RACE PREVIEW
# QatarGP
“ Pirelli steps in as Moto2™ ’ s sole tyre supplier , heralding a new era .”
NEW TYRE SUPPLIER
Not only does a new season promise to shake up proceedings due to a change in personnel ; Moto2™ is poised for further change in 2024 as Pirelli steps in as the class ’ sole tyre supplier , a move that is likely to alter the order and nature of racing in the intermediate class .
Reigning World Champion Pedro Acosta has stepped up to MotoGP™ and a host of names will be jostling to take on his mantle as king of the class . Chief among them will be Fermin Aldeguer , the rider who won each of 2023 ’ s final three races in dominant fashion to clinch third overall in the championship . Not even Acosta could live with the Boscoscuro rider in the autumn of last year , making him a favourite for this campaign – his third in the class .
Judging by events in last year ’ s championship , the Spanish teenager will face tough competition from Marc VDS ’ Tony Arbolino , the Moto2™ runner up in 2023 . The Italian started last year brilliantly , leading the championship until the half-way stage , before tailing off . Now in his fourth season , another challenge is expected .
Likewise , Jake Dixon had a largely strong 2023 . The Englishman picked up his first and second GP victories on his way to finishing fourth overall , and is confident his riding style is more suited to Pirelli ’ s tyres . Now in his sixth
Moto2™ season , there ’ s no doubting the Aspar Team rider will be a contender .
2023 was a troubled year for Ai Ogura , who suffered a serious wrist injury in preseason . Now fully recovered , and in the new MT Helmets MSI team aboard a Boscoscuro chassis , he will be seeking to fight up front regularly as he did in 2022 .
Ogura ’ s former team-mate Somkiat Chantra is another keen to kick on after an up-and-down 2023 , as he starts another season in the Honda Team Asia set up .
No matter the rider line up , the Red Bull Ajo KTM squad cannot be discounted . Ajo ’ s team has enjoyed championship victories in each of the past three seasons . Therefore , his allnew rider line up of Celestino Vietti and rookie Deniz Oncu is an exciting one . Vietti , in particular , will be seeking a way back into championship contention after a mixed 2023 .
There will be a total of 24 Kalex chassis on this year ’ s grid , while there will be four Boscoscuro frames – two more than last year . Forward will once again have two bikes , making this an entry list of 28 riders .
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