Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1513380
VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P181 3 – BRAD BINDER KTM was the most improved bike on the grid. Binder made the most of it. His podium score was diminished by last-lap track-limits penalties—from the aggressive riding style that made him the most accomplished overtaker. Binder deserves spe - cial commendation for making top-level racing look such fun. 4 – MARCO BEZZECCHI Rossi protege shared many of Binder's characteristics and strengths. On top, he had a Ducati, best bike on the grid. Bezz's best days were astonish - ing—as in India's Sprint, forging through from 17th to fifth after a turn-one tangle. Third overall marked a fine second season for last year's rookie of the year. 5 – MARC MARQUEZ A dire season didn't detract. He gave up trying mid-season, but only after racking up a series of crashes and injuries from a bike that bit. There were still crash- es—52—the most in any class, and sometimes he couldn't stop himself, back on the podium in Japan, and in three Sprints. Moving to Ducati will surely reignite his willingness to take massive risks. And win the title? 6 – FABIO QUARTARARO Another for whom hard times and uncompetitive machinery couldn't dim his talent. The 2021 Champion deserved much bet - ter than Yamaha gave him and reliably showed his quality. He was bamboozled by the bike's inability to qualify well, and when he was behind, he couldn't use the bike's trademark high corner speed. One GP and three Sprint podiums were a poor reward. 7 – JOHANN ZARCO MotoGP's most mature rider waited seven years for his first win—in style at Phillip Island. The articulate Frenchman should prove valuable in helping Honda back to competitive stat- ure with the LCR team in 2024. 8 – LUCA MARINI Other Ducati riders were flashier, but he got stronger and earned respect with three Sprints and two GP podiums. Intelligent and analytical, these aspects caught the eye of Repsol Honda, who chose Marini to replace Marc Marquez. A risky move. 9 – PEDRO ACOSTA Youngest-ever Moto2 champ Acosta's reputation among the MotoGP riders he'll race next year could hardly be higher, with Marc Marquez predicting he'll be competitive in his first year—as Marc was—and some put Acosta in the same league. Plenty to prove in 2024. 10 – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO Fabio left everyone baffled. Fac- ing unemployment after losing his seat to Marc Marquez's, he transformed very average results over the last six races, including a perfectly judged career-saving win from Bagnaia in Qatar. But 10 is not really enough. There was at least one spare on my list and any number of near misses. The spare was another younger brother laboring under his sibling's cloud of glory—Alex Marquez—who proved after three years of decline on a Honda just what a difference a Ducati makes. From the start, he was fast, the most improved rider of the year. And doubtless a big influence in Marc's decision to join the Ducati hordes, rather than risk a KTM or Aprilia switch. Finally, Fermin Aldeguer, whose dominance of Moto2 in the later races was breath - taking. By then, however, Acosta had already pretty much wrapped up the title. CN KTM WAS THE MOST IMPROVED BIKE ON THE GRID. BINDER MADE THE MOST OF IT.