Rating the prospects of MotoGP’s 2025 rookie crop

Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer and Somkiat Chantra have a tricky act to observe once they transfer as much as MotoGP this 12 months.

Pedro Acosta raised the bar so excessive when he made his debut with Tech3 GasGas in 2024 that regardless of the trio obtain this 12 months gained’t be seen in the identical gentle.

That mentioned, all three be a part of MotoGP as race winners in Moto2, and the way they combine with the championship’s established riders will likely be fascinating to look at in 2025.

Ai Ogura

Ai Ogura is definitely the most popular prospect among the many three rookies on the 2025 grid. Trackhouse may have simply opted for an skilled rider to interchange the outgoing Miguel Oliveira, or signed the extra commercially-attractive possibility in American Joe Roberts. However group boss Davide Brivio has at all times had a watch for expertise, and by placing his religion in Ogura he has discovered one other star that might observe within the footsteps of Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Rins and Joan Mir.

The very announcement about Ogura stepping as much as MotoGP in August spurred on the Japanese teen in Moto2. Whereas a sudden droop in team-mate Sergio Garcia’s efficiency performed its half, Ogura was merely the quickest and probably the most constant rider within the second half of final season, and was capable of clinch the title with two rounds to spare.

The previous Honda protege has discovered the soar from Moto2 to MotoGP ‘simpler’ than the one he confronted in 2021 when he graduated to the intermediate class from Moto3. He spent most of pre-season testing specializing in lengthy runs, finishing two full race simulations in Sepang and emulating a dash at Buriram. On the ultimate day of the check, he unleashed the complete velocity of his Aprilia RS-GP, setting the seventh-quickest time throughout a time assault.

It wasn’t an ideal two weeks for the 24-year-old, who suffered a small crash in the beginning of the Sepang check and admitted that he wanted time to get the perfect out of MotoGP’s carbon brakes. However, his swift adaptation to the bike caught the eye of his rivals, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs within the early races of 2025 earlier than he correctly will get into the groove. With Aprilia missing continuity going into 2025 following a significant rider line-up shuffle, and Jorge Martin lacking nearly the whole lot of testing on account of an harm, Ogura may properly present the Noale-based model with a great addition.

Fermin Aldeguer

Fermin Aldeguer was set to progress to MotoGP in 2024, however was then compelled into contesting one other 12 months of Moto2

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

Fermin Aldeguer is one other rookie sure to get loads of consideration this 12 months. His type in Moto2 in 2023, together with a four-race win streak on the finish of that season, resulted in him being lured by VR46 and even Honda for an instantaneous commencement to MotoGP. Finally, his contract with SpeedUp compelled him to remain within the intermediate class for a 3rd season, however he was signed by Ducati for 2025 earlier than the primary race of the 12 months.

Mockingly, Aldeguer’s inventory would have been increased had he stepped as much as MotoGP immediately final season. In any case, his 2023 Moto2 marketing campaign was higher than his 2024 displaying by each metric. Nonetheless, with three wins and two different podium finishes, it was nonetheless a strong season for the Spaniard, who now has one other 12 months of world championship expertise beneath his belt.

Aldeguer was initially destined to hitch Pramac in 2025, however the squad’s departure from Ducati’s satellite tv for pc roster means he’ll race for Gresini as an alternative. However the family-like ambiance at Gresini may truly profit the 19-year-old in his rookie season by taking the strain away from him. Having Frankie Carchedi as his crew chief is a significant plus level, too.

Aldeguer placed on a strong present in pre-season testing, following the lead of latest group chief Alex Marquez. He was the quickest rookie at Sepang and was set to maintain his crown in Buriram till Ogura’s late heroics on the ultimate day of testing. 

Even so, Aldeguer’s efficiency in testing was spectacular, and with a Ducati GP24 beneath him, he’s the strongest contender for the rookie of the 12 months award.

Somkiat Chantra

Not a lot is predicted of Somkiat Chantra, having accomplished six years of Moto2 with a sixth-placed end within the 2023 standings being his greatest outcome

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

Somkiat Chantra faces a baptism of fireplace on his step as much as MotoGP. Contemplating Thailand’s comparatively current emergence in bike racing, Chantra’s transfer to the premier class is an achievement in itself. Nonetheless, given his lack of ends in the decrease lessons, and the truth that Honda is predicted to be among the many slowest bikes on the grid, the 2025 season is prone to be a wrestle for the 26-year-old.

To be honest to Chantra, he did win two races in Moto2, together with his dwelling occasion in 2023 with Honda Workforce Asia. That robotically places him forward of Darryn Binder, who was by far the least-qualified rider to safe a MotoGP promotion in current historical past. However it should nonetheless be an enormous process for Chantra to match the velocity of the rider he’s changing, Takaaki Nakagami, who got here near profitable races in 2020 and had been a strong performer on an uncompetitive bike ever since.

Pre-season testing went easily for the LCR recruit; whereas he languished close to the underside of the pack, his one-lap tempo was in the identical ballpark as different tail-enders. That may have definitely upset his naysayers, who anticipated him to be a second slower than everybody else.

Chantra spent six seasons in Moto2 and it wasn’t till his fourth 12 months that he gained a race. So it’s honest to say it might take him a very long time to stand up to hurry in MotoGP. However with backing from Idemitsu and blessings from Honda, time is a luxurious that he can afford.

How will the 2025 rookie class fare in MotoGP?

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures