RACE PREVIEW
# SanMarinoGP
“ 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 has altered 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 .
This year ’ s surprise package is Sergio Garcia , who currently leads the standings . Now in his second year in the class , he has adapted brilliantly to the Boscoscuro chassis and scored superb victories in Austin and France . Team-mate Ai Ogura has also returned to his best form after a steady opening to the year by recording stunning victories in Barcelona and the Netherlands , but a practice crash in Austria broke his hand and means he ’ s not yet fully fit .
Leading the charge of the Kalex chassis is Joe Roberts , who has enjoyed his best start to a Moto2™ season . Reunited with the OnlyFans American Racing Team , the Californian has adapted quickly to the Pirelli tyres and scored three brilliant podiums in a row , becoming the first American to do so since Nicky Hayden in 2006 before emerging victorious from the Italian GP . But a crash out of the British GP saw him lose crucial ground in the title fight .
Another rival is preseason favourite Fermin Aldeguer , the rider who won each of 2023 ’ s final four races in dominant fashion . The Spaniard showed why he has already signed a deal with Ducati to step up to MotoGP™ in 2025 with brilliant victories at Jerez and the Sachsenring . But he has also had a few downs , most recently with lacklustre rides in the UK and Austria .
Aldeguer ’ s team-mate Alonso Lopez has been a contender this year after claiming the spoils on the opening night of the season . The Spaniard appears revitalised working with a new crew chief this term , and a podium in Austria gave him an added boost .
Aron Canet who finally scored his maiden Moto2™ triumph in Portugal at his 69th time of trying , is another contender . The Spaniard is having a typically mixed season , but was back to his best at Silverstone , where he scored second place .
And we are starting to see the best from Jake Dixon , who scored impressive podiums in Barcelona and Germany , before epically winning his home GP at Silverstone , as he and his Aspar team get to grips with the Kalex chassis-WP suspension combination that is new for this year .
There is a total of 22 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 .
Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini | 75