The main candidates for the MotoGP 2023 title

Not since the end of the 1990s has there been as many new features in the MotoGP record as in the 2019-2022 period where Marc Márquez, Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo and Pecco Bagnaia followed each other. Between 2012 and 2019, in the current era of 1000cc, two riders shared eight titles: Jorge Lorenzo in 2012 and 2015 and the rest belonged to Marc Márquez until an unfortunate accident at Jerez-1 changed the course of history this. . The 2023 preseason decided that Pecco Bagnaia, the man who will wear the number 1 on his Ducati, was the main candidate for the title, but the preseason ‘falsified’ the predictions several times. With the parity that had existed in previous seasons and the novelty of the additional points that sprint races would award, applications increased.

Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo)

Number nº1 is the person to lose

At the end of the recent test in Portimao, all the drivers were asked the same question: Who is your favorite for the title? And they all agreed on the same name, Pecco Bagnaia. He is the man who put the world crown at stake and considering that Ducati has signed up for all the test sessions and that he is number 1 in Borgo Panigale it is clear that he is mentioned as the main candidate. He doesn’t have to hide anymore and he can’t be beaten in a lap and rhythm, especially on the circuit where the World Championship will start, Portimao. It will be necessary to see if it immediately solves the problems of inconsistency and unforced errors that it usually accuses, especially, the first part of the campaigns.

2

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha)

The most complete in the absence of ’93’

Since it broke in MotoGP in 2019 it has been the parsley of all sauces. He started as a very fast rookie who fought for pole positions and became a success for Marc Márquez to become the reference driver in the absence of Rey Márquez due to injuries. In 2020 he led the World Championship in seven of the 14 GGPP lost due to Yamaha problems, in 2021 he took the title after leading from the third GP to the end and in 2022 he was at the top of the table the most times for the finish giving the lead to three GGPP for the finish again due to technical inferiority. For 2023 Yamaha gave him a few more weapons to fight Ducati and it showed on the last day of Portimao.

3

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda)

the return of the king’

Several years have passed since Marc Márquez did not physically complete a preseason as God commanded and since in 2015 at Honda they lost their technical course and started to mess up, he got used to throwing others with his own philosophy that ‘ big door or ambulance’ with which he continued to conquer the Titles. But in these years, sunk in the hole due to injuries, he has reflected a lot and Honda should give him a competitive motorcycle because there risking his skin is not worth fighting the Ducati Armada. He starts with a motorcycle where he hopes not to lose too much ground until Jerez and he is confident that the innovations they expect from the Honda-Kalex association will work and he will be able to refloat the ship. Once it starts dancing, it will continue to be the most complete in all conditions and all circuits. And among those on the left, even injured, he continues to win or get on the podium.

4

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati)

The ‘covered’ of Portimao

The MotoGP bullet man is Jorge Martín, who in his first two seasons has already signed 4 and 5 pole positions, respectively, from the ranks of Prima Pramac with the full support of the Ducati factory. Last year, without winning any races, he was the fourth driver to lead the most laps, so he is clearly the favorite in the Sprint Races, which will award the winner 12 points for how quickly he heats up the tire In Portimao, a circuit where he suffered a terrible accident in 2021, he kept dry, but his speed was in the top-3. In his third year in MotoGP and wanting to prove Borgo Panigale wrong that he was not selected for the official team, he is a clear candidate for the title fight.

5

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing)

before his big chance

He had a bodywork and paint session a week before the start of the World Cup due to fibrosis in his right forearm, but the most physically fit rider on the entire grid will arrive in good condition at the start of the campaign in Portimao. After settling the remaining points himself in 2022, such as winning a MotoGP race and even leading the championship, Aleix faces his big chance on an Aprilia to take a giant step forward and is in a position to contend with Ducati Armada for podiums and victories. Last year they showed their regularity, which gives them titles, now it’s time to confirm it.

6

Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo)

Cockpit in the official box

Ducati was the favorite and looked for two clear tricks in the official box. ‘The Beast’ will be an uncomfortable neighbor for champion Bagnaia, where last year he stole several wins and important points for the classification, in addition to getting on the nerves of the Ducati staff for walking with him with a knife between his teeth. For the first time Bastianini was faced with driving in the factory team and had to do development and there he was a little slow with reflexes in the preseason. At the beginning, after two years with coach Alberto Giribuola, he will have to face Marco Rigamonti who came from Johann Zarco’s box and we will see how long it will take the staff to become ‘Pro Pecco’. But if in 2022 he managed to win three races and finish third in the championship with a bike from last year, what can’t he do with the GP23 that works like a shot?

7

Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing)

Go back for your privileges

At 28 years old and with the peace of mind that comes from living his personal best stage, the sky is once again the roof of Maverick Viñales, a winning and versatile rider like few others who have managed to fight for the title with the Suzuki and Yamaha , but for different circumstances did not finish. Along with the years of the greatest glory of Marc Márquez, that the rivalry began as children, did not help either. After a full season with Aprilia where he signed his first three podiums, it was time to broaden his horizons, the new RS-GP fits him like a glove and, like Aleix Espargaró, they are an alternative to Ducati. His first goal was to become the fifth driver in history to win races with three brands after Hailwood, Mamola, Lawson and Capirossi.