Marquez and Bagnaia Dominate Initial Practices Despite Challenges in Thailand
The 2025 MotoGP season began with Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez leading the practice times, followed by notable performances from Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi. Francesco Bagnaia faced challenges, finishing in 13th after having a promising lap canceled. As the competition tightens, the long-term pace suggests an exciting season ahead, with teams vying for dominance.
The opening of the 2025 MotoGP season commenced in an unexpected manner at Buriram, where Ducati’s anticipated dominance faced minor disruptions. Marc Marquez, during the first practice session, initially secured the top position with a time of 1m29.072s, only to be surpassed by his younger brother, Alex Marquez, who set a time of 1m29.020s on a similar Ducati motorcycle utilizing the previous season’s specifications.
The Marquez brothers’ rivalry continued to escalate, often marked by playful gestures of frustration. After the session, Marc Marquez acknowledged Alex’s performance, stating that it was not surprising anymore. However, circumstances altered when a lap of 1m28.891s by Marc was invalidated due to yellow flags.
The other notable riders included Pedro Acosta from KTM in third position and Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia in fourth place, alongside Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo, who finished sixth and eighth, respectively. Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning champion, faced challenges, finishing in 13th after his best lap was unexpectedly canceled due to yellow flags。
Practice statistics revealed the performance of each manufacturer, with Alex Marquez leading Ducati, followed by KTM and Aprilia. The overall performance indicated that despite Bagnaia’s struggles, his competitive pace bodes well for the ongoing season. The situation for Bagnaia was compounded by a tricky practice environment that resulted in challenging circumstances for both him and his fellow competitors.
As for long-run performance, Marc Marquez distinguished himself with an average lap time of 1m30.017s, significantly eclipsing his peers on similar tire strategies. Bagnaia expressed optimism about his race pace, suggesting that he was closing the gap to his brother despite facing difficulties with one-lap speed throughout the pre-season.
Looking ahead to the qualifying rounds, the competition appears fierce, with numerous contenders vying for positions in a tightly knit field. Joan Mir’s performance accentuated the resurgence of Honda, while Yamaha and KTM also showcased potential for strong results. Aprilia showed promise amid challenges, which could lead to a competitive start to the season, dependent on Bagnaia’s ability to improve his qualifying speed.
In conclusion, the start of the 2025 MotoGP season at Buriram presented a blend of expected outcomes and surprising twists. The Marquez brothers continue to dominate the headlines, with their rivalry emblematic of the fierce competition in the sport. As teams prepare for the upcoming qualifying rounds, the potential for a closely contested season appears promising, especially if Bagnaia can enhance his one-lap performance in tandem with his evident race pace.
Original Source: www.crash.net
