The 2024 MotoGP season is almost upon us and all eyes are firmly on Marc Marquez as he makes his Ducati debut with Gresini Racing. The eight-time world champion’s move from Honda to the satellite Gresini squad has dominated headlines ever since it was first suggested last September. Following pre-season testing, the big question on everyone’s lips concerns how far away his first win on the Ducati is, and indeed whether it is even realistic to expect.
But the 2024 MotoGP campaign yields far more intrigue than Marquez alone. This year is set to be a manic one in terms of the rider market, with most factory contracts up for renewal at the end of the season. As such, this puts the spotlight firmly on a number of contenders as they look to prove they deserve a place on the 2025 grid.
Just four riders are currently contracted beyond 2024. They are reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia, KTM’s Brad Binder (both of whom holding deals to the end of 2026), LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco and factory Honda rider Luca Marini. For the rest, it’s open season; but they don’t have long to stake their claims, with the market – as proved by Bagnaia’s new Ducati deal being penned before the first round – set to move very quickly.
Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Autosport has ranked who we believe are the five main names who need to have a big year in 2024.
Miller only had one grand prix podium to his credit in 2023
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Jack Miller is in something of an unfortunate position, because it appears that his days as a factory team KTM rider are already numbered. According to Autosport’s Spanish language sister publication es.motorsport.com, highly anticipated rookie Pedro Acosta does have a clause in his contract that frees him from KTM should it not offer him a factory seat for 2025.
Insight: Why Pedro Acosta is the rookie MotoGP needs
If Acosta proves to be the generational talent he is widely expected to be, whether that’s straight away in 2024 or a few years down the line, potentially losing a rider it has been grooming for greatness would be a monumental blunder for KTM. And with Brad Binder locked up tight to the end of 2026, that leaves just one rider facing the axe.
Miller would probably be looked after by KTM, by either being shifted to Tech3 or a second satellite team should the Austrian manufacturer finally get its wishes. But with factory contracts on the table,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Autosport.com – MotoGP – Stories…