MotoGP returns from its summer break with our local round, the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone this weekend. It’s the one and only chance to see the best riders in the world battling it out in the UK this year, and the only two-wheeled race action around the fast and furious Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. As always, the mighty bewinged, 300bhp machines bring plenty of drama and we’re super excited to see MotoGP live again. There’s loads to get fired up about, and these five things have especially got us buzzing…
Gossip and rumours
The summer break normally brings with it a glut of rider signings for the following season, and although there hasn’t been much ink put to paper, there are loads and loads of intriguing rumours going around.
Most of the speculation revolves around Moto2 wonderkid Pedro Acosta, as well as nine-time world champion Marc Marquez. Acosta has all but confirmed he will be a KTM MotoGP rider in 2024, but the Austrian manufacturer already has four riders under contract for its four grid slots, meaning someone (most likely stalwart Pol Espargaro) is likely to miss out.
Another rumour to have gathered momentum is that KTM is looking to expand its roster to six bikes by linking up with an existing satellite team, although quite how they’d be able to do that remains a bit of a mystery. Should they pull it off, it would open the door for a sensational move for Marquez, who is having a torrid time with his long-term employer Honda. The Spaniard has a year left on his Honda contract but is rumoured to be looking for an exit clause. If he can find it, we may well see a big shakeup on the 2024 grid, despite most riders seemingly being locked into contracts.
Also featuring in the rumour mill are Moto2 riders Jake Dixon and Tony Arbolino. Series leader Arbolino is being linked with Ducati while Dixon, third in the championship following his first win, is looking to move to the big class with the LCR Honda squad.
C’mon the Brits!
While there are no local riders to cheer on in the premier class, it’s an exciting time for the Brits in Moto2, where three popular riders will be lining up. Jake Dixon comes to his home Grand Prix in the form of his life, having taken his first win last time out in Assen. He’s always gone well at Silverstone and will be well fancied to take a second win on the bounce.
Also looking to do well will be Sam Lowes, who announced his impending departure from the Grand Prix paddock in the summer break. He’s switching to the Superbike World Championship for 2024, but will be keen to stand on the top step of the podium at his final home Grand Prix. He’s still got the speed, as demonstrated with his win at the Spanish Grand Prix, and the Lincolnshire rider would be a popular winner with the fans.
Other Brits include Scotland’s Rory Skinner, who will be hoping track knowledge and home support will help him to the best finish of his rookie world championship season, while Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley fly the flag in the Moto3 class. Both are in their sophomore world championship seasons, with 19-year-old Ogden’s fifth in Argentina being the highlight.
Sprint race (and MotoE) brings extra value for 2023
There’s been some big changes to MotoGP for 2023, the biggest one being the addition of a shorter ‘Sprint’ race on Saturday afternoon.
With half the laps (and half the points) the sprint has proven to be a full-on brawl so far, with a number of controversial incidents in some of the earlier races. The action will kick off at 3pm on Saturday, with 10 laps of mayhem around the 3.67-mile Silverstone Grand Prix layout.
Fans attending on Saturday, traditionally qualifying day, will also be able to enjoy the first ever MotoE races to take place on British soil, with the electric bikes duking it out in a pair of six-lappers – the first scheduled to take place just after midday and the second lining up after the MotoGP Sprint. There will also be two rounds of the British Talent Cup, the racing series for up-and-coming teenagers. The series boasts Scott Ogden and Rory Skinner among its past champions, so it’s definitely worth hanging around to watch these stars of tomorrow.
Who can stop the Ducatis?
Of course the main thing getting us revved up for Silverstone is the racing. And the big thing we’re all asking is ‘can anyone beat the Ducatis?’.
The Italian bikes have been imperious this year, and last year’s winner Pecco Bagnaia, used the race as a springboard to his first premier class world title.
It would take a brave pundit to bet against the factory Ducati rider winning again. He currently leads the standings, having won four of the eight main races so far, while Ducati fills out five of the top six places.
Breaking the Ducati dominance is KTM’s Brad Binder, who is fourth in the standings and winner of the sprint race in Argentina. If anyone is going to beat the Ducatis, it could well be Binder or team-mate Jack Miller, who is seventh overall, while Aleix Espargaro and 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo lead the line for Aprilia and Yamaha respectively.
Party atmosphere
Away from the on-track action, there’s a real festival taking place with plenty of entertainment on the main stage.
Top acts Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight headline the evening entertainment, with plenty more live music acts, motorcycle stunt shows and trade stands spread around the site, while race sponsors Monster Energy are bringing their fan park, which is always a real blast.
Don’t forget too, the annual Day of Champions, which takes place on Thursday and raises funds for MotoGP’s Two Wheels For Life charity. It provides a rare opportunity to bid for genuine MotoGP memorabilia, as well as hear directly from the star riders as they appear on the stage ahead of the weekend’s racing.
Can’t make it? You can watch all the action live on TNT Sports.
