Randy Mamola thinks one-win MotoGP rider has been the ‘great surprise’ of 2025 season

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The 2025 MotoGP season has seen complete domination from Marc Marquez and Ducati.

The six-time MotoGP champion has won every race thus far, outclassing his competition in Thailand and Argentina. Heading into the Grand Prix of the Americas, Marquez already has a 16-point lead over brother Alex Marquez.

While Ducati still prove to be the dominant force in the premier class, manufacturers at the back have made significant steps forward. Yamaha and Honda have used the concession system to improve their bikes after a dreadful 2024 campaign.

Honda in particular have made huge improvements. The Japanese outfit are second in the standings heading into the Americas Grand Prix.

Johann Zarco and Luca Marini both scored points in Buriram and Termas while Joan Mir finished ninth in Argentina. The Spaniard was running in the top 10 in Thailand before crashing out at the final corner.

Randy Mamola says Joan Mir has been the ‘great surprise’ of 2025

Mir said Thailand ‘confirms’ Honda’s recovery despite crashing in the race. The RC213V now looks like a bike that can regularly fight for points and even for podiums.

Zarco proved that with his performance in the Argentina Grand Prix. The Frenchman qualified third in Termas but fell behind the Ducatis in the Sprint and the main race.

Since joining in 2023, Mir has languished at the back of the field with Honda. The Spaniard has had the two worst seasons of his MotoGP career with the team, finishing outside the top 20 in the standings.

By the end of the weekend in Austin, Mir could well match his best points tally with Honda (26 points in 2023). His performances have been encouraging for Honda – and to Randy Mamola, a ‘great surprise’.

Speaking on MotoGP’s Inside The Paddock after qualifying in Austin, Mamola said: “You know the great surprise is when you see Mir doing well in the first two races.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Joan Mir from net worth to career stats

Can Honda maintain their performance and push forward in 2025?

Sylvain Guintoli has noticed ‘everybody’ at Honda is smiling after their ‘unreal’ start to the season. The Japanese manufacturer was nowhere in 2024 – now they have a bike that can be competitive.

What will be key to their success is if their riders can find consistency. Mir has only managed 12 point-scoring finishes from 40 Grand Prix starts with Honda.

The Spaniard’s accident proneness is still an issue, evidenced by his crash in Thailand while in the points. Honda will need Mir to iron this out for the rest of the season.

Furthermore, Honda ‘really needs’ to push Marini in 2025. The Italian has enjoyed a stronger start than 2024 but must find consistency on the RC213V after scoring just 14 points last season.