MotoGP has been on a three-week hiatus due to the postponement of the inaugural GP of Kazakhstan. But team managers and manufacturers have been busier than ever, ensuring their rider lineups are complete for 2025.
After the confirmation of Marc Marquez joining Ducati’s factory team next year and Jorge Martin sensationally signing for Aprilia, another slew of surprise announcements came in recent weeks. First, KTM confirmed the signing of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales for its Tech3 squad. Aprilia then moved quickly to replace Vinales with Marco Bezzecchi, who will join from VR46 Ducati.
Bastianini had been keen to leave Ducati when it became clear he would not be kept in factory red next year. It’s believed that in a bid to sign Martin, Aprilia used the majority of its budget. Taking a paycut wasn’t an option for Vinales, who immediately began looking elsewhere.
KTM was delighted by the developments. Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director of the Austrian factory, said, “Looking now at the points standings, fourth [Bastianini], fifth [Pedro Acosta], sixth [Vinales] and seventh [Brad Binder] are with us. I feel it will help us to go for our big target.”
One factor that convinced Bastianini and Vinales to sign for Tech3 was the stunning early season performances of Acosta. “Pedro helped us a lot to also show the potential of Tech3—a full factory operation,” said Beirer. “I’m sure without Pedro, also, maybe we could not make or couldn’t convince the other two boys to go in that direction.”
And there will be further changes in 2025. The red of GasGas will be no more; Tech3 will be “all in orange,” once again. Beirer says there is to be no difference in machinery or factory support between all four of its riders next year. “Our goal, our dream, is still to work on that project in terms of getting four factory riders there [so they] wouldn’t really care which of the four places they would pick.”
Once that news was confirmed, Aprilia was already searching for Vinales’ replacement. “Maverick got his decision, and he was very fair on us, in telling us in advance,” said Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola. “So, from Mugello to now, not a huge time has passed, and for me it was clear the choice on Bezzecchi. I think I couldn’t have a better rider lineup for next year.”
The fact that Pramac will have neither Martin nor Marquez next year means it is edging toward a switch to become Yamaha’s satellite team in 2025.
There was also some surprise when Motorsport.com revealed Joan Mir is likely to stay at Repsol Honda next year, along with current teammate Luca Marini.
The news leaves current KTM factory rider Jack Miller short of options, with the Australian believed to be pushing for a seat at Trackhouse Aprilia next year. Even then, Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola is hoping to see the factory’s satellite squad retain current riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez for next year. “I’m a super fan of Raul,” he said. “Personally, I wanted to have Miguel in Aprilia, and still I think that Miguel in Aprilia can deliver a very good performance.”
Click here for all the latest MotoGP news.
