Sports
2025 MotoGP Thai Grand Prix Delivers Thrilling Season Opener
The 2025 MotoGP Thai Grand Prix kicked off the season with a mix of dominance, drama, and surprises, as 22 riders battled the heat and each other on the track. Marc Marquez delivered a flawless performance, securing pole position, winning the Sprint race, and clinching the Grand Prix victory to claim a maximum 37-point haul.
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His dominance was so complete that he even had the luxury of riding conservatively to manage tyre pressure, a decision that showcased his superiority over the field. Initially, Marquez was set to receive a 9.9 due to a minor tyre pressure miscalculation by his team. However, his explanation post-race—that he intentionally rode within his limits because he was so far ahead—earned him back the 0.1 mark. As 15-time AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael often says, “If you don’t like it, you better get used to it.” Marquez’s performance suggests this season will be one of his most dominant yet.
Alex Marquez, meanwhile, had an exceptional weekend, finishing second in all three major sessions. While being beaten by his brother Marc might sting, it’s hard to fault Alex when the only rider ahead of him is a six-time MotoGP World Champion. Alex led for 15 laps during the Grand Prix, but this was largely due to Marc’s strategic tyre management rather than a genuine chance at victory. As Alex himself acknowledged, second place was the best he could achieve, and he delivered consistently across the weekend.
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Francesco Bagnaia, on the other hand, faced a challenging start to the season. His two third-place finishes might seem respectable, but by his own high standards, this was a disappointing weekend. Issues with the smaller fuel tank used in Sprint races, which have plagued him for two seasons, resurfaced, and delays during the preseason test in Thailand added to his challenges. Bagnaia has set a high bar for himself, and this weekend fell short of his usual excellence. While being overshadowed by Marc Marquez is no disgrace, Bagnaia’s performance was below his own expectations, as he admitted post-race.
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Franco Morbidelli showed significant improvement this weekend, building on his strong preseason testing form. Finishing fifth in the Sprint and fourth in the Grand Prix from ninth on the grid was a commendable effort, especially after a difficult 2024 season. However, Morbidelli’s weekend was marred by an incident in Practice where he blocked Francesco Bagnaia, earning him a grid penalty. While other riders were also slowing down at the time, Morbidelli’s tendency to disrupt others on track remains a recurring issue. Despite his strong race results, this habit continues to hold him back.
One of the standout performers of the weekend was Ai Ogura, who exceeded expectations with a stellar debut in the premier class. The reigning Moto2 World Champion finished fourth in the Sprint and fifth in the Grand Prix, marking the best rookie performance since Marc Marquez’s debut in 2013. Ogura’s adaptability and talent have been evident throughout his career, from his success in the Asia Talent Cup to his Moto2 title win. Despite his modesty about his abilities, Ogura has proven he belongs in MotoGP, outperforming all other Aprilia riders and even the non-Ducati contenders.
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The 2025 MotoGP season opener in Thailand set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating year. Marc Marquez’s dominance, Alex Marquez’s consistency, and Ai Ogura’s impressive debut were the highlights, while Francesco Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli showed there’s still work to be done. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether anyone can challenge Marquez’s supremacy.
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