Let’s talk MotoGP: What we liked this season – 3/3

What was this 2023 season worth? For six days, “Parlons MotoGP” takes stock of the year. Having studied what did not work, let us now focus on the good students, and, more generally, on everything that worked this year. With, each time, three points per episode. Find the previous section by clicking here. Are you ready ? Let's go !

 

Another huge season

 

Aleix Espargaro continues to impress. I already talked about it shortly after mid-season, but the official Aprilia is already one of the biggest. After having held the project at arm's length for years, here he is who takes two very well-felt victories in a year dominated by Ducati. The first, at Silverstone, for experience. The old guy knows how to do it, even on a tricky track. Then, the second, in Catalonia, on his land, a year after having made a mistake by having counted the laps incorrectly. This was accompanied by a success in Sprint.

So, yes, it's true, Maverick Vinales is not far at all overall, only two points. But if we take into account the whole exercise, Aleix was much better. Claiming that his 2023 season was more impressive than 2022 is not crazy, when he finished fourth overall.

 

 

He who mentioned retirement has not aged. At Assen, he distinguished himself, just as he did in qualifying at Jerez. Frankly, I can only take my hat off to him. Even if certain negative images will remain (the behavior towards his mechanics in India or the slap from Morbidelli in Qatar), he is slowly sitting down at the table of the very grown-ups. To be continued.

 

In the same vein

 

Now let's move on to Fabio Quartararo. The Frenchman, who had suffered a comeback of more than 90 points last year, did not shine. No victories and just a few podiums may not seem like much, but yet his balance sheet does not reflect reality.

He is the best Yamaha rider since Valentino Rossi, it is undeniable, and runs the house single-handedly. I found him fairer than in his previous exercises, more mature too. Of course, always a few slightly strange statements here and there, but overall, we are dealing with a big guy who just doesn't have the equipment to win.

Every time he had an opportunity, he seized it. In Assen, in the USA (against all expectations), and, above all, in India and Indonesia, he was quite brilliant. And finally, when we look at the general classification, he is in tenth position ahead of Jack Miller on a much better machine, his teammate, and even a Fabio Di Giannantonio who is ultimately very fast. Frankly, he didn't do anything wrong. He remains, of course, one of the best drivers MotoGPof the planet, and all its competitors know it.

 

 

The hero

 

How not to end with “Diggia”, as a symbol. In this retrospective, he arrives, again, at the last minute. I've already written about him at length after each of his big hits, but he's a total satisfaction. Strong in all areas, he had the opportunity to demonstrate his enormous racing IQ on multiple occasions, on completely different tracks.

This rather uncharismatic character and, it must be said, quite anecdotal, came to life in the closed park in Mandalika. The Italian, without handlebars, with his back to the wall, had no other choice but to write history. And he did it, with the strength of his wrist. What a pilot. What is interesting is that we were able to see, in just a few weeks, the evolution of the phenomenon and this is also reflected in my articles! This forms a sort of saga in four episodes, so I am taking advantage of this retrospective to offer them to you. All you have to do is click on the subtitles:

• Mandalika, hatching
  Phillip Island, the confirmation
  Losail, the explosion
  Valencia, a whole other dimension

That's all for this little review of this 2023 season! Don't worry : Let's Talk MotoGP doesn't leave you like that, and other articles will arrive throughout the winter! Take care of yourself, and see you next time!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport