2024 MotoGP Preview
V
iewed one way, it could be
different year, same results
for MotoGP in 2024. All five
manufacturers have pushed for-
ward over the winter months. But
the established factory hierar-
chy 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 aston
-
ishing 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.
And it's not only that. The
22-rider grid is light on new
faces. But Pedro Acosta, the
field's lone rookie, just happens
to be the most hotly anticipated
newbie since Marquez himself
took the premier class by storm
in 2013. Sealing a second World
Championship success at just
19 years and 171 days meant
it was a question of when the
Spaniard made a success of the
premier class, rather than if. But
performances both on track and
in front of the media in February
have indicated more than a few
giant killings aren't beyond him
in the 21 races ahead.
WIND
IN THE
P52
Francesco Bagnaia has been
unstoppable in testing. But
will racing be different this
year?
PHOTOS: GOLD & GOOSE
