Neil Hodgson left baffled by 18-podium MotoGP rider’s ‘nightmare’ at Thailand Grand Prix

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The first race of the 2025 MotoGP season is in the books. Ducati rider Marc Marquez dominated the Thailand Grand Prix on debut.

The six-time MotoGP champion took pole position and commanded the Sprint race in Buriram. Marquez finished ahead of his brother Alex Marquez in second – the first time the pair finished one-two in the premier class.

Marc was surprised by Alex’s pace in the Sprint as he thought he would fade away in the race. Riding with the GP24, the Gresini rider is looking to challenge for victories as Ducati look to fine-tune the factory GP25 – or ‘GP24.9’.

In the Grand Prix, it looked like Marc Marquez would run away with the win but lost the lead on lap seven with low tyre pressure on the front tyre. He regained the lead from Alex Marquez with three laps to go and claimed the win.

Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia locked out the top three in what was a frustrating weekend for the Italian. Marquez has the upper hand over Bagnaia in the early stages, which could be critical in the battle for the title.

Yamaha were the only manufacturer to finish outside the top 10. But throughout the Thailand Grand Prix, it was clear that KTM were struggling.

Neil Hodgson baffled by Enea Bastianini’s ‘nightmare’ in the Thailand Grand Prix

KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder and Tech3 competitor Enea Bastianini grabbed points for the Austrian manufacturer in eighth and ninth respectively.

The latter endured a miserable Sprint race as he finished 18th only ahead of Somkiat Chantra and Lorenzo Savadori. He has been struggling to adapt to the KTM with Herve Poncharal saying Bastianini is riding the RC16 like a Ducati.

The 18-podium MotoGP rider claimed victory in the Sprint in Buriram last year for Ducati. Speaking on TNT Sports 2, Neil Hodgson pointed out that Bastianini was two seconds a lap slower on the KTM only four months later.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career stats

While the 27-year-old did recover in the Grand Prix to finish ninth, Hodgson was baffled by the ‘remarkable’ difference in speed Bastianini is now facing.

“A nightmare for [Tech3 teammate Maverick] Vinales and Bastianini, they just cannot get on with that KTM at all,” he said

“27 seconds in the end. Can you believe he was 27 seconds slower, two seconds a lap slower on the KTM? Remarkable.”

Neil Hodgson expects a ‘long year’ for Enea Bastianini in 2025

It was a difficult Grand Prix for KTM as Bastianini’s teammate Vinales failed to score points in 16th. Pedro Acosta – who was consistently the quickest KTM rider in pre-season – had a fall at turn one in the early stages and limped home 19th.

It is the first of 22 races in 2025 but it is clear the Tech3 riders are struggling to adapt after leaving Ducati and Aprilia respectively. Hodgson expects a ‘long year’ for Bastianini after such a decline from his Sprint win last year.

The Italian’s former manager Carlo Pernat says Bastianini is in ‘a lot of trouble’ at Tech3 with the RC16. The bike has caused issues with the rear tyre in Thailand – they will hope the problem does not persist throughout the season.

Nicholas Goyon says Tech3 riders cannot fight for top positions in 2025. It seems the team themselves are not confident for this season, spurring a difficult year ahead for Bastianini and Vinales.