Johann Zarco 'anticipated feeling more downcast' as his initial MotoGP season with Honda concluded

"Turned out to be more optimistic than I had foreseen"

LCR's Johann Zarco confessed he anticipated feeling more disappointed than he ultimately did at the conclusion of his inaugural MotoGP season with Honda.

The rider, who has tasted victory once in MotoGP, transitioned from the top-performing Ducati to sign a two-year deal with Honda. Starting in 2024, he will compete under the LCR team banner.

Discover more: Honda's Awakening: Identifying Its MotoGP Vanguard in 2024

Despite clinching a victory in 2023, Honda faced a significant downturn in performance throughout the season, culminating in the departure of Marc Marquez who moved to the Gresini Ducati team by season's end due to the motorcycle's disappointing performance.

Despite 2024 marking Honda's third year without a victory in the past five seasons, Zarco stood out as the team's top performer, particularly shining during the latter half of the season.

Frequently a strong competitor in Q2, Zarco achieved Honda's highest finish of the year, securing eighth place in Thailand, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on several updates to the motorcycle.

He concluded the year as the highest-ranked Honda rider, finishing 17th in the overall standings with 55 points.

Looking back at his inaugural year with HRC, Zarco confesses that he anticipated being more disappointed with his season's outcome than he currently is.

"Reflecting on the season's conclusion last November in Barcelona, Zarco expressed that it exceeded his expectations, stating, 'It’s more positive than what I expected, if I have to analyse this end of the season.'"

"Moreover, my emotions have shifted. A year ago, I believed I would have felt sadder, but surprisingly, I find myself much happier than anticipated."

"That's positive. It all started when my performance in Indonesia improved, followed by my ability to consistently achieve similar outcomes, which then allowed me to refine my riding technique."

"This effort was yielding results on the field, which boosted my confidence that I've unlocked fresh opportunities. I'm convinced I can become significantly stronger by exploring these novel aspects."

Zarco will continue to race for LCR in the 2025 season, maintaining a consistent team framework for Honda, as its main squad, featuring Joan Mir and Luca Marini, remains unchanged.

Somkiat Chantra will advance from Moto2 to occupy the second LCR position next to Zarco in his debut season, taking over from Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami has transitioned to Honda's testing squad, joining forces with Aleix Espargaro.

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EXCLUSIVE – Jack Miller: “I still have much to offer the world of racing…”

Yamaha is working tirelessly to regain their competitive edge in MotoGP.

"I'm at a standstill. The phone isn't ringing, and I might end up going home early for a shower."

Jack Miller expressed his concerns about his future in MotoGP upon his return from the summer break at Silverstone last August.

Luckily for the 29-year-old, a call finally came through.

The phone call came from Miller's old team, Pramac, as they aimed to have the Australian racer join Miguel Oliveira in their new Yamaha project, now supported by the factory.

In a conversation with Crash.net towards the end of the season, Miller explained that they were making significant efforts to remain in MotoGP, although for a while, the situation seemed bleak.

"Luckily, we have this chance, and I'm incredibly driven and eager to seize it fully and transform it into something remarkable."

"I believe I have much more to contribute to the sport. I don't think I've achieved my full potential yet, and this opportunity allows me to start fresh and work towards rebuilding."

Miller's career in grand prix racing has faced uncertainty on multiple occasions, dating back to his initial days in the 125cc class when he struggled financially.

However, the Australian rider, who was fast-tracked into MotoGP after competing for the 2014 Moto3 championship, never gave in.

"I've been incredibly lucky," remarked the racer who has clinched victory in four MotoGP races. He gestured towards the television screen in the Red Bull KTM hospitality area, where footage from his early career was being broadcast.

"They've been showing these replays all day, and having been part of MotoGP for almost a decade and still maintaining some level of competitiveness is a great source of satisfaction for me. It's beyond what I ever expected."

"There are definitely challenging times, one might say. However, the most important lesson I have learned is to persist and not quit."

"I'll keep working hard and consistently push myself to achieve my best."

During his second and concluding season with Red Bull KTM, Miller faced constant issues with chatter, ultimately finishing 14th in the world championship, with his best race finishes being fifth place.

Yamaha is working extremely hard to regain their competitive edge. According to Miller, Yamaha is putting in significant effort, with their top rider, Fabio Quartararo, finishing just slightly ahead of Miller in the world championship rankings last year.

Miller was unable to provide any comments after his first appearance with Pramac Yamaha during the Barcelona test in November because of his contract with KTM.

Before the event, he expressed a strong interest in testing the newest model of a machine that, back in his first MotoGP season in 2015, had won the prestigious triple crown for riders, teams, and manufacturers.

"The motorcycle has an interesting background, and its fundamental structure is impressive," stated Miller.

"In recent years, they've faced some challenges, but back when I began my MotoGP career, that was the motorcycle everyone aspired to ride."

Newcomers, such as Zarco, Jonas Folger, and Fabio Quartararo, were also reaching the podium. Franky Morbidelli was among them too. That motorcycle was exceptionally powerful.

"They have indeed faced challenges in recent years due to the current aero designs and ride-height systems in MotoGP."

"I think they're putting in a lot of effort to close the gap. Despite the fact that these 'add-ons' related to ride height will only be around for a few more years, they're not being complacent and assuming everything will be fine by 2027."

"They're working extremely hard to reach their goal."

"I commend them for their efforts and for introducing a second team to the lineup once more. The absence of four bikes likely held them back, so this move is definitely a positive development."

Miller, instrumental in designing ride-height mechanisms and aerodynamics during his time with Ducati, highlighted that building a competitive MotoGP bike doesn't have an easy solution.

"If it were just one issue, Yamaha would have likely resolved it," he explained. "It's really a combination of factors, such as the management of the tyres or the ride-height mechanism."

"The impact that ride height devices have had on racing has exceeded all expectations. Some manufacturers have achieved incredible results with these systems. Additionally, the aerodynamic elements have also played a significant role."

Miller believes that Japanese manufacturers anticipated that ride-height devices would be banned sooner, which helped the Europeans gain an advantage.

"It seems they expected to be banned before 2027, so they didn't find it necessary to use them right away. However, it's now clear that these have been in existence for quite some time."

"The situation was similar with the winglets. Initially, we believed they had been banned. However, eventually, a method was discovered to circumvent that regulation."

"It's astonishing to observe the current aerodynamic designs of the rear sections of bikes. Allocating a significant portion of your budget to this aspect is a major undertaking."

When questioned about whether he thinks MotoGP manufacturers will discover ways around the upcoming ban on ride-height adjustments, similar to how wing designs have progressed, Miller responded:

"It's difficult to predict, but I wouldn't find it shocking."

"We believed the wings were gone, but unexpectedly, they started coming back, and now they're more noticeable than before."

Miller is set to be formally introduced as a Pramac Yamaha racer at a combined event with the factory Monster team, scheduled for January 31 in Kuala Lumpur.

Thanks to the allowances granted to Yamaha and Honda, Miller can participate in the Sepang Shakedown beginning on January 31 and the Official MotoGP test scheduled for February 5-7.

In its efforts to regain its leading position in MotoGP, Yamaha is working on a V4 engine in addition to its current Inline engine. This makes Miller's knowledge of the V4 engines from Honda, Ducati, and KTM particularly beneficial.

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For two decades, Peter has been a part of the paddock scene, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from beginning to end. He is currently closely following the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Marc Marquez: Switch to Ducati Team Offers Strong Advantages for Championship Bid

The eight-time world champion sets sights on MotoGP 2025 success

Marc Marquez states that joining the official Ducati squad has provided him with "two excellent opportunities" to pursue additional MotoGP championships.

The 31-year-old rider from Spain is back as a factory rider for Ducati, after spending a year racing with the Gresini satellite team.

Marquez's tenure at Gresini played a crucial role in him regaining his competitive edge, which had been diminished by injuries and the Honda team’s struggles to remain competitive.

Securing victories in three grand prix races and securing a spot on the factory team Ducati for 2025, Marquez has often mentioned that his time with Gresini in 2024 enabled him to experience a resurgence.

In a recent conversation with TVE, Marquez, who has been a part of the Ducati factory team since January 1, shares his expectations for the 2025 racing season.

"2025 and 2026 are set to be two highly promising years," he was reported as saying by Marca.

"It's uncertain whether these will be our final attempts, but they stand as two strong opportunities to compete for the championship, given we're part of the top team and we're committed to giving it our all."

"However, before anything else, there's a pre-season to tackle, but undoubtedly, there's always excitement at the beginning."

"Accidents are inevitable in our sport, but my hope is that no one gets hurt."

"Then, regarding my objective, it's clear that my ambition is to contend for the world championship up until the final races."

Marquez had his first outing with the factory Ducati team at the post-season testing in Barcelona last November, where he took the GP24 and GP25 for a spin after spending the 2024 season on the GP23.

His advancement to the primary Ducati team occurred as reigning world champion Jorge Martin, representing the brand, shifted to Aprilia.

In 2025, Pramac will transition to using Yamaha equipment due to Ducati's reversal of their initial intention to elevate Martin.

Ducati and Marquez are set to reveal the 2025 Desmosedici's paint scheme on January 20th during their season kickoff celebration in Italy.

During the off-season, Marquez announced his departure from his long-standing personal sponsor, Red Bull, in line with his transition to the Monster Energy-sponsored Ducati team.

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Pedro Acosta remains unfazed by KTM's unclear MotoGP prospects

The 20-year-old shows no worry over KTM's economic troubles

Pedro Acosta has provided a composed response regarding his feelings amidst the ambiguity surrounding KTM's future in MotoGP, stating that it "doesn't impact" him.

The Austrian company is currently facing a monetary emergency, leading it to undergo a reorganization effort to avoid insolvency.

The company's liabilities are believed to surpass €3 billion, yet a recent meeting with creditors has provided a cautiously optimistic outlook for the brand's future.

Further Reading: If KTM Acquisition Occurs, MotoGP is Advised to Welcome F1 Star Hamilton

The court has given the green light for the restructuring process to proceed, and external investors have shown interest, committing to invest up to €700 million.

In a recent interview with Speedweek, KTM's head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, revealed that the brand had engaged in serious discussions with the management team of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton regarding a potential investment.

The future of KTM in MotoGP continues to be unclear.

KTM has announced its intention to continue competing until 2025, but during the initial meeting with creditors, it was revealed that there is a scheduled plan to exit grand prix racing by 2026.

This has sparked rumors regarding what lies ahead for KTM's racers, especially Acosta, the breakout star of 2024, who clinched nine podium finishes in his first season with the GASGAS-endorsed Tech3 team.

He moves to join KTM's official team with Brad Binder, having signed a long-term deal for the year 2025.

Albert Valera, who manages Acosta, expressed his concerns during an appearance on the 'Por Orejas' podcast. He stated, "Back in May, we entered into a partnership with a firm that appeared robust and poised to take on Ducati. Now, the scenario has completely transformed, leaving us questioning the turn of events."

However, during a Pont Grup event, Acosta has taken steps to soothe the atmosphere.

He is quoted by Marca expressing his satisfaction, saying, "Making it to the official team was our initial goal, and I'm thrilled to have achieved that."

"The aim is to refine specific aspects of the motorcycle and achieve steady performance in competitions to strive for superior outcomes."

He further stated, "Our operations remain unaffected by KTM's present circumstances, and I am confident they will overcome this phase."

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Pedro Acosta's Opinion on KTM's Uncertain MotoGP Prospects

Young Racer Unfazed by KTM's Economic Challenges at 20

Pedro Acosta has provided a composed update regarding his mood in light of the uncertainty surrounding KTM's future in MotoGP, stating that it "does not impact" him.

The Austrian company is currently experiencing a financial crisis, prompting it to undergo a restructuring process in an effort to avoid going bankrupt.

The company is believed to owe more than €3 billion, but a recent meeting with creditors provided some hopeful outlook for the brand's future.

Further information: MotoGP could benefit from welcoming F1 legend Hamilton if KTM's acquisition takes place.

The company has been permitted to proceed with its restructuring process, and it has attracted interest from external investors amounting to €700 million.

In an interview with Speedweek not long ago, Pit Beirer, the head of motorsport at KTM, revealed that there were actual discussions involving the brand and the management of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, regarding a possible investment.

However, the future of KTM in MotoGP is still unclear.

KTM has announced that it will continue competing in 2025. However, during the initial meeting with creditors, it was also mentioned that there is an intention to exit grand prix racing, with this withdrawal expected to occur in 2026.

This situation has sparked discussions regarding the prospects of KTM's racers, especially the standout newcomer for 2024, Acosta, who achieved nine top-three finishes in his first season with the Tech3 team, which races under the GASGAS name.

He joins KTM's official team with Brad Binder after signing a contract that extends over several years starting in 2025.

Albert Valera, who manages Acosta, expressed his dissatisfaction with the circumstances during an appearance on the 'Por Orejas' podcast. He stated, "Back in May, we partnered with a company that appeared to be well-positioned to compete with Ducati. Now, the situation is completely different, and we're left questioning what transpired."

During a Pont Grup event, Acosta has taken steps to ease the atmosphere.

According to Marca, he expressed his satisfaction about advancing to the main team, which had been their goal from the start.

"The goal is to refine a few aspects of the motorcycle and aim for steady performance in races to compete for improved outcomes."

He mentioned, "The present circumstances facing KTM have no impact on us whatsoever, and I am confident they will overcome it."

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Marc Marquez: Joining Factory Ducati provides “two strong opportunities” for championship contention

The eight-time world champion sets sights on MotoGP 2025.

Marc Marquez believes that joining the official Ducati squad has provided him with "two excellent chances" to pursue additional MotoGP world championships.

The 31-year-old Spanish rider is back with Ducati as a factory team member after spending a year competing for the satellite team, Gresini.

Marquez's stint with Gresini allowed him to regain the performance level he had been missing in recent years, which had been impacted by injuries and the uncompetitiveness of the Honda.

Marquez has expressed that the 2024 season with Gresini gave him a chance to "start anew," following his three grand prix victories and securing a spot with the Ducati factory team for 2025.

In a recent discussion with TVE, Marquez, who has officially become a factory Ducati rider starting January 1, shares his thoughts on the upcoming 2025 season.

According to Marca, he stated that "2025 and 2026 will be two excellent opportunities."

"We're unsure if these will be our final opportunities, but they represent two strong chances to compete for the championship. Being part of the top team, we'll put in our full effort."

"Initially, we have the pre-season to get through, but it's evident that starting with excitement is always the approach."

Accidents are an inevitable aspect of our sport, but my hope is that no one gets hurt.

"As for my objectives, I definitely aim to compete for the world championship right up until the final races."

In his first appearance for the factory Ducati team, Marquez participated in the Barcelona post-season test last November. During this event, he rode both the GP24 and GP25 models, following his 2024 season on the GP23.

He was promoted to the factory Ducati team, which resulted in the reigning world champion, Jorge Martin, losing his spot and moving to Aprilia instead.

In 2025, Pramac will change to using Yamaha equipment because Ducati reversed its initial decision to advance Martin.

On January 20, Ducati and Marquez are set to reveal the 2025 Desmosedici's new livery during their season launch event in Italy.

During the off-season, Marquez announced that he would be ending his long-standing sponsorship with Red Bull. This change is due to his transition to the Ducati team, which is supported by Monster Energy.

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Johann Zarco anticipated feeling more sorrowful as he concluded his first year with Honda in MotoGP. However, he remarked that the experience turned out to be more optimistic than he initially thought it would be.

Johann Zarco of LCR confessed that he had expected to feel more disappointed about concluding his debut MotoGP season on the Honda, but he wasn't as upset as he had anticipated.

The former MotoGP race victor exchanged the top-performing Ducati bike for a two-year deal with Honda's factory team. Starting in 2024, he will race for LCR.

Discover more: Honda's Discovery of its Genuine MotoGP Leader for 2024

Despite securing a single victory in 2023, Honda experienced a significant decline in performance throughout the season. The struggles with the bike's competitiveness ultimately contributed to Marc Marquez's decision to leave the team at the end of the year and transition to the Gresini Ducati team.

In 2024, Honda experienced its third season without any victories within a five-year span. Despite this, Zarco stood out as the team's most impressive rider, particularly demonstrating strong performances in the latter part of the year.

Frequently making it into Q2, Zarco achieved Honda’s top performance of the year by finishing eighth in Thailand, effectively maximizing the potential of several bike improvements.

At the conclusion of the year, he was Honda's leading racer, finishing 17th overall with a total of 55 points.

Looking back on his initial year with HRC, Zarco confesses that a year ago, he anticipated being more disappointed with his performance than he currently is.

Last November in Barcelona, Zarco expressed that the season's conclusion was more favorable than he had anticipated.

"Additionally, a year ago, I anticipated feeling more upset, but I'm actually much happier than I thought I would be."

"That's a positive development. It happened when I started achieving better outcomes in Indonesia, and then when I was able to consistently replicate those results, I focused on improving my riding style."

"This project was yielding results on the track, which increased my motivation. It made me realize that I've unlocked new opportunities, and I'm confident I can become much stronger by exploring these discoveries."

Zarco will continue with the LCR team for the 2025 season, keeping Honda's lineup mostly the same. Their factory team will still feature Joan Mir and Luca Marini.

Somkiat Chantra is set to move up from the Moto2 class to join the LCR team for his first season in the premier class, partnering with Zarco. He will be taking over from Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami has joined Honda's testing squad, where he will work with Aleix Espargaro.

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EXCLUSIVE: Davide Brivio reveals insights into the collaboration between Trackhouse and Aprilia

"We discuss ways to enhance our performance and identify areas for improvement…"

Davide Brivio, the manager of the Trackhouse Racing team, praised the strong partnership with Aprilia's MotoGP team, emphasizing that they work together completely.

In 2023, Aprilia established a satellite team through a partnership with RNF. This collaboration became possible after the American company Trackhouse took control of RNF last year when the previous setup fell apart.

Trackhouse achieved a podium finish in the sprint race held in Germany and secured their highest grand prix placement by finishing sixth at the Catalan Grand Prix. However, injuries and a mid-season change of motorcycle for Raul Fernandez were factors that led to the team ending up in ninth place in the overall standings.

Nevertheless, the connection between Trackhouse and Aprilia has grown even stronger, with Fernandez and newcomer Ai Ogura set to ride full factory bikes in 2025.

When Trackhouse entered MotoGP, it sought to establish a factory partnership with Aprilia, similar to the collaboration Pramac maintained with Ducati until the conclusion of 2024.

Brivio, who made his comeback to MotoGP last year with the team owned by Justin Marks, commented on the partnership between Trackhouse and Aprilia during an interview with Crash.net: "Certainly, we have a strong connection with Aprilia."

"To begin with, we currently have identical bikes, and notably, in 2025, we will kick off the season with completely identical factory equipment and bikes."

"This already demonstrates the link and the significance."

“We had a strong relationship with Aprilia, exchanging a lot of information and having many discussions about our decisions and similar matters.

"Naturally, as an autonomous group, we maintain independence in some areas."

"We exchange thoughts, offer feedback, and discuss ways to enhance and improve things."

"I would describe our relationship as having excellent communication and complete collaboration with them."

"In my opinion, having an independent team is advantageous for Aprilia. It provides additional information and data, which has been quite effective up to this point."

Trackhouse is set to kick off its 2025 season from its headquarters in Charlotte, USA, on January 14. This event will make it the premier team to reveal its fresh livery. During the break between seasons, the team disclosed a new collaboration with Gulf.

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KTM's head of MotoGP operations sheds light on the appointment of a new team manager. Aki Ajo is set to take over from Francesco Guidotti at the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team starting in 2025.

For the 2025 season, KTM has made a change in their team management by appointing Aki Ajo to the position formerly occupied by Francesco Guidotti.

The decision followed a second consecutive season where KTM failed to secure a victory in a Grand Prix. In fact, during 2024, they were unable to claim a win in either a Grand Prix or a Sprint race.

In an interview with MotoGP.com, KTM's motorsport director, Pit Beirer, expressed that while he hopes it doesn’t come across negatively, he is genuinely pleased that Francesco Guidotti is departing KTM on good terms.

"Regrettably, we did not achieve the success we were aiming for due to several minor factors."

Beirer clarified that the reason for choosing Ajo was based on his experience managing KTM's official teams in the Moto3 category since the beginning in 2012 and the Moto2 team since KTM entered that category in 2017. The Finnish team leader has shown a strong track record in collaborating with riders in both the intermediate and lightweight divisions throughout the years.

Beirer stated that they chose Aki [Ajo] due to his hands-on approach with the riders, believing he can offer them excellent guidance for their performance on the track.

"To be clear, we don’t expect Aki to be the solution to all our issues. However, if we work together to provide the missing components, we'll create a more efficient setup at home. When the riders contribute their best efforts at the appropriate moments, it underscores that the focus isn't solely on them."

"It's also a matter of strategizing as a team: deciding the best time to go out for qualifying, determining when to clock in the fastest lap, and managing all those logistical elements."

"We think Aki is possibly among the most powerful in this field, consistently showing talent in cultivating champions on our behalf."

Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta are quite familiar with him and are eager to collaborate again. He has previously guided them to championship victories, so we have confidence in Aki to help us gain the crucial fractions of a second we require in the competition.

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

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Carchedi on Marquez Joining Ducati Lenovo: “I Have Clear Expectations” – Exclusive

“I prefer not to divulge too much, yet I have precise expectations”

Frankie Carchedi, the Gresini team's chief, may not be accompanying Marc Marquez to the official Ducati team in 2025. However, the Brit has suggested he anticipates significant achievements from the #93 rider.

Marquez clinched the official Ducati spot, surpassing eventual world champion Jorge Martin, as he was the sole GP23 rider who could compete with the factory-spec GP24s the previous year.

This achievement encompasses three grand prix victories, one sprint race win, and a pair of pole positions, culminating in a third-place finish in the world championship.

However, in 2025, the Spaniard is set to go up against the tough challenge of Ducati’s two-time world champion, Francesco Bagnaia, as his team-mate.

In a recent episode of the Crash.net MotoGP podcast, the host inquired about Carchedi's anticipations regarding Marquez's performance with the factory team.

"Carchedi grinned, "Sure, we'll catch up when the year wraps up!"

"I hesitate to give away too much, but my predictions are quite clear: Entering his second season with [the Ducati], essentially benefiting from a two-year advancement in equipment… The man secured 20 podium finishes [in 2024], so I'll just leave it at that!"

In contrast, the other three GP23 competitors collectively secured only two podium finishes in the previous season, with Marco Bezzecchi and Alex Marquez each taking one.

The disparity in performance between the GP24s used by the Lenovo and Pramac squads and the previous model GP23s operated by Gresini and VR46 was a major point of discussion during the past season. This issue was inevitably brought up to Carchedi during the podcast.

Chuckling, the Brit said, "I was wondering 'what questions will you all have?' And I was sure this one would be asked!" He's also the mentor who led Joan Mir to victory in the MotoGP championship with Suzuki in 2020.

"I've gained plenty of experience in responding to this, and I'll essentially echo my earlier comments: For us, the benchmark was the other GP23s, aiming to outperform them.

"Marc set himself apart while competing with other Honda riders, distinguishing his performance from that of the Yamahas, Ducatis, or any other brands [at that time]. This trend continued into the current year.

"Ending the year ahead of both Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli, who are GP24s, was truly remarkable."

"The team of engineers at Ducati is truly excelling. Just when it seems they've reached the peak of innovation, they manage to enhance their motorcycles even more with each passing year."

"Every bicycle comes with its own set of pros and cons. There were a few specific aspects that posed challenges for us in the competition."

"Definitely in a single lap – though it could be largely due to familiarity [with the Ducati]. It's uncertain. The conversation is about a competitor [Marquez] who's just mounted the bike for the first time, compared to those who've spent four or five years mastering it.

"Reflecting on it, I believe we secured our spot with relative ease. Across the season, we managed to secure the top starting position twice, and surprisingly, we ended up in third place in the [BMW Award] 'qualifying championship'. This was unexpected, as it didn't seem that way to me!"

Motegi nearly secured a pole position by himself before his lap was invalidated.

"Variations exist between the 23 and 24 models. The Ducati team's engineers are so skilled that they consistently achieve progress. Each year brings its unique changes. On occasion, the improvement is modest, around one to two tenths, and other times, it's significantly more. It really depends on the year when it comes to the disparity between the factory and satellite models."

"In conclusion, it seems Alex might be the ideal person to consult. I believe he really enjoyed the GP24 bike in Barcelona!"

During the Barcelona post-race test in November, as Marc and Bagnaia embarked on testing the GP25 prototype, Alex, Marc's brother and ex-teammate, recorded the quickest time on his first outing with the GP24.

Carchedi was also queried about his opinions on the potential impact of the newcomer Martin at Aprilia.

"Becoming a world champion doesn't come without effort," he mentioned. "Having a leading rider switch to another brand is beneficial for MotoGP, as it's something we all desire.

"While it's great for us at Ducati at the moment, it's important for the excitement of the sport that all teams have strong competition and top-tier riders. So, it's not just about [Martin], but having Enea at KTM also adds a great dynamic to the championship, which should shake things up a bit."

"I'm confident he'll be in the vicinity or close by."

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For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's currently leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Max Bartolini: "The person who can utilize the rear grip effectively will achieve higher speeds" – Exclusive

"One always focuses on optimizing the performance of the best tires"

Yamaha's technical director for the Monster team, Max Bartolini, has explained that the secret to achieving victory in MotoGP currently lies in optimizing the performance of the rear tyre.

In any motorsport where the front and rear tires are of different specifications or sizes, one end, either the front or rear, will invariably exhibit superior grip.

During the period from 2009 to 2015, when Bridgestone supplied the tyres, the front tyres were considered the most robust. Yet, this preference shifted significantly towards the rear tyres with Michelin's introduction in 2016.

Bartolini clarified that, contrary to what one might assume about MotoGP engineers concentrating on improving the performance of the less effective tyre to enhance lap and race times, it's actually more crucial to leverage the capabilities of the stronger tyre.

"Typically, between the front and rear tires, you focus on the one that's in better condition," the Italian, who became a part of Yamaha's team from Ducati twelve months prior, shared with Crash.net.

For Bridgestone, the front tire showcased the most robust performance. The rear tire maintained a steady level throughout the race, with no significant decrease in performance.

"Reflecting back to 2016, the initial phase of our partnership with Michelin stands out. While the rear tires provided robust performance, the front ones posed significant handling challenges. This led to numerous falls during the initial testing phase."

"Michelin has significantly improved the front, making it far superior to how it was initially."

"However, the back end remains highly robust, which is why there is a lot of discussion among riders regarding the traction at the rear."

"Anyone capable of fully utilizing the rear grip can achieve greater speed."

Bartolini swiftly debunked the misconception that 'rear grip' is only significant when accelerating.

"He mentioned that every turn involves phases of slowing down, entering, maintaining speed through the curve, and then speeding up again."

Navigating entry and maintaining momentum through a turn presents more challenges than speeding up.

"If you fail to achieve both entry and corner speed, you will not be able to accelerate effectively."

Enhancing the efficiency of the rear tire is a key motivator for Yamaha's decision to work on a V4 engine initiative while continuing with its traditional Inline4 engine, especially given their lack of a top-three finish throughout 2024.

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EXCLUSIVE – Joan Mir: Pedro Acosta's victory in MotoGP is "just a matter of time"

"He possesses the skills and the talent needed to achieve it. Therefore, it's only a question of time."

After securing a podium finish in just his second MotoGP race and then taking the lead towards a second-place finish in Austin, Pedro Acosta has been widely predicted to succeed Marc Marquez as the youngest winner in the top category of motorcycle racing.

Acosta, having completed his first season with GASGAS Tech3, had until the German Grand Prix in July to surpass Marquez's 2013 record of achieving a MotoGP victory at 20 years and 63 days old.

However, it did not occur either prior to or following the Sachsenring event.

Several of Acosta's promising opportunities for victory were lost because of various incidents and accidents. Despite this, he stood out as the sole KTM rider to achieve multiple podium finishes last year, securing a spot on the podium five times on Sundays.

Despite his efforts, he ultimately missed securing fifth place and the top non-Ducati position to his future KTM teammate, Brad Binder, during the final race in Barcelona.

Joan Mir, who won the MotoGP championship in 2020, commended Acosta for his performance this season and emphasized that a win is inevitable for him.

Mir expressed to Crash.net that Pedro is performing excellently.

"It's quite challenging to perform well on every race track, but Pedro demonstrated impressive speed across all of them, which is remarkable."

"It's likely that the Ducatis have a significant performance advantage, which certainly did not assist him in securing his initial win."

"However, it will come eventually… He's gaining a lot of knowledge and has impressive speed."

"I'm not shocked that he didn't come out on top, but if he had, it wouldn't have surprised me either since he possesses the skill and ability to achieve it."

"It's just a question of when."

During his second season in the premier class, Mir secured his inaugural MotoGP victory on his journey to winning the world championship.

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

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