The important thing takeaways from 2025 MotoGP pre-season testing

MotoGP held 5 days of testing in Malaysia and Thailand in February, giving all 5 producers an opportunity to hone their new bikes earlier than the beginning of the season later this month.

The winter turned out to be a lesson in humility for Ducati, which is about to start the season in virtually the identical manner because it ended final yr: principally possible profitable and with a motorcycle that’s almost an identical.

Removed from hiding from the scenario, these on the helm of the Borgo Panigale marque have recognised the dearth of progress, conscious that the GP24 it constructed for final yr was the right bike. Nevertheless, this ‘stagnation’ at Ducati has created the right scenario for the competitors to regain floor on it for the primary time in years.

Over at Yamaha, a discrete efficiency in Buriram has raised questions concerning the extent of enchancment seen at Sepang, whereas additionally highlighting the upward development at fellow Japanese producer Honda.

Aprilia ended pre-season in a stable method, with Marco Bezzecchi trying seemingly pure whereas taking on the event of the RS-GP within the absence of Jorge Martin.

The massive unknown from the take a look at was KTM, with its two MotoGP groups nonetheless awaiting the end result of courtroom proceedings that may decide the way forward for the Austrian producer.

One of the best Marquez is again

Marc Marquez, Ducati Crew

Picture by: Dorna

Though Marc Marquez was at all times anticipated to start out the yr together with his battery recharged, particularly after securing a manufacturing facility Ducati contract following years of turmoil at Honda, the highlight was firmly on him in pre-season testing. This was both due to him leading the timesheets and his pure potential to assemble consideration, whether or not within the Sepang take a look at, in Bangkok for the season launch, or the Buriram take a look at.

Along with setting the quickest lap at Buriram, which was only a tenth slower than the all-time lap document, Marquez additionally did a 23-lap race simulation that was an actual assertion of intent.  

The winter break has been much less spectacular for his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, with mechanical issues stopping him from exhibiting his full potential. It comes after a yr during which he was capable of win greater than half the races, regardless of ending runner-up to Martin.

“I left Sepang extra relaxed than right here [Buriram],” stated Marquez. “It’s important to be robust the place your weak factors are [Sepang], and never the place you already know you’ll be good. The favorite to win right here continues to be Pecco.”

Bezzecchi takes a step ahead 

Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos

They are saying that each cloud has a silver lining, and that idiom can in all probability be utilized to Aprilia. The Noale model began pre-season within the worst potential method, with Martin getting injured on day one, nevertheless it left Thailand in a significantly better temper because of a formidable efficiency from its different 2025 recruit, Bezzecchi.

Removed from being overwhelmed by the extra accountability, the Italian handed the take a look at with flying colors. This was regardless of him by no means having taken on a growth position at a producer earlier than.

His maturity, his resolve and his pace, particularly in Thailand the place he was simply two tenths off one of the best time, made it clear that the brand new model of the RS-GP is an enchancment over the earlier bike in virtually all facets.

On the identical time, pre-season additionally confirmed that the rider who gained three races on a Ducati in 2023 is again at his highest.

“I’m pleased with how we’ve labored and the way I’ve tailored, though I nonetheless don’t have all the things fully underneath management. I’m very pleased with the bike and the engine,” Bezzecchi summed up.

Honda takes on Yamaha

Joan Mir, Honda HRC, Alex Rins, Yamaha Manufacturing unit Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Crew, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

Picture by: MotoGP

There was a jubilant environment inside Yamaha at Sepang, however one might see extra completely happy faces at Honda when testing moved to Thailand.

HRC’s lead rider Joan Mir had already left Malaysia with a smile not seen in years and issues solely acquired higher for him at Buriram. Honda is lastly exhibiting indicators of ‘waking up’ and it wants the type of sharp stiletto that Mir was when he first arrived in MotoGP and gained the 2020 championship in solely his second season.

The shortage of high pace continues to be the weakest level of an RC213V, however the bike is starting to supply extra than simply restore work for the mechanics. If his quickest lap positioned him eighth, virtually 9 tenths off Marquez, the dash simulation that he carried out places him stage with Fabio Quartararo’s Yamaha.

If this step is confirmed in 15 days, it might mark a notable rise for Honda. “I am beginning to get again the sensation I have not had for a very long time with a motorcycle that lets me experience the best way I like,” stated Mir. “That is one of the best Honda I’ve ever ridden.”

Yamaha must race

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Manufacturing unit Racing

Picture by: Yamaha MotoGP

Concessions are the right device for Yamaha because it continues to undertake profound modifications, notably with the arrival of Pramac as its satellite tv for pc crew. The M1 was clearly fast at Sepang, however its progress must be assessed once more till it achieves the identical pace in a much less beneficial setting, particularly at tracks with much less grip.

These are precisely the type of circumstances that it confronted in Thailand, the place the optimism inside Yamaha was just a little extra contained. Whereas Quartararo needed to work on a scarcity of feeling with the entrance of the bike, the general enchancment was such that Yamaha’s objective of ending inside the highest 5 not looks as if a pipe dream. Nevertheless, it should be stated such  a consequence gained’t be potential within the Thai Grand Prix. 

Quartararo continues to be lacking one thing to have the ability to fully shut the hole to the Ducatis over a single lap. Improving that aspect has to be the priority given his sprint simulation pace places him around that much desired top five.

“Now we have made a small step ahead, however these checks had been just a little extra sophisticated, particularly due to these unhealthy sensations within the entrance finish,” stated Quartararo. “I did not really feel good with both of the 2 compounds, and that had by no means occurred to me earlier than.”

KTM continues to be in its mist 

Pedro Acosta, Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos

KTM continues to be ready for the executive ruling on the restructuring of the corporate, scheduled for 25 February. The racing division, particularly the MotoGP crew, is downplaying the matter and pretending that nothing is happening.

Or, virtually. In Buriram, Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder had been the one riders on the grid who didn’t communicate to the media, in a transfer that conveyed something however tranquility. 

On observe, it was an up and down take a look at for Acosta, who was quick on a single lap (fourth, two tenths off the chief) however conditioned in his future by the efficiency of the tyres. Other than Acosta, no different KTM rider featured on the entrance.

Binder did attempt to emulate the tempo of the Spaniard, however Maverick Vinales and, above all, Enea Bastianini, continued to struggle with the RC16. 

“It’s obscure why some tyres go nicely and others go badly. It turns into a lottery. It’s not that the tyre goes badly, however that somebody will get damage,” stated Acosta.

Photographs from Buriram Take a look at – Day 2