Let's talk MotoGP: Moto3 enters a new era

The start of the season MotoGP 2024 is fast approaching, and with it, a new era is dawning. Naturally, it's also the return of small cars, and that's what this article is about. Not everyone has the time to focus on Moto2 and Moto3, so this paper can help you identify the future talents who, one day perhaps, will litter the grid of the most prestigious of categories. An overview is necessary. Today, we look at the highly competitive Moto3 ; yesterday we already studied the new Moto2 grid and everyone's chances in an article that you can find by clicking here.

 

Change in dynamics

 

In recent years, a big change has taken place in Moto3. A Hispanic wind is blowing over this exciting championship, and it is stronger than ever. A new Spanish generation is being born, very young, very talented, and very strong. Every year, a new one comes out of nowhere and more than lives up to the “veterans”, although they all remain relatively young. The renewal rate is very high, and if many pay the price, many gems have the chance to explode. This is why it is difficult to predict who will be strong or not.

 

A semblance of a favorite

 

Now supported by the Chinese CFMoto, Aspar has one of its talents in its ranks in the person of David Alonso. Of course, he is Colombian and not Spanish, but he meets the criteria of this new “Pedro Acostesque” generation. Clearly, given his rookie season in 2023 – marked by four victories in style, for a third place in the championship, he is the logical favorite.

 

The elders on the front line?

 

Realize that we are talking about Daniel Holgado, David Munoz and Ivan Ortola as veterans even though they have a total of around fifty professional starts each. Holgado, in the game for a long time in 2023 – then suddenly running out of steam – could well repeat, reproducing masterstrokes as he did at Le Mans. But does he have the intensity of a sharper and faster opponent like those we will see in the next paragraph? I doubt it, but he has a perfect claim to the crown. Finally, last year, his failure was down to little and if history is on his side, it could be a hit.

 

 

David Munoz, only 17 years old (!), is already starting his third season at the highest level. Last year, he was more disappointed than impressed, with some pretty gross mistakes, and, it must be said, a nasty injury. Still at KTM Boé Motorsport, he can dream of a title if he sets his sights, but remains further from the crown – in my humble opinion – than Daniel Holgado.

And finally, Ivan Ortola, who moves from KTM Angeluss MTA Team to KTM MT Helmets MSi. He is still not playing in a top team, but his transfer still represents a performance gain. He had been splendid in 2023, but too irregular to play a good position. Regardless, it would be foolish to eliminate a two-time winner in 2023 for the 2024 title race. He is one to watch closely.

 

Five new Marquez

 

This ironic subtitle refers to the staggering number of young Spanish talents who will make their debut, and who, unsurprisingly, will be in the game straight away. To start with Jose Antonio Rueda, at Red Bull KTM Ajo, the team that knows how to make these profiles break through. Rookie in 2023, he also impressed, but despite everything in the shadow of David Alonso. In the same genre, his teammate, Xabi Zurutuza, is another discovery by witch-finder Aki Ajo. He will make his debut in Qatar, just like Joel Esteban at Aspar, which promises to be hellishly fast. But the most dangerous, on paper, is with Leopard Racing, the reigning champion team; Angel Piqueras, who crushed the 2023 Red Bull Rookies Cup as well as the JuniorGP championship. With the number 36 on the cyan winged machine, it recalls a certain Joan Mir. Let's wish him a similar journey – at least until the MotoGP world title. He is already announced as the new Pedro Acosta. Let's just quote David Almansa, at Honda Snipers Team, which had shown great dexterity on its few replacements; let's hope that his team, a little below, does not fail him.

 

 

Among this Spanish wave, one resists. He is Dutch; Collin Veijer, rookie in 2023, dazzled the motorcycle world with a victory at Sepang, accompanied by great performances in qualifying. At Husqvarna Intact GP, he can win the title that his ex-teammate Ayumu Sasaki was unable to achieve.

 

The prognosis

 

It's time to dive into the deep end. It's extremely difficult to pick a winner right now, but that's also the game. My heart swings between two pilots. My reason tells me to predict the coronation of David Alonso, because on paper, he is best equipped to win the Grail. But my bit of audacity suggests the rookie Angel Piqueras. With absolutely incredible talent, his enthusiasm can offer him a significant mental advantage, which, coupled with the progress of the Honda NSF250RW Leopard Racing in the 2023 season, can be very damaging. Come on, for beauty, I choose Piqueras!

The exercise is difficult, and that's why You are invited to give me your favorite in comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Aspar Team