Neil Hodgson's 2025 MotoGP season awards - Race of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Hard Charger of the Year

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TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson is here with his second column of the weekend as he looks back at the standout moments and riders of the 2025 MotoGP season. He gives us his picks for Race of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Hard Charger of the Year - with Hodgson unable to pick between two riders for that particular recognition. The final instalment of this three-part series will arrive on Sunday.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.

In his latest column, he shares his thoughts on the highlights, standout moments and riders of the year.

You can read Friday's column, including Rider of the Year and Disappointment of the Year here.

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Race of the Year - Zarco at Le Mans

The Race of the Year has to be Le Mans. Watching Johann Zarco win his home race, seven decades since a Frenchman won the premier class was something else. To be there in the biggest-ever crowd in the history of Grand Prix racing - there were about 315,000 over three days, 120,000 on race day - was incredible.

We watched the veteran win on a Honda, which never should have happened given how far behind the bike has been this year. I will never forget his celebrations. It was incredible to see his mum there, and she had never seen him race at a professional level in Grand Prix racing. To see him win in front of her, at Le Mans in the French Grand Prix - it is what dreams are made of.

‘Zarco’s wait is over! France’s wait is over!’ - Frenchman triumphs in front of home crowd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Rookie of the Year - Fermin Aldeguer

For me, the clear Rookie of the Year was Fermin Aldeguer, with the 20-year-old outstanding at times for BK8 Gresini.

The fact that he impressed is one thing, but he also won a MotoGP, which is something else. And he didn’t just squeeze or battle his way to a tight victory. Instead, he won by miles at Grand Prix Indonesia, becoming the second-youngest rider to ever win a MotoGP (inevitably, he failed to beat the record held by Marc Marquez). He had a nine-second lead at one point, which so rarely happens in MotoGP, let alone during a rookie’s maiden victory.

He’s been an absolute pleasure to watch, and I’m saying it now, he is a name we will definitely be hearing more about in the years to come.

Hard Charger of the Year - Acosta and Quartararo

I’ve found it impossible to separate my two nominees for hard charger of the year, so I’m going to give a nod to two riders.

For me, I’ve been so impressed by both Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo. The reason is obvious. They’ve both had to ride with one arm tied behind their backs, because unfortunately for them and other riders this year, the Yamaha package has just not been at the races.

Right now, they’re the least competitive manufacturer, and the fact that Acosta and Quartararo have shown up at times in the top three of various races, it’s a testament to their ability, even if neither won a race this year.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Quartararo was so unlucky at Silverstone, with a technical fault costing him what looked like a certain victory. Acosta, meanwhile, has just been a pleasure to watch this season.

It’s great when you watch a rider making the bike do things that really shouldn’t be possible. If you look at their team-mates, they’ve just obliterated them. Acosta has left Brad Binder in his wake, and both he and Quartararo need to have their efforts recognised.

Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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