Fabio di Giannantonio will return to MotoGP for the 2025 season opener in Thailand. The Italian rider was injured on the first day of testing in Sepang when he crashed during a practice start and broke his collarbone. Before the accident, he had completed 49 laps and was the seventh fastest rider on the track.

"I’m really happy to take this first flight to Thailand and start the new season," said di Giannantonio, who still needs to pass a medical test before he can race. "Recovery went well, I worked hard at home, and I feel ready to get back on the bike."

Since he missed the last two days of testing in Sepang and the entire Buriram test, some new technical decisions were made without him. Ducati has decided to use last year’s GP24 engine for its GP25 riders, including Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and di Giannantonio. The chassis and aerodynamics will also be used from the GP24. This means that di Giannantonio will have a completely new bike to adapt to since he raced on the GP23 last year.

"I can’t wait to start working with the team and get to know my new bike better," he said. "I’m ready and motivated. It will be a weekend of learning, and we will have to start almost from zero."

Last year, di Giannantonio finished fourth in the Thai Grand Prix, matching his best result of the season. However, he missed the final rounds of the season due to shoulder surgery.

And even though he is returning, the grid will be missing some riders. The reigning champion Jorge Martin will not race due to another injury from a training accident.

Only a few days remain until the 2025 MotoGP season begins, and the excitement is building for a thrilling year of racing.