Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1540780
ishing reflexes adds up to a truly unique technique, and puts him out all by himself. At Honda, he took the bike with him. And at Ducati? Teammate Bagnaia has strug - gled to get the GP25 to let him ride as he likes, as it has been unstable under ultra-hard brak- ing and at corner entry. Then, at the Japanese GP, some changes appeared to have done the trick. He won both the Sprint and the feature race, starting from pole. Just like old times for the 2022 and 2023 champion. What a false dawn. Next time out in Indonesia, he went from untouchable to impenetrable, last in the Sprint, and crashing out of last on Sunday. He looked like he was on a Moto2 bike. In Australia, he was second last in the Sprint, ahead only of Marc's injury replacement, Ducati fac - tory tester Michele Pirro, and while he managed to get to 12th in the main race, it was only to crash again. Di Giannantonio did make second in Australia, but that was after finishing last Ducati in Indonesia, behind all the GP24s, and in the top 10 only because of crashes ahead of him. In Indonesia, factory design genius and race department chief Gigi Dall'Igna's face was bruised and plastered after a swimming-party misadventure (diving into the shallow end) dur - ing celebrations after winning the championship at Motegi. Did he also suffer unseen ego injuries after a bruising weekend for his GP25. It's strange to blame the bike that's dominated 2025, but that's only in the hands of Marc. Other results have been erratic at best, and dismal at worst. At Honda, Marc led develop - ment of the RC213V, which took him to multiple championship titles but became increasingly difficult and crash-prone for all other Honda riders. It suited only Marc's unique and radical riding style. Until it didn't. Dall'Igna needs to wonder whether the super-talented Marc has started to take the Ducati down the same path. At preseason tests, the GP25 showed handling and braking dif - ficulties. Several innovations were shelved before racing began. Since then, while Marc worked his magic, the others have too often followed a distinctly down - ward trajectory. For Bagnaia, it has been salu- tary. "I don't have the answers. I wish someone could tell me," he said in Indonesia. "I didn't have the same feeling as Mo - tegi." Upon arrival in Malaysia for last Sunday's race, he was philosophical. "I have to accept I could be fourth or even fifth in the championship." Already powerless to prevent Alex Marquez from running away with second, he was now under serious threat from Marco Bez - zecchi, with Pedro Acosta with an outside chance of catching him as well. Next year, the last for the 1000cc formula, is looming. With engine development frozen and testing opportunities limited (except for concession teams Honda and Yamaha), Dall'Igna, the riders, and all Ducati team - sters will be wondering how not to carry the GP25's nasty quirks into a season where the opposi- tion threatens to be stronger still. CN Dall'Igna needs to wonder whether the super-talented Marc has started to take the Ducati down the same path. At Honda, Marc Marquez led development of the RC213V, which took him to multiple championship titles but became increasingly difficult and crash-prone for all other Honda riders. Is he doing the same at Ducati? VOLUME 62 ISSUE 43 OCTOBER 28, 2025 P133