Let's Talk MotoGP: What's Missing from This 2025 Season Is Really Annoying

This weekend, we're preparing to contest the 12th race of the year at Brno, a historic circuit. Marc Marquez's dominance is a beautiful sight to behold, in one way, but let's not kid ourselves: this MotoGP season is sorely lacking in spectacle. And that could become a problem.

 

Nothing

 

The races follow one another and are similar. This season, we can't say that we're really spoiled by the on-track spectacle, as it's so non-existent.. It's downright difficult to determine which race was the best, because they all look the same. First, a small group forms at the front, and sometimes, a few battles keep us awake. Then, Marc Marquez sets sail, and only his brother Alex can keep up, and even then. Bagnaia, without rhythm, finishes well placed, and that's it. There is nothing incredible, no memorable image, no anthology joust. It's starting to get long.

 

 

Reasons that are difficult to understand

 

In the past I have tried to understand why, but without success.. Sometimes, aerodynamics and the prominent role of the wings are cited, which prevent riders from following each other without overheating the tires. Yes, there may be some of that, indeed, but I don't totally believe it. Indeed, 2023 was an excellent season and the bikes were already very loaded. It's a fact, there were intense fights, even with aeroSome people talk about Ducati's dominance, and that probably plays a role too. Then there are the tires, with the pressure issues... in short, I think the show is influenced by a multitude of factors. You can't point the finger at any one of them and designate it as responsible, which makes the equation even more difficult to solve.

 

Liberty Media will have to deal with this lack in MotoGP

 

The German GP was the first to be held under the auspices of Liberty Media, the new owner of the rights to the MotoGP. If the influence of the American group has been mostly limited to the promotion in Formula 1, the sporting aspect goes hand in hand, and there is no doubt that a championship in this state does not please people whose ambition is to take our discipline to another dimension. In addition, Marc Marquez, the only real superstar who wins, is already 32 years old. He will therefore not be able to accompany the potential " Liberty Media generation » who will be born soon, unlike Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris in Formula 1.

 

 

It is for these reasons that the future scares me a little. I was already very reluctant about the arrival of Liberty Media in board, and this from the announcement at the beginning of 2024Many in the paddock are happy about it, but no team manager can put themselves in the shoes of a spectator. We don't care if they earn more money or if the average 18-24 year old American girl is more interested in the sport. We have nothing to gain from it, nothing at all.

Since then, I hoped that the spectacle inherent in MotoGP would delay the radical decisions of the Liberty Media groupThe problem is that without a battle at the highest level, the likelihood of things moving even faster than expected is only increased. I'm afraid of seeing an artificial spectacle, created in a short time, to say do something. Moreover, for the moment, the change of 2027 doesn't really excite me, either technically or sportingly. So there's a chance that Liberty Media will try to find other levers to activate to boost the appeal of this championship, which equates to even more uncertainty about the identity of the sport we love so much.

 

What to do ?

 

We could try to look at specific solutions, and perhaps I'll try this exercise this summer. Finally, find a solution to these damn penalties linked to these too-low pressures, limit the aero... but my main idea concerns the calendar. I find it much too long.

 

 

F1, in the Liberty Media era, has twenty-four Grands Prix, including six Sprints. MotoGP has been following this path for several years, with a considerable increase in the number of rounds. This season alone, 22 will be on the program. I'm not that old, and yet I remember seasons with 16 races, which have long been the norm.

With the added sprints, it's unbearable for the riders' bodies. Injuries are multiplying, and The smallest of them can already make you miss three races in no time! So, and this is just my theory, I think some people are limiting themselves, preferring to play in the championship by attacking less. And they're absolutely right, they need to conserve their resources.

I realize that this will not happen, because fewer Grands Prix means less income. And in a dollar-driven society, it's a waste of time.. But hey, at least I offered it.

What do you think of the show this season in MotoGP? 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