In an unexpected start to the 2025 MotoGP season, Alex Marquez topped the Friday session at Buriram with a time of 1m29.020s, ahead of brother Marc Marquez at 1m29.072s. Francesco Bagnaia experienced difficulties, finishing 13th after his best lap was cancelled. Despite these challenges, both Marquez brothers exhibited strong race pace, suggesting an exciting competition is on the horizon.
The opening day of the 2025 MotoGP season at Buriram was marked by an unexpected performance from the Marquez brothers. Initially leading the session, Marc Marquez ultimately concluded at the top of the time sheets with a 1m29.072s, only to be surpassed by his younger brother Alex, who recorded a time of 1m29.020s on a similar Ducati setup.
Despite the competitive nature of the session, Marc Marquez expressed acceptance towards his brother’s performance, acknowledging that rivalry exists but family ties are respected. He remarked, “Of course, if somebody beats you, you are never happy; but when it’s your brother, it’s ok…The biggest surprise of the pre-season was my brother, but it’s not a surprise anymore.”
Marc Marquez’s faster lap time of 1m28.891s was cancelled due to yellow flags triggered by another rider’s crash, which significantly affected his session. The remainder of the top ten reflected pre-season testing, with notable performances from Pedro Acosta, Marco Bezzecchi, and Joan Mir, while double world champion Francesco Bagnaia faced numerous challenges, finishing the day in 13th after a cancelled lap and problems in his last attempts.
The practice also revealed competitive long run averages, with Marc Marquez demonstrating a strong pace at 1m30.017s over eleven laps, slightly ahead of his brother Alex Marquez and other top contenders. Despite Bagnaia’s disappointing placement, he expressed optimism about becoming more competitive, particularly in race pace, as he intends to overcome early season obstacles and enhance his one-lap speed.
The preliminary results suggest a tightly contested season ahead, particularly among Ducati riders as Alex Marquez displays considerable strength. With Joan Mir also revealing promising performance, the fight for qualifying positions and the potential for exciting races looms large. Each rider’s adaptability to the circuit conditions will be crucial in the days to come, emphasizing the importance of qualifying and race executions in the competition.
The 2025 MotoGP season commenced with significant performances from the Marquez brothers, who set the stage for an intensely competitive season. While Alex Marquez topped the practice session, Marc Marquez showcased strong race pace despite some setback from yellow flags. Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles highlight the unpredictability of qualifying in such a competitive field. As the teams prepare for races, the dynamics among the frontrunners signal an exhilarating championship race ahead.
Original Source: www.crash.net
