Paddock Pass Podcast

No Marc Marquez, no Jorge Martin, no Maverick Viñales, but arguably the most inviting and open palette for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. Apart from the weather. Adam, David and Neil (on the ground in Victoria) talk you through the irresistible rise of Aprilia and Raul Fernandez, question the value of a double long lap penalty, wonder if Pedro Acosta is ever going to win a MotoGP race, and wonder what's up with Ducati.

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.

After a busy weekend in Portugal Steve and Gordo break down the action from Estoril. As usual in 2025 Toprak Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega shared the spoils. The duo will bring their title fight down to the final round of the year this weekend at Jerez and we look at how on Sunday it seemed that everyone had their own narrative to push...

There was lots to talk about. Hard racing, weight ballast petitions, the rider and crew chief market and much more. Over the course of an hour we still couldn't cover all the news so check out Patreon.com/PaddockPassPodcast for our Paddock Notes show on Thursday to hear even more from inside the WorldSBK paddock.

Phillip Island is always an amazing venue for MotoGP, and produces races to match. But with Marc Marquez absent through injury, and Jorge Martin also still out, the race itself is wide open. Adam, Neil and David discuss who they think could be strong at Phillip Island, remember their favourite races at the track, make some seriously irresponsible predictions, and discuss various bits and pieces of news that have come up over the past week.

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.

The Mandalika round of MotoGP was full of surprises: a rookie winner, a massive crash, a day of Ducati disappointment, and unexpected names battling for the podium. Neil, David and Steve break down what went on in the latest episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast.

Is Fermin Aldeguer really that good, or was it just the weird race that put him there? Why did Marco Bezzecchi end up taking out Marc Marquez, and was it stupidity or just bad luck? Where do Ducati go from here with Pecco Bagnaia, and why did they handle the kerfuffle so badly? Plus our moments of the weekend, and who we would be hiring and who we'd be firing.

A dramatic day in Japan. Marc Marquez finally got the job done, wrapping up his ninth world championship in Motegi. That had been expected, but there were surprises aplenty elsewhere.

Pecco Bagnaia took a step back in machinery to achieve his comeback, while Joan Mir proved that Honda's progress is very real in front of HRC's top brass. Adam, David and Neil discuss the impact of Marc Marquez' success and where his comeback from injury stands compared to previous MotoGP comeback stories, exlain why Bagnaia was both happy and angry post-race, and debate just how real Honda's return to the podium is.

Japan has given so much to the sport of motorcycle racing - not least some of the greatest racing motorcycles the world has ever seen - and in this episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast, David, Neil, and Adam talk through their favourite Japanese riders and recount their favourite Japanese grand prix. We also talk the MotoGP test at Misano, Marc Marquez' title options, and Alex Marquez getting a factory Ducati GP26 next season. And in addition, we have an interview with Gresini team boss Michele Masini, who talks about building a successful team, creating the right atmosphere, and where Alex Marquez' surprising and impressive form has come from in 20025.

In Misano, Adam and Neil attended the unveiling of the MotoGP Hall of Fame, an extension of the MotoGP Legends program set up to honour winners and champions in the premier class. Ad and Neil discuss the purpose of the Hall of Fame, the criteria for entry, and ask if it does a disservice to those who didn't race in the premier class. Plus they grab Freddie Spencer, Kevin Schwantz, and Dani Pedrosa for a few words to discuss how they see themselves and the Hall of Fame project.

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.

Misano produced one of the better MotoGP races, giving Adam, David and Neil plenty to talk about after the dust had settled. We discuss Marquez vs Bezzecchi, the rise of Aprilia, what direction Ducati takes now Marc Marquez is nearly champion and Pecco Bagnaia is wandering in the wilderness, and why KTM kept breaking chains in Misano. They also talk cheering crashes, pre-race pomp, the future of Misano, and their hire and fire and grades for the race.  

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.

Magny-Cours has always been a favourite track for Toprak Razgatlioglu but having dominated the French Round of WorldSBK the Turkish star now has one hand on his third World Championship. Nicolo Bulega was his closest challenger but in reality it wasn't close last weekend. A triple podium for Bimota, Jonathan Rea in the podium fight, new riders on the way...there's a lot to talk about in WorldSBK!

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.

It was the Battle Of The Marqui again, and this time it was Alex who crushed his talented sibling, delaying the inevitable championship celebration until Motegi at the earliest. Adam, Neil and David dig into why Alex Marquez was unbeatable, even by Marc Marquez, where Enea Bastianini's resurrection came from, whether KTM or Aprilia is the second best factory in MotoGP, Pecco Bagnaia's continuing travails, Honda's progress, Yamaha's V4, and whether the buyout of Tech3 led by former F1 boss Günther Steiner is a good thing or a bad thing. Plus, moments, hires and fires, and grades.

Thanks to Renthal Street and Pole Position Travel for their support for the show.