Let's talk MotoGP: It's time to address a topic that is too often misunderstood.

In yesterday's article, I vaguely mentioned my disinterest in this end of the season. MotoGPAs a passionate fan, this year has been particularly difficult to follow, for several reasons. Yet, if we look at the facts, we've already had seven different winners, including six in the last six rounds. So, there's nothing to complain about, right? Today, I'd like to share a thought on a topic close to my heart: what makes a good race? The answer I'm about to give you is, as you've probably guessed, highly subjective. Therefore, I'd love to hear your definition in the comments.

 

These are beliefs that die hard among MotoGP fans.

 

At first glance, answering this thorny question seems easy. Many people think that all you need to do is watch the action on the track, the overtaking, the crashes.Let's say, racing in all its natural glory, without taking external factors into account. But that's unfortunately wrong. Certainly, overtaking and battles help make a race more exciting; they're a determining factor, but This is certainly not an essential condition.

 

 

To convince you of this, I invite you to watch some tests from the late 1980s.This was undoubtedly one of the finest periods in the history of the championship. You will see for yourselves that overtaking for the lead was sometimes quite rare; it wasn't as many imagine, i.e., a festival of braking, paint swaps, etc. Not at all.

Many races from that golden era featured two or three strong drivers, relentlessly following each other and battling down to tenths of a second. And this holds true for other great seasons throughout history. Take 2013 et 2015 For example, two of my favorite exercises. Back then, when Lorenzo, Rossi, Pedrosa, or Marquez won, they often did so with a significant lead. a lot aheadIt wasn't necessarily close or a nail-biter. And yet, I consider the 2015 Aragon Grand Prix to be an excellent race, just like Valencia, the final round of the season which crowned Jorge Lorenzo. This is also true in Formula 1 (Review the rounds from the 2021 season, and you'll be surprised) and in other motorsports.

 

The major difference

 

So why do I describe races without many overtakes as historic – even legendary – and the 2025 season as absolutely uninteresting? while they allow many different pilots to shine? The reason is quite complex.

The main difference, in my opinion, is that a good race fits perfectly within a broader context; it must be subject to factors that go beyond the mere 45 minutes of competition. That's all there is to it. In 2015, there wasn't much action, admittedly, but the inherent tension of the battle for the title made every start suffocating. The same thing happened in 1987 and 1989, two historic years.It was because we always saw the same actors in front that we could feel strong rivalries, which amplified our emotions and stress while watching these observation towers. Each attempt, each fall, weighed more heavily.

Lorenzo and Rossi, separated by mere tenths of a second, with nearly ten years of rivalry behind them, is more interesting to me than Alex Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi swapping first place. That's what many fail to grasp, and it's precisely why Moto3 doesn't attract more spectators. If it were simply a matter of overtaking and battling, then the smallest category would be leading the ratings! But why do people prefer MotoGP, which is less intense? Because it's the most prestigious class, where the best and most talented are; where the biggest names in the sport compete every two weeks. This means that this macroscopic aspect matters, subconsciously, to a great deal.

 

A devalued MotoGP

 

Let's now turn to the problem of having so many different winners in one year. I consider that a weak point for a seasonUnlike many fans, I wasn't impressed with the 2016, 2020, and, to a lesser extent, 2021 seasons for this very reason. After Raul Fernandez's victory in Australia, many comments criticized my lack of enthusiasm for his achievement. And I understand you, but let me explain my reasoning by going back over the points previously explained..

 

 

Why were the races of the late 1980s and early 2010s so good? Because the battles, sometimes fought remotely, pitted the best riders in the world against each other at every Grand Prix. These were true rivals, strong personalities. We weren't waiting for the Grand Prix itself, but for a new episode in the Lawson-Gardner, Rainey-Schwantz, Lorenzo-Rossi, or Rossi-Marquez saga. This tension kept me yearning during the weeks off. Before Valence 2015, I couldn't think of anything else, so much so that my physics and chemistry teacher kept asking me what was going on.The race was going to be legendary, no matter what happened. Everyone was going to follow it; it wasn't about overtaking or incredible braking. And indeed, it was. This is a perfect example of the importance of these macroscopic factors: the legendary status of the drivers involved, the ongoing rivalries, and the tension in the championship.

Now comes the 2025 MotoGP season. First, towards the end, the champion isn't there. Neither is the previous champion. Then, the one before that has serious problems with his bike. So we're seeing races won by riders with whom we haven't been able to form an emotional connection, because they aren't consistently at the front; they're constantly on the back foot. So, yes, the battle between Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta during the Sprint at Portimao was inherently beautiful. But did I feel any excitement for these two drivers? No. Because the biggest issue was simply the overtaking.

If Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta did the same every weekend, it would be better. But with so many different winners, it's impossible to maintain the same level of interest and tension. MotoGP is being devalued by the number of winners. which, precisely, dilute the emotional impact of a victoryAnother factor that doesn't help is the number of races, which is far too high, and which we will discuss again shortly.

 

Conclusion

 

In my lifetime, I've never known a more boring season than the one we're about to conclude in Valencia on Sunday night. Rest assured, I'm not such a bad audience that I believe only exercises with magnificent fights are acceptable.A tension for the title and some legends suit me. The years 1989, 2013 and 2015, among others, are exceptionsLike 1989, 2012, and 2021 in F1. I actually quite enjoyed years where only one condition was met. I have fond memories of 2019 for the battles, even if there wasn't a rival on Marquez's level and even less suspense in the title race. Similarly, I enjoyed 2022 for the tension in the championship during the second half of the season and the close battles between just a few drivers, even though there wasn't really a legendary figure at the helm.

The problem is that in 2025, there is nothing in MotoGP. No battles on the track, no tension, no grandeur, no rivalryAnd each race that comes along with a new, unpredictable winner unfortunately reinforces this theory.

What do you think of this presentation? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport