Jorge Martin announces his choice for the top spot in MotoGP 2025, as he reveals his Aprilia RS-GP bike adorned with the #1 number.

Following a period of silence since Barcelona's title victory in November, newly crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin has announced that he will use the #1 plate on his Aprilia for the 2025 season.

The announcement came to light when the Spanish rider unveiled the new RS-GP design, featuring the #1, at the team's launch event in Milan, Italy, on Thursday.

Martin expressed that he had no hesitation in choosing the number 1, as he has been striving for it throughout his entire life.

"Securing the world championship title in MotoGP and having the chance to display this number on the incredible Aprilia is truly fantastic."

"We're optimistic that this figure will boost our motivation significantly. I'm feeling excellent about it."

"I've retained the tiny number 89 along with the two stars, symbolizing my status as a two-time world champion. I am optimistic about adding more stars in the future!"

For the last two seasons, Francesco Bagnaia, who competes against Martin for the title, has sported the #1 on his jersey while racing for the official Ducati team.

Ducati's choice to prioritize Marc Marquez over Martin for the 2025 season has led to Aprilia having the opportunity to feature the #1 for the first time in the history of the premier class.

Martin secured the championship while riding with the #89 for Pramac Ducati.

The idea of the #1 plate being transferred to Aprilia appeared to strike a chord with Davide Tardozzi, the manager of Bagnaia’s factory Ducati team. He expressed to TNT Sports, "Should Aprilia acquire this #1, we'll see if they can uphold its reputation…"

Martin replied, "I watched this on television and found it amusing."

Although the honor was significant, Aprilia Racing's CEO, Massimo Rivola, emphasized that the decision to use the #1 plate would ultimately be up to Martin.

"It's entirely up to him to choose," Rivola stated. "There's no pressure involved in this decision. Having the world champion already serves as significant motivation for us… It's both a duty and a chance for growth."

Since the beginning of the MotoGP era in 2002, there has been a split among reigning champions regarding the use of the #1 plate.

Valentino Rossi, wearing number 46, along with Marc Marquez with number 93, Joan Mir with number 36, and Fabio Quartararo with number 20, maintained their familiar racing numbers while defending their MotoGP titles. In contrast, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and Bagnaia opted to change to the number 1.

After winning his first MotoGP championship in 2011, Jorge Lorenzo used the number 1. However, he reverted to his signature number 99 for the 2013 and 2016 seasons

Francesco Bagnaia's successful defense of his championship in 2023 marked the first time a rider with the number 1 plate achieved this since Mick Doohan did so in 1998.

In his first appearance on an Aprilia, Martin recorded the eleventh quickest time, trailing by 1.056 seconds, during the test in Barcelona last November.

For the first time, he will use the number one during the Official MotoGP test in Sepang, scheduled from February 5th to 7th.

Martin's fellow racer, Marco Bezzecchi, will retain the number 72 as he begins his first season on an RS-GP.

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EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi Unveil 2025 Aprilia MotoGP Design

Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi showcase the new factory Aprilia MotoGP livery for the 2025 season.

This is the 2025 design that new factory Aprilia rider and current MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will use to defend his championship title.

At the event in Milan on Thursday, it was officially announced that Martin, who made history as MotoGP's first Independent champion by defeating Francesco Bagnaia for the 2024 title with Pramac Ducati, will be using the #1 plate.

"I am thrilled about the opportunity to compete and succeed with Aprilia," Martin stated. "My objectives are well-defined; we need to focus on becoming the best we can be, both for Aprilia and for myself individually."

"I am exactly where I need to be to achieve amazing things; it's going to be an exhilarating challenge, and everyone here is incredibly motivated. I genuinely feel the support and camaraderie within this team, and I believe this is the ideal environment for me. We are all eager to kick off this new season."

Fellow racer Marco Bezzecchi expressed his delight about joining the team and being part of Aprilia. He mentioned his excitement about representing such a significant brand, stating that it's going to be an amazing experience.

"As both an individual and a motorcyclist, I am extremely proud to officially become a rider. I'm eager to hit the track, put in the effort, accelerate, and aim for strong performances."

"Everyone here is highly driven, and I truly appreciate that. I'm incredibly excited—looking forward to seeing you at the Sepang test!"

The newest Aprilia design maintains its absence of a main sponsor, sticking with its traditional black, red, and white colors seen in past years, while also introducing new support from Sterilgarda.

Martin has spent all four of his MotoGP seasons with Pramac Ducati, securing his first of eight top-tier wins in just his sixth race.

In the final race of 2023, Martin missed out on the championship to the factory team's standout, Francesco Bagnaia. However, he came back with greater mental resilience and dominated the leaderboard for most of the following season.

After being passed over two times for a spot on the official Ducati team—first losing out to Enea Bastianini for the 2023 season and then to Marc Marquez for 2025—the young Spanish rider quickly moved to Aprilia to achieve his goal of joining a factory team.

Daniele Romagnoli, who was the crew chief at Pramac, has transitioned to Aprilia alongside Martin to assist him in adjusting to the RS-GP.

This season, Marco Bezzecchi, who has claimed victory in three races with VR46 Ducati, is teaming up with Martin at Aprilia. In addition to the fresh rider lineup, Fabiano Sterlacchini steps in as the new technical director, replacing Romano Albesiano, who has moved to HRC.

Sterlacchini expressed his excitement about beginning this journey with Aprilia Racing. He stated that the objective for 2025 is to consistently stay competitive in both short and long races, striving to secure the best outcomes throughout the season.

"It's essential for us to keep progressing by collaborating with two exceptionally skilled riders. This marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for us, bringing a notable shift after several years, both in our technical leadership and our team of riders."

"We are highly enthusiastic about the upcoming season and are thrilled to welcome two elite MotoGP racers to our squad, one of whom is the reigning World Champion."

Last year, Aprilia stood out as the sole manufacturer besides Ducati to secure race victories. Maverick Vinales played a key role in this achievement by interrupting Ducati's potential clean sweep of grand prix wins with his early season victory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

Vinales, along with his former teammate Aleix Espargaro, claimed victory in three Sprint races, marking them as the sole riders not on Ducati bikes to achieve first place on the podium.

Despite their efforts, Aprilia ended up in third place in the constructors' championship, trailing behind Ducati and KTM. Similarly, Vinales found himself in seventh position in the riders' rankings, overtaken by four Ducati riders as well as the RC16s piloted by Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta.

During their initial appearance with Aprilia last November at the Barcelona test, Martin and Bezzecchi recorded times that placed them in 11th and 13th positions, respectively. They are scheduled to ride their first laps for the 2025 MotoGP season at the Sepang test, which is set to take place from February 5 to 7.

At the same time that Aprilia revealed its revamped MotoGP endeavor, former team leader Espargaro was wrapping up the first day of a private test with HRC at the Buriram circuit in Thailand.

On January 30th, Vinales will present his 2025 KTM colors during an online event.

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Valentino Rossi opens up about the emotional aspects of being a dad

Valentino Rossi jokes that staying up late is no longer part of his routine

Valentino Rossi, filled with happiness, has opened up about the ways his life has transformed since becoming a parent.

Rossi and his significant other, Francesca, have recently celebrated the arrival of their second child, a daughter named Gabriella

The couple welcomed their first child, Giulietta, who was born in 2022.

During an Italian radio program, Rossi was playfully mocked about the famous tales of his wild late-night activities from his prime MotoGP days.

He chuckled, saying, "The newborn has completely altered the situation."

These days, I start my morning by getting up early to drop Giulietta off at school. After that, I prepare the milk.

"I need to get up at 7:45 in the morning!"

Check out this Instagram post by user FRANCESCA SOFIA (@francescasofianovello).

Rossi addressed rumors suggesting he would stay out partying until 4 a.m. before participating in MotoGP races.

He responded by saying, "As time has passed, these tales have turned into legends."

"It's quite late at 4am. I can't deny that it occurred…"

"I was out late, but not as late as this. Maybe around 1 a.m…"

Rossi, speaking from his ranch in Tavullia, hosted an impressive lineup of motorcycle racing stars last weekend for his yearly main event.

Rossi and Luca Marini had to be content with securing a spot on the podium in the 100km of Champions race.

"It's turned into a yearly competition at the ranch," he mentioned.

"We welcome winners from various fields."

"This event is a test of stamina. Teams consisting of two riders switch places in the pits every five laps, similar to the relay exchanges in the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

"I'm riding a Yamaha, while Luca Marini is on a Honda."

"This is the sole official cycling race I participate in, making it extremely significant to me."

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LIVE BROADCAST: Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi reveal the 2025 Aprilia MotoGP design

Is current MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin going to compete with the #1 number?

MotoGP's current champion, Jorge Martin, is set to unveil his new Aprilia design for the 2025 season and announce whether he will compete using the number one plate at a launch event in Italy today (Thursday).

The Spanish rider, who set a record by clinching the 2024 championship with the Independent Pramac Ducati team, will be accompanied by his new teammate Marco Bezzecchi during the event.

Stay updated on the launch event, beginning at 11 a.m. UK time (12 p.m. CET), with live coverage provided here:

Starting in mid-2021, Aprilia's team featured Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales as their main riders. This arrangement continued until the end of the previous year. At that time, Espargaro retired and subsequently took on a role testing for HRC, while Vinales transitioned to racing with jTech3 KTM.

In recent seasons, the RS-GP has secured four MotoGP race victories, along with four Sprint race wins. This achievement makes it the only bike, aside from Ducati, to have claimed a grand prix victory since KTM did so in 2022.

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 injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Jorge Martin discusses concerns regarding conflicts with his new teammate, Marco Bezzecchi

Jorge Martin concedes, "hasn't been my closest ally"

Jorge Martin has addressed worries regarding his connection with Marco Bezzecchi.

This year, Martin and Bezzecchi will become the fresh faces of the factory Aprilia racing team.

However, their history is marked by inconsistency, further complicated by Bezzecchi’s close ally, Pecco Bagnaia, fiercely competing for the previous season's championship against Martin.

"Martin admitted to Motorsport that in recent times, Bezzecchi hasn't exactly been his closest ally."

"Ever since our battles in Moto3, we've encountered numerous skirmishes."

Ultimately, the important thing for me is having a partner who is driven by competition.

"If he succeeds in providing guidance on how to enhance the bike, it will also benefit me. Likewise."

Martin clinched the Moto3 title, finishing 46 points ahead of Bezzecchi.

From time to time, their encounters have been fraught with tension, notably when Bezzecchi voiced his displeasure over the stewards' failure to penalize Martin for triggering a multi-rider crash during the 2023 Austria sprint.

Every racer has now departed from Ducati in pursuit of a factory position and will reunite at Aprilia.

Naturally, Martin might show up proudly carrying the #1 plate, having clinched the MotoGP championship in the previous year.

"Despite not being Aleix Espargaro, I've now taken on the leadership position, and as the world champion, it's my duty to steer this Aprilia project forward," Martin emphasized.

"This implies maintaining a positive connection with my significant other."

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Exclusive – Jack Miller Describes Bagnaia, Marquez as "Intense Rivals, Consummate Professionals"

"Thankful for Maverick Securing the Victory in Texas"

Entering the MotoGP circuit in 2015, Jack Miller initially rode for Honda for three years, during a time when Marc Marquez was recognized as the premier rider for HRC.

By the time Miller made the move to Ducati, the Spaniard had already secured four titles out of five. During his tenure with Ducati, the Australian racer spent three years teaming up with Francesco Bagnaia, first at Pramac and later at Lenovo.

What's Miller's perspective on the eagerly awaited Ducati showdown between two-time Ducati titleholder Bagnaia and six-time Honda victor Marquez?

"Miller believes they will greatly challenge one another," he conveyed to Crash.net.

"Despite the various opinions being shared, it's clear that both of these men are consummate professionals. They're expected to perform exceptionally well, no matter who they're paired with."

"Therefore, I believe it won't pose a significant problem in that regard. Clearly, they will continue to be strong rivals, but that's already the case!"

"Just take a moment to review their last few clashes. They've been quite intense!"

Bagnaia and Marquez had a collision in the previous season's Portimao Grand Prix, followed by Bagnaia's remarkable win over Marquez in an exciting showdown at Jerez.

Marquez, on a bike from the previous season with the Gresini team, managed to overtake Bagnaia for the second-place position during the last few laps at Le Mans, securing a third-place finish in the world championship standings, trailing behind the official bikes ridden by Jorge Martin and Bagnaia.

"Gratitude is due to Maverick for securing that victory in Texas."

With Marquez triumphing at Aragon, ending a 1000-day winless streak, and securing two additional wins, he was one of only five riders to claim a Grand Prix victory last season.

Four riders achieved their victories on Ducati motorcycles: Bagnaia led with 11 wins, followed by Martin and Marquez with 3 each, and Enea Bastianini secured 2 wins.

"Miller grinned, saying, 'Pecco hardly left any for the rest of us!'"

The sole victory not achieved by a Desmosedici bike was clinched by Maverick Vinales riding for Aprilia, marking the season with the fewest diverse victors since the period before Marquez's arm injury, when he dominated the championship during 2017-2019 to secure his latest titles.

"Pinpointing the reason is challenging," Miller remarked. "Obviously, Pecco, Jorge, and Marc are all demonstrating exceptional riding skills.

"Pecco and Martin are clearly contenders for the championship, and then there's Marc, who is extraordinary at his best. Even on his off days, he'll exert maximum effort and push the boundaries to their limits!"

"Thankfully, having [two] distinct manufacturers come out on top adds a bit more excitement to the mix. It's a relief that Maverick managed to clinch that victory in Texas, otherwise, it would have been a pretty dull figure to report!"

Miller, who has been riding for Red Bull KTM for the past two years, will switch to his fourth distinct MotoGP brand as he joins the newly supported Pramac Yamaha team in 2025.

Variability in MotoGP Season Winners by Year in the MotoGP Era:

In 2024, there were five riders who claimed victories: Bagnaia, Martin, M.Marquez, Bastianini, and Vinales. The year 2023 saw a higher number, with eight different winners including Bagnaia, Martin, Bezzecchi, A.Espargaro, Zarco, di Giannantonio, Bastianini, and Rins. The 2022 season featured seven victors: Bagnaia, Bastianini, Quartararo, Rins, Oliveira, A.Espargaro, and Miller. In 2021, the number of distinct winners also stood at eight, featuring Quartararo, Bagnaia, M.Marquez, Miller, Binder, Martin, Vinales, and Oliveira. The 2020 season surpassed this with nine unique winners: Quartararo, Morbidelli, Mir, Rins, Vinales, Dovizioso, Oliveira, Binder, and Petrucci. Both the 2019 and 2018 seasons, as well as 2017, saw a lower diversity in winners, each having five: in 2019 (M.Marquez, Dovizioso, Vinales, Rins, Petrucci), in 2018 (M.Marquez, Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Vinales, Crutchlow), and in 2017 (M.Marquez, Dovizioso, Vinales, Pedrosa, Rossi). The 2016 season had a significant variety, with nine winners including M.Marquez, Lorenzo, Rossi, Crutchlow, Vinales, Dovizioso, Pedrosa, Iannone, and Miller. In 2015 and 2014, as well as in 2013, the sport saw four winners each year: in 2015 (Lorenzo, M.Marquez, Rossi, Pedrosa), in 2014 (M.Marquez, Rossi, Lorenzo, Pedrosa), and in 2013 (Lorenzo, M.Marquez, Pedrosa, Rossi). The year 2012 had the fewest, with three winners (Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Stoner).

During the 800cc era, the number of winners per season varied but generally stayed around four to five. In 2011 and 2010, there were four winners each year: in 2011 (Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Spies) and in 2010 (Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Stoner, Rossi). The 2009 season saw an uptick to five (Rossi, Lorenzo, Stoner, Pedrosa, Dovizioso), while 2008 returned to four winners (Rossi, Stoner, Pedrosa, Lorenzo), and 2007 saw five (Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa, Vermeulen, Capirossi).

In the 990cc era, the diversity of winners was slightly broader. The year 2006 featured seven different riders reaching victory lane: Rossi, Capirossi, Melandri, Hayden, Pedrosa, Elias, and Bayliss. The preceding years showed less variety, with five winners in 2005 (Rossi, Melandri, Capirossi, Hayden, Barros) and four in both 2004 (Rossi, Gibernau, Tamada, Biaggi) and 2003 (Rossi, Gibernau, Biaggi, Capirossi), concluding with 2002 also having four winners (Rossi, Biaggi, Barros, Ukawa).

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The Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit has announced impressive ticket sales numbers for the 2025 Spanish MotoGP, amidst widespread excitement for Marc Marquez.

In 2025, the Spanish MotoGP has emerged as a highly favored event, a fact underscored by the latest ticket sales data released by the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto.

Today (14 January), the circuit that has been the consistent venue for the Spanish Grand Prix since 1989 revealed a significant increase in ticket sales for the 2025 Spanish MotoGP. Sales have surged by 50% compared to the figures recorded at the same time last year for the 2024 event. This follows a year where the 2024 race itself experienced a 4% rise in ticket sales over the 2023 edition.

"The Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit has witnessed a 50% increase in ticket sales for the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix […] compared to the sales figures for the corresponding dates in 2024, setting a new record. This surge follows a successful 2024 event, which itself saw a 4% rise in ticket sales from 2023, according to a release from the circuit."

Quantitatively speaking, the improvement of 50 percent translates to an increase of 13,920 tickets sold at this juncture in 2025 when compared to the figures from the corresponding period in the previous year.

Jerez reports that out of the 39,307 seats available in the grandstand, only 6,200 remain unsold.

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what has caused the uptick, but indications point to the recent efforts by MotoGP's promoting body, Dorna Sports, aimed at enhancing spectator engagement during race events. This includes a range of activities from the Hero Walk and the addition of Sprint races to various off-track events such as live concerts.

The anticipated increase in ticket sales appears to be influenced by Jorge Martin's expected victory as the 2024 MotoGP World Champion and his subsequent promotion to a full-factory position with Aprilia starting in 2025. Additionally, Marc Marquez's transfer to the Ducati Lenovo Team, where he will join forces with Francesco Bagnaia – his rival from a memorable race at Jerez the previous year, considered one of the season's highlights – in 2025, is also contributing to the heightened interest.

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Raul Fernandez views 2025 as a significant chance for progress, emphasizing that outcomes are secondary in importance for a certain Trackhouse MotoGP competitor.

Raul Fernandez embarks on his fourth year in MotoGP, entering his second season with the Trackhouse Aprilia team, this time riding on factory equipment as the Spanish racer kicks off the season.

Fernandez kicked off his career in 2022 with the Tech3 KTM team, but after a challenging year, he moved on to the RNF Aprilia team.

The first season on the RS-GP wasn't particularly notable, with a mere 51 points and a 20th place overall in the standings. However, a promising fifth-place in the final race at Valencia suggested better prospects ahead.

Discover more: The unique strategy of MotoGP's latest addition to differentiate from established powerhouses

Although Fernandez didn't score any points during the initial two races of 2024 as Trackhouse made its debut in MotoGP, he earned his first points in Austin and consistently increased his score leading up to the mid-season hiatus.

The peak moment occurred in Barcelona, where he was at the forefront of a tumultuous sprint race until an accident took him out. However, this setback didn't shake his self-assurance, and he managed to secure a sixth-place finish in the grand prix. By the midpoint of the season, he was ranked 16th in the standings, having surpassed his total points from 2023, reaching 66 points.

Starting with the British Grand Prix, Fernandez transitioned to the 2024 RS-GP model, which marked a downturn in his season's performance. He failed to secure any points up until the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and managed to gather only 20 points for the remainder of the season.

"Fernandez expressed his concentration on personal improvement during Tuesday's unveiling of Trackhouse's 2025 colors. "I dedicated myself to enhancing my physical condition. Indeed, over the past two years, I underwent two arm surgeries. Despite that, for some reason, I wasn't in the best shape, but I made sure to monitor everything closely throughout the winter," he stated.

I switched my personal trainer, choosing to collaborate with someone new in an effort to achieve a sense of fitness. Consequently, I focused on self-improvement, particularly in terms of my mindset. My goal was to alleviate the self-imposed pressure stemming from my high levels of ambition at times.

"I dedicated a significant amount of effort to this project. Together with Davide [Brivio], we're entering the season under new circumstances, as I've never kicked off a MotoGP season on a factory bike before. Additionally, our team has a much clearer mindset this time around, unlike last year when we commenced with Trackhouse.

"Trackhouse faced some challenges at the season's outset. Davide joined just before the season kicked off, which made the beginning quite unique for me. Additionally, I focused on maintaining a strong mindset because I believe this year presents a great chance for me to truly excel and demonstrate my capabilities."

Fernandez candidly acknowledges that his aspirations overwhelmed him following a robust start to the first half of the 2024 season, and thus, when a switch in motorcycle impeded his advancement, he found it challenging to handle those expectations.

He mentioned, "Reflecting on a misstep from the previous year, particularly before the Silverstone race, we were on the cusp of breaking into the top 10," he elaborated. "We ranked 11th, 12th in the standings. We saw some promising outcomes and were competitive in several qualifying rounds.

"The start of the year kicked off well, but subsequently, my focus shifted heavily towards achieving outcomes with the arrival of the new bike, which made navigating the rest of the year quite challenging. Reflecting on this towards the year's end, I recognized the necessity to enhance my approach moving forward into the new year."

In 2025, Fernandez kicks off the season using identical equipment as the official Aprilia team. He remains the sole unchanged member in the Italian brand's lineup, which introduces the current MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi, and the Moto2 champion Ai Ogura at Trackhouse.

In the latter part of the previous year, Aprilia increasingly relied on Fernandez to guide the progression of the RS-GP 25, yet he does not see himself as the top figure among the manufacturers while the rest of the riders are catching up.

"He declared, 'Jorge holds the global title. Indeed, he's set to pilot the Aprilia for his inaugural race in Thailand. Currently, he sets the standard in MotoGP. Having the top competitor, it's incredibly obvious to me."

"Indeed, my goal is to give it my all and concentrate on my own growth. Yes, there's much for me to understand about them, especially with Marco and Ogura, who is arriving as a world champion, joining us. Clearly, there's a wealth of knowledge for me to acquire, yet my primary aim will be to stay focused on my personal development."

"I'm not going to dwell on who Aprilia considers their benchmark. Like my fellow riders, my goal is to give it my all, strive for enhancement in every session, and avoid fixating on outcomes. That's our secondary objective for the season. My aim is to stay in top shape, maintain concentration, and consistently perform to the best of my ability."

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The MotoGP newcomer showing promise

Ai Ogura anticipates his first season

Trackhouse Racing newcomer in MotoGP, Ai Ogura, mentioned that Fermin Aldeguer is appearing promising after his initial test, whereas the current Moto2 titleholder needs to adjust slightly more.

Ogura joins the ranks of three newcomers advancing to the MotoGP's top tier in 2025, with Aldeguer moving to Gresini Ducati and Somkiat Chantra joining LCR Honda.

Discover more: Could he be Japan's upcoming MotoGP sensation?

In their first track appearance, which took place during the post-season test in Barcelona last November, Aldeguer led the pack, finishing nearly four tenths of a second ahead of Ogura.

In response to a question from Crash.net about whether he saw any qualities in his fellow newcomers that would translate well to MotoGP, Ogura shared his thoughts during the Trackhouse 2025 unveiling: "To begin with, it's comforting to be among other rookies like myself, as it assures me that I'm not the only one transitioning from Moto2, and there are three of us making the move.

"It's pleasant to witness. They serve as solid standards. Thus, it's always delightful to be in the company of such riders."

"Fermin appeared impressive while riding a MotoGP motorcycle in Barcelona."

"Somkiat and Ai need to adjust slightly more, yet I believe the three of us are essentially on par during the Barcelona trial."

"Thus, time will tell. However, I am optimistic that the three of us will succeed."

Ogura appeared calm following his initial test in November, observing that the velocity of a MotoGP motorcycle and the braking capability of the carbon brakes didn't surprise him significantly.

Discover more: Strategies of MotoGP's latest team to differentiate itself from established manufacturers

Ogura points out that for newcomers in today's MotoGP, adjusting to the sprint-style races presents a distinct obstacle, noting it's not the most favorable setup for rookies.

"He mentioned that particularly for them, the way the weekend unfolds, starting from Friday, feels akin to qualifying rounds."

"Thus, perhaps the newcomers require additional time to adjust and comprehend. So, it seems it's not about us, but that's just how it is."

Ogura has inked a contract for two seasons to compete with Trackhouse in the top tier, teaming up with Raul Fernandez, who is making a comeback for his fourth year in MotoGP.

Trackhouse initiated the 2025 MotoGP season launch on Tuesday from its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Aprilia team is set to unveil their season on January 16th, followed by Aldeguer who will kick off Gresini's campaign on January 18th.

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Aleix Espargaro had a strong dislike for Marc Marquez at the start of his MotoGP journey

Former MotoGP victor unveils significant details about his past dynamics with Marc Marquez

Aleix Espargaro confessed that during the initial years of his MotoGP career, he had a strong dislike for Marc Marquez due to the competitive tension between Marquez and his sibling, Pol Espargaro.

Marquez and Pol Espargaro once intensely competed against each other in the junior levels of grand prix racing, but their rivalry mellowed when they moved up to MotoGP.

Upon Espargaro's commitment to Honda for the 2021 season, there was speculation that conflicts might reignite.

Persistent injury problems for Marquez and performance challenges faced by Espargaro throughout his two-year tenure meant that the competition between them never reignited.

In a DAZN documentary focusing on the Espargaro siblings, Aleix described Marquez as the greatest talent MotoGP has ever seen, despite confessing an early aversion to him.

"He mentioned, 'As a kid, my hero was Valentino Rossi.'"

"I have more years on me than Marc Marquez. Marc was not around, so getting the chance to compete alongside Valentino was remarkable.

Marc and I swapped helmets, and I shared with him how I had endured hardships and chased after him throughout my career.

"It's unlikely that the championship has ever seen a rider with more talent."

"Initially in my career, I found him unbearable due to his negative impact on my brother!"

Pol Espargaro retired from professional racing at the conclusion of 2023 after enduring significant injuries following an accident during the season's first race, transitioning to a position as a test rider for KTM.

Aleix Espargaro concluded his racing career following the 2024 season, having secured three grand prix victories. For 2025, he has taken up a role as a test rider with Honda.

Espargaro reflected on his racing career, stating, "What I take pride in is my sincerity and not pretending to be someone I'm not."

"I've managed to stay true to myself, consistently revealing both my strengths and weaknesses."

"Throughout my athletic journey, I've always been quite emotional."

"Perhaps I'm slightly more passionate. There are times of stress that can be tough to handle, and it's one of my shortcomings."

"I've consistently taken out my anger and frustrations on those closest to me, the ones I have the best relationships with and care about deeply."

"That faith, whether for good or bad, has resulted in errors on my part and will forever linger with me."

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Information on Trackhouse MotoGP's intentions to modify their 2025 team colors

Team leader Davide Brivio clarifies the reasons behind the initial launch design not being permanent

Davide Brivio, the team leader of Trackhouse MotoGP, mentioned that the team's 2025 livery, unveiled on Tuesday, featured a "corporate" look due to ongoing negotiations with possible sponsors.

On Tuesday, the American-led squad unveiled its campaign for the 2025 MotoGP season at their headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, showcasing an entirely different paint scheme from what was seen in the previous year.

However, the notable lack of significant sponsors, except for a Gulf logo on the front wheel cover, sparked inquiries regarding the "corporate colors" Trackhouse eventually revealed.

In the team's introductory content, Brivio hinted at potential alterations to the paint scheme throughout the 2025 season.

For further details: The significance of outcomes being "the secondary priority" for a Trackhouse MotoGP competitor

In a media briefing covered by Crash.net on Wednesday, Brivio provided further clarification on his statement and disclosed that the team plans to test a new layout during the off-season trials.

"Initially, you can expect to see a different paint scheme for the winter test," he mentioned in response to a query from Crash.net about the team's color scheme strategies for 2025.

"The design we unveiled yesterday showcased our Trackhouse signature color scheme. Both the motorcycle and the [NASCAR team] vehicle featured this coordinating design."

"Thus, these represent our shades. We've crafted a single design for the winter trial. Furthermore, we're currently in talks with possible allies for what lies ahead."

"Hence, should everything proceed smoothly, we could be greeting new partners. This would inevitably mean we'll need to reevaluate our branding once more."

"In the previous year, for example, we updated the team's colors mid-season."

"There isn't a specific strategy in place for 2025, however, we aim to think outside the box, and you can anticipate witnessing a variety of unique paint schemes throughout the year."

Starting the 2024 season, Trackhouse introduced a motorcycle adorned with the American flag in its design, later switching to a blue and silver scheme from the Austrian Grand Prix onwards.

Brivio highlighted that the team was behind schedule in securing significant sponsorships. He pointed out that teams typically finalize their sponsor partners for the next season within the first six months of the current season, indicating that they were running late.

He mentioned that Trackhouse's in-house marketing team is assisting with the MotoGP project in addition to their NASCAR responsibilities, as the team explores possible partnerships within the US series.

"Securing sponsorship in MotoGP is challenging," Brivio emphasized.

"In the MotoGP circuit, there are several prominent names. Trackhouse, on our part, is a newcomer to this scene."

"In the previous year, we initiated and established a commercial division. Currently, this division, which typically serves NASCAR, has shifted its focus to MotoGP."

"We are exploring whether there are any NASCAR brands eager to expand their reach across the globe, and to achieve this, MotoGP could serve as an ideal platform."

"For our team, progress is gradual. We've considered this year as a period of learning, especially in terms of understanding and developing our commercial strategies."

"The worlds of NASCAR and MotoGP are vastly different. As such, we also had to explore what opportunities exist within MotoGP."

"We're experiencing a slight setback. Typically, in MotoGP operations, sponsorships are secured around August or September of the preceding year."

"Subsequently, you arrange everything. In our case, the period of August and September came just six months after we commenced."

"Negotiation talks have begun, with several discussions taking place, opening up various potential outcomes."

"However, nothing is certain until a contract is finalized. It's a challenging situation, but we are currently engaged in some negotiations."

"Essentially, we couldn't finalize any deals during September, October, or November."

"Therefore, having unveiled our company's branding, we stand prepared to modify it whenever necessary throughout the season."

"The business division was given several months for execution, and currently, there's ongoing activity."

Brivio stated that the MotoGP team, which falls under the umbrella of Trackhouse Entertainment Group, is currently "sustainable," yet the goal is for the team to achieve financial independence in the future.

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Brivio is looking forward to the 2025 Aprilia model, expressing enthusiasm for its potential.

"There's a lot of anticipation for the 2025 motorcycle. It appears to hold great promise."

—

Brivio finds the prospects of Trackhouse's capabilities promising, citing the presence of "good ingredients."

Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio is of the opinion that the American team possesses the right elements for its sophomore season in MotoGP.

Brivio, previously responsible for guiding Yamaha (with Valentino Rossi) and Suzuki (with Joan Mir) to MotoGP championships, shifted to Formula One before the allure of the fresh Trackhouse initiative enticed him to return to the motorcycle racing scene a year earlier.

The season was difficult for Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, who finished 15th and 16th in the world championship standings, respectively. Their team, Trackhouse, only managed to surpass Honda in the team rankings.

Brivio is optimistic that by 2025, with Fernandez and new partner Ai Ogura, the team will be on more solid ground, equipped with the most up-to-date factory-spec machines right from the beginning of the year.

"Brivio mentioned that the initial year served as a period of significant learning, particularly for Trackhouse as an entity."

"As the 2025 season approaches, there's a lot to look forward to, particularly with Aprilia leading the charge. The anticipation around their '25 model is high, and it appears to hold a lot of potential."

"The fresh technical lead at Aprilia, Fabiano Sterlacchini, is infusing the team with renewed vigor and a novel approach. Consequently, we're eager to discover the potential heights we can reach with the 2025 bike."

An additional indirect advantage comes from Aprilia securing the services of the new world champion, Jorge Martin.

"Undoubtedly, having the current MotoGP world champion's factory team as a competitor is quite motivating. It serves as an excellent reference point for us to gauge our position and assess the bike's performance."

"A rejuvenated Raul Fernandez"

In 2024, Trackhouse saw some notable moments including Fernandez momentarily taking the lead in Catalunya and achieving a double front row position in Sachsenring, with Oliveira securing a second-place finish in the Sprint.

Trackhouse achieved its top grand prix finish with Fernandez securing fifth place, after being switched to the upgraded '24 spec RS-GP over the summer break, during the rain-soaked Buriram race.

Brivio emphasized their decision to renew Fernandez's contract, citing his exceptional talent. He believes that Fernandez holds significant potential and acknowledged that the current challenge lies in harnessing that potential.

"Raul is experiencing a unique winter this season, altering his training regimen. It's a time for him to reflect on potential improvements."

"What went wrong last year? How can improvements be made? What was effective? Thus, we're engaging in discussions, conversations, and dialogues, and I'm optimistic that we'll see a rejuvenated Raul Fernandez in MotoGP."

"Exceptional skill" Ai Ogura

Teaming up with Fernandez is the 23-year-old from Japan, Ai Ogura, who justified the confidence placed in him by Brivio and Trackhouse by clinching the Moto2 championship last year.

"Brivio mentioned that they made a choice to opt for a newcomer and believes Ai Ogura is an exceptional talent. He highlighted that Ogura proved his capabilities last year by securing the Moto2 championship."

We're genuinely thrilled to welcome him on board. His dedication to racing and his serious attitude towards it are truly impressive. I'm eager to embark on this journey with him.

"We're looking at a pair of promising, skilled cyclists. With some luck, the 2025 Aprilia will bring an improved motorcycle to the table."

"I'll share more in a couple of competitions, but it seems there are promising elements in play to attempt something notable. We're going to focus on this…"

As a newcomer, Ogura qualifies to participate in the Sepang Shakedown test, scheduled to begin at the close of this month.

Fernandez, along with the entire lineup of racers for 2025, will proceed to compete on the Malaysian circuit in the next scheduled trial

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the rise and retirement of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and delving into the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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