The 2023 MotoGP™ season is around the corner and questions are yet to be answered. Tensions are always high at the season opener, even more so ahead of the 2023 Grand Prix of Portugal, as the teams and riders prepare for the first European season opener since 2006. The many technical challenges that the picturesque Portimao circuit entails, coupled with the unaccustomed MotoGP™ Sprint Races gives the riders a very different start to the MotoGP™ season. With it all to play for, we assess all the factors to be considered in MotoGP™ Fantasy, taking into account preseason testing, past results, and who's coming into 2023 on form.
Who's looking good after preseason testing?
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) goes into 2023 with the champions plate on his bike and a target on his back, as he showed an incredibly strong preseason test at the Portimao Circuit. Priced at $3.5m, his form is an invaluable asset to your MotoGP™ Fantasy team.
Whilst Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) didn't enjoy the preseason quite as much onboard his Yamaha M1, the flying Frenchman is always a safe bet in Portugal having taken 3rd spot in the test and tasted victory at Portimao in 2022. Priced at $3.4m, Quartararo brings an element of risk if you're gunning for glory, but saving $0.1m could give you the opportunity for a more all-rounded team.
Looking for that 2nd Gold Rider can prove to be a tricky task, but there are some strong options on the table. You can never discount the Beast Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) from bringing home a solid result, who will compete in Ducati red for the first time. Equally, Aprilia's Captain Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will be hungry to taste the champagne again in 2023. Both riders proving solid options after their preseason efforts and both are available for 3.2m.
Equally, if you're looking to hold back on the spending, there are some solid options in the satellite teams, with the two Prima Pramac Racing riders, Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco looking strong for $2.6m and $2.5m.
Also, the 2022 Rookie of The Year, Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and the homeland hero Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) both gelled well with their 2023 machinery and are both priced at just $2.2m. Also equally good options as Silver Riders.
To Ducati or not to Ducati? That is the question…
If testing is anything to go by, Ducati looks a cut above the rest ahead of the 2023 MotoGP™ season, but that does also reflect in their MotoGP™ Fantasy price at $3.3m ($0.5m more than the rest). However, for that price you are almost guaranteed a good score with 8 bikes on the grid, 7 of them in the top 10 after testing.
With Honda, Aprilia, and KTM all priced at $2.7m, a good option for those not willing to spend $3.3m would be Aprilia. With their new satellite team, all 4 Aprilia riders are looking in good form going into 2023.
The cheapest option at $2.6m is Yamaha, and with only 2 bikes on the grid, this would come at a bit of risk unless Fabio Quartararo can sprinkle some of the magic that he is famous for.
More to consider in 2023.
A new feature in MotoGP™ Fantasy for 2023 is the option to pick a team as well as a manufacturer to score you points over the course of the weekend. This added option comes with even more to consider.
Following the theme of Ducati demolition, the obvious pick would be the Ducati Lenovo Team with two World Champions in their team in the form of Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini. Priced at $3.3m, the factory Ducati team is the most expensive option.
Based on testing, some cheaper options with a good chance of success are the Prima Pramac Racing Team at $2.5m and the Mooney VR46 Racing Team at just $2.1m.
Equally, some strong options are coming from Aprilia as well, with their factory team Aprilia Racing at $2.7m and the RNF MotoGP™ team at $2.1m.
History is waiting to be made and is just around the corner for the 2023 MotoGP™ competitors. With it all to play for, enjoy the new challenges ahead for MotoGP™ Fantasy 2023, and keep up to date with all the action as it unfolds on motogp.com.