Francesco Bagnaia became a two-time MotoGP champion after sealing the 2023 title in the Valencia season finale last year.
He edged out title rival Jorge Martin to clinch back-to-back championships in impressive fashion, as Bagnaia finished the year with a podium in each of the final seven races.
Now it is time for the Ducati rider to defend his title with the 2024 MotoGP season already underway, although Bagnaia did start his defence perfectly by winning the curtain-raiser in Qatar.
However, only two riders – Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez – have won three consecutive championships in the 21st century, so it will not come so easy for Bagnaia.
Here is all to know for the 2024 MotoGP season.
Augusto Fernandez, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing, Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team
Photo by: Media VR46
MotoGP rider line-up 2024
There were seven rider changes for the 2024 MotoGP season in quite an overhaul of the grid, as more than half of the teams changed their line-up. This included Gresini Ducati, who landed a major coup in prizing six-time champion Marc Marquez away from his legendary partnership with the Honda factory team. The Spaniard is now team-mates with younger brother Alex for the first time since 2020.
Alex Rins, Franco Morbidelli, Johann Zarco, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Luca Marini were the others to switch teams for 2024, while Pedro Acosta is contesting his rookie season. The 19-year-old is one of the biggest talents to come through the motorcycle ladder having won the Moto3 and Moto2 championships, while finishing on the podium in just his second MotoGP race was further evidence of his potential.
MotoGP also has a new team in 2024, as Trackhouse Racing Aprilia replaced the now defunct RNF Racing, who was denied entry for the year due to “repeated infractions and breaches of the Participation Agreement”. However, Trackhouse is using the same rider line-up as RNF from 2023 meaning no movement happened there.
2024 MotoGP teams and rider line-up
Who are the favourites for the 2024 MotoGP championship?
Bagnaia understandably headed into 2024 as many people’s favourite for the riders’ crown, but Martin cannot be discounted. Despite disappointingly losing out on the 2023 championship, the Pramac rider started 2024 strongly by standing on the podium in Qatar before winning the Portuguese Grand Prix two weeks later.
A fresh challenge has brought hope that Marc Marquez can also compete for the championship,…
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