Alex Rins describes Yamaha's "remarkable" efforts during the winter to work on the 2025 MotoGP motorcycle. The Spanish rider talks about the "completely new" components introduced for evaluation.

Alex Rins has described the various new components that Yamaha has created during the winter in preparation for the initial MotoGP test in 2025. The Spanish rider expressed that he is "quite impressed" with the team's efforts.

As the 2025 season begins, Yamaha is determined to make significant advancements to reclaim its position at the top of the MotoGP standings, following two consecutive seasons without a victory.

Although attention has been concentrated on the upcoming V4 project, Yamaha has not neglected its existing motorcycle.

Find out more: Max Bartolini describes how a half-second delay can be "catastrophic" in MotoGP racing.

Alex Rins, now in his sophomore year with Yamaha, mentioned that the Japanese brand plans to introduce a new engine, chassis, swingarm, and fairing, along with several other components, during the upcoming shakedown and official test at Sepang this week.

"It's challenging to claim that we will compete for a win right from the start of the season, because that's not the case," he mentioned to Crash.net.

"Currently, there is an opportunity to enhance the motorcycle. Yamaha put in significant effort during the winter season."

"I’m thrilled to get on the bike tomorrow for the second day of the shakedown."

"They put in a great deal of effort. They've introduced a new engine, chassis, swingarm, fairing, and several other components. I'm really impressed."

"We plan to conduct consecutive tests. Initially, we will use the standard bike that we completed with in Montmelo, but it will already include the new chassis that we experimented with during the test."

"That was our starting motorcycle. From there, we'll be developing a new engine, updating the electronics, and designing another new chassis. It's going to be quite a hectic winter."

In December, Rins had an operation to assess the severe leg fracture he sustained in 2023. Despite arriving at Yamaha's launch event on crutches, he reports feeling excellent.

"I am scheduled for a surgical procedure this December to assess how everything is progressing," he mentioned.

"The procedure aimed to assess the bone's healing progress. Upon opening, they found that there was only a small amount of bone as the tibia hadn't completely healed."

"However, to be truthful, after two months, I am feeling absolutely fantastic and incredibly well."

"To be honest, I feel the same as I did prior to the surgery because I was already doing well before it."

"At the moment, I'm using this crutch to take some pressure off my leg. Due to the metal rods inside, my movement wasn't quite right, which led to some discomfort in my ankle."

"I still have all the metal, which is why I need to use this crutch."

"It's not an issue for me to ride the bike. I had an excellent off-season back home, focusing on both physical training and mental preparation. I spent four to five days riding the R1 at the Jerez and Almeria tracks."

Crash MotoGP's editor, Peter McLaren, has shared some

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Highlights from the First Day of the 2025 MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Test

Key Photographs from Friday's Events in Sepang

Here is a collection of top images showcasing the motorcycles in action at the 2025 MotoGP Shakedown test in Sepang.

Ducati has successfully kept the details of their GP25 motorcycle under wraps. This bike is anticipated to be the top-performing model on the circuit and will be ridden by Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, and Fabio di Giannantonio.

Michele Pirro, who serves as a test rider,

However, the picture shown above features last year's Ducati from Gresini.

Gresini's newcomer, Fermin Aldeguer, secured the fifth quickest time on Friday.

Lorenzo Savadori takes to the track riding an Aprilia, previously used by Jorge Martin, during the Sepang Shakedown event. For more details, see the tweet by Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) dated January 31, 2025.

The most impressive photo of the Aprilia from Friday can be found at the beginning of this page.

On Friday, Ai Ogura from Trackhouse impressed observers by posting the second-fastest time. He was among three rookies who were allowed to participate

Aprilia's dependable test rider, Lorenzo Savadori, secured the 10th position.

As of midday on the first day of the 2025 Sepang Shakedown, Dani Pedrosa has set the quickest time for KTM. pic.twitter.com/NEfSmF7Imd— Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) January 31, 2025

On Friday, KTM had their seasoned test riders, Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, participating on the track.

Espargaro secured the fastest time, while Pedrosa finished in fourth place.

Yamaha has the opportunity to utilize their two main team riders, two Pramac riders, and their test team on Friday, in accordance with the concession regulations.

However, the only riders participating on the track on Friday were the test pair Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez.

Honda's Takaaki Nakagami achieved the third-fastest time on the leaderboard as he took on his new responsibilities as a test rider for the company.

He collaborates with Aleix Espargaro in conducting tests.

Although there is curiosity about the impact that new technical director Romano Albesiano might have on the troubled project, Friday's session did not reveal any hints.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test Outcomes – Day 1 (Friday)

As of 12pm on the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test, here are the lap times.

Live updates on results will be provided every hour

* Yamaha's test bikes do not feature designated riders for timing purposes. However, Andrea Dovizioso was spotted on the track. Additionally, Augusto Fernandez is participating this week.

Please

Sepang MotoGP Official Records

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked a time of 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024).

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez clocked 1 minute 58.979 seconds in 2023.

The MotoGP Shakedown test at Sepang in 2025 kicked off at 10 a.m. on Friday in Malaysia. This session featured rookies Ai Ogura from Trackhouse, Fermin Aldeguer representing Gresini, and Somkiat Chantra of LCR. Additionally, factory test riders and competitors from Yamaha and Honda participated.

Restrictions on private tire testing sessions and team unveilings might lead to lower participation of Yamaha and Honda race riders in the Shakedown for 2025.

This weekend, Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez are scheduled to carry out development tasks for Yamaha, leading to rumors about a potential public unveiling of a V4. Meanwhile, new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez have been enlisted by HRC.

Preliminary testing sessions are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Sepang test is scheduled to take place from February 5th to February 7th

I'm

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Rephr

2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test – Day 1: Live Coverage

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test happening this Friday.

The 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Sepang, Malaysia, with a three-day Shakedown event, leading up to the Official test scheduled for next week.

Newcomers Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra, along with Yamaha and Honda's factory test riders and regular race participants, can join the Shakedown thanks to the manufacturer's D concession status.

Nevertheless, restrictions on the quantity of private test tires and team unveilings might also lead to a decrease in attendance at the Shakedown event.

A group of four racers from Yamaha, including Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins from the Monster team, along with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira from the newly established Pramac team, are scheduled to be introduced at an event in Kuala Lumpur tonight (Friday).

Former MotoGP runner-up Andrea Dovizioso and 2024 competitor Augusto Fernandez are scheduled to test the M1 motorcycle this weekend.

Honda's official team, featuring riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, is set to unveil their 2025 lineup this Saturday in Indonesia. As a result, new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami might be assigned additional responsibilities for the Shakedown tests.

Espargaro recently participated in a private two-day testing session in Buriram, which marked the first appearance of Romano Albesiano, the new technical director, with the Honda team.

The Sepang test, which will include all the race riders for the 2025 season, is set to occur from February 5th to 7

At 11 a.m., marking the end of the first hour, Pol Espargaro remains the fastest, followed by the 'Yamaha Test Rider' Dovi. The lineup continues with Pol Espargaro, Fermin Aldeguer, Michele Pirro, Lorenzo Savadori, and Ai Ogura.

The individual with the second quickest time on the timing screens is identified as a 'Yamaha Test Rider' adorned with the number '04', indicating it is Andrea Dovizioso.

Hello and welcome to the first day of the Sepang Shakedown test!

Following the initial 45 minutes of track activity, Pol Espargaro emerged as the fastest, clocking in a time of 2 minutes and 2.313 seconds.

Thus far, eight competitors have completed a lap, with newcomers Fermin Aldeguer and Ai Ogura among them.

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KTM's new CEO outlines "three key factors keeping the company afloat"

KTM CEO considers victory in the 2025 Dakar Rally as "evidence of vitality"

The newly appointed CEO of KTM, Gottfried Neumeister, emphasizes that motorsport is an essential component of the company's operations and will continue to be, provided financial institutions allow them to sustain their business.

KTM is currently undergoing a reorganization as it attempts to manage a significant financial crisis, with its debts surpassing €2 billion.

The company has been forced to dismiss several hundred employees and will continue its halt in production at least until the middle of March.

In a recent hearing in Austria, it was disclosed that KTM has attracted attention from 23 prospective investors. The company is considering a potential financial boost of €900 million from these interested parties.

This has not been verified at this time, though.

A major question mark hanging over KTM's future is the fate of its MotoGP initiative, as there are "plans" for it to exit the series amid ongoing restructuring efforts.

After the general examination hearing at the Regional Court of Ried Im Innkreis last week, Neumeister, who has taken over from Stefan Pierer as CEO, reportedly told the press, “We have finished the second phase of the 90-day restructuring process.”

"There are three main factors keeping KTM afloat: the relentless dedication of our staff, the steadfast support from our customers, and the courage and expertise of our highly skilled bankruptcy manager."

"I'm really relieved that's how things turned out."

Discussing the brand's future in motorsport, Neumeister mentions that KTM's victory in the 2025 Dakar Rally demonstrates that racing should continue to be an integral aspect of the company's activities.

Securing victory in the premier motorcycle category at the Dakar Rally serves as a vibrant affirmation that KTM is capable of producing some of the finest motorcycles globally.

"If the banks allow us to reach this third phase of the restructuring, we will be able to sustain it moving forward."

Last year, KTM announced that it would continue participating in MotoGP as scheduled in 2025.

Despite reducing its overall factory involvement in global motorsport, the GASGAS and Husqvarna brands are no longer present in grand prix racing.

In 2025, KTM plans to have a factory team of four riders competing in MotoGP. This team will include Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder for the main works team, while Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will represent the Tech3 squad.

The brand is set to kick off its 2025 season on January 30th.

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Pramac announces collaboration with Alpine for the 2025 MotoGP season. In 2025, the French automobile company will be linked with Pramac.

Pramac has announced that the French automobile company, Alpine, will be a primary sponsor for the MotoGP team in 2025, just before its launch event taking place this week.

In response to media speculation from the end of last year, Pramac has revealed through its social media platforms that it is teaming up with the French automobile manufacturer, which is also active in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship.

In a short message on social media, Pramac announced: "Combining two realms with a united goal. As we approach the thrilling 2025 season, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP is delighted to reveal a new collaboration with Alpine Cars."

The extent to which Alpine’s sponsorship will feature on the Yamahas that the team is set to manage in 2025, as well as its impact on the livery design, remains uncertain.

Pramac has announced that Prim will continue to be their main sponsor through to the conclusion of 2027.

Luca de Meo leads the Renault Group, which owns the Alpine brand. Prior to this role, de Meo was a director at Fiat during the period when the Italian automaker sponsored the Yamaha factory team in the MotoGP series.

The connection has been established because Pramac team owner Paolo Campinoti maintains a positive rapport with de Meo.

In the past few years, Pramac has displayed the Formula 1 emblem on the back of its motorcycles, thanks to the close relationship with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali.

In the 2025 F1 season, Alpine will be connected to MotoGP through Jack Doohan, the son of Mick Doohan, a five-time 500cc world champion.

If regulators approve the deal after an investigation by the EU, both F1 and MotoGP will be owned by Liberty Media in 2025.

On Friday, January 31, Pramac and the official Yamaha team will kick off their 2025 season in Malaysia.

Pramac, the current champion among teams, also secured the MotoGP riders' championship with Jorge Martin. Martin has since moved from Ducati to become part of Aprilia.

After Martin's departure from Pramac and Ducati's unsuccessful attempt to persuade Marc Marquez to ride a factory bike for them in 2025, the team decided to end their partnership with the Italian brand.

Rather than that, the team has entered into a long-term agreement to serve as Yamaha's satellite collaborator and will feature Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira in their lineup for this year.

Since RNF Racing parted ways with Yamaha to collaborate with Aprilia in the 2023 season, Yamaha has been without a satellite team.

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Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton discreetly rode a Superbike, went off the radar for 48 hours

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was out of touch for two days after trying out a motorcycle.

Lewis Hamilton participated in a Superbike test on the down-low, and during the session, he had an accident, as Toto Wolff remembered.

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton, who has won the Formula 1 championship seven times, caused concern for his F1 team leader by not communicating for two days. This happened when he joined the Crescent Racing team at the Jerez track.

His passion for motorcycle racing is widely recognized. In addition to having his own custom MV Agusta model, Hamilton participated in a ride exchange with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi in 2019. Over the past year, there have been reports of him being involved in financial investments in two MotoGP teams.

Six years back, following his victory of a fifth Formula 1 championship, Hamilton engaged in a two-day testing session at Jerez. This event involved riding a YZF-R1 Superbike and was supervised by the Crescent Racing team from the World Superbike Championship.

Amazing few days spent in Jerez 🏍💨🔥 featuring @alexlowes22, @mickeyvdmark, @PataYamahaWSBK, and @MonsterEnergy. pic.twitter.com/1uIwgmKx7r — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 2, 2018

At the time, Michael van der Mark, who was racing for Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship, informed motorsport.com that Hamilton needed to be reminded to reduce his speed since "he showed no fear whatsoever."

Wolff disclosed that he was unable to contact Hamilton for two days after the driver had secretly participated in the test, and he was unaware that Hamilton had been involved in an accident.

When questioned about his presence at the 2019 ride swap event in Valencia featuring Rossi and Hamilton, Wolff mentioned on the Armchair Expert podcast that he wasn't there, but he did have to authorize it. He granted the permission and believes that both participants had a great time.

Lewis is that bothersome student who completes all tasks correctly and quickly.

Let me share a tale about biking with you. Without my knowledge, they conducted some tests in Jerez. One of the engineers, who is passionate about motorcycles and part of my strategy team, was involved. For two days, I was unable to reach him.

Lewis's engineer answered the call and reassured everyone by saying, "Everything is okay, there's no need to worry. We just completed our biking session, and despite any rumors, he's doing well."

"I asked, 'What occurred?' He took a fall. However, he was just four seconds slower than the MotoGP professionals."

"Incredible. His awareness of his body is what makes him a winner."

Hamilton emerged without injuries following his accident.

Wolff's statement is difficult to confirm since no official times were made public. It should be approached with skepticism, as van der Mark mentioned then: "I am aware he could go much faster, but forecasting his performance on a bike is challenging."

"He has been riding for just four days, and his time was around seven seconds slower than ours, the Yamaha WSBK team. Despite this, he's already quicker than the majority of riders who participate in track days."

Back in 2018, Hamilton teamed up with three-time MotoGP race victor Cal Crutchlow to ride a Superbike at a Monster Energy event in California.

In the past few weeks, KTM's head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, disclosed during a conversation with Speedweek that the Austrian company, facing challenges, had engaged in "serious" talks with Hamilton's management team regarding a possible investment.

Hamilton will join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

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Sylvain Guintoli shares an emotional update regarding his son's courageous fight with health issues.

Sylvain Guintoli discusses the recent progress in his son's medical care.

Sylvain Guintoli has shared updates on his son's courageous fight against cancer.

In the previous year, Guintoli revealed that his little boy, Luca, had been found to have cancer.

He has recently given information about the progress of his son's medical care.

Check out this Instagram post from Sylvain Guintoli. It was posted by Sylvain Guintoli.

"Silvain Guintoli announced that their young Luca has completed the first week of radiotherapy treatment."

"He has faced significant challenges, undergoing general anesthesia daily for his treatments and receiving a blood transfusion late on Thursday night, yet he has completed all the sessions and shown remarkable courage."

"A huge thank you goes out to the Pediatric Oncology Teams in Leicester and Nottingham."

"Sending lots of love from Mom, Dad, and the entire family. Reminder: I need to donate blood again after returning from the upcoming Test."

"If you are considering doing that, visit the website www.blood.co.uk."

Last year, the motorcycle racing community rallied around Guintoli after he revealed his son's struggle.

He paused his role as a broadcaster for TNT Sports' MotoGP coverage last year following Luca's diagnosis.

Guintoli has resumed his television position and is anticipated to carry on with it throughout this year.

The champion of the 2014 World Superbike season and the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship winner has announced plans for his own testing schedule in 2025.

He is set to be among the four test riders for BMW, concentrating on the FIM Endurance World Championship.

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EXCLUSIVE: The Opposition to Valentino Rossi's Move to Yamaha

Crash.net engages with Davide Brivio to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Valentino Rossi's inaugural MotoGP championship win with Yamaha.

In 2024, MotoGP marked its 75th year since the inaugural grand prix season kicked off in 1949. Throughout its history, the world championship has been influenced by numerous significant events. A notable highlight occurred two decades earlier, in 2004, when Valentino Rossi clinched his fourth premier class title.

At that stage, Rossi had become a standout figure in motorcycle racing. He claimed victory in the final 500cc championship in 2001 while riding for Honda, achieving this impressive feat in only his second season. With the introduction of the four-stroke MotoGP era, Rossi continued his dominance aboard the factory Honda RC211V.

In 2002, Rossi secured victories in 11 grand prix races and claimed the runner-up spot in the others, with just one race where he didn't score. This performance led him to easily clinch his second premier class championship. He continued his dominance in 2003, achieving a third title by winning nine races.

While the world celebrated Rossi's brilliance, this view wasn't echoed at Honda's headquarters in Japan. According to HRC, the accolades for Rossi's achievements were due entirely to the RC211V motorcycle. Understandably, such an assertion didn't align well with the substantial egos typically found in motorcycle racers.

Throughout 2003, Rossi's management team initiated discreet talks with Yamaha, making significant efforts to maintain confidentiality. Years later, former team manager Davide Brivio disclosed that he and Lin Jarvis once had to conceal themselves under a table before a meeting, fearing that someone might walk into the tent they were using.

An agreement was finally made for Rossi to join Yamaha in 2004. However, Honda complicated matters for the Italian rider by enforcing his contract with HRC until its very end, preventing him from testing the M1 until the beginning months of 2004.

As Yamaha and Valentino Rossi's team worked out the financial details and decided on the crew members who would accompany the Italian rider, they encountered a cultural mindset within the Japanese brand that was somewhat akin to Honda's approach. This mindset had the potential to prevent this significant and transformative deal from happening.

During our conversation with Valentino, Brivio explained to Crash.net about Rossi's 2004 championship, noting that Yamaha had a unique mindset at the time. Some individuals within the company were hesitant about bringing Valentino on board, arguing that as a multiple world champion, any failure to secure a victory would be attributed to Yamaha.

"If victory is achieved, it will be credited to Valentino, not to us as a brand. This was one perspective. Reflecting on the prevailing mindset, the focus was on the significance of the motorcycle itself. There was an internal sentiment at Yamaha that stated, 'We don't require Valentino, as we will create a bike so exceptional and powerful that triumph is possible with any rider.'"

The issue with Yamaha's approach was that, up until then, they had not developed a bike capable of securing a championship victory in the four-stroke era. As of the end of 2003, Yamaha's last championship win was in the 1992 500cc series with Wayne Rainey. Following that victory, Suzuki claimed the championship twice, in 1993 and 2000, while Honda dominated the remaining titles with victories by Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, and Valentino Rossi.

While Rossi dominated the MotoGP scene by winning back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003, Yamaha managed only two grand prix victories during the same period. The team struggled so much that when Rossi decided to join them, Yamaha hadn't secured any wins in 2003. Their sole podium finish that year was a third place at the French Grand Prix, achieved by Alex Barros. In the overall standings, Carlos Checa was Yamaha's highest-ranked rider, trailing Rossi by a significant 234 points.

In 2004, it appeared unlikely that Rossi would be in contention for the championship. However, crew chief Jeremy Burgess, equipped with the expertise that had previously enhanced the RC211V, pinpointed the requirements for the M1. Masao Furusawa, Yamaha's technical leader, developed a new 'big bang' inline-four engine. Meanwhile, Burgess modified the bike's dimensions and adjusted the electronics to enhance braking efficiency and optimize the M1's cornering capabilities.

Yamaha and Valentino Rossi arrived at the first race of the 2004 season in South Africa with a significantly upgraded M1. They successfully secured both the pole position and victory in the race. Rossi triumphed over his main competitor, Max Biaggi, who was riding a Honda managed by the Pons team, in an exciting contest. Ultimately, Rossi finished in front of a fleet of RC211Vs, led by Biaggi, with Sete Gibernau, Alex Barros, and Nicky Hayden trailing behind.

During the cooldown lap, Rossi paused to sit beside his new motorcycle, contemplating the huge challenge he had just overcome. After this moment of reflection, he focused back on his task. In 2004, he secured eight additional victories and clinched the championship one race early in Australia. Rossi became the first racer since Eddie Lawson in 1989 to achieve consecutive titles with different manufacturers, as Lawson had switched from Yamaha to Honda to accomplish this feat.

In 2005, Rossi and Yamaha showcased their supremacy even more strongly. Rossi clinched victories in 11 races and secured a podium finish in all but one, overwhelming Honda's Marco Melandri with a 147-point lead. It was evident that the M1 had become the top contender in MotoGP. However, Brivio maintains that Yamaha successfully demonstrated that an excellent motorcycle is ineffective without an exceptional rider.

According to Brivio, the mindset in 2002 and 2003 was that the motorcycle itself was the top priority, regardless of who was riding it. However, when Valentino joined Yamaha, it demonstrated that both the machine and the rider hold significant value in the sport. Brivio expressed pride in this achievement, believing that it helped restore recognition to the human element in racing. He admitted that, although working for a manufacturer might make such a statement unusual, they felt their efforts helped to equalize the emphasis placed on the bike and the rider.

"This is a cherished memory. We had a lot of fun and enjoyment during that period. It was similar to imagining if Pecco Bagnaia chose to leave Ducati because he was dissatisfied, then joined a less successful manufacturer and clinched the championship the following year. That captures the essence of what happened back then. It was a significant and wonderful experience. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and I gained a lot from it. I must acknowledge that Valentino transformed the mindset and culture of racing within Yamaha."

In 2005, the closest Yamaha competitor to Rossi in the rankings was his factory team colleague, Colin Edwards, who finished fourth. Edwards was a distant 188 points behind and managed to secure only three podium finishes. The year before, in 2004, Carlos Checa was the next Yamaha rider behind Rossi, trailing by 187 points and achieving just a single podium finish.

Between 2004 and 2007, Valentino Rossi was the only Yamaha rider to secure victories with the M1. It wasn't until 2008, when newcomer Jorge Lorenzo joined the team, that Yamaha had a pair of racers who could achieve wins with their bikes.

According to Brivio, if Rossi hadn't joined in 2004, Yamaha would likely have continued with its previous strategy, which focused heavily on the motorcycle itself, with the expectation that this would eventually attract a leading rider.

Brivio suggests that if Valentino hadn't joined the team in 2004, Yamaha would likely have still worked on developing a competitive bike. However, this process might have taken more time. They would have needed to build a reliable bike, establish trust with leading riders, and perhaps attract a top competitor in the next two or three years to secure victories for Yamaha. Therefore, this would have delayed success. Jorge Lorenzo might have joined the team later, or another rider could have achieved wins, but this likely would have happened two, three, or even four years down the line.

Certainly, without Rossi joining the team, Burgess wouldn't have been present to identify the issues that were hindering the M1's performance. Throughout 2003, Yamaha faced ongoing challenges in MotoGP, leading to speculation about a potential withdrawal from the competition. Looking back, it seems unlikely that Yamaha's situation could have turned around without Rossi taking charge.

The collaboration between Rossi and Yamaha achieved two additional championships in 2008 and 2009. However, Lorenzo emerged as the dominant force, securing the championship three times from 2010 to 2015. Rossi parted ways with Yamaha at the conclusion of 2010 due to escalating conflicts with Lorenzo. Subsequently, the Italian rider embarked on an unsuccessful period with Ducati in 2011 and 2012.

Rossi and Burgess achieved remarkable success at Yamaha, but they couldn't mirror this success at Ducati due to the race department's inflexibility at the time. This situation changed when Gigi Dall’Igna took over as general manager in 2014, setting Ducati on a course that ultimately led them to become the dominant force in contemporary MotoGP.

In 2013, Rossi made his way back to Yamaha and nearly clinched a fifth championship for the team in 2015. He continued racing with Yamaha until he retired from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.

Although victories became scarce during the latter part of his MotoGP career, Rossi's status as a legend remains firmly established. It can be strongly argued that a significant part of this enduring legacy stems from his monumental switch to Yamaha two decades ago.

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Valentino Rossi sets goals for VR46 in the 2025 MotoGP season

Valentino Rossi outlines the objectives for VR46 as they prepare to compete as Ducati's official satellite team in MotoGP for the first time.

Valentino Rossi's VR46 team is set to replace Pramac as the official satellite MotoGP team for Ducati in 2025, and the expectations for their performance are extremely high.

Last season, Pramac and Jorge Martin achieved a milestone by becoming the first Independent world champions. In contrast, VR46 experienced a decline, dropping from three victories and a third-place finish in the 2023 rankings with Marco Bezzecchi to securing only one podium finish.

Bez found himself in the twelfth position, finishing last among the Ducati riders. Meanwhile, newcomer Fabio di Giannantonio secured the tenth spot, despite having missed the last few races because of shoulder surgery.

However, with the team's elevation in Ducati standing, Di Giannantonio stands out as the sole rider on the track equipped with the factory-spec Desmosedici GP25, identical to the models used by official Ducati Lenovo racers Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

Joining Diggia is the newly signed Franco Morbidelli, who is transitioning from Pramac to fill the position previously held by Bezzecchi, and will be racing a GP24.

Team owner and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi stated that there are significant expectations for the 2025 season. He explained that as the second Ducati team, they anticipate strong performance given Ducati's recent track record of being highly competitive and robust.

"We are aiming to compete for podium finishes and, if possible, secure some race victories as we strive to reach the top spots in the championship standings, ideally finishing within the top five."

Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli have both secured victories in MotoGP races, with di Giannantonio achieving success at Gresini Ducati in 2023, while Morbidelli clinched wins during his campaign with Petronas Yamaha, finishing as the championship runner-up in 2020.

Rossi expressed his delight at having two Italian riders on the team, including one who came from the Academy, and conveyed his belief that they would be highly competitive.

The arrival of Morbidelli holds particular importance for Rossi. Known as 'Franky,' he was the Academy's first official member, clinched its first world championship with the 2017 Moto2 title, and became the first to win a MotoGP race.

However, up to this point, he has not competed for a VR46 team.

Rossi expressed that having Franco join the team holds significant meaning for them. Franco has been part of their Academy from the beginning, and they have supported him throughout his career.

"Having him on the team completes the circle, and we aim to be strong as a result."

In contrast, di Giannantonio is the initial rider from the VR46 team who is not affiliated with the Academy.

Following two fourth-place finishes during his first season with the team from Tavullia, and now equipped with improved machinery, Rossi views Diggia as a strong candidate for winning.

Rossi commented on the high hopes surrounding Diggia, noting his impressive speed on the Ducati. He pointed out that Diggia is familiar with both the motorcycle and the team, having been with them in 2024 and showing significant promise and quickness.

"Many times, he didn't have the best luck, so we are hopeful that this year will bring more podium finishes, wins, and improved outcomes."

Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli will sport VR46's iconic bright yellow and white colors, now embellished with unique elements inspired by Rossi’s career: designs of the sun and moon, along with the number 46 encircling their race numbers.

Rossi expressed his satisfaction with the updated design, stating, "I'm thrilled with the new look." He explained that they continued with the previous year's theme alongside Aldo Drudi, his longtime designer. The motorcycle, featuring fluorescent yellow, truly represents their style. With the addition of the sun, moon, and the number 46, it holds an even greater significance.

During an interview conducted for the team's launch event in Jakarta on Saturday, which is the hometown of their main sponsor Pertamina, Rossi expressed: "Having Pertamina as our sponsor is excellent, and collaborating on this project is fantastic. In my view, we represent the national team of Indonesia!"

"Delivering the presentation in Indonesia is fantastic since the country boasts a large number of MotoGP enthusiasts, including many supporters of our team."

Rossi's squad is set to showcase its 2025 vehicles and design at the official Sepang test scheduled for February 5th to 7th.

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently at the center of the developments regarding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's injury challenges.

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VR46: Genuine Ducati GP25 to Debut in Sepang, “Gigi Remained Silent!”

“We haven’t tested the actual 2025 model yet”

During last November's test in Barcelona, MotoGP manufacturers introduced bikes intended for the 2025 season, but these models were still largely in their prototype stages.

The forthcoming tests in Sepang, scheduled a month ahead of the season's opening race in Buriram, will showcase the actual 2025 bikes, particularly those from the reigning champion team, Ducati.

The VR46 team, which is led by Alessio ‘Uccio’ Salucci, has been granted official Ducati status for this year. As a result, Fabio di Giannantonio will be riding a factory-spec Desmosedici GP25.

Diggia was unable to participate in the Barcelona test because he underwent surgery on his shoulder, with Ducati's test rider Michele Pirro stepping in as his replacement. However, Uccio emphasized that the 'GP25' model that appeared on the track last year was far from its completed form.

Salucci stated that, to be honest, they are currently unaware of what will distinguish the 2025 bike.

"Due to Diggia's injury, Pirro tested the motorcycle in Barcelona instead. However, it wasn't the actual 2025 model; we experimented with certain components from both 2024 and 2025."

The actual motorcycle is scheduled to reach Sepang on the 5th of February.

"For us, it's challenging to grasp the distinction between the 2024 and 2025 models, especially since Mr. Gigi Dall'Igna hasn't shared any information about the 2025 bike!"

"When we get to Sepang, Pablo [Nieto, the team manager] and I will hold a meeting with him, and this will be our first opportunity to grasp the distinctions."

Salucci, whose team faced challenges with the GP23s last year following a successful race-winning season in 2022, mentioned:

"Without a doubt, the 25 will improve, but I believe that, overall, the bike won't be significantly different from the 24."

"The issue with the 23 bike wasn't primarily due to significant changes made to the '24 model by [Ducati], but rather because the tyres underwent considerable alterations."

Last year, Michelin introduced a new design for their tire, which provided increased support and improved traction for the rear tire.

"The back of our bike exerted significant pressure on the front, preventing it from turning."

"I’m not sure what changes occur between ages 24 and 25, but I believe they will be quite alike."

"Additionally, since the regulations for MotoGP will be updated in 2027, manufacturers are currently hesitant to make significant investments. They are already beginning to plan with the upcoming changes in mind."

The engine specifications for the current 1000cc motorcycles will remain unchanged starting from the beginning of the season in Thailand and lasting until the conclusion of 2026. This decision is intended to enable manufacturers to shift their focus and allocate resources to the development of the upcoming 850

At the Barcelona testing session, Alex Marquez from the Gresini team set the quickest time on a GP24. Meanwhile, factory Ducati Lenovo riders Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez secured the third and fourth fastest times on their GP25 machines.

Pablo Nieto, who manages the VR46 team, supported Salucci's statements and mentioned that since Franco Morbidelli, di Giannantonio's teammate, is riding a GP24 this season, it's fair to say that they practically have two factory bikes.

"We are beginning anew with di Giannantonio and the GP25, as Uccio mentioned in Barcelona, we were unable to conduct tests with him," stated Nieto.

"It is also accurate to say that the motorcycle we evaluated with Pirro was not the genuine [real 25] model that we are scheduled to test in Malaysia next week."

"We are uncertain about the differences between the 2024 and 2025 bikes, but it appears they won't be significant. This is crucial for us as it essentially means we have access to two factory-level bikes."

The VR46 team members are set to practice on Superbikes at the Mandalika circuit before they proceed to the official testing session in Sepang, scheduled for February 5th to 7th.

On January 31st, a preliminary test session will be held for new riders, test riders, and manufacturers with special allowances.

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the era of Valentino Rossi. He is currently at the center of the narrative concerning Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Ducati shares insights from Marc Marquez on the GP25

Ducati's technical leader discusses how Marc Marquez is adjusting to the 2025 motorcycle

The technical director at Ducati has provided insights into how Marc Marquez is adjusting to the GP25.

In the previous year, Marquez experienced a career resurgence while racing with Gresini on a GP23, propelling him to the forefront of the competition.

This season, he advances by two steps as a rider for the Ducati factory team, benefiting from the top equipment available in MotoGP.

However, fellow team member Francesco Bagnaia has already begun adjusting ahead of others.

Davide Barana mentioned to Marca that Marquez's style is somewhat distinct from Pecco's.

Marc excels at navigating corners. He possesses exceptional intuition, particularly on specific tracks and in certain turns, allowing him to accomplish maneuvers that other riders struggle with.

"I have to acknowledge that he desires this, although he hasn't stated it outright; it is implied in his remarks."

"Our efforts involve assisting him by making adjustments to the set-up, as it significantly influences the bike's performance."

"You don't need an entirely different frame or anything like that. The existing frame, along with its setup, weight balance, and bike geometry, can already greatly alter the bike's performance."

It seems that Marquez has probably overcome the hardest phase of switching from Honda to Ducati.

Barana mentioned that initially, the electronics were more of a focus, as he continued using the methods from his time at Honda. However, Barana noted that he has since made significant improvements.

"He has grasped the way our motorcycle operates and has adjusted to match the other racers. He favors an engine that's somewhat 'raw' and more responsive."

"Part of this stems from a routine I developed during my time at Honda, largely because their engine management system is distinct."

"He prefers to maintain some control over the engine, though the distinction isn't significant, it's more subtle."

During the post-season test in Barcelona, Marquez and Bagnaia took their first rides on the GP25.

Fortunately for Ducati, their responses aligned closely.

According to Barana, their remarks in Barcelona were very much in agreement.

"That's positive, but we're prepared to pursue other options if necessary."

"It's not necessary for them to pursue it aggressively. However, their agreement on the matter is beneficial."

Barana has examined Marquez's telemetry data to see what kind of magic he can create.

According to Barana, his greatest strength lies in his cornering ability. His keen sensitivity to the front tire is likely what enables him to push the bike to its limits.

"Actually, there are instances when this limit is surpassed, but this typically happens during training, where certain precautions are implemented."

"Riding a Ducati significantly reduces the chances of falling. The rider possesses a well-rounded skill set. Our goal is to see if we can enhance his ability to brake aggressively, a technique that both Pecco and Marc are already known for."

"It is evident that he is a bright young man, possessing not just strength or talent."

"World Championship winners possess more than just talent; they also exhibit intelligence, strong work ethics, the capability to grasp various situations, team management skills, and the ability to inspire their team."

"They have a leadership quality; simply riding a motorcycle isn't sufficient. The moment you see him, you get that vibe."

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

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