The MotoGP™ paddock has landed for Round 13 of the season at the legendary Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. It is the second part of a doubleheader, which will see further drama unfold as the Championship fight continues to heat up and further MotoGP™ Fantasy prizes are up for grabs.
What happened last time out in Aragon?
It was a dramatic weekend in Aragon, with Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) stealing headlines across the globe with a dominant performance, with the #93 taking pole position, Sprint victory, and the win on Sunday. Marc Marquez ended his 1043-day wait for a Grand Prix victory and walked away as the top point scorer, taking 52 Fantasy points. The #92 won by almost three seconds to Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). The #89 took the Championship lead in Aragon after a crucially finished second, securing 40 points in the process.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) claimed the final spot on the podium, finishing third in the Sprint and on Sunday. The rookie took 36 Fantasy points as there would be a huge shift in the title race after Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) scored no points on Sunday after the #1 was involved in a crash with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). This caused the Italian to take just nine Fantasy points from the weekend.
Again, Ducati was the top constructor, securing a strong 46 Fantasy points, after an impressive effort from the #93 – continuing the Italian manufacturer’s win streak. However, on top of the teams in Aragon was Gresini Racing MotoGP™, taking a further 32 Fantasy points.
Who should I add to my team for Misano?
The paddock now returns to the iconic Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a venue that has hosted iconic moments and final lap battles. Last year’s San Marino GP winner, Martin ($5.2M) will enter the weekend with added confidence after securing the double last season and entering the weekend at the head of the title fight. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez will also be confident and could be a steal at $4.4M, with the eight-time World Champion taking victory in Aragon - aiming to carry his momentum.
Then there is Bagnaia ($5.4M), with the Italian previously experiencing back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022. It could be a good time to add the #1 to your Fantasy team or will you pick Bastianini, who was involved in a breathtaking battle for the win in 2022. The Beast came out second-best in 2022 but could be a great option at $.4.7M.
However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and less obvious approach, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) could be a strong pick at just $2.4M. Bezzecchi finished second in 2023 and has consistently finished inside the top 10 in recent races. Just like the Italian, you cannot discard Acosta ($2.5M), who took victory here in Moto2™ last year and continues to search for a first win in the premier class.
Manufacturer-wise, Ducati seem to be the factory to pick with the Bologna bullets securing the last three victories in Misano. Aprilia and KTM could also be considered a strong option, with both constructors costing less than $3M. At Aprilia Racing, Maverick Viñales may be a great choice, costing just $2M. But if you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, Trackhouse Racing’s Miguel Oliveira ($1.4M) may be a great pick - finishing P6 in 2023.
Make sure you join the MotoGP™ Half Season League, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs!