With the contest for the World Championship wide open, making your MotoGP™ Fantasy picks ahead of this weekend looks more daunting than ever. But don’t despair! We’re here to provide you with all the information you need ahead of the next round of MotoGP™ Fantasy in Motegi.
As expected, the action at the IndianOil Grand Prix of India was served hot. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) narrowed the gap even further with current Championship leader and reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and now trail by 13 and 44 points respectively.
LAST WEEKEND’S FANTASY DREAM TEAM
With a comprehensive performance all weekend including a spectacular race win, Bezzecchi ensured he took more MotoGP™ Fantasy points than any other rider, recording a tally of 45.5 and making himself the best pick for a Gold Rider. He was followed by another Ducati rider and title challenger, Jorge Martin. Second place in the Sunday race and a Tissot Sprint win were enough to secure the Spaniard 41.5 points, and a place in the Dream Team.
As for Silver Riders, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the best choice after he finished fourth in both the sprint and the full-length races, results which took his fantasy points score to 37.5. The second-best Silver Rider and completing the Dream Team was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), who with his podium finish on Sunday came away with 32 points.
WHO’S TASTED VICTORY IN JAPAN?
Whereas last week’s action in the first ever Indian GP was a completely new track for the MotoGP™ grid, the Mobility Resort Motegi is familiar territory for the riders. Reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia won here in the Moto2™ class in 2018, and with his price falling to 4.7M he could represent a shrewd investment as he looks to get his campaign to retain his crown back on track.
Coincidentally, in the same year Bagnaia won in Japan in Moto2™, his title rival Marco Bezzecchi claimed victory in Moto3™. The Italian’s star is on the rise and that’s represented by his price of 3.8M, however, of the in-form riders, he may offer the best bargain.
Last time out in MotoGP™ it was Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who took the top spot. The Australian has been struggling of late, but at 1.9M and with something to prove, Miller can’t be discounted.
And at 2M, it would be prudent to keep eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in mind. The Catalan has won three of the last five MotoGP™ races in the Japanese GP, even if by his own high standards, the Catalan has had a torrid campaign so far. Marquez fought his way to a podium finish in India last weekend and could be close to finding his trademark winning form once again.
THE CHASE IS ON!
Discount Jorge Martin at your peril. After a relatively slow start to the campaign, the 25-year-old is surging towards the top and is one of the most in-form riders in the paddock. Priced at 4.3M, he’s on the back of three consecutive race podiums including a win in San Marino and has narrowed the lead in the Riders’ Championship to a mere 13 points.
It’s getting tight at the top, and current leader Pecco Bagnaia will have one eye on his rivals going into the Motul Grand Prix of Japan 2023. It’s going to be a tense affair in Motegi, so make sure you join in on all the MotoGP™ Fantasy action through the weekend. Make sure you don’t miss a thing, as the action gets underway on Friday, 29th September on motogp.com!