- Joined
- Mar 27, 2023
- Messages
- 1,173
- Location
- Australia
That's the way I see it to. If KTM doesn't give Acosta what he wants then someone else will
2025 Silly Season
- Thread starter mikesbytes
- Start date
Help Support MotoGP Forum:
If things go well for Marc and he really gels on the mighty Duke, then I think at his age he may want to stay on a Ducati. If things go really well I believe he could end up on the factory Ducati team.
As for Pedro he is really gonna have to shine to live up to expectations, we shall see.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2023
- Messages
- 1,173
- Location
- Australia
Apart from the weirdness of the 2024 silly season we have seen early signings in the year for the top riders, which means that teams are having to make judgement calls on the first few 2024 races plus what happened in 2023. In regards to Acosta there will be a lack of data before signing him for 2025, so does the team take a risk and sign him early or do they take the risk that if they wait then someone else will sign him?
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 12,668
- Location
- sydney australia
That is my view as well, he would probably be signed by any team which could sign him just now, but I agree it is hard to see how he can meet the sky high expectations many have for him riding for Gasgas;
Imo he can be an extremely good rider and still struggle in races to crack the top 5 riding for Herve Poncharal against 8 Ducati riders in addition to other opponents. If KTM are interested in his career longterm they need to mostly take Tech 3 out of the equation, again Imo, and make him a quasi factory rider as I have said.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2016
- Messages
- 1,532
- Location
- FNQ
I believe to support Acosta, KTM will provide him with Factory spec with upgrades throughout the season, Fernandez and Miller will be doing the donkey work of testing.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2016
- Messages
- 1,532
- Location
- FNQ
On a different note, I'll be bunkering in for cyclone Jasper tomorrow evening, as by all reports it's making a pretty good beeline to my location. Thankfully, at moment looks to be just a cat 2 system, so nothing too extreme.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2023
- Messages
- 1,173
- Location
- Australia
Brad already has a 2025 contract
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 6,002
- Location
- In Cider
I'm surprised that he only has a 1 yr contract with KTM. Unless there is something known behind the scenes. I'm guessing it;s a 1+1 (1yr Moto2, with the guarantee of MGP for yr 2). I'm still undecided on him (after all, there are plenty of riders who have dominated the lower classes only to not be as successful in MotoGP) but if he is rated that highly, you'd think KTM would like him in long term like they have Brad?
That's a good point, and as I stated earlier, GiGi may have the final call if he wants Marc on the factory bike:
Dall’Igna quizzed on Marquez in factory team, on a ‘24 bike, animosity in Italy
It is my understanding that Dallignia has considerable sway within Ducati and is seen somewhat of a god for how he has transformed the bike, and he is known to want the best riders on his bike. So, if Marc performs well, it is not beyond the realms of fantasy to see this.
I think he is going to have a lot more competition next yr.
Potentials:
Martin
Bastianini if he goes uninjured
Marquez
Bezz
Binder (if they are more consistent)
Correct. Zarco, Marini and Binder are the only 3 riders contracted for 2025 at present.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 6,002
- Location
- In Cider
Quartararo: Yamaha MotoGP team has “really short time” to convince me to stay
In Pecco Bagnaia voice: "Bye Bye Yamaha"
I cannot see him staying, purely because, even with unlimited testing and tyres now, I cannot see Yamaha improving enough in the short term. I also think Fabio is making it known he is available for other teams to start trying to entice him early.
I still think Marquez is the key to the 2025 silly season, but there will no doubt be some early signings if Fabio for example, decides to leave Yam.
In Pecco Bagnaia voice: "Bye Bye Yamaha"
I cannot see him staying, purely because, even with unlimited testing and tyres now, I cannot see Yamaha improving enough in the short term. I also think Fabio is making it known he is available for other teams to start trying to entice him early.
I still think Marquez is the key to the 2025 silly season, but there will no doubt be some early signings if Fabio for example, decides to leave Yam.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2007
- Messages
- 11,391
- Location
- Pomona NY
Totally killing me that Quartarraro didn’t bolt from Yamaha. Should have done so at the end of 2022. The guy is a major talent. He’s only 24 but obviously thinks he’ll be young and fit forever. Had he been on a KTM last year, he’d have been on the podium 8 out of 10 times. Not only is he a better rider than Pecco, he’s also just a .... of a lot more exciting to watch.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 6,002
- Location
- In Cider
I agree. Everyone seems to be on the Bagnaia bandwagon at the moment and I'm not taking anything away from him as you don't win a WC if you aren't talented, but he's been rather spoonfed in terms of opposition.
Lets see him conquer Quartararo and Marquez on competitive bikes, Binder on a better KTM and a healthy team mate (Bastianinni).
Lets see him conquer Quartararo and Marquez on competitive bikes, Binder on a better KTM and a healthy team mate (Bastianinni).
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2023
- Messages
- 1,173
- Location
- Australia
Where would Quartararo go?
While riders will move to other manufacturers we have;
Ducati: Bagnaia, Martin, Bezzecchi, M Marquez and possibly Bastainini
KTM: Binder, Acosta
So the answer seems more likely to be Aprilia who has an aging rider and Honda that has the struggling injured Mir
I'm guessing that the big names in MotoGP won't shuffle until Ducati determine their factory team riders
While riders will move to other manufacturers we have;
Ducati: Bagnaia, Martin, Bezzecchi, M Marquez and possibly Bastainini
KTM: Binder, Acosta
So the answer seems more likely to be Aprilia who has an aging rider and Honda that has the struggling injured Mir
I'm guessing that the big names in MotoGP won't shuffle until Ducati determine their factory team riders
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2007
- Messages
- 11,391
- Location
- Pomona NY
Miller, Martin, Morbidelli contracts up, end of '24. None of them have Fabio's consistency, nor have any won a WC.
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 12,668
- Location
- sydney australia
Anyone would take him ahead of Miller or Morbidelli. Not so sure about Martin, he was very impressive on a satellite team, however close his bike may have been to factory, and FQ has lost 2 titles while he has only lost one. I would see how he looks early next season.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 6,002
- Location
- In Cider
The logical answer is Aprilia, but Aprilia aren't logical. As I have stated before, Aleix will likely continue IMO despite saying he won't renew his contract when he signed his last one. Despite Vinales being pretty average (11th in 22, 7th in 23 with 1 and 3 podiums respectively), I'm sure Aprilia will continue with him because no matter what he does, people still think the sun shines out of his arse.
Repsol Honda
Mir. I think his season is going to depend on how Marini does. This is Mir's chance to step up and lead the team but if he fails (or doesn't want to?) then I can see him fighting for a Pramac or similar ride.
Factory Ducari
Bastianini is the one under pressure, I don't see Bagnaia not getting a renewal, no matter how he does. Options for the second seat if Bastianini does get the boot are Martin, Marquez, maybe Bezzechi?
Aprilia
Probably continue with both riders, they don't seem interested in winning championships.
KTM
Binder is contracted, and I don;t see Miller being there for 25. So like most people, I believe Acosta will be the preferred choise unless he has a bas rookie season, with Marquez being an option.
Yamaha.
If Fabio leaves, maybe they throw Martin a big money contract to join?
Pramac/Gresini.
I believe these will be the most desirable seats for any factory refugees like Mir and Quartararo if they leave. I think Alex M is secure at Gresini, but Marc, Franco and Martin are question marks. The other variable is potentially Marc is happy enough at Gresini that he decides to stay and with all the extra sponsorship they will no doubt get with him being there means they can likely ask for factory spec bikes for 2025?
LCR.
Zarco is confirmed, I can;t see Honda allowed Ogura to keep saying no much longer so if he doesn't take the seat in 25 then I suspect he might be done.
Gasgas will likely keep Fernandez, and replace Acosta with Miller if the former goes to factory. I'd hope they'd get another young talent but we will see. At that point Fernandez will be in his 3rd season so shouldn't need an experienced team mate.
The rest I think won't change much but if it does, won't really affect the pecking order.
At the time of writing, everyone bar Binder, Zarco and Marini have contracts up.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2007
- Messages
- 11,391
- Location
- Pomona NY
I suppose I'm thinking Martin will end up at the Factory Ducati team in 25. If that is, he learns to be a better decision maker and proves to be an asset superior to Bagnaia - which I anticipate he will. I think Fabio and Pramac would be a good match.
I do try not to engage in too much "what if" but I think it's safe to say Fabio wouldn't have lost either of those two seasons by much (if at all) had he been on a Ducati.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2007
- Messages
- 11,391
- Location
- Pomona NY
Stay safe!
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 6,002
- Location
- In Cider
I think honestly, there are a number of assets superior to Bagnaia. I want to see how he deals with a season long of pressure.
It's a long off season before the most anticipated rider move, most likely ever, so 'what ifs' are all I have.
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 12,668
- Location
- sydney australia
It couldn’t have been much closer in 2022, and whatever his machinery he had a massive lead and threw the title away. One less dnf would just about have won it for him.
2021 he had dnfs as well iirc, Mir beat him on greater steadiness not superior pace. Sure FQ would very likely have won on a Ducati.
I take your basic point though, Bagnaia’s 2 titles while not negligible don’t prove he is better than the likes of MM or FQ imo either.
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 12,668
- Location
- sydney australia
2020 I meant.
