A new year brings new beginnings, and this is certainly true for the Moto2™ class in 2023. The field is set to be filled with new teams, riders, and numbers, providing plenty of fresh excitement in the intermediate class. As the season begins, let's take a look at what we can expect from this year's Moto2™ competition.
Rookie revelations
The upcoming Moto2™ season is set to see the arrival of nine new riders, including reigning Moto3™ World Champion, Izan Guevara, who will remain with the GASGAS Aspar Team. Sergio Garcia, who was bested by his former teammate Guevara to the Moto3™ title last season, joins the Flexbox HP40 team. Completing the trio of riders moving up is Dennis Foggia, who has signed with the Italtrans Racing team.
Joining the Moto2™ ranks from the premier class is Darryn Binder, who is set to debut in the category with the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team. Returning to Moto2™ is Lukas Tulovic, who comes back after competing in MotoE™, and earning the title of FIM Moto2™ European Champion in 2022. He will be sharing the garage with Binder at Intact GP.
Familiar names also join the grid full-time, such as Rory Skinner, who replaces outgoing Cameron Beaubier at American Racing. Kohta Nozane comes back to Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team while Alex Escrig will be racing for the MV Agusta Forwards Team and Borja Gomez will join Fantic Motor on a full-time basis after two substitute Moto2™ appearances in 2022.
Seat swappers
A number of riders have also opted for a change of scenery in 2023. One of the bigger moves from the off season sees Albert Arenas swap GASGAS Aspar for the Red Bull KTM bike under the stewardship of Aki Ajo, where the 2020 Moto3™ Champion will partner 2021 Moto3™ winner and 2022 Moto2™ Rookie of the Year Pedro Acosta.
Having ridden with Liqui Moly Intact GP during his rookie season, Jeremy Alcoba has returned to the more familiar surrounds at Gresini Racing for his sophomore year, while Lorenzo Dalla Porta switches Italtrans Racing for the Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team.
Celestino Vietti, one of the early season title favourites, will also ride under a new team moniker for 2023, as Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team in Moto2™ becomes Fantic Motor in a new collaboration.
Lucky numbers
We will also see some riders with a new number at the front of their machines, the most notable of which sees 2022 Rookie of the Year change from #57 to his preferred #37, last seen on his bike when he won the Moto3™ title. Will it prove lucky again ah contends for the intermediate class Championship in 2023?
Marcos Ramirez is the only other rider the change his number, reversing his old #42 to #24.
The Moto2™ class in 2023 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, with a host of riders ready to shake things up on the track. Reigning champions and newcomers alike will be battling it out for the top spot, with riders switching teams and returning to familiar surrounds. With so many new developments and storylines to follow, the upcoming season is sure to be filled with surprises, drama and thrilling racing.