We’ve seen some mega milestones reached in 2023 already haven’t we? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest from each Grand Prix that’s taken place in the first five rounds:
Portuguese GP: Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) made his 218th premier class start to move into fourth on the all-time list. He equalled MotoGP™ Legends Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden, and has since pulled ahead of both – although Pedrosa added another with that stunning wildcard in Jerez. Valentino Rossi leads the way with 372 premier class starts, ahead of soon-to-be MotoGP™ Legend Andrea Dovizioso (248) and Alex Barros (245), with Aleix Espargaro now fourth on 222.
Argentina GP: Bezzecchi became a premier class winner. There are now only eight riders on the grid who have not yet won a premier class Grand Prix: Zarco, A Marquez, Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), Raul Fernandez (CryptoData RNF MotoGP™ Team), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and rookie Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3).
Americas GP: Rins became the eighth rider to have won with two manufacturers in the MotoGP™ era along with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Andrea Dovizioso, Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Viñales, Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi.
Quartararo moved one above Max Biaggi on the list of Yamaha riders with most premier class podiums. The Frenchman is now solo in sixth, with 29 podiums on a Yamaha.
Spanish GP: Bagnaia drew equal with Max Biaggi in fourth on the list of most successful Italian riders in the premier class. They have 13 wins each.
French GP: Le Mans broke MotoGP™’s all-time event attendance record with 278,805 spectators.