Report: Jorge Martin Absent from Buriram MotoGP Testing

Jorge Martin will begin the 2025 MotoGP season with only 13 laps of pre-season practice on his new Aprilia bike.

Aprilia has announced that current MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin will not participate in the forthcoming test at Buriram.

This implies that the Spanish rider, who was injured during last week's event in Sepang, will start the first race of the season at Buriram with only 13 laps of the 2025 pre-season testing under his belt.

During the initial hours of the Malaysian test, Martin experienced two highsides, leading to a public disagreement between Aprilia and Michelin regarding the reasons behind the incidents.

The incidents both happened at Turns 1 and 2, with the second one causing Martin to flip dramatically in the air, resulting in broken bones in his right hand and left foot.

"A serious accident occurred unexpectedly, with neither an error from the motorcycle nor from the rider," stated Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing.

This indicated a problem with the tire.

Rivola explained to the media in Sepang that the situation involved the same set of tires. He mentioned that initially, the issue was with the tire on the right side, and later, it was with the one on the left side. He then encouraged others to seek out more details.

Rivola mentioned that the tire's temperature was within the usual range.

Michelin's Piero Taramasso argued that although the surface temperature seemed acceptable, the crucial aspect was the internal temperature of the medium compound rear tire, which is assessed using specific sensors, and it was not satisfactory.

When Martin left the pit box, the tire temperature was already 15 degrees cooler than usual compared to his initial stint. This meant the tire was colder. Additionally, at the time of his crash, the tire's temperature was 15 degrees lower than that of his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who was using the same tire.

The temperature in question refers to the internal layer, specifically measured by the infrared sensor located inside. According to Massimo, when he provided his update, both the pressure and the temperature were within acceptable ranges.

"This refers to the temperature on the surface. Surface temperature can be measured easily and rapidly, but what really matters is the temperature within the inner layers. On the surface, high friction might show temperatures of 160 degrees, while inside the tire, it might only be around 100 degrees."

"The key factor for the tire is the temperature of the carcass, as it indicates whether the tire is functioning properly," he explained.

According to Taramasso, the crash occurred due to the lower inner tyre temperature and unfavorable track conditions, which included factors such as being very slippery, windy, and cold, with temperatures at only 30 degrees instead of the usual 50 degrees, along with overnight rain.

However, Rivola quickly dismissed that assertion, stating, "Concerning the accident, I want to clarify that our data does not support the claims made by Piero Taramasso."

"The safety of the riders should come first, in my opinion. I've recommended that he organize a meeting with all the teams to address what is obviously a serious issue, as shown by the high number of injuries."

"Jorge will not participate in the test in Thailand."

At the same time, Martin traveled back to Europe and had surgery on Friday morning to fix the injury to his hand. However, the broken bone in his left foot does not need surgical intervention.

Following the announcement that Martin has been "released from Clinica Dexeus in Barcelona and will return to his residence in Andorra," Aprilia stated that "Jorge will miss the Thai test to best prepare for the Thai GP."

Test rider Lorenzo Savadori is set to assume some of Martin's testing responsibilities once more.

On the first day of the Official Sepang test, Fabio di Giannantonio from VR46 and Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse sustained injuries. As a result, they are both likely to be absent from the Buriram event scheduled for February 12-13.

The Thai racing event kicks off with practice sessions on Friday, February 28.

Martin is set to participate in the event with 90 laps on the RS-GP under his belt. However, 77 of those laps were completed during last November's post-season test in Barcelona, where he rode an early version of the 2025 model.

Marco Bezzecchi, who is a member of the team, was the highest-placed Aprilia rider during the Sepang test, finishing in eighth position.

Due to Martin's injury, the MotoGP Season Launch event scheduled for Sunday in Bangkok will proceed without the attendance of the current champion.

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Aprilia's latest technology chief highlights unexpected element of Marco Bezzecchi's expertise

Fabiano Sterlacchini details unexpected delight in Sepang

Fabiano Sterlacchini experienced a pleasant unexpected delight during his initial encounter with Marco Bezzecchi, an encounter that is expected to enhance Aprilia's prospects.

The factory rider and the technical director have been with Aprilia since the conclusion of the previous season.

They recently dedicated a three-day session at Sepang to work on their 2025 motorcycle model collaboratively.

"Sterlacchini praised Bezzecchi, saying, 'He is extremely talented.'"

Observing from a distance, it seemed to me that Marco possessed exceptional talent, though he appeared to lack technical expertise.

"The unexpected delight was well received!"

"The task we're undertaking, configuring the bicycle with various mechanical components, presents an intriguing approach to work due to its notably serene nature."

"We're configuring the bicycle in a consistent manner, enabling us to evaluate a single component while ensuring the data collected is statistically reliable."

Aprilia's technical director details advancements

The challenge intensified for Aprilia, and specifically for Sterlacchini, after Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez were injured only a few laps into the Sepang trials, leaving the team without the services of two of its riders.

Consequently, they had to modify their testing strategies.

"Sterlacchini noted, "This represents one of the challenges, the tough aspect of our profession."

"Day by day, we're making adjustments based on the outcomes of the test items."

"We have designated spaces for each item and will adhere to this arrangement."

Bezzecchi has acknowledged the strength of the Aprilia engine, yet wondered about the bike's ability to fully utilize it.

"Sterlacchini emphasized that in discussing the bike's progress and transformation, it's essential to examine each aspect of the bicycle."

"This marks a key moment as it enables the cyclist to maximize the bike's potential, delving into the capabilities of the back tire."

"The electronics function as a mysterious entity, dictating the amount of power the engine should generate."

Sterlacchini is committed to addressing Aprilia's issue with slow starts.

"Absolutely," he confirmed. "Our attention is on the company, assigning various sectors and responsibilities."

"Beginning at the front is crucial. With the latest MotoGP machines equipped with advanced aerodynamics and increased horsepower, kicking off from the rear positions makes the race challenging."

"Beginning at the forefront is crucial for achieving high performance."

Sterlacchini carries his expertise from Ducati and KTM into his latest position.

He understands that the primary challenge is to decrease the gap with the leading Ducatis and ultimately surpass them.

"It's consistently challenging. Without a doubt, we're definitely in a favorable position," he mentioned.

The company places an exceptional emphasis on the human element.

"The background in racing dates back many years."

"Tasks await completion. From what I've observed, there's room for enhancement."

"Our inventory includes a significant amount of supplies from the corporation, alongside components like electronics that were developed on-site."

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Ducati Claims “Lunch Together” as Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia Display Solidarity

“There’s clearly a strong bond,” they observe.

Ducati emphasizes that Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia initially got to know each other through interactions involving their significant others.

The spotlight in the MotoGP paddock this season will be firmly on the Ducati team, where the two leading contenders for the title are expected to be based.

Marquez and Bagnaia have become teammates, yet it's evident they're also competitors vying for the ultimate award, which Jorge Martin, now adapting to his Aprilia, currently holds.

Ducati emphasizes that the widely talked about dynamic between their primary riders has kicked off without a hitch.

"Mauro Grassilli, the sporting director, expressed to GPOne ahead of the Sepang test that they're crafting the history of their sport with their outstanding rider roster."

"Our collaboration is going smoothly, and I observe a strong bond forming between the two cyclists."

They are also dining together alongside their respective spouses and partners.

"We're taking the necessary actions, and then it's up to the track to determine the outcome. Let's wait and see the results."

Based on what I've observed, riders typically share strong bonds with one another.

"From the era of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, which marks my beginning, the bond among riders has been crucial. This expectation was natural for me because [Marquez and Bagnaia] are both talented, smart, and dedicated individuals."

The testing session in Sepang enabled Ducati's official racers to collaborate in refining the setup they plan to employ this season, together with VR46 team's Fabio di Giannantonio.

Currently, their partnership is advantageous for both parties. Ducati is of the opinion that this situation will continue.

"Creating a positive environment will be beneficial, thrilling, and crucial, yet it won't be the most challenging aspect."

"They are experts, individuals who are skilled in their profession."

"Pecco displays a high level of professionalism. Upon his return from his honeymoon, he appeared notably serene, at ease, and self-assured."

"I've only been acquainted with Marc for a brief period since our paths crossed in the hospitality sector last year. My understanding of him is still unfolding. Yet, from what I've observed, his interactions with Pecco, our team, sponsors, and the media have all been impressive and likable."

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Two MotoGP competitors, despite suffering three fractures, are strategizing an expedited return

Recovery periods for injuries disclosed

Fabio di Giannantonio and Raul Fernandez are optimistic about making a swift return to action despite the recent injuries they have suffered.

During the official MotoGP Sepang test, VR46's Di Giannantonio and Trackhouse's Fernandez suffered bone fractures.

The two competitors were deemed unable to participate for the remainder of the trial and needed surgical procedures to repair the injuries.

Di Giannantonio sustained a broken collarbone, whereas Fernandez experienced a fracture in the metacarpal bone of his left hand along with a toe injury.

However, they could potentially return to cycling sooner than anticipated.

"According to VR46's Uccio Salucci, who spoke to Sky Italy, it seems likely that Fabio will undergo surgery this weekend."

"I anticipate encountering him once more in Buriram, though not during next week's trial, but rather at the race event."

Check out this Instagram post from Raúl Fernández (@raulfernandez_25)

Fernandez has already undergone surgery.

"First and foremost, my gratitude goes to Xavier Mir, who consistently shows me the utmost kindness," Fernandez shared.

"Now I need to focus on my recovery and make plans to visit Thailand. I appreciate all the supportive messages from everyone!"

The inaugural Thailand MotoGP of the season is scheduled for February 28 to March 2.

This indicates that both Di Giannantonio and Fernandez have a three-week period for recuperation.

However, in that period, they will not participate in the Buriram preseason test, which means they will start the first race – assuming they can make it – significantly behind their competitors in terms of preparation.

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Valentino Rossi Discusses Financial Aspects of His Contentious Departure from Honda

Valentino Rossi Expresses Regret Over Not Earning More

Valentino Rossi has revealed the reasons behind his departure from Honda.

Rossi, having secured five world championships, made the unexpected move to leave Honda in late 2003, opting instead to sign with the then-underdog team, Yamaha.

Rossi has openly shared his resentment towards Honda, which ultimately resulted in him leaving the team – marking a historic turning point.

"During my 2002 contract renewal with Honda, I had already established my identity as 'Valentino Rossi'," he shared on Andrea Migno's podcast.

"My supervisor insisted, we demanded a significant sum. Honda engaged us in a tough negotiation."

Honda agreed and then [paused, paused, paused]…

"In January, they reached out, stating, 'we're offering you this cash; it's the end of January, what on earth else will you do?'"

"They financially took advantage of us. I deserved a higher income."

Rossi mentioned that the Honda of the past resembled the current Ducati.

Initially, every bicycle was a Honda brand.

Imagine if Pecco Bagnaia were to switch to Yamaha – that would be sheer insanity!

"Honda didn't show much sportsmanship, attributing Valentino Rossi's victories solely to their motorcycles."

"In each discussion, they mentioned, 'the initial five motorcycles are Hondas, hence if Rossi is included? Then that's acceptable…'

"Honda models are resilient and durable. We opted to switch to Yamaha…"

Honda famously refused to allow Rossi to try out his new Yamaha during the 2003 offseason testing period.

This resulted in Rossi being unable to test his updated equipment until the beginning of 2004, placing him at a significant setback as the season approached.

He remarkably secured a victory in the inaugural race in South Africa, a triumph he considers his most significant achievement, prior to clinching his sixth world title that same year.

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EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: LCR Honda reveals 2025 MotoGP paint scheme

Take a glimpse at LCR Honda's latest design

LCR Honda has unveiled their MotoGP paint scheme for the 2025 season.

The Honda satellite squad will retain Johann Zarco for another season and greet Somkiat Chantra as he embarks on his debut year.

Marvel at Johann Zarco's stunning Honda LCR Castrol paint scheme 😍#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/0glu0UZ8Ce— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 8, 2025

Zarco's Castro LCR Honda features a recognizable livery in shades of green, white, and red.

Last season, Zarco became part of the Honda team and consistently outperformed his teammates, standing out as the top performer during a challenging period for the company.

With the addition of Romano Albesiano as their new technical director, the LCR team is optimistic about benefiting from the manufacturer's fresh strategic approach.

A glimpse at Somkiat Chantra's Honda LCR Idemitsu in the MotoGP series, represented with the Thai flag 🇹🇭 and a red circle 🔴, was shared by Crash MotoGP on February 8, 2025. See the image here: pic.twitter.com/AjkTmxA3Zf

Chantra's Idemitsu LCR Honda sports a unique red and white color scheme.

Chantra faces a challenging assignment by taking control of the motorcycle that ranked lowest in the previous year's competition.

He kicks off his journey in the top tier by competing in his local event, the Thailand MotoGP, scheduled for February 28 to March 2.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test – Day 3 Highlights

Review of the last day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test that took place on Friday.

The concluding day of the MotoGP official test at Sepang for 2025 kicked off in Malaysia on Friday morning.

On the initial day of the shakedown, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo led the pack with the fastest time, but by the second day, VR46 Ducati's Franco Morbidelli had surpassed him to claim the top spot.

Following the first day's events, three competitors are sidelined due to injuries: Defending titleholder Jorge Martin from Aprilia, Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46, and Raul Fernandez representing Trackhouse Aprilia.

Teams have only five days allotted for formal pre-season trials, with three days scheduled at Sepang followed by two at Buriram, leading up to the inaugural race of the 2025 MotoGP season in Thailand on February 28.

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

Several participants are currently embarking on trial starts, while others will return to the track at Buriram for the last pre-season trial set to take place next Wednesday and Thursday.

End-of-Day Report: 2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Results, Day 3

In the closing moments, Joan Mir advances to 8th position, while Enea Bastianini betters his lap time yet remains in 18th place.

In a recent update, Maverick Vinales, the fresh addition to the Tech3 KTM team, has advanced from 18th to 16th position, trailing Alex Marquez by 1.372 seconds.

Marc Marquez Dash Trial:

Presently competing: Marco Bezzecchi, Alex Rins, Ai Ogura, Luca Marini, Enea Bastianini, Somkiat Chantra, Michele Pirro, Lorenzo Savadori, Andrea Dovizioso.

Meanwhile, enthusiasts are beginning to head towards the start/finish line, getting ready for the practice starts that are scheduled after the testing concludes at 6pm.

As we near the last 30 minutes of the testing session and the temperature drops with the setting sun, is it possible that we'll witness a competitor attempt a quick lap time improvement by opting for a fresh soft rear tire?

Fabio Quartararo has expressed his pleasure at the progress Yamaha has achieved in overcoming the qualifying disparities they faced throughout the previous season. This comes after he recorded his fastest lap ever at Sepang, merely 0.231 seconds behind the test front-runner, Alex Marquez.

Yet, the mantra remains 'no expectations' (his team leader even sports it on a t-shirt), simply striving to achieve whatever's within reach.

As the Sepang test enters its closing hour, eight competitors continue to navigate the circuit.

Fabio Quartararo doesn't fall into that category; he's scheduled to speak with the press shortly, indicating his tenure here, including two days at the shakedown, has likely concluded after five days.

The Yamaha team's racer maintains his third-place position, trailing behind Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, after achieving his inaugural 1-minute and 56-second lap at Sepang.

Joan Mir maintained an average lap time of 1 minute and 59.703 seconds over ten laps.

It

Franco Morbidelli, across 13 laps, recorded an average time of 1 minute and 59.687 seconds.

(Average time across the initial 10 laps: 1 minute and 59.469 seconds)

Pedro Acosta's mean time over 10 laps stands at 1 minute and 58.596 seconds.

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez each completed a simulation of a 10-lap Sprint, with Bagnaia recording an average time of 1 minute and 58.243 seconds, while Marquez slightly outpaced him, averaging 1 minute and 57.930

Currently leading the pack is Alex Marquez with the quickest time, followed by Fabio Quartararo in third place. Ai Ogura finds himself in 14th, with Maverick Vinales not far behind in 18th position. Michele Pirro is currently 20th, and Lorenzo Savadori rounds out the group in 21st place.

4pm Outcomes: Sepang MotoGP Official Test Results for 2025, Third Day

By 3:30pm, the light rain had ceased. Riders like Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller from the Pramac team have wrapped up their testing, while some are still on the track pressing on.

Crews are currently preparing and packing boxes for their upcoming relocation to Thailand next week.

It's just past half-past two in the afternoon, and the rain lights have been activated at Sepang, prompting everyone to return to the pits for the time being. Similar to the past few days, the precipitation seems to be more of a light sprinkle rather than a significant downpour, at least for the moment.

Joan Mir has entered the pit lane, bringing a quiet moment back to the racetr

Results at 2pm: Official MotoGP Sepang Test 2025, Third Day

In the meantime, Mir persists.

Marini emerged safe and returned his Honda to the pit area.

Luca Marini experienced a fall at turn 9 while on an extended circuit with his teammate Joan Mir.

Marco Bezzecchi, the first to address the trackside press today, mentioned that his 8th place time was actually his initial attempt at a time attack on the Aprilia.

He completed the lap 0.7 seconds faster than the top-performing Aprilia during the qualifying session last November, and also managed to beat his own qualifying time from 2024 on a VR46 Ducati by the same gap.

Bezzecchi humorously remarked that he hasn't forgotten how to ride! He plans to attempt a Sprint trial later, though a complete race run-through isn't feasible due to ongoing tests he needs to conduct.

Team members from HRC Castrol, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, are currently on the circuit together, likely evaluating the performance of the RC213V in turbulent airflow.

Just past half-past one and the circuit is quiet except for Franco Morbidelli, with the majority of teams and riders pausing for an informal lunch break.

The major discussion at the moment revolves around the likelihood of rainfall this afternoon. According to some weather predictions, we might see showers, possibly starting by 2pm. However, there are differing opinions suggesting otherwise.

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VR46 confirms that an injury Fabio di Giannantonio sustained resulted from a mishap during celebrations

Fabio di Giannantonio's attempt at showing off backfired

Fabio di Giannantonio's expensive injury was the result of a celebration gone wrong, leading to his crash.

The VR46 Ducati competitor experienced a severe crash during the first day of the MotoGP Sepang preseason trials.

He sustained a collarbone fracture and was declared unfit for the last two days of testing in Sepang, with plans for surgery to fix the injury.

No television coverage exists of his accident that occurred on Wednesday.

It has been officially verified that the speculation about his accident being a result of a failed attempt at a wheelie is indeed true.

"Upon reaching Sepang, he was filled with immense eagerness, having not been on a MotoGP bike since October," VR46's Uccio Salucci shared with Sky Italy.

As the session concluded, he performed a wheelie, however, the front tire was slightly off by 0.3 degrees, ultimately sealing the deal for him.

"Fortune was not on his side, there's really nothing you can tell someone in such a situation…"

Di Giannantonio was sidelined for the concluding segment of the previous season because of an injury.

This season, he has the advantage of riding a factory-spec Ducati, making him one of the exclusive riders alongside Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia to benefit from such equipment.

He remarkably recorded the seventh quickest lap on the first day in Sepang.

However, his excitement about making a comeback to MotoGP and recording a commendable time was cut short when his attempt at showing off backfired disastrously.

Di Giannantonio's broken collarbone has left his recovery timeline uncertain.

However, the season's onset puts the third Ducati GP25 competitor in a significantly challenging position, following an incident that occurred under remarkably odd conditions.

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Michelin reveals to Jorge Martin and Aprilia the reason behind the crash

Michelin provides new insights into Jorge Martin's accident

Michelin disclosed a temperature variation in Jorge Martin's back tire when he experienced a crash during the MotoGP Sepang trial on Wednesday.

The accident, which was Martin's second of the day, resulted in the current World Champion sustaining broken bones in his left hand and foot, sidelining him for the rest of the testing period.

At the moment of the accident, the Spanish rider was equipped with medium-compound tires, identical to those he was using during his initial crash of the day.

During the incident, Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia Racing, noted that the tyre's temperature was standard when the crash occurred. However, Piero Taramasso, the two-wheel motorsport manager at Michelin, clarified on Friday that although the tyre's surface temperature appeared normal, there was a noticeable difference in the internal temperature of the tyre compared to that of Martin's Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, at the moment of the accident.

"Taramasso expressed gratitude towards Aprilia for providing them with all the necessary data."

"Within the past hour, we've managed to review all the information. Given the extensive amount of data, such processes naturally require some time."

Initially, Massimo Rivola indicated that the temperature of the tyres was satisfactory. However, he was referring to the surface temperature of the tyres, which can change significantly based on factors like the bike's sliding and spinning.

"The backside temperature, or the [value] that helps us determine whether the tyre is functioning properly, refers to the temperature of the inner layer. This information, for example, is derived from the sensor installed by McLaren."

Taramasso provided further information, clarifying that the teams typically measure what he calls the "cavity temperature" to assess a tyre's temperature in the pits, referring to the temperature of the air within the tyre.

He emphasized that the temperature within the cavity differs from that of the tyre's inner layer, which pertains to the internal rubber temperature. Furthermore, he mentioned that it is typical to observe a variance in temperature readings from a single tyre.

"Taramasso elaborated, explaining that upon examining the data, it became evident that just before the accident, when Jorge Martin exited the pit for his final attempt, his tyre temperature was 15 degrees lower."

"Thus, a change of 15 degrees is significant."

Moreover, when he had the accident, we analyzed his tire temperature against that of Marco Bezzecchi's rear tire. Given that both were using the same model of bike, identical medium compound rear tires, and at the same instance, we noticed his tire was 15 degrees cooler.

Taramasso clarified that the typical temperature range for the inner layer of a rear tire is from 90 to 100 degrees. Thus, the decrease of 15 degrees in Martin's tire temperature at the moment of his accident corresponds to a reduction of approximately 15 to 16.6 percent.

Taramasso added, “Certainly, a significant factor is that, alongside the track conditions which, it's important to note, were quite treacherous with slipperiness, cold and windy weather, and temperatures only reaching 30 degrees compared to the usual 50 degrees, plus the overnight rain – all these unfavorable conditions combined with the tyre not being prepared were the reasons behind the crash.”

Additionally, Taramasso explained that Martin's choice to use the medium tyre during that stage of the testing, despite it being largely overlooked throughout the week's sessions, was strategically aimed at conserving soft-compound tyres for future use.

"Currently, every team begins with the medium compound," mentioned Taramasso.

"During a race weekend, on Fridays, all teams initially opt for the medium compound tires, regardless of whether they're the ideal choice for the conditions, aiming to conserve their soft tires for later."

"In this instance, the approach likely mirrored previous tactics: initiating with the medium tires given their awareness of the superior performance of the soft ones, they opted to begin with the medium selection to effectively clear the track."

"However, everyone was experiencing the same situation. Likewise, the tool we frequently utilized throughout the exam, without encountering any issues – this was also the case during the Shakedown period."

In conclusion, Taramasso responded to remarks made by Aprilia on Wednesday, suggesting that a defective tyre was responsible for the accident.

"An inexplicable accident occurred, with no error from the motorcycle or the rider," Massimo Rivola stated on Wednesday.

"Taramasso mentioned on Friday that he had communicated with them and shared all the reports."

"Thus, they comprehend the information we present, and it's not merely my perspective, it's factual – these are statistics, and they trust in statistics."

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

Recorded lap times up until 6pm, marking the conclusion of the third and last day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official testing on Friday.

Here are the concluding lap times from Friday, marking the last day of the official 2025 Sepang MotoGP trials.

The final morning at Sepang was marked by an intense first hour of time trials, culminating with Ducati Lenovo's record pole sitter, Francesco Bagnaia, leading by 0.224 seconds ahead of Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.

However, Alex Marquez from Gresini took the lead with the GP24, surpassing the GP25 by a mere 0.007 seconds, a position he held onto until the testing concluded at 6pm.

In the afternoon, approximately 50% of the participants engaged in practice runs for the Sprint race, during which Alex Marquez once more achieved the quickest time aboard the Gresini GP24. Below are the top average times recorded during the Sprint practice sessions (It's worth noting that Fabio Quartararo's most extensive session today was limited to just six laps):

As a guide:

I'm sorry

X Rider has moved up X spots since the last hour.

Rider remains in the same spot as the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest Time on the Second Day:

Franco Morbidelli on a Ducati clocked 1 minute and 57.210 seconds.

Quickest opening day record:

Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha clocked at 1 minute and 57.

Quickest Trial Run Duration:

Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, clocked a time of 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on

Verified records from the Sepang MotoGP:

Fastest Circuit Time: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocks in at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

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

Following the Sepang trials, just a single official practice session in Buriram, scheduled for February 12-13, stands between competitors and the kickoff of the Thai season beginning February 28.

The technical details for Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia motorcycles will remain unchanged from the Thai Grand Prix through to the close of 2026, in an effort to decrease expenses related to development before the introduction of the 850cc generation in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha currently have the liberty to proceed with engine improvements, thanks to their D-level concession status.

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For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ups and downs within the paddock, including the rise and retirement of Valentino Rossi. He's also leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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

Gresini Team's Rider Tops in Friday's Speed Trials

Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez emerged as the leader on the last day of the Sepang MotoGP pre-season trials, slightly outperforming his team peer Francesco Bagnaia.

The beginning segment of the final day was reserved for time trial attempts, witnessing an intense qualifying simulation phase where the lead position switched multiple times.

On Friday, Gresini's Alex Marquez topped the charts by clocking a time of 1 minute and 56.493 seconds on his GP24, securing the fastest time by the conclusion of the second hour.

Marquez's performance remained unbeaten up to the finish line, as he completed 50 laps on his GP24, concluding a successful test session for the Spanish rider.

Two-time world champion Bagnaia was at the forefront during the first hour with a lap time of 1 minute and 56.5 seconds. This remained his fastest lap, yet it placed him just 0.007 seconds away from the leading position.

Fabio Quartararo secured a third-place finish for Yamaha, clocking in an impressive time of 1 minute and 56.724 seconds. This time set a new record for the Japanese manufacturer at the Sepang circuit, surpassing their previous best by a substantial margin of eight-tenths of a second.

On Thursday, Franco Morbidelli, leading the pack, secured the fourth position riding for VR46 Ducati, whereas Marc Marquez, representing the official Ducati team, grabbed attention with his swift pace during a sprint simulation on Friday.

On Friday, he managed to finish 70 laps as Ducati aims to decide on its engine choice for the 2025 season.

Pedro Acosta led the KTM pack, finishing sixth and 0.682 seconds behind the leader, while the highest-placed Honda, ridden by LCR's Johann Zarco, secured seventh place.

Joan Mir secured the eighth position riding his official Honda, following a last-minute boost that brought his time down to 1 minute and 57.279 seconds. Meanwhile, Alex Rins ensured that two Yamahas were among the top 10, clocking in at 1 minute and 57.351 seconds to take the 10th spot.

Marco Bezzecchi led the Aprilia riders by finishing ninth with a time of 1m57.328s, clocking in 61 laps on his RS-GP to optimize data collection for the manufacturer, especially since Jorge Martin and Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez were not present.

Fermin Aldeguer led the newcomers, securing the 11th spot for Gresini, while Jack Miller finished in 12th place for Pramac Yamaha, wrapping up his last day ahead of schedule after completing an extensive test schedule.

On Friday, Andrea Dovizioso was seen riding for Yamaha, completing a total of 58 laps. He recorded his fastest lap time at 1 minute and 59.929 seconds, placing him in 22nd position, just behind Aprilia's test rider Lorenzo Savadori.

The final phase of testing is scheduled to take place over the course of two days next week, on February 12th and 13th, in Thailand. This will precede the season's kickoff at the end of the month in Bur

Complete Results from the Third Day of MotoGP Testing in Sepang

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Valentino Rossi discusses financial aspects of his contentious departure from Honda, expressing regret: "I deserved a higher earnings."

Valentino Rossi has explained the circumstances that resulted in his departure from Honda.

At the conclusion of 2003, despite having secured five world championship titles, Rossi made the unexpected decision to leave Honda and signed on with the less favored Yamaha team.

The outcome is well-known, yet Rossi has expressed his resentment towards Honda, which ultimately resulted in his leaving the team.

In an interview on Andrea Migno’s podcast, he mentioned that by the time he extended his contract with Honda in 2002, he had already established himself as 'Valentino Rossi.'

"My supervisor was assertive, and we demanded a significant amount of money. Honda engaged in tough negotiations with us."

Honda responded with an "okay," and then proceeded to wait for a considerable amount of time…

In January, they contacted me and offered the money, saying, "It's the end of January, what else could you possibly do?"

"They took financial advantage of us. I deserved to make more money."

Rossi compared Honda of the past to the current Ducati, saying, "Back then, Honda was similar to how Ducati is today."

Initially, all the bikes were manufactured by Honda.

Imagine if Pecco Bagnaia chose to switch to Yamaha; that would be utterly insane!

"Honda was not particularly kind. They claimed that Valentino Rossi's victories were solely due to the Honda bike."

"In each interview, they mentioned that the top five motorcycles are all Hondas, implying that if Rossi is among them, it's acceptable."

"Honda is resilient and robust. We made the decision to switch to Yamaha…"

Honda famously prevented Rossi from trying out his new Yamaha during the test sessions that followed the end of the 2003 season.

This situation prevented Rossi from testing his new setup until the beginning of 2004, putting him at a significant disadvantage as the season approached.

He achieved a remarkable victory in the opening race in South Africa, which he still considers his most memorable achievement, before going on to secure his sixth world championship title that year.

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

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