BME Veloce Corse

We are less than a month away from the 2025 season I want to include a new segment in my journalism. I will try to predict some of the things that we preferably would only be able to grade once the season is over. Let’s get straight to it:

Rider’s championship:

Francesco Bagnaia

In my opinion the mid-season drama, the ”decision” was mishandled by Ducati’s management. I still believe that if they wanted to bring the rider who is going to win more silverware in a factory team environment like Ducati’s, the best available option would have been Jorge Martin. This is not an easy thing to say but I am saying this objectively. I think that in the long run this will backfire for Gigi and crew.

I am sceptical about the hype surrounding Marc Márquez, sure he will be a force to be reckoned with, but the true power of his machine comes from years of developing where he wasn’t around. I also fear that his mindset might be too much for his physical state. We all know that if he sees red there’s no stopping, but this time it is different. He as any of us know this might just be his last chance to catch Vale.

Team championship:

Ducati Lenovo Team

There’s no doubt in my mind that if injuries don’t hinder this team, they will steamroll to silverware. This duo is maybe the most accomplished ever, they even get comparisons to Rossi & Lorenzo, so I think this prediction is the easiest.

Constructors’ championship:

Ducati

Day by day the group of people waiting on Ducati’s downfall grow. I haven’t got the slightest idea why… most of the time MotoGP is dominated by one constructor, Ducati’s dominance is very recent and there’s a lot work that vent into it. One thing nobody would have predicted is that after the preseason test Ducati shared, that they prefer the 2024 engine. This can will result in overall less progress, meaning that the riders won’t have to adapt to the changes as much. This will clearly benefit Diggia, who will rock the 2025 model this season.

Yamaha made the biggest jump and has Tardozzi on alert, but it doesn’t help when you started from the bottom. I think they are developed enough to really make the concessions tests count to get stronger and to bring the V configuration to life. However, the Sepang test results are bittersweet, many forget that the track always benefited Yamaha and inline engines.

KTM blew up over the off-season and sadly I meant literally. I really hope, that they can stand up from this because they have a formidable line up, a clear motive and they haven’t won a race in two years. Trust me on this one, this will change, Pedro Acosta will bring KTM a race win I can feel it.

On the other hand, Honda might be in more trouble than ever, I am not even sure Aleix can bring back the glory days from this clusterf*ck

Rookie of the year:

Ai Ogura

The pre-season test had a big surprise… Ai Ogura is a menace. He completed the most laps of any rider. He is willing to put the work in. I think his 2025 environment is the most promising. He has a teammate who is hungrier than ever, and a team principle that many wish for. Not to mention the team’s clear agenda and support from a daring company. His main rival will be Fermín Aldeguer with the superior machine, but as rookies this won’t have full effect.

As much as I love Somkiat, he will have a hard time taking Nakagami’s spot. Honda was in dire need for some refreshment in the box, but if Somkiat can end the season without a major injury I will be damned.

Best independent rider:

Alex Márquez

Hear me out on this, Alex Márquez might just be top 5, who knows what will happen with Aprilia, even with the KTM conundrum they are the most fragile team out there, 3 new riders out of 4. Pramac has to adopt to the new bike and we all know that beautiful paintjob will only shine in Q1. All of this will allow Alex to step up. He is no longer in the shadow of Enea, Diggia, or his brother in Gresini.

Best independent team:

KTM Tech 3

I know it is lame to choose Tech 3, as they are satellite on paper, but the rules are rules. KTM have announced that they will not distinguish the teams and new tech will always go to the first in the championship.

And to top it all of KTM chose a stellar duo: Maverick Viñales, the only non-Ducati winner in 2024 who is notorious for winning with 3 factories. Well he just set his eyes on the fourth one. On his side Enea “La Bestia” Bastianini who started his career on KTM and had a spectacular season even having a perfect weekend at Silverstone.

Most improved rider:

Raul Fernandez

What a rollercoaster of a year he just had. A lot given up on him already, but I think what we seen from him at Catalunya and Sachsenring were only the start. He is on a hot seat, if he doesn’t deliver, there is a long line of Moto2 riders willing to take his place. There are no more excuses left for him, if Davide Brivio can’t bring out the best of him, none can.

Bez had a season that many want to forget, he underperformed on every level and couldn’t achieve anything. However, this season he will start fresh with a factory seat on a bike I think is the easiest to adapt to. Bezzecchi looked strong in the pre-season and completed the same number of laps as Ai Ogura.

I am fairly confident that Yamaha will pull of a rebound after last season, led by none other than Fabio Quartararo. Quarta will have a real chance, to compete for podium spots.