Hernandez’s Optimism Signals New Era
Former Marc Marquez MotoGP team leader shows Joan Mir positive signs for Honda future
“Last week, I had a conversation with Santi, and he seemed pleased”
Joan Mir reveals that his MotoGP crew chief, Santi Hernandez, has provided positive feedback, indicating that Honda is making progress with its 2025 motorcycle development.
Heading into 2025, Honda is looking to rebound from one of its poorest performances in grand prix racing history, ending the previous season with a mere 75 points in the constructors' championship and marking its third season without a victory in the last five years.
The Japanese brand has implemented several staff alterations for the upcoming season, which notably includes bringing in Romano Albesiano from Aprilia to serve as the technical director.
Mir, who concluded the previous season just above the bottom of the leaderboard among regular riders with 21 points, frequently expressed dissatisfaction with Honda's perceived failure to advance throughout 2024.
As winter testing is set to start in Malaysia next week, Mir has received assurances from his crew chief Hernandez, who served alongside Marc Marquez in MotoGP from 2013 to 2023, about Honda's advancements.
"He mentioned that he had a conversation with Santi the previous week, noting Santi seemed pleased," he explained after unveiling Honda's brand new livery in Indonesia.
"Santi is an individual who expresses feelings with clarity."
"He is a person who openly expresses his feelings. He stated, 'Joan, pay attention: at the beginning of last year, I mentioned that given the path they chose, it's likely going to be challenging. However, this year, perhaps I have something slightly different to say.'"
"Without a doubt, the year ahead will pose challenges, yet I'm beginning to notice a sense of peace, which brings me joy and confidence in the journey ahead."
Albesiano officially commenced his duties at Honda in January, and Mir is confident that the Japanese brand will grant the Italian engineer the necessary "freedom" to enhance the RC213V.
"He believes that when individuals such as Romano become part of the squad, it's particularly impactful, more so than Aleix [Espargaro], because ultimately his role is to serve as a test rider and to provide his feedback," he further mentioned.
Aleix's influence within the engineering framework is negligible. It's Romano who needs to adjust his approach to fit with Honda's operations – not so much implement a new method, but rather modify his existing one.
Based on my observations, he's extremely systematic. There's a specific procedure we adhere to. Every day, we stick to the guidelines, as he prefers everything to be explicitly defined.
"He's adopted this approach because it has been successful for him previously, so it's understandable that he desires to implement it here at Honda."
"I'm curious to know whether Honda will grant him complete autonomy to utilize all of his capabilities. Likely so. Observing his adjustment to everything with such a positive attitude is encouraging."
Honda's evaluation crew has already hit the circuit this weekend for the Sepang shakedown, wrapping up on Sunday, before the formal testing session scheduled for February 5-7.
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Pedro Acosta Targets Eradicating “Biggest Mistake” in MotoGP 2025 After Reflective Rookie Season Insights
Pedro Acosta aims to eliminate "major error" in MotoGP 2025
"Indeed, it all boiled down to gaining experience…"
Pedro Acosta's debut season in MotoGP was impressive enough to secure him a position with the KTM factory team, yet as is common for newcomers, the Spanish rider identified areas for enhancement in his sophomore year in the top racing category.
Acosta experienced a memorable weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, marked by highs and lows.
The double World Champion was in the lead during the Sprint but met with an accident, and later, while pursuing Francesco Bagnaia for the top position, he experienced another crash that led to his exit from the Grand Prix.
"During the recent unveiling of the KTM MotoGP team, Acosta mentioned that the two accidents in Japan are mistakes he aims to avoid repeating in 2025."
"In the final analysis, it was the Grand Prix where we felt most ready to perform well, but indeed, it all came down to experience."
Acosta mentioned that improving his qualifying results and refining his race management strategies have been key areas of emphasis for him this winter.
"In conclusion, I really don't have any expectations for these exams. It's accurate to say that I spent much of this winter addressing the areas I was lacking in," he mentioned.
"This involved the qualification as well as handling certain aspects of the races. In this regard, I’m pleased."
"Indeed, we must bide our time until our arrival, at which point we will be able to observe not just my performance, but that of the competitors as well."
"Additionally, it's possible that last year my eagerness to achieve quickly led me to numerous errors, not just in the races but also throughout the weekend, including having two or three accidents on Friday alone."
"Creating a solid weekend proved challenging; perhaps, this marks my most significant progress this year."
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Luca Marini Anticipates Revolutionary Honda Prototype in Upcoming MotoGP Testing
Luca Marini anticipates testing an entirely new Honda MotoGP motorcycle in the upcoming trials
Trials are set to start the following week
Luca Marini of Honda has expressed anticipation for testing a brand new prototype once MotoGP's pre-season trials kick off in Malaysia next week.
The Japanese brand faced a challenging 2024 season, unable to surpass 100 points in the constructors' rankings and marking its third season without a win in the past five years.
Marini, brought in to take over Marc Marquez's spot on the factory team, finished at the bottom among the regular competitors in the riders’ rankings, amassing only 14 points.
However, Honda is striving to change its fate by making significant additions to its team, notably bringing on board Romano Albesiano as technical director among other crucial hires towards the end of last year.
After the Barcelona trials in November, Marini believed Honda would witness significant progress during the latter part of the 2025 season.
When questioned about whether he believes the timeline is still achievable, Marini responded, "At this stage, it feels a bit premature to have that confidence, it's a broad view since I'm familiar with Honda's operations, and I'm convinced that in the initial phase of the season, we'll definitely be experimenting with an entirely new prototype during the Sepang test.
"However, it's necessary to make some adjustments, yet by adhering to the guidance and input we received last year, I believe we're positioned to kick off this season at an elevated level."
"Definitely not sufficient to strive for the goal we aim to reach."
"However, once the initial segment of the season has passed, roughly around the midpoint, it could be an opportune time to aim for improvement by leveraging a more competitive package."
"However, for it to be successful, everything must proceed flawlessly without any errors. Therefore, it's not a simple task."
Honda has already hit the Sepang track this week for the shakedown sessions, but its main pair of riders haven't taken to the track yet, as they were in Indonesia for the team's color scheme unveiling.
The 2025 campaign will be the first time since 1994 that Honda's factory team competes without Repsol's sponsorship, as Castrol steps in as the primary sponsor. The team will also transition to HRC's official colors for the upcoming season.
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Ducati Unveils Innovative Fairing at Sepang MotoGP Shakedown: Pirro Tests New Aerodynamic Features
Ducati unveils fresh fairing design during Sepang MotoGP Shakedown trial
At Sepang, Michele Pirro has taken to the track on his Ducati Desmosedici GP25 equipped with an updated fairing.
Ducati seems to have unveiled a fresh fairing design during the Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test over the weekend.
This weekend in Malaysia, Michele Pirro was the sole representative for the Italian manufacturer, testing their newest machinery. Meanwhile, newcomer Fermin Aldeguer also participated in the testing session, though he was using the GP24 model from the previous year, which he is set to compete on in the 2025 season.
This weekend at Sepang, Pirro has been seen testing various motorcycles, some of which feature a bare carbon fiber fairing.
An image shared on MotoGP's online platforms following the initial day of the Shakedown on Friday (31 January) depicts Pirro riding one of the non-labeled motorcycles.
Observing the front aspect of the fairing, it's evident that there have been modifications to the lower surface of the front wing relative to the previous season. The external portion now appears slimmer and features a more pronounced curve profile.
The initial photo shared by the official MotoGP social media profiles conceals a significant portion of the bike's side fairing, primarily because of the perspective it was captured from, which leaves it in the shadows.
Adjusting the white balance and brightness levels of the picture can uncover extra details hidden in the darker sections.
Initially, it seems that the sidepod wings have been modified, although it's difficult to confirm this due to the perspective of the photograph. The lower section seems to have been raised relative to earlier versions of the Ducati MotoGP bodywork. Furthermore, when examining the left sidepod wing, the external side presents a curved shape instead of a flat one.
These modifications might offer their own aerodynamic benefits, but their primary purpose is evident just beneath the lower surface of the sidepod wing, where a significantly taller downwash duct is now positioned.
The design of the duct seems to mirror the one Ducati unveiled during the previous year's Misano trial – a bodywork modification that Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini chose to use for the rest of the 2024 season, unlike Francesco Bagnaia. Yet, it looks to be broader and significantly higher.
The photo indicates that the highest section of the duct is now almost level with the peak of the mudguard at the point it connects with the fork leg. This contrasts with the position of the duct's highest section used by Bastianini and Martin at the end of the last season, which was positioned significantly lower, as illustrated in the following image.
The area behind the duct still features the expanded ground effect section that was first seen last year. From the image provided, it's difficult to definitively determine any changes to this portion of the fairing for the 2025 model, if there have been any.
Gazing at the bike's rear section – although the image isn't very clear – one can notice another set of 'stegosaurus' fins, in a dark carbon color, situated seemingly just beyond Pirro's arm. These fins look to mimic those found on the bike's tail, yet are obviously placed a bit more towards the front and are linked by a connector joining the two parts.
Taking into account ergonomic design, these should be placed at the back of the seating area so as not to limit the rider's movement, though their precise location cannot be determined from the image.
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In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on both consumer and racing motorcycle updates for Visordown.
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Ducati’s Dream Duo: Bagnaia and Marquez Share Influential Teammates and Eye MotoGP Dominance
Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia disclose their most impactful colleagues
"It was a lesson in excellence at every meeting"
The spotlight will shine on the Ducati Lenovo 'dream team' in this year's MotoGP season, as the team's two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia teams up with Marc Marquez, who has won six titles with Honda.
Luca Marini is among those who think that the competition will elevate both contenders to unprecedented heights.
"Marini expressed to Crash.net that having Pecco and Marc as teammates will drive them to outdo themselves. He believes that if Aprilia and KTM fail to match Ducati's performance, it might just be those two competing for the win in each race."
Which colleagues did Bagnaia and Marquez gain the most knowledge from previously?
Bagnaia identified Jorge Martin, his anticipated competitor for the championship and the 2024 champion, along with his initial MotoGP colleague Jack Miller, as significant figures.
Bagnaia revealed that his initial moment of learning from a teammate occurred in Moto3, during Jorge Martin's arrival. He mentioned that it was during a wet first test where Martin showcased exceptional speed. By tailing him, Bagnaia absorbed numerous techniques for wet conditions.
"In MotoGP, it's essential to mention Jack Miller, with whom we created an amazing environment both in the pit box and the garage."
Bagnaia teamed up with Miller at Pramac to kick off his debut 2019 MotoGP season. They shared four seasons together, eventually moving up to the official Ducati team for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
"Bagnaia further commented, "I believe we both played a significant role in shaping the current success of Ducati."
Miller transitioned to KTM following his replacement by Enea Bastianini, and Marquez is set to succeed the Italian starting in 2025.
From his victorious MotoGP debut in 2013 until the conclusion of 2018, Marquez shared a team with Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda.
"Without a doubt, the teammate I gained the most knowledge from was Dani Pedrosa," Marquez stated.
"Each session felt like an expert tutorial, especially when you make your debut in MotoGP and have someone like Dani Pedrosa as your team-mate.
"It was incredible to grasp. I gained significant knowledge."
Marquez pointed out the parallels between teaming up with Pedrosa at Repsol Honda and his upcoming venture with Bagnaia at Ducati Lenovo.
"Marquez mentioned, 'It's not exactly the same, but there are some similarities.'"
"I show up in a container where there's a racer who has clinched two global titles, who is incredibly quick, and who has exclusively piloted a Ducati, thus he is highly knowledgeable in resolving any issue."
Marquez stated: "Often, we observe that on Fridays, Pecco is not among the front runners, but then he quickly becomes the quickest on the circuit from one session to the next. Therefore, I aim to glean insights from him, given his extensive expertise riding a Ducati motorcycle."
Bagnaia aims to understand how Marquez excels in challenging circumstances.
"Regarding Marc, it's definitely something novel… However, my perspective and understanding is that when you're dealing with a rider of his caliber – an eight-time world champion who has clinched championships even under challenging conditions, without the top motorcycle – it's truly inspiring for me. It pushes me to strive for competitiveness even when circumstances aren't perfect."
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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the racing world, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure from racing and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.
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VR46 Clarifies Stance on Pedro Acosta Amidst Rumor Mill: Salucci Sets the Record Straight
VR46 clarifies situation amid Pedro Acosta speculation
Uccio Salucci addresses speculations about a possible connection between Acosta and VR46
Uccio Salucci has addressed speculation regarding Pedro Acosta being considered for the VR46 MotoGP team, stating, 'I never had a serious conversation about it within our team'.
In a significant move, Acosta, who made a remarkable debut last year, has inked a long-term agreement to remain with KTM as a factory rider starting from the 2025 season, maintaining his relationship with the Austrian brand that has supported him throughout his Grand Prix journey.
Nonetheless, KTM's ongoing economic troubles and the ambiguous prospects of its MotoGP involvement have sparked rumors that Acosta is seeking an exit strategy for 2026.
Recently, there's been buzzing speculation about a possible switch to the VR46 team on a satellite Ducati for Acosta. This speculation gained more traction after Acosta participated in Valentino Rossi's 100Km of Champions race in Tavullia, which took place earlier this month.
VR46 team leader Salucci has stepped in to dispel these speculations, emphasizing that there hasn't been any significant conversation about it.
"To begin with, I apologize for the narrative concerning KTM, as we maintain a strong rapport with KTM," he stated.
"Our partnership began in 2014 in the Moto3 category, alongside Stefan Pierer, Pit Beirer, and the entire KTM board and leadership team."
"I'm not a fan of this narrative, but sadly, that's how it is."
"Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Acosta is an exceptional cyclist."
"Perhaps he's currently the top talent in MotoGP. However, it's premature to discuss this matter, and frankly, I've never had a serious conversation about Acosta within our team."
In the past few weeks, Acosta has openly stated that the current circumstances with KTM do not impact his short-term career plans in MotoGP.
KTM is facing a financial turmoil, which has forced it to enter a phase of self-administration and undergo a restructuring effort to rescue the firm.
The latest news from Austria reveals that 23 prospective financiers have shown interest in backing the company.
On February 25, a vital gathering is scheduled where lenders will decide on the proposed reorganization strategy that entails receiving 30% repayment of the funds KTM owes them.
Though this is the legal minimum required, it's reported that certain creditors are dissatisfied with this amount.
KTM's current financial obligations have been verified at €2.2 billion.
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Marc Marquez Turns Down Monster Energy Deal, Stays Loyal to Red Bull Amidst Ducati Shift
New allegations suggest Marc Marquez turned down a sponsorship from Monster
The eight-time world champion reportedly declined a partnership offer with Monster
It is reported that Monster Energy proposed a personal sponsorship agreement to Marc Marquez, a Factory Ducati MotoGP racer, matching the one extended to Francesco Bagnaia. However, Marquez turned down the offer.
The athlete, who has clinched the grand prix world championship eight times, has had a longstanding association with Red Bull, the Austrian energy drink powerhouse, prominently featured on his racing helmet until the conclusion of the previous season.
By joining the factory Ducati team, Marquez terminated his individual agreement with Red Bull as a gesture of respect towards the brand.
The team from Ducati receives sponsorship from Monster Energy, which is clearly visible on their motorcycles, the riders' suits, and the team's apparel.
In 2025, Marquez will wear all these items, but his racing helmet won't display the Monster logo.
As reported by Motorsport.com, Marquez received a proposal from Monster that was the same as the one given to his teammate Bagnaia, but he chose not to accept it.
This action was taken once more as a gesture of respect towards Red Bull, keeping the possibility of rekindling this alliance in the future.
According to Motorsport.com, Ducati anticipated Red Bull would reach out to them regarding 2025, but the conversation happened later than expected.
Marquez has replaced the Red Bull emblems on his helmet with Estrella Galicia decals.
Fascinatingly, as reported by El Periodico, Lenovo, the main sponsor for Ducati, conducted a research last year indicating that signing Marquez instead of Jorge Martin would be more beneficial for the brand because of his international reputation.
Naturally, this didn't significantly influence Ducati's final decision.
Marquez's decision to openly reject the offer of a factory Ducati bike from the Pramac team for the 2025 season ultimately caused the brand to reverse its original plan of advancing Martin.
In the same article by El Periodico, it features a statement from Carlo Merlini, Gresini's director of commercial and marketing, in which he remarks, "One thing is certain, and we witnessed it directly last year.
"Marc provides more than mere success and triumphs. He ensures you gain recognition."
"Marc stands out for his unparalleled visibility and allure. His magnetic charm paves the way for securing sponsorships and media attention."
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Honda’s Leadership Void and Uncertain Future: A Deep Dive into the Manufacturer’s Struggles in MotoGP
Charges of lacking leadership at Honda amid grim forecasts
"Honda seems to be not taking concrete actions…"
The recent episode of the Crash MotoGP podcast delved into Honda's performance in 2025.
Honda has named Romano Albesiano as their new technical director, with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami serving as their test riders.
Luca Marini and Joan Mir, who both faced significant challenges in 2024, will once again team up at the factory, with LCR welcoming Johann Zarco and newcomer Somkiat Chantra to their ranks.
However, the issues with the manufacturer exist on a more significant scale, according to our specialists.
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"Lewis Duncan mentioned on our podcast that Honda appears to be missing a central leadership figure, similar to the role Max Bartolini plays at Yamaha."
They possess a tenacious advocate in Alberto Puig who stands up for the rider and the circumstances, yet lack an individual capable of bringing the riders together.
"Joan Mir is constantly unhappy. What prompted him to ink a fresh deal? His rationale is that he didn't wish to conclude things on such a term. Yet, if he finds no joy in it and maintains a pessimistic attitude throughout…
Honda lacks a definitive leader. Johann Zarco might assume that position, as he was more articulate than their other riders, showed greater calmness, and was undeniably more successful in competitions.
Determining Honda's future direction and assessing Romano Albesiano's potential influence is challenging. He inherits a foundational setup that isn't his creation, necessitating a period of adjustment to rework it.
"Honda doesn't appear to be making significant progress this year. While there were minor indications of improvement towards last year's end, they seemed to benefit only Zarco."
"In my opinion, achieving consistent point finishes for Honda would signify success. However, reaching Yamaha's potential level could prove to be challenging."
Honda discussed critical improvement areas
Peter McLaren mentioned, "To what extent will Albesiano and Aleix impact the motorcycle's development?
Attracting talent is one aspect; Honda has indeed recruited numerous engineers and collaborates with Kalex, yet this move hasn't significantly altered the bike's success.
Honda's initial focus should be on avoiding regression, similar to the setbacks experienced in the previous year. Misguided testing strategies severely impacted the early part of their last season.
"If they are able, to at the very least, resume from the point they stopped…"
"Veteran cyclists Zarco and Marini are expected to provide additional support due to their extensive biking experience."
"Marc Marquez was queried about the distinctions between being a factory rider for Ducati and Honda."
"He mentioned 'communication'. Gigi Dall'Igna is the one who connects everything at Ducati."
"Honda must focus on improving in these specific domains."
The key factor is the base they establish following their trials. Aleix has undergone testing this year, having participated in several sessions the previous year.
"After the races in Buriram and Sepang, we'll understand the magnitude of progress. Is a significant advancement on the horizon?"
"Perhaps by examining the bike and suggesting 'implement it in this manner', Albesiano could potentially help them shave off a few tenths of a second per lap. It’s within the realm of possibility."
Achieving the highest Honda position at 12th in the championship standings would be considered a positive outcome. Last year, Zarco finished in 17th place.
"In MotoGP, it's possible to witness singular, unexpected outcomes, as demonstrated by Alex Rins's performance at COTA."
"However, they must realistically adopt a gradual approach. Yet, the initial move should involve not regressing…"
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Valentino Rossi: From Massive Bruises to Motivational Messages as He Embraces Racing and Family Life Post-MotoGP
Valentino Rossi showcases a large contusion alongside an inspiring message as racing gets back underway
Valentino Rossi embodies the spirit of Steve McQueen
Four years after hanging up his MotoGP helmet, Valentino Rossi finds himself more engaged than ever.
The current lineup of MotoGP racers won't hit the track until the upcoming Sepang test next weekend and their first race isn't scheduled until February 28. Meanwhile, The Doctor is gearing up for his next competition.
Rossi has detailed the numerous activities he engaged in during the off-season, leading up to the commencement of this weekend's racing season.
Check out this Instagram post from Valentino Rossi (@valeyellow46)
This encompasses a large contusion on the inner part of his leg, which he had previously not shown.
Rossi also showed photos to his partner Francesca and pictures of himself performing as a DJ at an event.
He shared insights into his personal family dynamics and his current career pursuits, including his participation in the 100km of Champions race in Tavullia earlier this month, where he secured second place with Luca Marini.
Crucially, Rossi and his companion Francesca celebrated the arrival of their second child, Gabriella, in the winter season.
He is now prepared to return to racing.
Discover more: A closer look at Valentino Rossi's pursuit of his much-anticipated tenth global championship
"Rossi shared on social media, quoting Steve McQueen, albeit humorously inverted, 'Racing is everything; everything else is just passing time.' Perhaps an overstatement, but undeniably impactful."
"Here's a recount of my experiences starting from the final 2024 race in Jeddah up until the day before today."
"Indeed, this weekend marks the beginning of the 2025 season in Australia with the 12-hour Bathurst event taking place on the thrilling Mount Panorama circuit."
At the age of 45, Rossi is set to participate in the Bathurst 12 Hours, marking the beginning of his racing season in cars.
Competing for Team WRT behind the wheel of a BMW, Rossi is set to participate in his third endurance race in Australia. His highest finish to date occurred last year when he secured fifth place.
This season, Rossi is focusing on competing in the LMGT3 category of the World Endurance Championship, where he will be part of BMW's official team.
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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.
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