Moto2™ and Moto3™ class of 2024 set for Jerez Test

We’ve had MotoGP™ and MotoE™, now it’s the turn of the Moto2™ and Moto3™ riders and teams to get down to business as three days of Official Test action begins at the classic Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto on the 28th of February.

Both classes will have plenty of time on track, so let’s have a brief look at what we’re keeping an eye on before the season starts in just over a week in Qatar.

Moto2™

With 2023 World Champion Pedro Acosta departing for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 and MotoGP™, the spotlight will be on his closest contenders from last season to step up to the plate and deliver. Most notably, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). Last year’s Moto2™ runner-up will be aiming to build on his three wins in 2023 and by sticking with the same team, Arbolino heads into 2024 as one of the favourites for the crown.

Maybe not quite the heavy favourite in most people’s eyes though. That accolade currently belongs to Fermin Aldeguer (SpeedUp Racing) – for good reason. Ending the season with four straight wins was nothing short of extraordinary, now it’s time for the Spaniard to string a full season together and challenge for his maiden Grand Prix title. Most are backing him to do just that. 

The rider Aldeguer pipped to the bronze medal last season was Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Aspar Team). A fresh set of colours brings renewed hope for the British rider as he too targets more wins in 2024, with the title a realistic goal before a wheel is turned in anger.

You could argue they’re the three favourites heading into 2024, but more names are out to prove a point. Aron Canet is craving a first Moto2™ win as he moves to Fantic Racing, with four-time Moto2™ race winner Celestino Vietti donning the famous Red Bull KTM Ajo colours as he goes out to add another title to Aki Ajo’s rapidly growing collection. We’ll also get to Ai Ogura tackling a Boscoscuro chassis machine for the first time as his MT Helmets – MSI adventure begins.

Other notable switches include Joe Roberts being back on an American Racing liveried Triumph-Kalex, with 2023 Rookie of the Year Sergio Garcia joining Ogura on an MT Helmets – MSI backed Boscoscuro. And there’s Filip Salač too, the Czech star will be relishing a move to Elf Marc VDS Racing Team as he links up with Arbolino.

And that’s before we’ve got to our eye-catching list of rookies. Moto3™ World Champion Jaume Masia (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team), Ayumu Sasaki (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), Xavier Artigas (KLINT Forward Factory Team) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) all make the leap from lightweight class to intermediate class in 2024. Plenty of eyes will be fixed on their progress throughout the three days in Jerez.

Moto3™

Six of the top 10 from last year are remaining in Moto3™ for another season as we get set for what looks likely to be another phenomenal season of racing in the lightweight class. 2023’s star rookie David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) descends into the new campaign as the highest-placed returnee from last year, as the Colombian hunts more victories and another title charge.

Doing the same will be Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). Entering his third season following a strong sophomore campaign, the Spaniard heads into 2024 as one of the pre-season favourites after earning seven podiums in 2023, three of which were celebrated from the top step.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) is set for a fresh challenge after showing flashes of brilliance in 2023, with Collin Veijer coming into the new year ready to build on his excellent rookie campaign with the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP squad. All these riders finished inside the top seven in last year’s Championship, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) acting as two more podium finishers inside last year’s top 10 who will be hungry for more success.

A few riders who claimed rostrums in 2023 who need to do it regularly include BOE Motorsports’ new recruit Joel Kelso, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). That’s a real mix of experience and youth, and speaking of the latter, seven rookies are ready to enter the fray.

2023 Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup and JuniorGP™ title winner Angel Piqueras fills Masia’s void at Leopard Racing, but he’s been declared unfit for the Jerez Test. Taking his place will be former Moto3™ title-winner with Leopard, Lorenzo Dalla Porta.

Xabi Zurutuza is another rookie who makes a headline-grabbing move to Red Bull KTM Ajo. Zurutuza will be testing in Jerez, but the Spaniard will have to wait until the Americas GP to make his full-time debut due to the age limit rules. Vicente Perez will fill in for Zurutuza in Qatar and Portimao, so they'll share a bike in testing. 

Elsewhere, Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Team Asia), Nicola Carraro (LEVELUP – MTA), Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Noah Dettwiler (CIP Green Power) and Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Aspar Team) make up the list of exciting rookies to enter the Grand Prix scene.

Three crucial days of testing await in Jerez. Keep up to date with everything that goes on in Andalucia across our social media channels and on motogp.com.