By Joe Tatulli
MotoGP Update
The first pre-season tests for 2025 are done and there is a lot to talk about. The biggest news so far is Jorge Martin’s (89) test ending high side crash on Day 1 at Sepang in Malaysia. Before he could accomplish his first time attack on the new 2025 Aprilia RS-GP Martin crashed and broke some fingers and injured his foot. Surgery followed in Barcelona, SP and time will tell on next steps. Another development was Yamaha’s progress with their current bike and engine. Fabio Quartararo (20) stuck with the Japanese manufacturer for two years and it looks like it’s paid off.
After three days of tests at the Sepang circuit the standings for 2025 are as follows: #1 Alex Marquez 72, Gresini Racing MotoGP (Ducati), had a best lap time of 01:56:4930, #2 Pecco Bagnaia 63, Ducati Lenovo Team, had a best lap time of 01:56:5000, #3 Fabio Quartararo 20, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, had a best lap time of 01:56:7240, #4 Franco Morbidelli 21, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, had a best lap time of 01:56:9480, #5 Mark Marquez, Ducati Lenovo Team, had a best lap time of 01:57:0420, and #6 Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, had a best lap time of 01:57:1750.
The following weekend the pre-season continued In Thailand at the Chang International Circuit with two days of testing in Buriram. Jorge Martin did not test due to his crash in Malaysia. The top rider in Buriram was Marc Marquez who ran the fastest lap ever with a 01:28.8850 lap time. No other rider broke to 01:28 barrier. With testing now over all MotoGP fans await the start of the 2025 season in Thailand in two weeks, February 28 – March 2.
The other big story from the Buriram weekend was Ducati’s decision to not use the new 2025 engine, but rather stick with their very successful 2024 motor. Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Race Team Manager, said in an interview that all six Ducati’s will have the 2024 engine. With that being said this decision puts all of Ducati’s riders essentially on the same bike, and with the advancements being made by the other manufacturers in the concession environment initiated in 2024 the competition should be fierce.
MotoGP Race Weekend #1 – Thailand
Race weekend #1 was all Marquez, all the time. Marc and brother Alex ran one and two in both the Tissot Sprint on Saturday and in the Grand Prix on Sunday, and it wasn’t even close. Over the years (I admit that) I have not been a fan of Marc Marquez, but at the same time the numbers don’t lie. Right now he is the man to beat, and if he should be fortunate enough to be in the running for the Championship late in the season then all bets are off.
On the podium for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix were winner Marc Marquez on pole, in second, Alex Marquez from second on the grid, and in third, Pecco Bagnaia from third on the grid.
Japanese rookie Ai Ogura (79-Trackhouse Racing, Aprilia) managed to have a great first MotoGP weekend when at the end of the day on Sunday he found himself in fifth (P5) overall, the best finish for a rookie in twelve years when Marc Marquez was in P3 after his MotoGP debut.
2024 Champion Jorge Martin was absent in Thailand recovering from his recent crash, and who will hopefully be on the grid in Argentina later this month. Here are the top six (6) standings after week one:
There is a long way to go in this 2025 campaign and I hope to keep you informed as the months pass by.