A three-day Official Test gives the intermediate and lightweight classes their last chance to prep for 2023 as contenders start to emerge
Pre-season may be over for the MotoGP™ class, but there is still official track action left for the Moto2™ and Moto3™ fields. After both have had their own private tests at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, they now head for Portugal for their official outing over three days of activity.
Where? The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, the venue for the season opener, hosts on Friday the 17th, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of March.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
There will be Live Timing on motogp.com and a host of content from the track to keep you up to date, including reports, interviews and more. A round up covering the three days will provide plenty of content on its conclusion too, including photos and the combined timesheets.So where were we? Below is a rundown of some expected contenders – from the top ten returners in each class – as we get ready to glimpse the lay of the land for 2023.
MEET THE Moto2™ CONTENDERS
With the reigning Champion moving up to MotoGP™, there’s chance for a new name to take the throne. First on the list of hopefuls is 2022 challenger Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), but with some injury struggles in pre-season it might take a little longer to see his hand, and he won’t be at the test. Once back up to speed, however, we can be very sure the Japanese rider has plenty in the locker… and teammate Somkiat Chantra is far from a slouch either, the Thai rider already a Grand Prix winner. That makes two… so who else can we expect to fight at the front in 2023?
The wonder rookie of Moto3™ was wonder rookie of Moto2™ more than a few times last season, including in Valencia to close out 2022 on the top step, but a mid-year injury derailed Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) assault on the top. He won races though – as well as taking Rookie of the Year – and that pace was backed up in private testing at Jerez just this week. We can expect much, and with quick new teammate Albert Arenas in the box, both the Ajo garage and the dynamic inside it are sure to deserve some serious spotlight in 2023.
It’s an ongoing tussle: Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) vs the top step in Moto2™. And…