The rider market talk has reached fever pitch since we learned Franco Morbidelli would be leaving Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ at the end of 2023, with Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) taking the Italian’s spot alongside Fabio Quartararo.
Rumours are rife, and those include some Moto2™ names being linked with progression into the premier class. Let’s have a look at the riders that have been talked about, starting with the big one.
Pedro Acosta
It’s been well-documented that Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) doesn’t want to spend another season in Moto2™. The current World Championship leader and his team gave KTM a deadline to offer him a MotoGP™ seat – the 30th June – as Pierer Mobility AG continue to work behind the scenes to see how they can fit Acosta into their line-up.
It’s no secret that KTM and GASGAS want Acosta in their ranks in 2024. However, with the factory team set and Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) having a contract for next season, and Pierer Mobility AG, Stefen Pierer, confirming to Speedweek.com that they’ve extended Augusto Fernandez’s (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) contract already, the whereabouts of Acosta in 2024 remains uncertain. With the Austrian GP up next, news should be incoming regarding Acosta.
Tony Arbolino
The Italian has long been linked with a move to MotoGP™ for 2024, with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team star’s most likely destination being Gresini Racing MotoGP™. After the Italian outfit confirmed Alex Marquez would be staying for 2024, we delved into who’s in the frame for the remaining Gresini seat.
Is there another likely destination for title-chasing Arbolino? It’s difficult to say at this point. There are more riders than spaces available, and there are a lot of jigsaw puzzle pieces to fall into place – mainly in the Ducati family.
Jake Dixon
That’s where another name comes into play: Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team). The British rider – who claimed his maiden Moto2™ win at the Dutch GP – has emerged as a serious candidate for the Gresini seat too, with his personal manager Franky Carchedi confirming to Crash.net that the #96’s future will become a lot clearer in the next couple of weeks.
Ai Ogura
Before the 2022 Moto2™ runner-up’s serious wrist injury sustained in pre-season, Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) looked destined for a MotoGP™ move after it didn’t come to fruition in 2023. A promotion into the LCR Honda Idemitsu ranks is a perfect fit on paper, but the injury has seriously hampered the prospect of that happening in 2024.
With Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) still not confirmed to be on the grid for 2024 yet, the possibility does remain open at this stage.
Fermin Aldeguer
Back in April 2022, Hector Faubel – a manager to 2023 British GP winner Fermin Aldeguer (CAG Speed Up) – confirmed the young Spaniard had two MotoGP™ offers from factory teams for the 2024 season.
Talk of that coming to light has quieted this season, but could a victory at Silverstone have reignited the undoubted interest in the 18-year-old?
Alonso Lopez
After notching up three podiums in the opening five races following a metronomic rise in 2022, Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed Up) was on the radar for a move up to MotoGP™ for 2024. Motorsport.com reported back in February that Lopez had already spoken to Yamaha Managing Director, Lin Jarvis, about a potential leap. However, a move for 2024 now looks unlikely given the limited seats up for grabs.
As we close in on the Austrian GP, the 2024 rider market news will begin to land. It’s set to be a fascinating few weeks.