Martin, Bagnaia and Marquez, it's your turn. Since 1949, never 5 World Champions at the start

After a winter break of “only” three months – it was at least five in Agostini’s time – MotoGP restarts with the first round of the 2025 world championship on the Buriram circuit in Thailand. For the first time since 1949, the “premier class” will be presenting itself with five world champions on the track: from the 2024 world champion Jorge Martin; to the eight-time champion Marc Marquez (6 titles in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 in addition to the two in 2010 in 125 and in 2012 in Moto2); to the three-time “world champion” Pecco Bagnaia (in MotoGP in 2022 and 2023 and in 2018 in Moto2); then, Fabio Quartararo (MotoGP world championship in 2021) and Joan Mir 2020 world champion, after the Moto3 title in 2017.

In total, at the start of MotoGP 2025, there are 13 world champion riders, more than half of the entire grid. In addition to Martin, Marc Marquez, Bagnaia, Quartararo, Mir, Pedro Acosta, Moto3 and Moto2 world champion in 2021 and 2023, have already worn the world crown; ditto Alex Marquez, first in Moto3 in 2014 and in Moto2 in 2019; followed by Enea Bastianini (Moto2 world champion 2020); Brad Binder (first in Moto3 in 2016); Maverick Vinales (Moto3 world champion 2013); Franco Morbidelli (2017 Moto2 world champion); Johann Zarco (Moto2 world champion 2015 and 2016); finally Ai Ogura, reigning Moto2 champion.

One of the most anticipated World Championships ever, with the spotlight on the first stage of the Chang International Circuit on February 28/March 2-3 especially on Marc Marquez, making his debut on the official Ducati, Bagnaia's teammate, expected to face the "trial by fire". In the last tests two weeks ago in Buriram, Marc Marquez gave unmistakable signals to understand the mood: great pace on the track and best time in the Combined of the four sessions with the official Red 1'28.855 (a tenth and a half from Bagnaia's 2024 record: 1'28.700). Marquez did 23 laps on an average of 1'30.378 with three laps on the high 1.29 and the others on a pace of 1'30.

And Bagnaia? Bagnaia, in the tests, continued the work he had decided to do with the team. It is not a question of "hiding" or not in the tests: Pecco did not have the goal of the "big time". That's all. Tactics? Why not! However, it is better to say: choices studied at the table with the team to focus on technical details, useful for the times in official tests from the first race. The next championship, we know, "is long and dusty" and nothing should be left to chance. Marc and Pecco are two champions, different in everything in the race and in the approach to the race. They know that both must row in the same direction, carrying the same boat forward. Then the races are the races, anything can happen and the music can also change. And it will change. The tests should not be underestimated but should always be taken with a pinch of salt. But we start again from here.

And we start with Ducati still the favorite even if the choice of the Bologna-based company to use the 2024 engine for the 2025 and 2026 seasons has caused and is causing discussion. Evidently the "old" engine offers more guarantees than the new one. And this is what matters. So are Marc Marquez and Bagnaia favorites in the race for the 2025 title? Yes. But there are other (few) riders capable of staying in the game for the top step of the final podium. Among these, above all, Jorge Martin, to say the least "luxury outsider". The reigning world champion, once he has overcome the post-crash recovery phase of the last test, will return to have his say, finding the front row in qualifying and, why not, also fighting for the top step in the race. When and how many times, we will also see in relation to the level reached by the highly anticipated Aprilia, expected to make a splash, as much as Pedro Acosta's KTM, called to make a new leap forward even if the industrial-financial situation of the Austrian manufacturer is not yet clear.

Among the most anticipated also Fabio Quartararo with the improved Yamaha, in addition to the "tricolors" Marco Bezzecchi, excellent in the last tests, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini, hoping that it is not him who pays more than others, the tilted situation of KTM. Honda still at the back of the class? Hard to say. However, it is not enough to improve by a tenth per lap when the others drop by a tenth and a half. So, Ducati dominating the championship? Ducati is certainly the bike to beat, both for the podium in every race and for the title. The gap in lap times has reduced. The watchword becomes one: no mistakes allowed. It applies to everyone.