MotoGP has some very interesting, and fast, rookies this year. Several of these riders could surprise fans and competitors alike. Current Moto2 World champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is known for his awesome native talent on a bike, and he debuts aboard the very fast, race-winning, Ducati GP18. Bagnaia has been impressive during testing.
One of the youngest riders ever to race in the Premier class, 19-year-old Fabio Quartararo, showed some blazing speed during pre-season testing aboard his Yamaha M1. Quartararo is another rider known for massive natural talent – considered a prodigy on a motorcycle when he was even younger. Quartararo is a teammate of Morbidelli, so you can expect some intense inter-team rivalry between these two youngsters.
Joan Mir is a former Moto3 champion making his debut as a teammate of Alex Rins aboard a factory Suzuki. Mir is smooth and fast, and seemed to take to his MotoGP weapon quickly during pre-season tests. He is a rider with a lot of confidence who is not afraid to bang elbows with the MotoGP veterans.
KTM will have four riders on two separate teams this year, including Johann Zarco, who moves over from a satellite Yamaha. Together with Pol Espargaro, Zarco leads the factory KTM effort. KTM struggled during pre-season testing. Espargaro showed flashes of speed, but Zarco has thus far been uncompetitive, as have the two satellite KTM pilots Hafizh Syahrin and rookie Miguel Oliveira, who finished second in last year’s Moto2 championship.
The 2019 series promises more riders capable of riding near the front than in any recent year. Several wily veterans have race-winning bikes beneath them, and the talented, aggressive rookie class aims to impress from the start. Stay tuned for reports on qualifying and racing here on MD this weekend.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Pages: 1 2
Sling tv or fubo tv has bein sports and a 7 day free trial.
I have DirecTV. They They cancelled their contract with BeinSports last year.
What’s the best way to get access to the series this season?
I had Direct TV last year and lost the ability to watch the races love. had to watch them on youtube later. Cancelled Direct TV and got Spectrum. Can get Be-in but have to buy their latin package. I gave up and bought Dornas Video Pass from MotoGP.com for $159, but get to watch free practices, qualifying and the races live.
Was just watching Moto 3 FP 3 a minute ago.
I really like MotoGP’s video pass. You need a good internet connection, but it is great. Fun to go back and watch old races from the past two decades, too.
I’d recommend Sling. Comcast here in Seattle area has never carried BEin in English so had to get it via streaming. Tried Fubo, but dropped it after the 1st year. With Sling you can watch whatever after the fact without a DVR. BEin Sports is in the Sports Extra package, which means $5 extra after one of the main packages, for a total of $30/month.
Can’t wait! Just hope MM dosn’t dominate and for some super tight racing. I’m a little bit worried that Honda now seem to have a higher top speed than the Ducati’s through the speed trap! 👀
MM set the fastest lap ever at Qatar in FR 2 today. Thinking his shoulder is pretty good.
Gentlemen, start your engines! LOL
We’re only a few hours away from the start of the season, and I’m really looking forward to a great racing season. Lots of talent on the grid, and the shakeups in the various teams should keep things interesting.
Sign of another title for Jorga ?
He beat Marco to the centre front row position, and Vale is off to the front far left.
The pecking order is changing again in 2019. Is this Vale’s last year in MotoGP and his final #1 Championship chance ???
It’s only 1st practice. Relax.
Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!