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Buriram MotoGP Sunday Race Notes, Part 2: Blisters, Settling For Third, And A Remarkable Rookie

By David Emmett |

MotoGP riders learned a new English word last Sunday at Buriram. Typical of this was Joan Mir, who had crashed out shortly after the halfway mark. "I have burns," he explained to journalists, before turning to the Honda HRC Castrol press officer to ask "como se dice? (how do you say that in English), before journalists jumped in with the word "blisters". "Ah, the tire also!" Mir joked.

Blisters were a common theme. Official air temperature of 36°C (measured in the shade) meant there was little respite for rider nor machine. The combination of blazing sun, 300 horsepower, and hot air meant that the heat produced by the engines was not being dissipated to the air, but heating up frames and chassis as well. Temperatures of metal parts were reaching nearly 100°C.

The biggest problems were frames. Riders couldn't avoid the frames, because when you are leaning a bike at a 60° angle, you are using the inside of your legs to hold onto the bike and help force it through the corner. "Honestly, I was burning myself. It was a big challenge to stay on the bike. I think it was the worst time I've had on a motorbike for this thing of the burning. I was never burning like this," Joan Mir said.

1
2025
MotoGP
Buriram, Thailand
Aprilia
Ducati
Honda
KTM
Yamaha
Ai Ogura
Alex Marquez
Enea Bastianini
Fabio Quartararo
Francesco Bagnaia
Franco Morbidelli
Jack Miller
Joan Mir
Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta
CormacGP
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Comments

That guy always seems to be in the room when something interesting is happening. Not in cars obviously, but even the fact that he seemed to walk right back into the paddock after whatever the hell that was at Alpine is indicative that he can make things happen.

I'm pretty disappointed that Martin hurt himself and that Acosta is marooned on the KTM, but I guess there'll still be few interesting stories this year.

No pun intended, but the fastest race lap times were revealing: Quartararo and Oliveira were dead last of the full-time riders, only 0.001 apart and over 1 sec slower than Marc. Only Savadori was slower. Rins was mid-pack in 13th and Miller 7th. 

Pre-season, who would have thought Miller would be the one flying the Yamaha flag while Fabio was getting the side-eye?

Mir's top 5 aspirations look very possible, with the 6th fastest race lap. Zarco 9th fastest, Marini 11th.....it's only round 1 but you could make a case that Honda have overtaken Yamaha, and the M1 is now the worst bike on the grid. 

Or is it? 

Realistically, on pure pace, they and KTM are belting each other with wooden spoons, the orange bikes lumped together 15 - 18th fastest race laps. That none of them were competitive is quite telling. It's only the scrappability of Binder and Bastianini that put the bike somewhere it really didn't have the pace to be.

Am I correct in thinking Thailand use a version of the “old” rear tyre? Not the “new and improved” uber-sticky rear that Ducati enjoyed and everyone else never quite mastered last year?

So Thailand may well be an anomaly and no reference for future rounds. But we know Ducati will only getting faster when normal Michelin service is redumed, we’re just waiting to see if anyone else has made any progress.

I think they use the stiffer rear. Funny then that KTM suffered with chatter, I thought that was only from the other higher grip construction. Last year on Sunday KTM managed a 3rd, 5th and 6th. Going on last years bike you would imagine Thailand to be perfect for the KTM. They often beat everyone on that first 100m out of slow turns. This year.....or maybe the conditions.

Maybe Miller was still riding a bit V4ish and it worked in those conditions. Zero clue. However, the idea that that race represented this season is a bit premature to say the least. Miller/Fabio being a perfect example. Do we imagine Miller will beat Fabio on a regular basis ? Do we think that Pecco is overly concerned about Alex Marquez ? According to some, Pecco is destroyed by it all and has no answer even to Alex...after one race. Given all that madness, if we take it that it is after all, only round one, why is everyone so sure Marc will run and hide ? Argentina should be a given, as should COTA and Sachsenring. Beyond that I have no idea. Everyone seems to agree that Martin has serious speed. Fair to say then that Pecco must have this too. Also, as the opening laps of Sepang last year showed, he can also mix it up hard when the pressure is highest. 

When I ponder Pecco’s reaction to Marc’s pace…..I feel it’s almost as if he-Pecco-has forgotten what Mm93 is capable of….the runs he has on the board…..and towards the end of those title wins…while riding less than first rate kit. Maybe I have too. Marc’s been injured and/or riding garbage for a few years now….and memories fade fast. Mayb it’s time to dig out some old season replays….2017 perhaps?…and remind myself of how imperious he can be.

I started watching MotoGP in 2013 after buying a motorcycle and seeing Casey Stoner drift around PI...... so I feel like I've had a front row seat to Marc's greatness. Everyone on the grid is fast but Marc is on a different tier with guys like Stoner, Rossi etc. Pecco should be grateful for the 2 chips he's had and the potential to keep riding after Marc retires. But for now...................... yea 2nd looks pretty realistic

Last year gave us hope. This year, I have to agree with Kropotkin.  I'm expecting the kind of year that will remind all (and show newer fans) the insane talent he possesses. I've dusted off my Marquez rookie hat from Indy.  I have felt since I saw him in the lower classes that he was on a level of only three riders I've had the good fortune to witness live. Stoner. OMG. Rossi in his prime. Marc. Fingers crossed that Acosta joins those ranks, for the fun it will be when he gets the good bike, but too soon to anoint. 

I

I like the comparison of Ai Ogura to Stoner's rookie year aboard the LCR Honda in 2006. I think Ogura wins before Acosta does. Like Stoner, he appears more suited to the big bikes than he was aboard the smaller machines.