The Albany Gazette - MotoGP champion Martin falls on Aprilia debut

Less than 48 hours after the final race of the 2024 season where Spaniard Martin claimed his first MotoGP world title on a Ducati-Pramac in a duel with double Italian title holder Francesco Bagnaia, several thousand fans gathered at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit to watch the riders' first laps on the prototypes of the motorcycles which they will use in 2025.

For his Aprilia debut, Martin was decked out in the morning with a golden helmet and star on his motorbike. Enthusiastically applauded by the crowd, he suffered his first minor fall on his new bike, and achieved the 11th best time.

However, he was a little faster than his new teammate, Italian Marco Bezzecchi (13th).

If the best time was achieved by Alex Marquez for Ducati-Gresini ahead of Frenchman Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha, the moment most awaited by the fans was to see his brother Marc Marquez, six-time world champion, climb on his new Ducati.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, third in the championship last season, is expected to challenge in 2025, but was fourth fastest on Tuesday just behind his new teammate Bagnaia.

"The feelings with the team and the motorbike have been very good. I felt comfortable right away. I have noticed the improvements," said Marquez, who raced this year with a Ducati from the Gresini satellite team, who were using the 2023 factory Ducati bike.

"I have had a jump from '23 to '25," he said.

The three MotoGP rookies -- Spaniard Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati-Gresini), Japan's Ai Ogura (Aprilia-Trackhouse) and Thai Somkiat Chantra (Honda-LCR) -- all suffered falls finishing bottom of the timesheet in 20th, 21st and 23rd respectively.

(D.Lewis--TAG)