After the long Winter break the wait is now over and MotoGP has returned. This weekend MotoGP will host the Sepang Shakedown testing event as the first opportunity for certain riders to see track time on their 2025 machinery. The Shakedown was design to provide MotoGP rookies with more time on track before the Official Test begins in a few weeks time. The idea is to provide the rookies with an extra heads up on the pace and technical demands required to perform at this level.
In addition, in an effort to balance performance MotoGP also has instituted the concession rules. The concession system arose in 2023 as means to balance the playing field in MotoGP and not allow bigger teams to have a sustained advantage. Based on these allowances the Shakedown currently allows Honda and Yamaha to utilize their unlimited test days allowance to try and bridge the performance gap to their competitors. Household names such as Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller taking part in some of the Shakedown will be participating in the test.
MotoGP Rookies
Ai Ogura; Trackhouse MotoGP
Fermin Aldeguer; Gresini Racing’s
Somkiat Chantra; Idemitsu Honda LCR
In a shell shock announcement earlier this year KTM announced that the company was 4 billion dollar in debt with no way to offset the deficit. The company announced it would go through a period of self administration where they will hash out which assets are to be retained and which are to be sold off to give the manufacturer the best chance to survive. It appear that CFMoto the Chinese manufacturer that builds certain models of motorcycles for KTM may be interested in investment for a stake in the company. There are also rumors that the company has secured new funding that will help them carry on through the company reorganization.
Despite early reports that the KTM MotoGP team would forgo the 2025 season. That does not appear to be the case as the team released the 2025 liveries for riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder will assume duties on the factory team while former Ducati rider Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales will race under the Tech 3 banner.
Words from the Factory Team Riders
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “It is crazy to think that this is my sixth season in MotoGP already. To be honest 2024 was the year where I probably learnt the most. Coming into 2025 I feel that it has made me a much better rider. My goal for the season is to take what I learnt and make that step forward to fight with the guys at the front. We are not far. We finished 2nd in the Constructors championship so we have one left in front of us. When I see how hard people are working at the factory and how much energy there is behind the scenes it is clear we are going to get there.”
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “For sure, 2024 was a good year, and we still have some goals that we keep in the pocket. I learned how to control a race, and how to adapt to MotoGP. It was a dream come true coming to the factory team after being in Moto3 and Moto2. Also having Brad as a teammate and helping develop the bike will be a very good point. It will help that he has a lot of experience in the class and I think we will make a good match together.
The two main important points for 2025 will be the qualifying and then the first few laps of the race. Last year we saw that we had pace to fight for podiums or wins but we were struggling during qualifying. So, these two points will be the most important things to improve during this season.”
Words from the Tech3 Team Riders
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “I’m very curious for this season. We have to stay calm at the start because it’s important to understand the bike and the team. But I’m motivated and I think that about the third or fourth race we can be competitive. When I tried the bike I understood all the potential and it’s impressive how you can go on the edge of the corner and how the gearbox is faster, it’s so fast. So, yeah, I’m very impressed.”
Photo by Sophie Fleischer/KTM
Maverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “To wear the Red Bull KTM colors feels very good. Since I’ve been a kid I’ve seen them on motocross, on racing…so, it’s a dream team for me. My first thought of the KTM RC16 was: “wow, this is a beast, it’s fast!”. I remember in Montmelo it was very fast, and this is important in the new MotoGP era, as most of the race are the first five-six laps.
The first year when you go to a new bike, you need to be always concentrated, always open to new experiences. Every time you go to a new track it’s a completely different experience from the previous years so you have to have an open mentality and be very focused, so my objective is to be focused and to be able to perform at my maximum. The good thing is that as soon as I jump on the KTM it feels like home. It’s a bike that I like, that suits my riding style, entering the corner. So, this is a very important thing.”
Ducati Corse has announced a new partnership with Eternoo for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.
The following was not written by Speed Trap Magazine Staff
From the Ducati Lenovo Press Release
Bologna, January 28th 2025 – Ducati Corse and Eternoo are happy to announce a new and prestigious partnership. Eternoo will be an Official Partner of the Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons in the MotoGP World Championship. The Eternoo logo will be on the fairing of the bikes of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez, as well as on the arm of the Spanish rider suit.
The synergy between Ducati Corse and Eternoo arises from sharing values that have made Ducati famous all over the world: speed, performance and innovation. In the same way, Eternoo supports every day thousands of companies that build Italy fast, with competitive products, innovative services and advanced digital solutions. Both companies were born in the Emilian area: Eternoo is based in Modena, in the heart of the Motor Valley, and confirms itself as the Italian leader in its field thanks to 650 collaborators and 70 stores.
This partnership marks an important milestone for Eternoo for communicating the values shared with Ducati and attract new talents. Thanks to a huge growth plan, the company is investing in a large employer branding project, supported by a dedicated Academy. We are creating professional growth spaces for collaborators, customers, commercial partners and students, bringing together people and ideas to recruit the best sales people and managers to contribute to the transformation of the Italian building industry. Eternoo has always supported sport and the territory: like Ducati, it was born in Bologna and has its own store in Borgo Panigale, the historic headquarters of the Bolognese motorcycle manufacturer.
The start of the 2025 season is upon us and it promises to be unprecedented an full of emotions.
Words from the Team
Mauro Grassilli (Ducati Corse Sporting Director)
“I want to really thank Federico for believing in our project. We are truly happy to welcome Eternoo into the Ducati world and we are proud to have this excellence deeply linked to our territory at our side. This partnership is based on shared values that link our companies, as dedication to work and innovative vision”.
Federico Nessi (Eternoo Spa CEO)
“Eternoo is thrilled to support the Ducati Lenovo Team in the great challenges that await Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez in both 2025 and 2026 seasons. Seeing our logo alongside such a prestigious brand is a pride for all the people who work with us, and we are sure for our stakeholders too and then from customers to suppliers. We are happy to show to the public our extended logo, and the monogram that combines the ‘E’ of Eternoo (and Edilizia) with the infinity symbol, underlining how constructions could be eternal. I like to believe that our collaborators will feel like ‘Ducati riders’ every day, ready to race for facing our customers problems and win the challenges that our beautiful field presents us daily”.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP welcomed a new partnership today with the first Winter test right around the corner in 10 days time. The move will see Alpine, the seasoned automotive brand join as a main partner in the organization. Prima Pramac Racing won its first rider’s championship with Jorge Martin in 2024.
Words from the Team
Paolo Campinoti, Team Principal, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
“I am very proud of the start of this long-term collaboration with Alpine, a historic brand that is now also a major player in F1. This is the first time that a manufacturer present in the world’s premier racing series has made such an important entry into MotoGP, and the fact that it has chosen Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP to do so is proof of what we have built over these years. Pramac Racing and Alpine are two realities that live competition in a dynamic, fresh and enthusiastic way, united by a passion for challenges: the one that, after winning the Team (2023) and Rider (2024) World Championships in the last two seasons, has now led Prima Pramac Racing to join Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in a very ambitious multi-year project; and the one of Alpine, which has inaugurated its 100% electric ‘Dream Garage’ in 2024”.
Antonino Labate, Director of Sales, Marketing and Customer Experience, Alpine
“In addition to F1 and the World Endurance Championship, Alpine is strengthening its presence in Motorsport by becoming involved in the MotoGP World Championship, alongside the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team. This alliance will create new experiences for customers and fans passionate about motorsport. Alpine and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP share common values, of course, but more importantly, the same spirit. We are constantly striving for better performance”.
The unveiling of Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP will take place in just a few days, on January
31st at 19:45 local time (11.45 CET) at the prestigious W Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
with a live streaming on www.pramacracing.com and the team’s official Instagram account
(@pramacracing). This event will mark the beginning of a new era for the team as they take their
place at the forefront of MotoGP, equipped with new ambition, a strengthened partnership with
Yamaha, and the exciting backing of Alpine.
Former MotoAmerica racer Rossi Moor inked a new deal for 2025 that will see him compete in the FIM Moto2 Junior Cup in 2025. He will join Révész Racing, whose owner is Bálint Révész, , who considers the young rider one of the biggest up-and-coming talents of the moto racing world.
Moor said “I am very happy to have shown in the last two races of the FIM JuniorGP Moto2 in 2024 that I deserve a place in the team and I would like to thank the whole MMR team for the trust they have shown me for the future. My preparation program for the next season starts already next week and I am very lucky that it will all happen in Spain, where I currently live with my family and manager. I would also like to thank John and Chris Ulrich for giving me the opportunity to continue my career on the road to MotoGP. I would also like to thank Mr. Révész, Mr. Bálint and Stefano Favaro, who worked very hard to make this all happen and supported me in my racing career. Last but not least, I thank my father, my younger brother, and all members of the management.”
The 2024 MotoGP champion has been crowned. Jorge Martin did what most thought was impossible in modern MotoGP and won the championship with a satellite team. Pramac Racing claimed the championship after Jorge Martin entered the final race of the season with a 19 point lead after Francesco Bagnaia won yesterday’s sprint race. Despite finishing third in the final race of the season Martin cover the spread in points that he needed to make Bagnaia’s Double win in the Grand Prix obsolete.
Despite the failed effort Bagnaia said, “We knew from the start that it would have been difficult to turn things around, but we still did what we had to do. Jorge did a good job and the center stage is all for him today, he really is a great rider. We proved our worth this year and our numbers confirm it; in the future we will surely have to minimize the mistakes and DNFs, which are in any case a part of this sport. Each season is important and there’s nothing wrong with losing; it was still a 2024 full of satisfaction, despite the final result. We’ll give it another go next year.”
Race Results
CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 17: Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing during the Barcelona GP at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday November 17, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)
The final round of the MotoGP season has arrived after a cancellation of the season finale in Valencia due to weather. Jorge Martin comes into the race weekend with a 24 point lead in a must win situation for Bagnaia. The scenarios for Martin to win the title include many possibilities in tomorrow’s sprint race:
Barcelona Sprint Race Outcomes
| If Martin wins… | Bagnaia’s finishing position will not matter |
| If Martin finishes second… | Bagnaia must finish third or lower |
| If Martin finishes third… | Bagnaia must finish fifth or lower |
| If Martin finishes fourth… | Bagnaia must finish sixth or lower |
| If Martin finishes fifth… | Bagnaia must finish seventh or lower |
| If Martin finishes sixth… | Bagnaia must finish eighth or lower |
| If Martin finishes seventh… | Bagnaia must finish ninth or lower |
| If Martin finishes eighth… | Bagnaia must finish 10th or lower |
| If Martin finishes ninth or lower… | The title fight will continue until the grand prix |
There are 37 points up for grabs this weekend and Bagnaia will need a miracle if he is to retain the MotoGP title. If Martin finishes Saturday’s sprint race with more than a 25 point lead Bagnaia will be statistically eliminated from contention.
Practice Results
Jorge Martin extended his championship lead on Francesco Bagnaia after an early mistake saw Bagnaia crash out of the sprint. Bagnaia lost the front end from P2 behind Martin who never looked back after getting past the pole sitter Bagnaia. The crash is a very costly one, as every point lost at this stage of the season is another lost opportunity for Bganaia to climb out of the point deficit to Martin. Martin currently holds a 29 point lead heading into Sunday’s grand prix.
With the next round in limbo the championship may have been decided today as the final round of the season has been cancelled due to ongoing challenges with flooding in Valencia. A replacement race has not yet been announced. With the decision to extend the season in limbo Bagnaia’s crash has all but sealed the championship for Martin. Logistically without a confirmed race for the season finale many will argue that a replacement race may not be feasible given the time constraints. We will report back on these findings as they come to light.
Sepang Sprint Race Results
The following press release was not written by Speed Trap Magazine Staff
From MotoGP and Dorna
MotoGP™ stands with the Community of Valencia following the devastating floods that have affected the area. Our hearts are with all those who have been lost and those who have lost so much.
We have been in constant contact with the local authorities and the circuit to best assess how we can help and how we should proceed. We have a responsibility to every region where we race that goes far beyond the sport and the events.
After carefully weighing up the potential positive impact of MotoGP™ racing in Valencia on delayed dates versus ensuring no single resource is diverted from the recovery efforts by the presence of MotoGP™ , the championship and local authorities have been obliged to cancel the 2024 Valencia GP.
In lieu of racing in Valencia, MotoGP™ will instead race for Valencia. The championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place to ensure our positive impact can connect with the area in the way it best serves the people and communities we have been part of for so long.
Our efforts will begin during the Malaysian GP and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed.
Fans around the world, our athletes, and paddock deserve a sporting finale to the 2024 season, and one that can make a key contribution to supporting the communities we race in.
Any further information regarding the season finale will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Francesco Bagnaia wowed the masses after a brilliant performance in the Thai grand prix this afternoon in wet conditions. Bagnaia battled it out with Marc Marquez at the front until catastrophe ended Marquez’s race allowing Jorge Martin to inherit P2. Bagnaia won the race by 3 seconds. He said, “This morning, after the warm-up, I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t worried, though, because I knew we had the potential to do well, but we had to fix something in terms of bike behavior under braking: we managed to do so, and I felt better straight away. When Jorge tried to pull away early on, I chose to wait a couple of laps as I had noticed that he was taking many risks. The battle with Marc (Márquez was really good and before his crash, we were really lapping at an incredible pace. I’d like to dedicate this win to the team, because as usual they have done a fantastic job.”
Jorge Martin had brief words after the race. “I felt really good in the warm-up and was ready for the race. I got off to a really good start, but at some point, I felt the front of my bike closing up…I managed to save it, although I lost two positions. After that, I did my best to maintain the gap with the riders behind, taking many risks. I’m happy with this second place, even if I lost five points in the championship, but I’m already the best independent rider, for the second year in a row.”
Martin still leads the MotoGP championship and talks of championship clinching scenarios are already flying. Martin holds a 17 point lead over Bagnaia. The riders get back to it in Malaysia next weekend.
Full Race Results