MotoGP Bharat GP: These are the Riders and Teams You Should Keep an Eye on

MotoGP, a renowned international motorcycle racing event, will take place on Indian ground for the first time. From September 22 to 24, the Buddh International Circuit will host the upcoming MotoGP Bharat GP, which will feature 22 riders from 11 well-known teams, including Honda, Yamaha, KTM, Ducati, and Aprilia. Even though it is impossible to predict the winner of a race like the MotoGP since every rider's performance can change from track to track, there are several promising riders whose winning streaks and past performances suggest they might finish in the top position. We have curated a list comprising some of the riders who show tremendous potential to move up to the pole position.

Also Read: MotoGP Explained: Get up to Speed on Teams and Riders Before Bharat GP

Ducati Lenovo Team

Francesco Bagnaia

After a 15-year title drought, Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati won the 2022 MotoGP championship. Bagnaia became the only rider ever to come back from a 91-point loss and win the title. Before making his MotoGP debut in 2019, Bagnaia first won the Moto2 title in 2018. Bagnaia's sure-shot win in the upcoming MotoGP Bharat GP is currently unknown, but it is anticipated that the top rider will surely be a treat to watch racing on the Indian track for its fans in the country. Bagnaia from Italy leads the current standings in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship with 283 points. 

Prima Pramac Racing (Ducati)

Jorge Martín Almoguera

In the current standings, Jorge Martin of Spain and Pramac Racing with 247 points is a contender to watch out for. Jorge Martin, known as the 'Martinator,' came into the limelight in the sport through Moto3 and Moto2. In his second MotoGP race, he finished third, and now he is aiming to fight Bagnaia for the title in 2023.

Mooney VR46 Racing Team (Ducati)

Marco Bezzecchi 

After having successful seasons in Moto2, Bezzecchi transitioned to MotoGP. With two victories in the first five races, he is one of the top contenders of the 2023 season. The rider now holds 218 points in the riders' standings and is aiming for a world championship. 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Brad Binder

For both rider and factory, the 2023 season marks a return to some action. Binder is striving for victory at the forthcoming race this weekend and has 173 points in the current standings. After winning his third-ever premier class race, Binder experienced difficult 2021 and 2022 seasons. Whether the rider Red Bull KTM rider takes center stage with a win this season is something only time will tell. 

Aprilia Racing

Aleix Espargaro

The most seasoned rider on the starting grid is 34-year-old Aleix Espargaro, who is competing in his 13th consecutive premier class season. He holds 160 points in the current standings. In 2014, Espargaro finished third with a Forward Yamaha. After two years with Suzuki, Espargaro began his Aprilia career in 2017. Although the years were difficult, Aprilia finally finished on the podium in 2021. Then, in 2022, Espargaro took home his first MotoGP victory and handed Aprilia their first, closing off a wildly successful campaign with a P4 place in the standings. Espargaro recovered from a slow start to 2023 by winning two races this season so far.

RNF MotoGP Team (Aprilia)

Miguel Oliveira

Although Oliveira has 65 points in the standings, the rider is regarded as one of the fastest on the starting grid and is expected to soon rank among the top contenders. He has never won a world championship, but he does have the distinction of being Portugal's first-ever winner of a premier-class race. Oliveira's maiden MotoGP victory was in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, Oliveira won three more races with Red Bull KTM, followed by the Portuguese Grand Prix later that year, before joining the CryptoData RNF MotoGP Team in 2023.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team

Fabio Quartararo

After being a rookie marvel in the MotoGP 2019, Fabio Quartararo won his first race in the premier level of racing in France in 2021. After a fascinating title race with Francesco Bagnaia, the French rider came in second in the previous season. He now holds 85 points in the current standings. 

Repsol Honda Team

Marc Marquez

Before suffering a catastrophic accident in 2020, Marquez, one of the greatest riders of all time, had won eight World Championships (including six MotoGP World Championships) overall. He made a comeback in 2023 after undergoing multiple surgeries, and as of right now, he has 31 points in the 2023 riders championship.

Gresini Racing MotoGP (Ducati)

Álex Márquez

In 2014 and 2019, he won the Moto3 and Moto2 championships. After several testing years with LCR Honda, he found a new beginning in 2023 at Gresini Racing, finishing on the podium in his debut season with Ducati. He currently holds 108 points in the standings. 

Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing (KTM)

Pol Espargaro

The 2013 Moto2 World Champion Espargaro has made its return to Tech3 in 2023 with his tenth MotoGP season after enduring difficult seasons with Repsol Honda. He currently holds 8 points in the standings. 

Also Read: MotoGP: Takaaki Nakagami Confirmed for LCR Honda Seat in 2024, Where Else Can Marc Marquez Go?

LCR Honda Castrol/Idemitsu

Takaaki Nakagami 

Takaaki Nakagami, a 14-time Grand Prix podium finisher and two-time Moto2 race winner, made the switch to MotoGP in 2018. He's currently in his sixth season and hasn't finished first in the premier division yet.