The 2025 MotoGP test is now done and dusted and we've seen the last of the premier class bikes in action up until the season opener at Thailand. Three new rookies have now had their first full taste of the 1000cc beasts and many riders have now had time to adapt to their new machines.
Marc Marquez looks the man to beat... and Ducati's dilemma
Ducati definitely still looks like the bike you want to be on as they topped every single day of testing apart from Sepang day one. However, it looked like the GP25 machine was struggling to match the 2024 machine as Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez topped day two and three in Sepang.
The older Marquez brother topped both days in Thailand on what is now effectively the GP24.5. Ducati have opted to not use their 2025 engine and stick with a 'modified' version of what they used last season, as well as going back to some of the 2o24 aero in the most recent test.
Some would say this is a worry but I don't necessarily think it is, the GP24 was almost a perfect motorcycle and it was always going to be very hard to improve on one of the greatest machines the sport has ever seen.
The person worrying the most inside Ducati will be Francesco Bagnaia, who was over half a second off his very confident team-mate across both days in Thailand. And as we know, a confident Marquez is an almost unbeatable Marquez.
Fabio Di Gianntonio picked up an injury on the first day of the test, which means he has limited experience on the GP25 before the opening round in two weeks time. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer also looked impressive throughout the test.
Two very different tales inside the Aprilia garage
It was an absolute disaster for reigning champion Jorge Martin who crashed on the opening day of testing in Sepang, ruling him out for the rest of the test and meaning the Spaniard will have hardly any experience on the RS-GP25 at the season opener.
On the other side of the garage it's been a great start for Marco Bezzecchi, being the top non Ducati rider at both days in Buriram and looking fast. Rookie Ai Ogura also looked fast on the last day of testing and showed constant improvement throughout testing. Raul Fernandez picked up an injury on day one at Sepang, making a return in Thailand and didn't look bad despite not being at full fitness.
Overall, especially being Jorge Martin down, Aprilia look like they've closed the gap to Ducati at the top, they definitely have potential to be fighting for wins more regularly in the upcoming season.
Finally a good test for Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo stole the headlines in Malaysia, topping the first day and being near the top in the other two days at Sepang. Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller also seemed to adapt to the Yamaha quickly and also looked quick in Sepang, with specifically Miller speaking very highly of his new machine.
However, it wasn't the same for Japanese manufacturer in Thailand as they didn't quite look as on the pace due to the fact that the M1 struggled with the tyres that Michelin brought to the test.
Overall, it looks like Yamaha are going into the 2025 season as a dark horse. It's definitely safe to say that it looks like a massive step forwards for them.
Progress for Honda... but is it enough? It looks like the new concessions rules are working as Honda have also closed the gap to the top, but it doesn't look like they've made as much progress as Yamaha.
Joan Mir and Johann Zarco have both been consistently floating around the top 10 throughout both tests and have been speaking positively about the new machine.
Luca Marini has not had the pace of his ex-world champion teammate but still is speaking positively about the new bike.
Overall, Honda look far better than last season but it still looks likely that they will be finishing last in the constructors championship.
Financial issues don't seem to have affected the RC16
KTM star Pedro Acosta showed good pace throughout testing, floating around fifth place throughout the majority of the tests, being placed as the top KTM every day ahead of team-mate Brad Binder.
Newcomers Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini haven't set the world alight in the test, Vinales believes there is nothing to worry about and things will click while Bastianini is struggling to adapt to the new machine, stating he is still trying to ride it like a Ducati.
It looks like a bit of a sideways step for KTM in 2025, they still have the pace to be near the front, but will definitely be facing competition from Aprilia and Yamaha.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The season officially starts in Thailand on 28th February in Thailand as the bikes will be taking the track for the first practice session of the season.
Featured image: Red Bull
Commenti