While the MotoGP fans are wondering whether or not the KTM teams will be at the start of the 2024 MotoGP season, the championship is nonetheless moving forward in what is the shortest winter break in history since the last Grand Prix was held in Barcelona on November 17 (the last two tests two days later) and the Thai GP will be held on March 2.
One hundred and two days between the last GP of 2024 and the first of 2025 and just 72 from the last Valencia test to the Sepang shakedown.
Actually thanks to the new concession rules (D grade), Honda and Yamaha are not subject to this rule and in fact are continuing to test, unlike Ducati, which is the most penalized.
But it is already almost time for presentations: the first manufacturer to unveil the bikes and liveries (the latest aerodynamic innovations, however, we will see as always in Malaysia) will be Aprilia, which on January 16 in the Sky studios will sport the number 1 brought to them by Jorge Martin, who will be alongside Marco Bezzecchi. A completely new pairing.
Just two days later, on January 18, it will be team Gresini's turn to do the honors at the Imola racetrack.
Headed by Nadia Padovani, who will have Alex Marquez and rookie Fermin Aldeguer on the team.
Then it will be Ducati's turn, which, as usual, has chosen Madonna di Campiglio on January 20. Contrary to usual, the 'Campioni in Pista' show will not feature the Superbike team (SBK presentation schedule here).
The focus will therefore be all on Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, with the peculiarity for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer of not being able to have with them the world champion, Jorge Martin, who won the championship with a Ducati and then switched to Aprilia.
Since it is customary for the event to end with a skiing race, it is on this occasion that we will see the first duel between Pecco and Marc.
At this point, for the fourth presentation, that of Yamaha, we will move to Kuala Lumpur, on January 31 where at the end of the shakedown the Iwata manufacturer, together with its new partner, Pramac Racing, will field the double pairing led by Fabio Quartararo.
All over? Not at all because Dorna has decided to organize, along the lines of what F1 also does, an official presentation of the championship, this time in Thailand, in Bangkok, the date being February 9.
What is different from the previous championship? Just the uncertainty about the presence - or not - of the four KTM riders who, instead of focussing on the launch, since it had long been announced that both the factory team and Hervé Poncharal's Tech3 outfit will be sponsored by Red Bull, live in the hope simply of being there.
