By Staff Writer
The highly anticipated 2025 MotoGP season kicks off this weekend with the Grand Prix of Thailand at the Chang International Circuit, setting the stage for an intense battle among the world’s best riders. With Marc Márquez now riding for Ducati, he emerges as the top contender for the championship, but 21 other riders, including Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira, are eager to challenge for podium finishes.
New Beginnings for Oliveira
Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira embarks on a new chapter in his MotoGP career as he joins the Prima Pramac Yamaha team. This marks his sixth season in the premier class, and he is determined to make an impact alongside Australian teammate Jake Miller. This weekend’s race is especially significant for Oliveira as he celebrates his 100th Grand Prix in MotoGP. Having already secured five victories (Styria, Algarve, Catalonia, Indonesia, and Thailand) and two second-place finishes (Italy and Germany), he is eager to add more accolades to his resume.
“The start of this new season is really exciting for me. Joining the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team and beginning this adventure with Yamaha is a great opportunity. We are working hard to adapt and grow together, and I can’t wait to get on track and improve race after race,” Oliveira said. “Reaching Buriram and celebrating my 100th MotoGP race makes this moment even more special. It’s an important milestone that fills me with pride and motivates me to push even harder.”
Faster. Forward. Fearless. Franky. Fabio. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
The 2025 @motogp season is officially launched in Bangkok! 👏🏻
ขอบคุณมาก 🙏🏻#PertaminaEnduroVR46 #MotoGP #Diggia49 #FM21 #VR46 pic.twitter.com/DZVnXe04GJ
— Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team (@VR46RacingTeam) February 9, 2025
Márquez and Ducati: A Championship Formula?
One of the biggest storylines of the season is Marc Márquez’s move to Ducati. The eight-time world champion joins the reigning constructor’s champion, looking to reclaim the MotoGP title. Ducati has retained two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia but opted to bring in Márquez instead of Jorge Martín, who is sidelined due to injury.
At 32, Márquez is chasing his ninth world title and aiming to equal the legendary Valentino Rossi, who won seven MotoGP championships. The Spanish rider, whose career was nearly derailed by injuries, is determined to return to his dominant form and contend for the championship once again.
“I’m always a little more nervous for the first race of the season. It’s always a special Grand Prix,” Márquez admitted. “I’m happy to race in Thailand. We come here after a strong preseason, and we have built a good foundation. Racing is different, though—we have to pay attention to every detail. But I want to start strong and get a good result to help my season.”
Key Contenders and Challenges
While Márquez and Bagnaia are favorites for the title, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, showed promising speed in preseason testing, signaling that Yamaha could pose a serious threat. Meanwhile, KTM has managed to recover from financial struggles, but it remains uncertain whether their improvements will translate to on-track success.
Spanish rookie Pedro Acosta is also one to watch. Dubbed one of the brightest prospects in MotoGP, he will challenge the established stars, alongside experienced riders like Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini, who have joined Tech3’s satellite team.
With the race weekend format unchanged, Saturdays will feature qualifying and the sprint race, while Sundays remain reserved for the main Grand Prix. Additionally, three rookies will make their debut: Thai rider Somkiat Chantra (LCR Honda), Spaniard Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati), and Japanese talent Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia).
Full 2025 MotoGP Calendar
| Round | Date | Grand Prix | Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 2 | Thailand | Buriram |
| 2 | March 16 | Argentina | Termas de Rio Hondo |
| 3 | March 30 | Americas | Austin, USA |
| 4 | April 13 | Qatar | Lusail |
| 5 | April 27 | Spain | Jerez de la Frontera |
| 6 | May 11 | France | Le Mans |
| 7 | May 25 | Great Britain | Silverstone |
| 8 | June 8 | Aragón | Aragón, Spain |
| 9 | June 22 | Italy | Mugello |
| 10 | June 29 | Netherlands | Assen |
| 11 | July 13 | Germany | Sachsenring |
| 12 | July 20 | Czech Republic | Brno |
| 13 | August 17 | Austria | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg |
| 14 | August 24 | Hungary | Balaton |
| 15 | September 7 | Catalonia | Barcelona, Spain |
| 16 | September 14 | San Marino | Misano |
| 17 | September 28 | Japan | Motegi |
| 18 | October 5 | Indonesia | Mandalika |
| 19 | October 19 | Australia | Phillip Island |
| 20 | October 26 | Malaysia | Sepang |
| 21 | November 9 | Portugal | Portimão |
| 22 | November 16 | Valencia | Ricardo Tormo, Spain |
Excitement Builds for an Unpredictable Season
With several intriguing storylines, from Márquez’s move to Ducati to Oliveira’s milestone race and the rise of new challengers, the 2025 MotoGP season promises to be one of the most exciting in years. As the engines roar in Thailand this weekend, fans around the world eagerly await to see who will emerge victorious in the battle for supremacy on two wheels.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce trusted journalism, strategic analysis and authoritative reference content across global affairs, geopolitics, defense, science, history, technology, business, culture and sport. Their work combines accurate reporting with historical perspective and analytical depth, helping readers understand not only what is happening, but why it matters. Beyond daily news coverage, Staff Writers contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, investigative features, original research projects and long-form reports, building a comprehensive knowledge platform designed to inform, educate and preserve reliable information for a global audience.