Less than a month has passed since the end of the 2023 MotoGP season, and attention is already turning to the next season. Francesco Bagnaia secured his second championship and is considered a favorite, but he’s not the only rider drawing attention.
Ricard Jové, speaking on Nico Abad’s YouTube channel, expects a particularly fierce rivalry between Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) and Marc Márquez (Gresini/Ducati) – both eager to claim the title of the best Spanish rider in the field: ‘The showdown between Marc and Martín is going to be deep, fueled by nationalism, aiming to be ‘the best at home’. That’s where you get the dynamic of Martín against [Marc] Márquez, and add Álex Márquez to the mix because he has a chance, another year of experience with the bike, and will have access to his brother Marc’s data’.
Despite this, Jové has no doubts that Bagnaia is the primary candidate for the title: ‘Pecco remains the man to beat; Martín is very close, and of course, Marc Márquez will be there. Beyond that, there’s [Enea] Bastianini, [Fabio] Di Giannantonio, [Franco Morbidelli], and Álex Márquez. I’m only referring to the Ducati team’.