0.951s: MotoGP™ is closer than ever in 2024

motogp.com

17 May 2024

The first five GP races of the season have made history as the average winning gap is below a second for the first time ever in the MotoGP™ era

REWIND: C'est Magnifique

Relive the drama as a capacity crowd witnessed a sensational French GP last time out

The closest it got before that was all the way back in 2002, when the average was 1.259s. Including 2024, only five years in the MotoGP™ era have seen average gaps between the winner and second place after the first five rounds sit below two seconds – 2004, 2006, and 2014. Now it's less than one.

On the way to making history, we’ve been treated to some absolute stunners so far this season. We don’t need average gaps to tell us that either! Le Mans’ record-breaking crowd – plus millions around the world – watched the top three in the Championship go head-to-head in the latest incredible instalment, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) split by just 0.585s.

It was 0.446s separating Martin and Marquez in P1 and P2, and in Jerez, it was even tighter between race winner Pecco and the #93 of Marquez. 0.372s was the gap at a spellbinding Spanish GP that saw the reigning World Champion and eight-time World Champion treat us to a battle for the ages.

Prior to that, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) etched his name into the history books to become the first rider in MotoGP™ to win with three different manufacturers. But it wasn’t just any old stroll down 25-point lane. Viñales carved his way through the pack from P11 to win by 1.728s – the largest winning margin of the year so far.

How the world heard: Martin Vs Bagnaia Vs Marquez

Relive the sensational finale to the French GP as three MotoGP™ heavyweights went toe-to-toe for glory

When we visited Portugal, Martin tamed the world’s fastest rollercoaster for his first Sunday win since the 2023 Thai GP. If it wasn’t for Viñales’ gearbox issue on the final lap, the 0.882s advantage to Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) could have been closer too. Still, 0.8s is enough to keep you on your toes and then some!

2024 began with a bang in Qatar as reigning champion Bagnaia shot out the blocks on Sunday. It was a tense chess match at the front under the floodlights as rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) played glorious havoc behind, but even though it was a Pecco classic to start the year, it was close as ever. By the flag, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was just 1.329 off the reigning Champion as he and Martin put on the pressure all the way home.

Now the world’s most exciting sport heads for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Will the winning gap lower that average even more? Tune in on Sunday the 26th of May to find out!