MotoGP: Barcelona Test Sets the Stage for a Thrilling 2025 Season

Teams Seize Opportunity to Fine-Tune New Bikes in First Official 2025 Season Test.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for instant updates!

Just two days after the dramatic conclusion of the MotoGP season, riders hit the track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first official test session with their 2025 teams. The day was filled with excitement as fans and teams witnessed a host of changes and debuts, offering an early preview of what lies ahead in the upcoming season.  

Champions and Stars Switch Sides

World champion Jorge Martín made a high-profile debut with Aprilia, while Marco Bezzecchi joined him at the Noale factory outfit. Marc Márquez’s much-anticipated first laps on the Ducati Lenovo machine turned heads, and Moto2 graduate Pedro Acosta stepped up to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales donned Red Bull KTM Tech3 colours, and Franco Morbidelli joined the VR46 Racing Team.  

The newly launched Pramac Yamaha project also made its track debut, featuring Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller. Rookies Ai Ogura (Trackhouse), Fermín Aldeguer (Gresini), and Somkiat Chantra (LCR) completed their first official MotoGP laps.  

Marquez Brothers Shine  

Gresini’s Alex Márquez was the standout performer of the day, topping the timesheets on his GP24 debut and holding off challenges from Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo. Older brother Marc Márquez, sporting bold Ducati red for the first time, finished a strong fourth, with his final lap sparking excitement in the factory Ducati garage.  

Marc, who tested both the GP24 and GP25, quipped “Todo al rojo” (“everything on red”) as he embraced his new role at Ducati. His feedback aligned closely with Bagnaia’s, marking a promising start for the team’s two former world champions.  

Mixed Fortunes for Martín and Aprilia

Jorge Martín’s first laps with Aprilia drew smiles from the reigning champion and his crew. Testing both the 2024 and 2025 iterations of the RS-GP, Martín experienced a minor setback with his first crash on the bike while chasing Aleix Espargaró.

Despite the incident, Martín’s initial outing with Aprilia hinted at a strong future partnership. Marco Bezzecchi had a productive session, ending the day in 13th place as he adjusted to the new machinery.  

Tech Updates and Rookie Progress

KTM debuted new exhausts and aerodynamic updates, with Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder completing over 70 laps each. Acosta finished ninth, a strong start to his MotoGP career, while Binder led KTM in sixth. Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Viñales and Bastianini continued adapting to their new bikes, with Bastianini walking away unharmed from a big crash that totalled his RC16.

Rookie Fermín Aldeguer emerged as the fastest newcomer, finishing 20th, followed by Ogura and Chantra. Each rookie faced early challenges, including crashes, but gained valuable experience during their maiden outings.  

Yamaha and Honda Adjustments  

Fabio Quartararo posted the second-fastest time of the day, showcasing Yamaha’s potential resurgence. New teammate Alex Rins finished eighth as the pair tested a new chassis.  

Over at Honda, Luca Marini and Joan Mir tested new components and chassis updates, while Johann Zarco led the brand’s efforts, finishing 10th. Rookie Somkiat Chantra completed 61 laps despite an early crash, while Aleix Espargaró began his new role as an HRC test rider.  

Looking Ahead

The next official MotoGP test is set for February at Sepang International Circuit. With plenty of new machinery and fresh lineups, the 2025 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. 

As teams refine their setups over the winter, all eyes will be on how these early developments shape the battle for supremacy.