Viewed one way, it could be different year, same results for MotoGP in 2024. All five manufacturers have pushed forward over the winter months. But the established factory hierarchy remains the same if testing is anything to go by, with the all-conquering Ducati now even better and eight Desmosedicis still capable of victories.
Two of those promise to be the same as last year. Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) was coolness personified testing in Malaysia and Qatar, where he led the way thanks to shattering the previous outright lap record by an astonishing eight-tenths of a second at both tracks.
Barring some chatter issues in Qatar, last year’s rival in chief, Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati), was an able backup, with both riders complimenting Ducati engineers’ efforts at making a near-perfect bike even better. All systems normal there.
But viewed another way, there are a few reasons to think the established order is due for a shakeup in the coming months. First, Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) has made the most hyped manufacturer switch since Valentino Rossi joined Ducati in 2011.
Once up to speed (and he was already getting there at the close of testing in Qatar), and surely Marquez will start rattling the cages of the best in class. It’s a mouth-watering prospect after four below-par years.
How good will Acosta’s rookie season be? Watching Pedro Acosta’s Moto 3 campaign in 2021 was like watching someone playing a videogame with the AI difficulty set too low.
Will Binder win it, bin it, or both? Brad ‘Mr Sunday’ Binder is the molecular embodiment of the win it or bin it philosophy. Arguably the hardest-charging rider in an exceptionally aggressive grid, you can count on the KTM rider for only one thing: spectacle.
Can the Japanese manufacturers catch up this year? There’s been an unthinkable shakeup of the pecking order over the last few years in MotoGP, akin to what we saw in F1 circa 2009. The Repsol Honda was the dream ticket for decades; now it’s virtually unrideable.
In that time, Aprilia have gone from never having finished within the top five to regularly featuring on the podium, and veteran Aleix Espargaro putting together a strong 2022 championship challenge.
All will be unveiled in the opening round at Qatar this weekend.
