Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez led the Barcelona post-season test, clocking the only sub-1:39 lap of the day with a 1m38.803s. His time, just 0.15 seconds off Pecco Bagnaia’s pole from the weekend, highlighted his ability to focus purely on performance without parts development responsibilities.
His brother, Marc Marquez, debuted with the works Ducati team, finishing fourth, 0.65 seconds behind Alex. Sporting a minimalistic red suit and GP25 bike, the elder Marquez made a strong impression. Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi remarked on Marc’s early comfort with the 2025 Ducati, calling it “much easier to ride” than his previous bike.
Promising Debuts and Rookie Crashes
Newly crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin spent the day testing both the 2024 Aprilia and its 2025 prototype. After a crash at Turn 5 on the new bike, he returned with altered bodywork, finishing 11th. Meanwhile, his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, now on the Aprilia after leaving VR46 Ducati, ended just over a tenth ahead.
Fabio Quartararo led Yamaha’s efforts in sixth, while Bagnaia finished fifth, testing the striking white-liveried 2025 Desmosedici. VR46’s Franco Morbidelli placed seventh, matching strong pace on his familiar GP24.
MotoGP’s 2025 rookies showcased potential despite early incidents. Fermin Aldeguer was quickest among the newcomers, 0.4 seconds ahead of Ai Ogura and 0.7 seconds clear of Somkiat Chantra. All three experienced minor crashes, with Aldeguer breaking his bike’s screen during a messy practice start at the end of the session.
Session red flagged! 🔴
— MGP1 MotoGP (@mgp1official) November 19, 2024
Turn 5 needs clean-up after Enea Bastianini's massive crash 🔽#MotoGP #BarcelonaTest
pic.twitter.com/shQspq7biL
KTM welcomed Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales to Tech3. While Bastianini suffered a significant crash with substantial bike damage, Vinales had a tidy debut, consistently near the top 10 and finishing ahead of his teammate. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta, Binder, and their KTM squad trialed different fairings, including a striking black design. Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro impressed with his immediate pace on a new bike, running times close to Honda’s regular riders.
