In what is shaping up to be an unforgettable season, the 2023 MotoGP™ Championship has been nothing short of extraordinary. With the advent of the Tissot Sprint and the historic inclusion of India on the racing calendar, this year has marked the dawn of a new era in motorcycle racing. As the sport continues to evolve and shatter records, one thing is clear: 2023 will be etched in the annals of MotoGP™ history!
Over 14 action-packed rounds, we have journeyed across Europe, to North and South America, and now we find ourselves in Asia and Oceania. These events have seen riders experience the highs and lows of the sport, with twists and turns keeping us on the edge of our seats. Despite all the drama witnessed, we still have no idea how the 2023 MotoGP™ World Championship will end up. In fact, after 14 rounds, the title fight is the closest it has been since 1993, with just three points between the top two. 30 years ago, it was Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey who battled for glory, with the title going the way of the former.
Currently, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) leads the standings on 319 points. Five Grand Prix wins, four Sprint successes and nine podiums (three GP, six in Sprints) in both disciplines saw him surge to the summit of the Championship. However, his otherwise stellar performance has been marred by crashes at the Americas, French, and Indian GPs, serving as blemishes on his otherwise pristine record.
Those mistakes also opened the door for Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) to pounce, and so he has. The Spaniard sits on 316 points, three behind Bagnaia, courtesy of three Grand Prix wins, five Sprint victories and seven (four GP, three Sprint) additional podiums. The #89 is the Championship’s form rider, completing a hat-trick of Sprint wins in his last three attempts, and winning two of the last three feature races.
In a season brimming with unforeseen twists and turns, we can’t discount Marco Bezzecchi from the running either. The Mooney VR46 rider is 54 points off of Bagnaia, but has taken three race wins in 2023, most recently in India. However, the focus of the title fight remains firmly fixed on Bagnaia and Martin.
The Pramac rider is within striking distance of the reigning World Champion, and with just six rounds remaining, we’re in for a blockbuster finale to the season. The next instalment awaits us at Mandalika, when the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia gets underway on October 13th.