The 2023 MotoGP season is at full fledge, with each race having an unexpected end and turn of events. There have been only 5 races so far and India will get to see the racers live in action at its own Buddh International Circuit from the 22nd to the 24th of September – for the 14th race of the calendar.
Below, we have a list of the leading 5 riders of the season as of now, and what they may have in store for us for the rest of the season. Get your racing gear on, and get into the spirit of MotoGP Bharat!
Leading the pack, we have the reigning champion, Francesco Bagnaia, more commonly known as Pecco. Pecco hasn’t been very consistent this season, finishing only 3 of 5 races, but two were on the top step of the podium. Bagnaia is riding for the Factory Ducati Racing Team and is using the Ducati Desmosedici GP22 motorcycle.
Pecco, being the previous Rider’s Champion, is one of the highly looked-at competitors this season. He has been unfortunate so far, but there are a lot more races in store before the end of the season. He is holding the lead and just has to stay strong throughout.
Marco Bezzecchi is a close second and trailing by only 1 point behind Pecco. He has won two races so far and finished 3rd in the first race of the season. Bezzecchi is riding for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team and is using the Ducati Desmosedici GP22 motorcycle.
Marco Bezzecchi is having a good season. He started the season with a podium and only has one NC (Non-Classified) Result till now. If he continues the consistency and pushes more, he will have a shot at winning the title.
Brad Binder is currently holding third place in the 2023 MotoGP standings. He has not had the best start to the season, with only one podium finish in 2nd place. He has got a lump of his points from this and two 6th place finishes. Binder races for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team and uses the KTM RC16 motorcycle.
Brad Binder finished 6th in the 2022 Rider’s Championship, so he has a good chance at a podium finish this year. He needs to strengthen his game and get into a fighting mindset to start improving.
Jorge Martín is running fourth in MotoGP’s 2023 Rider’s standings. He has won one race so far this season and has finished on the podium once. He got points finishing three races in 5th, 4th, and 2nd place. Martín is riding for the Prima Pramac Racing Team and is using the Ducati Desmosedici GP22 motorcycle.
Jorge Martin didn’t have the best previous season finishing only in 9th position. He needs to keep pushing and testing his limits as he is racing with a championship-winning team on a championship-winning bike.
Johann Zarco is right now 5th in the standings. He has not won any races so far this season, but he has finished on the podium once. Zarco is riding for the Prima Pramac Racing Team and is using the Ducati Desmosedici GP22 motorcycle.
Johann Zarco ended the 2022 Season in 8th place. He has not been pushing the bike to its limit, nor himself this time. The only way we can see him as a title contender is if he gets out of his comfort zone and take on the top riders.
Out of these top 5 riders, 4 are on the legendary Ducaties. Ducati has continued its success after winning the previous season, dominating the track this year, as well. The Italian machines are right now the fastest on the grid and only seem to be getting better as the races go by.
The MotoGP season is only down 5 races, in a calendar with 20 races. There is still a lot left to see and a lot that can happen. Still, not all riders have properly fit into the season, with tons bound to change once they all get their grip.
However, Pecco is one of the strongest title contenders as he is on one of the most capable bikes, racing for one of the most respected teams, and is one of the most skilled riders among the group.
