MotoGP section in top form for the Spanish Grand Prix / MotoGP

When the engines roar in Jerez de la Frontera next Friday, the crowd of spectators is not just expecting a typical racing spectacle. From a sporting perspective, MotoGP has the best lineup for the first of four race weekends under the Spanish sun.

All 22 regular starters in the first class will compete in Andalusia. Starting today and if known, all drivers will be on the pad in their best form. However, there is no guarantee of this. MotoGP riders live and train as free people. Until leaving the south of Spain, leaving training bikes or even road motorcycles cannot be completely excluded. It goes without saying that drivers do not intentionally expose themselves to incalculable risks at any time of the season. Jerez is the most emotional start to the season and the highlight for every player. There is still a small question mark in the right leg of #33. KTM factory rider Brad Binder rode in Austin a little broken, but that should no longer stop the South African in Jerez.

The current integrity of the starting field cannot be taken for granted. But in fact, at least the representatives of the MotoGP premier league have survived the three race weekends so far without any major injuries. Only at the “Grand Prix of the Americas” in Austin there were 18 accidents. Jorge Martin, Alex Márquez and Taka Nakagami even got off their machines twice, HRC factory driver Joan Mir three times. Jorge Martin was especially lucky. His second qualifying crash could have easily ended in disaster.

In 2023, several pilots had already suffered serious injuries at the start of Portimao. In addition to superstar Marc Márquez, GASGAS driver Pol Espargaro was also absent from Jerez last year. Both Spaniards were replaced by Germans. Stefan Bradl rode Repsol Honda, Jonas Folger represented the badly damaged Pol Espargaro.

Stefan Bradl can be seen again in Jerez in 2024. As an official HRC test pilot, the Bavarian is used in HRC style as the fifth driver of the RC213V.
Ducati is also putting all its energy into the next round of MotoGP. And Lorenzo Savadori, the third Aprilia will hit the slopes from Friday.
An impressive streak in Jerez is completed by Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa, who will also be employed as an amplifier in 2023, will not drive as an amplifier this year either.

With 25 healthy world-class riders and currently three manufacturers capable of winning, the signs are excellent for a great MotoGP weekend in Jerez.