Michele Masini makes ‘really exciting’ claim about Alex Marquez after he shines again at Buriram Test

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Alex Marquez has been one of the surprise packages of the 2025 MotoGP pre-season tests and has been rapid on Ducati’s GP24 bike for Gresini.

The Spaniard, who is still hunting his maiden MotoGP victory, finished eighth in the riders’ championship last year with just one podium to his name.

He was partnered alongside six-time champion teammate and brother Marc Marquez last season, who secured three victories for the Gresini team.

After leaving them for the factory Ducati outfit, Marquez may be their number one rider. They promoted rookie Fermin Aldeguer to a seat, and will need time to adjust to life in the big league.

Marquez’s Sepang race simulations were quicker than Jorge Martin’s on the same bike during last year’s race – a very promising sign for his hopes this season.

After a tricky campaign, Marquez has vowed not to repeat a 2024 mistake and focus too much on other riders as he attempts to reach the top step of the podium for the first time in his career.

Michele Masini says Alex Marquez has made a ‘really exciting’ start to 2025 with Gresini

Everyone expects the Ducati factory riders to be duelling for the championship this season, but pre-season indicates that their satellite riders cannot be ignored.

Day one of the Buriram test in Thailand saw Gresini’s Marquez on top of the times again from brother Marc on the factory GP25 bike.

By sustaining this level of pace at the season opener, he would have to be considered a title contender. It may also convince Ducati to revert to their GP24 bike, given his impressive pace.

READ MORE: How Alex Marquez’s ‘super impressive’ Sepang Test time compares to Francesco Bagnaia’s 2024 pole lap

Gresini sporting director Michele Masini has revealed the exciting feeling within their camp after a great start to pre-season.

“So far, we still confirm the good feeling that we already find in Barcelona with the bike,” he said. “Confirm it in Sepang also. At the moment, the feeling is so good.

“We already [are] still trying different setups to be prepared for the first Grand Prix. At the moment, it’s looking really exciting the beginning of this season with Alex.”

Alex Marquez beat Marc Marquez’s ‘super good’ race simulation in MotoGP test

While the Marquez brothers continue to be closely matched on track in Thailand, it should be noted that Alex was the quicker of the two in Sepang.

Marquez called his race simulation in Sepang ‘super good’ but was still five-tenths slower than Alex on a newer bike.

Ducati face a crunch engine decision in Buriram after admitting that they will be deciding which package they will adopt for the next two years on Wednesday in Thailand.

READ MORE: Alex Marquez hints that Ducati factory riders are ‘lying’ about one thing after MotoGP Sepang Test

It’s a big deal with the two-year engine freeze preventing them from developing in the future. The GP24 may be the quicker bike right now.

But with more track time and understanding, there may be more to be extracted from the GP25. It’s going to be a tough decision that could determine how open the championship will be in 2025.