W
If last year was anything to go by , the 2023 Moto2™ World Championship should be compulsive watching as MotoGP™ ’ s next generation of stars are poised to do battle . 2022 was a year of transition in the class , which resulted in unparalleled variety . Eight different riders winning races , eleven taking pole position and twelve appearing on the podium . Interestingly , seven of those victors won for the first time in the class . Any one of them could be the name that takes over from outgoing champion Augusto Fernandez this year . All eyes will be on Spanish sensation Pedro Acosta , who enjoyed a strong preseason of testing . His rookie year in Moto2™ was bugged by inexperience and injury . Even still , he won three races and finished fifth overall – despite missing two races due to a broken leg . Likewise , much will be expected from Ai Ogura , the 2022 runner-up . Had it not been for a crash out of the lead in the penultimate race of the season , the quiet Japanese rider could have won the championship outright . Still , his steadfast consistency should work in his favour this year ,. Two of Italy ’ s brightest stars will plan to join the fight . First , Tony Arbolino showed impressive consistency in the autumn of last year , winning the Thai and Malaysian GPs in fine style in his first season for Marc VDS . Now in his second , the 22-year old has his eyes on the title . Compatriot Celestino Vietti is seeking redemption after his spectacular midseason collapse in 2022 . Returning refreshed , it ’ s time for him to put a full season together . Had it not been for Acosta ’ s superlative feats , another rookie – Alonso Lopez – would have taken all the plaudits . The Spaniard , who only stepped into the SpeedUp Racing team , seven races in , scored two victories and never finished outside the top eight . Now in his first full year , he ’ ll be a contender . British duo Sam Lowes and Jake Dixon should both be factored in as potential race winners . Lowes had a nightmare 2022 , scoring points in just five races in a year blighted by a serious shoulder injury . In contrast , last year was Dixon ’ s breakout season when he scored six podiums and finished sixth overall . Both feel they are now ready to step up to the front .
GRANDE PRÉMIO TISSOT DE PORTUGAL | 73