While all eyes were on Ducati at the Buriram MotoGP test, especially because of the choice they faced between racing the GP25 or sticking with the GP24 and looking for improvements, it was easy to miss the other big stories on the grid. Stories which directly affect Ducati, as it happens. Because unlike last year, where Ducati pretty much had a free run at the MotoGP championship, it looks like the other manufacturers have made a big step in competitiveness.
Not enough to make betting on anyone other than Ducati winning the championship look extremely foolhardy. But enough to cause Ducati more than just inconvenience. MotoGP in 2025 does not look like being a one-horse race any longer.
Stepping up
It may sound strange, but Aprilia has come out of testing quite well, despite Jorge Martin injuring himself in the first couple of hours of the Sepang test. The bike is a big step forward, which I'll come to later. But the bigger step has been for Marco Bezzecchi, who has really grown in his role as factory rider in Martin's absence.
When Aprilia hired Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, it was obvious that the factory, and indeed everyone, looked at them very differently. At the time, Martin was fight with Pecco Bagnaia for the 2024 MotoGP title, a battle he would end up winning. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was struggling with the combination of the Ducati GP23 and new Michelin rear tire.
Comments
Excellent reporting.
Thank you David.
Highside
Bez
Very happy to see success for Bez. He reminds me of #58.
In reply to Bez by Jerry Neal
Indeed
Yes, me too. Similar looks and even a somewhat similar vibe, albeit maybe not always quite as cheerful and seemingly worry-free as Sic. And that they even share the same first name makes it extra easy to feel like I'm seeing a sort of a reincarnation. Love seeing him on the Aprilia too, I was really hoping that would happen already before last year.
Aprilia really has gotten themselves some stellar new riders for this year, with both the reigning MotoGP and Moto2 champions and a promising MotoGP winner that is both Italian and (I think) popular with the fans. And Ogura's progress is impressive too! Seems like he's already on top-10 level, and hearing his comments he thinks he still has a lot to improve. That sounds promising. If he can combine that with his consistency of last year...
The buzz around Bez
Yes indeed Marco Bezzecchi is adapting well to the Aprilia.
As I had hoped when I picked him in my top five plus ➕
As Kropotkin said Bez didn't get on well with the GP23. Twelfth in the championship. Last Ducati iirc. 12 points behind his team mate & 10 points behind Aleix the Aprilia benchmark.
At the Barcelona test, first time on Aprilia, Bez was 13th and quicker than his Q time at the gp on the Ducati. Four tenths quicker than Raul the experienced. Only 0.136 slower than Jorge Martin Aprilia first timer as well.
At Sepang Bezzecchi didn't crash and tweak himself. That is a win! 9th quickest. 0.785 off the fastest; Franky Morbidelli on a good old duck. Bez's times were better than JM89 our new number One. Six tenths quicker than Ai Ogura who is going well also.
Buriram Bezzecchi was third! Beaut!
Ai Ogura closer again about six tenths off. Raul about two thirds of a second slower.
Go Marco Bezzecchi!
Bringing his Bezt
Hopefully we haven't all forgotten how strong Marco was in '23. With the experience of last year's struggles under his belt, and the increased prominence as a factory rider, I have high hopes. He seems like he can really grow into a great rider!