Jack Appleyard delighted that 122-race MotoGP rider has changed, he wasn’t ‘great fun’ to interview

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Pre-season testing in Sepang showed that Ducati are still the manufacturer to beat in MotoGP.

Ducati have introduced the GP25 to the field for their factory riders. But after testing in Malaysia, it is clear last year’s GP24 – which won 19 out of 20 races – is the bike to be on.

Gresini rider Alex Marquez topped the timesheets by a mere seven thousandths of a second over Francesco Bagnaia on Friday. Marquez’s Sprint simulation was six tenths quicker than Jorge Martin’s average Sprint time last year.

Ducati did suffer a slight setback on day one. VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio – who will have the GP25 machine alongside Bagnaia and Marc Marquez – broke his collarbone while attempting a wheelie.

In his absence, teammate Franco Morbidelli shone. And speaking on After The Flag after day three of testing in Malaysia, Jack Appleyard has noticed a welcome change in the Italian’s demeanour.

Franco Morbidelli’s personality is ‘oozing’ after not being ‘great fun’ to interview in recent years

Morbidelli will have the GP24 bike again in 2025 after switching from Pramac to VR46. The 30-year-old used his knowledge of the machine to set the fastest time in Malaysia on day two.

As Appleyard noted, Morbidelli and Marquez are ‘brimming with confidence’ on the GP24. The former in particular looks like a different character.

Appleyard admitted that the VR46 rider – who has made 122 race starts in MotoGP – has not been ‘great fun’ to interview in recent years. But his ‘monosyllabic’ persona is now starting to fade ahead of 2025.

“The GP24 this year is going to be the bike to be on, as simple as that, in the opening three or four rounds of the year before we get to Europe and the factory machines are able to develop and become more complete themselves”, said Appleyard.

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“I do feel that Marquez and Morbidelli are two names that we’re going to have to watch very, very closely indeed. The pair of them brimming with confidence, Frankie Morbidelli in particular.

“We said it yesterday, you just feel as though a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. The personality oozing off of him now is chalk and cheese to the last couple of years where, to be perfectly frank, interviewing him day after day, week after week, it hasn’t been great fun at times.

“Because he’s often not had too much to say and Frankie, as a character he’s pretty monosyllabic. But luckily those syllables are starting to gather real momentum, as is his riding as well”.

Franco Morbidelli has a real chance to win races in the early rounds of 2025

Morbidelli knows victories are ‘definitely’ possible after testing in Malaysia. The GP24’s performance shows it still can control the field even a year later.

It would be unrealistic for Ducati to find extra tenths with the GP25. But as they look to refine this year’s machine, the satellite riders have a real chance to win races.

Alex Marquez is not looking to focus on others in 2025 and rather concentrate on himself. After topping the times on day three, the Spaniard is looking to grab his maiden MotoGP win.

Teammate Fermin Aldeguer also impressed in testing for Gresini. However, it will likely take time for the rookie to grab victory in the premier class.