The 2025 season is drawing to a close, and two MotoGP giants, Yamaha and KTM, are facing a critical juncture. With only Portimão and Valencia remaining on the calendar, neither manufacturer has secured a victory. Meanwhile, Honda, once in dire straits, has already secured its survival thanks to Johann Zarco.
However, it is difficult to find words strong enough to describe the supremacy of Ducati this season.
The manufacturer from Borgo Panigale swept the board: the world title with Marc Marquez, the independent championship with Alex Marquez, the title of best rookie with Fermin Aldeguer, and 17 Grand Prix victories, not counting the Sprints — a figure that turns the competition into extras. Ducati no longer dominates: it crushes.
Aprilia Meanwhile, the revelation from Noale was a revelation. Behind the red tide, Aprilia has established itself as the big surprise of 2025.
Marco Bezzecchi acquired Silverstone, Raul fernandez shone in Australia, and both teams—factory and TrackHouse—successfully achieved numerous successes. The RS-GP even added several Sprint victories, confirming Noale's best season since its full-time return.
At the same time, Honda finds its voice again. Ironically, it was HRC, long a symbol of failure, that broke the negative spiral.
The victory of Johann zarco The moment in Le Mans resonated like a liberation — the Marseillaise played in front of a delirious crowd will remain one of the strongest moments of the year.
Joan Mir, for his part, has achieved several podium finishes and proven that the new HRC project, driven by Roman Albesianis finally starting to produce results.
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And meanwhile, Yamaha and KTM: the never-ending nightmare
The contrast is stark.
At Yamaha, fabio quartararo continues to push the M1 upwards, but the observation is recurring: lack of acceleration, unpredictable grip, capricious tires.
The adjustments to the chassis and aerodynamics have only plugged the cracks in a project that is struggling to evolve.
The motorcycle only excels at times — always thanks to the talent of the rider from Nice, rarely thanks to technique.
As for KTMThe potential is there, but the realization is absent.
Brad Binder et Peter Acosta They offered some great battles, but poor qualifying and a lack of pace at the end of the race dashed Austrian hopes.
In Mattighofen, it's tacitly acknowledged that development has slowed down after the summer break — while Ducati et Aprilia were accelerating even further.
Portimão and Valencia are therefore these brands' last two chances to avoid a complete failure. It's no longer a question of glory, but of industrial pride.
In a championship where all the other manufacturers have won, Yamaha et KTM They are now playing against time and statistics.
And at this stage, only a spark — a stroke of genius, or madness — could prevent these two brands from ending 2025 without a victory.
A scenario that would be more than just a failure: a symbolic slap in the face in an era MotoGP where Ducati dictates its law.
