Marco Bezzecchi
The only thing which is clear about the 2025 MotoGP season so far is that Ducati will start the campaign at the head of the pack.
Pre-season testing proved that yet again, the Italian manufacturer should be able to claim victory at the majority of events, particularly if they maintain their advantage.
At the other end of the pack, Yamaha have made significant improvements and Honda have made some encouraging gains too.
Luca Marini has praised Honda’s excellent additions and they may have some hope of competing for places inside the top 10 on a slightly more regular basis.
After all, they have a world champion rider in Joan Mir and development is trending in the right direction. There’s no reason why they can’t have one of their four bikes in the top 10 at every event.
With the start of the 2025 MotoGP season days away, teams are already preparing for racing in Buriram. Pre-season testing suggests that both Japanese manufacturers will be in the picture more often.
Neil Hodgson tips Joan Mir to be the ‘surprise’ MotoGP rider in 2025
Mir’s last two seasons have been the worst of his motorcycle riding career to date. Across 2023 and 2024, he failed to finish higher than 21st in the championship.
34 races have yielded one top 10 finish, and a lot more disappointment on the track. Results have to improve for the Spaniard soon.
Honda engineers controlled themselves after Mir’s testing simulations showed incredibly positive signs for them over a race distance.
READ MORE: Why Honda’s lap times in private MotoGP test are worrying for Joan Mir and Luca Marini
While there are too many variables to assess the true pace, he was clipping the heels of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.
TNT Sport’s Neil Hodgson has now tipped Mir to be a ‘surprise’ in 2025, after a positive start to the year in testing.
Joan Mir shines in Buriram with surprise pace for Honda
This weekend’s season-opening race being hosted at Thailand’s Buriram circuit bodes well for Mir after his impressive running there last week.
The 27-year-old managed sixth out of 21 runners on the second and final day of testing, just over half a second behind Marc Marquez.
It may have been a statement run, or an early shot at glory, but it has raised eyebrows and put their rivals on high alert.
READ MORE: Joan Mir and Luca Marini disagree over Honda’s ‘far away’ 2025 bike after MotoGP test
Repeating that feat would hand the Japanese team a fantastic start to the season. It’s a possibility too considering that they were good in both short and long runs.
Don’t be surprised if Mir sneaks into the top 10 on Sunday, and maybe does the same on Saturday in the hot and humid conditions.
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