The 2025 MotoGP season opened with a surprising first Friday, showcasing the competitive strengths of both Marc and Alex Marquez while presenting challenges for Pecco Bagnaia. Despite a strong practice pace, Bagnaia struggled with unfortunate circumstances, ending the session in 13th. The dynamics of Ducati’s internal rivalry will play a crucial role in this year’s championship battle, emphasizing the need for improved performance on Bagnaia’s part.
The first Friday of the 2025 MotoGP season commenced unexpectedly, despite expectations surrounding Ducati’s superteam. Unlike pre-season testing in Buriram, where Alex Marquez topped the timesheets, it was his brother, Marc Marquez, who initially led during the first practice session on Friday. Ultimately, Pecco Bagnaia emerged at the top, with both riders utilizing 2024 equipment, which contributed to their close times.
Marc Marquez secured the top position briefly with a time of 1m29.072s, only to be surpassed by Alex Marquez’s 1m29.020s. Pre-season, the brothers had a playful rivalry amid gestures of competitiveness. Despite their light-hearted exchange, the practice session became serious quickly after a late yellow flag caused Marc to lose a faster lap time, raising concerns about the impact of on-track incidents.
The Friday practice’s leading order closely resembled testing results, with notable names such as Pedro Acosta in third and Marco Bezzecchi in fourth, even after a fall. In contrast, Francesco Bagnaia experienced a troubling day, with a potentially qualifying time of 1m29.492s being incorrectly cancelled due to a yellow flag triggered during his late attempt. The day ended with Bagnaia in 13th, leaving him with considerable work ahead for Saturday’s qualifying.
According to practice data, Marc Marquez’s lap pace indicated a strong potential for the qualifying round while maintaining a good long-run pace. His average lap time was 1m30.017s, closely followed by Alex Marquez, with Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo close behind. While Bagnaia was slightly behind in terms of speed, he expressed that he had improved since recent testing.
The competitive landscape appears challenging for Bagnaia, particularly in the qualifying heat, as the group is now tougher than ever. Assessments show that while race pace seems promising, Bagnaia’s one-lap speed remains a query. His approach to the upcoming Saturday’s session would heavily rely on improving his speed to secure a better position.
The standings indicate a fierce competitive battle, especially within Ducati, as Alex Marquez continues to perform strongly on the GP24. Meanwhile, Joan Mir of Honda showed consistent form, suggesting he might present a strong challenge this year. Both Yamaha and Aprilia are also expected to contend effectively, with multiple riders showcasing exceptional race potential.
Despite a rocky start, the 2025 MotoGP season promises an engaging battle for supremacy. Ducatis’ strategy hinges on Bagnaia’s ability to enhance his one-lap speed, which is critical for establishing a strong season. Thus, both he and Marquez’s performances will be vital in shaping the narrative of this year’s championship.
In summary, the unconventional opening day of the 2025 MotoGP season highlighted the strong performances of both Marc and Alex Marquez, while Pecco Bagnaia faced challenges that marred his practice. As they prepare for qualifying, the competition among top riders implies that the championship will be fiercely contested this year. Ultimately, Bagnaia must refine his one-lap speed to enhance his standings and take advantage of the opportunities ahead.
Original Source: www.crash.net
