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/1516895
the best part of 11 years, to one that's completely new. Crucially, his crew of 11 years that also served as his support network during race weekends, has remained at Honda, except for Tire Technician Javi Oritz. And he's up against a host of Ducati men at the top of their game, with Bagnaia, in particular, rid - ing with the weight of the factory behind him. Such differences can be telling over a long season. But Marquez had gotten the hang of the year-old GP23 by his fourth day on the bike. Enea Bastianini (2022) and Marco Bezzec - chi (2023) have proved it's possible to fight for the title in satellite teams on year-old machinery in the past two years. And watching as he attempts to assert himself over his younger rivals should set the pulse racing. Many have com - mented that MotoGP has be- come too nice over recent years, too friendly. Marquez fighting at the front will change all that. And Martin is expecting him to be a contender from the very start. "He will be really close and maybe ready for the victory in Qatar," said the Pramac man. Don't bet against it. PEDRO ACOSTA: FASTER SOONER RATHER THAN LATER We may be getting ahead of our- selves by mentioning Acosta has 10 races to beat Marc Marquez's record of youngest rider to ever win a premier class race (20 years, 266 days). Yet his adaptation until now has been stunning. The 19-year- old hasn't just been fast (ninth at Sepang) but consistent as well (just 3.5 seconds off the fastest Sprint simulation of the Malay - sian test). More impressive still was how he took the increased media attention in stride. "Pres- sure is only a word," he said. "I've lived the last three years of my life with pressure every day—it's become quite normal." "There are some natural things in that boy which are just amazing," said Pit Beirer, KTM's Motorsport Director. "Even if you go to a wind tunnel and normally you have to school the rider what to do and not to do to find one more little detail. He just jumps on the bike and he does everything perfect there. "His time (at Sepang) was impressive. And how he spoke to the engineers (and) can announce what he wants for himself and how he wants to have his motorcycle setup, was maybe even more amaz - ing for all of us than the pure speed." Teammate Augusto Fernandez doesn't see any reason why his new teammate can't be competitive from the first race. "It's going to be sooner than later! He's going to be fast from the beginning." HONDA AND YAMAHA ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL Series organizer Dorna hopes the struggles of Yamaha and Honda will be a temporary thing after drastically revamping the Mo- toGP manufacturer concessions for 2024. So profound were the struggles of the Japanese factories in the first half of last year, there were genuine fears either—or both—could withdraw from the championship. Dorna, therefore, spent the best part of half a year negotiat - ing a new set of concessions to not only bring the ailing Japa- nese factories back up to speed, but limit Ducati's current domi- nance. Unlimited testing at any circuit, 10 engines a season, and no engine freeze from the first WIND IN THE P58 Pedro Acosta comes into the championship with every eye on him.