impossible to pass
MotoGP riders, most of whom carry world championship titles in various classes, gather with bikes built by Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and GasGas. In every race they look to finish on the podium or in the top five. They place a heavy emphasis on a strong qualifying effort and frequently push hard in the first two or three laps of each race, whether it is the sprint on Saturday or the main GP on Sunday. Maverick Viñales of Aprilia notes that once those laps are finished, if a rider is not in the leading group, their chances of overtaking and reaching the podium drop dramatically. In his view, the starting phase defines much of the outcome.
Over the early races of the season there have been four Grands Prix and eight rounds, with notable moments and top-level names affected by the racing rhythm. Marc Márquez, an eight-time world champion, has faced setbacks along with Enea Bastianini, a breakout talent from last season, and Pol Espargaró who has returned to KTM-GasGas to bolster the squad. Other riders and teams, including Aprilia’s roster and Miguel Oliveira, have also faced the high-risk action that can occur in the opening laps of sprint races and the main event alike. The spectacle remains intense, even as some crashes have marked the early stages of these campaigns.
unfinished overtakes
From reporters across the Prensa Ibérica group to El Periódico, riders acknowledge that today’s machines are so refined, so sophisticated, so efficient, that the sport sometimes lacks dramatic overtakes. There are two main reasons for this. First, rear tire overheating can make following another rider dangerous, and second, while the aerodynamics help stability, they can also limit the visual drama of passing maneuvers.
“You play 75% of the podium on Saturday in qualifying, the remaining 25% at the start and in the first two rounds”
In Saturday afternoons qualifying, it is said, the 75 percent of a potential podium is determined, while the remaining quarter hinges on the start and the opening laps. If a rider does not reach the front early, climbing into the top five can become unlikely. Viñales stands out as one of the most consistent competitors at the season’s start, stressing the importance of the early phase.
Aleix Espargaró, a veteran on the Aprilia squad, shares his perspective from the Jerez GP. He recalls, after two laps the bike becomes difficult to ride as the front tire overheats. The strategy, therefore, is to secure a strong position early and push to stay there. He notes that riding in the back of a tight group can be a recipe for disaster, as overheating tires and limited turning can end a rider’s hopes. The takeaway is clear: advancing to the front as soon as possible demands boldness, and waiting risks everything.
When asked whether the first three laps are vital, the elder Espargaró answers with conviction: they are everything. Those early laps shape 85% of the race. In races where a rider has a natural edge like Pecco Bagnaia or a KTM with strong cornering capacity, overtaking remains possible, yet on many occasions this year the window to pass has been narrow. The same reality is observed for Yamaha and Fabio Quartararo.
“We are all very close and the start is dangerous because the first laps are done at a crazy pace.”
Jorge Martín of Pramac Ducati adds his voice: overtaking is extremely difficult, and the first two or three laps represent the optimal moment to reach the lead. As one of the fastest riders in single-lap pace and often well-positioned in Q2, Martín regularly finds himself among the top two. He notes that the start and the initial laps offer a chance to capitalize if a rival makes a misstep. The pack is tight, the speeds are extreme, and the opening moments carry substantial risk and consequence.