A few rounds ago, Aragon was highlighted as the track where Marc Marquez was poised to clinch a victory aboard the factory Ducati in 2025. However, Ducati enters the Aragon GP following consecutive MotoGP losses for the first time since 2022.
The wet French Grand Prix forced Marquez into a cautious mindset just two weeks before his crash at the Spanish GP. Meanwhile, the dry but cold and windy British GP, despite favoring Ducatis, ended in a chaotic Sunday race leading to another defeat. Although Silverstone wasn’t ideal for Marquez’s riding style, his third win and extended championship lead help ease concerns over his limited mobility on his right side, a consequence of an arm injury from five years ago.
Ducati found reassurance in Marquez’s performance during Friday’s Aragon practice sessions, hinting at a return to normalcy in 2025. At one point in both sessions, Marquez was two seconds ahead of his rivals, showcasing the dominant form reminiscent of last year’s Aragon where he secured his first GP23 spec Ducati win. He was able to clock fast laps early on similar to the 2024 Spanish GP weekend, but unlike last year’s conditions with continuous rain and fresh asphalt that aided Ducati, this time such advantages aren’t guaranteed.
Marquez, the favorite since Friday’s sessions, acknowledged the need to refine his approach for the weekend to avoid repeating past mistakes.
2025 Aragon MotoGP – Fastest Practice Times:
- Ducati (Marc Marquez): 1:46.397
- KTM (Maverick Vinales): 1:46.953 (+0.556s)
- Honda (Joan Mir): 1:46.953 (+0.556s)
- Aprilia (Marco Betzecki): 1:47.222 (+0.825s)
- Yamaha (Alex Rins): 1:47.509 (+1.112s)
Marquez impressed by topping Friday practice with a 1:46.397 lap, narrowly holding off his brother Alex Marquez, who trimmed the gap to 0.204 seconds. This pace and track feel position him well for a potential seventh sprint victory in the eighth round, but Sunday remains uncertain. Marquez’s speed and tire management are strong, yet he has crashed while leading at recent races including the American and Spanish GPs. He is determined to change his Sunday race management but hasn’t specified how.
Friday Practice Analysis:
- Marquez led used tire pace with an average lap of 1:47.725 on medium rear tires over 13 laps.
- Alex Marquez’s pace was slightly slower at 1:48.206 on a similar tire run.
- Pecco Bagnaia struggled with front-end locks but kept pace near Alex Marquez’s time.
Alex Marquez found the resurfaced asphalt “even stranger” than last year, impacting his ability to match Marc’s pace. Meanwhile, Bagnaia suffered frequent front lock-ups making it a tough challenge to keep up with his teammate Marc and brother Alex.
Marquez recognizes the need to balance aggression and focus, stating he must push his limits carefully to avoid unforced errors.
KTM’s Strong Friday Showing:
After a tough British GP, KTM’s Friday session in Aragon was a bright spot, with three riders directly advancing to Q2 for the first time since last Catalonia GP. Maverick Vinales led the charge, finishing third fastest. Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder were close behind in fifth and seventh. Acosta highlighted that the low grip conditions surprisingly favored KTM this weekend.
Vinales believes he is close to the pace of Alex Marquez and optimistic about a fight for positions between third and sixth in the race. Managing rear tire wear well, KTM hopes to translate Friday’s form into strong race results, with Acosta having previous podium experience in Aragon’s low grip conditions.
Honda’s Improved Form Amid Yamaha Struggles:
Yamaha’s recent streak of pole positions seems at risk as their top rider was only 15th in practice, with Fabio Quartararo battling rear grip issues all day. Honda, conversely, is showing progress, particularly in addressing rear grip problems. Joan Mir clocked times equal to Maverick Vinales and ranked sixth overall, positioning him as a podium contender.
Honda’s bike, the RC213V, performed well in low grip conditions, partially negating its usual weaknesses. Mir expressed satisfaction with the grip improvements that could lead to consistent results. After multiple crashes throughout the season, Mir’s strong weekend could restore his confidence and solidify his standing within the Honda team hierarchy.
Fan Take:
This update is crucial for racing fans because it highlights Marc Marquez’s return to form on Ducati, signaling fierce competition ahead in 2025’s MotoGP season. The evolving dynamics among top manufacturers like Ducati, KTM, and Honda, combined with the challenges Yamaha faces, promise exciting, unpredictable race weekends that could redefine the sport’s competitive landscape.
