Five MotoGP riders that have impressed and disappointed the most so far in 2023

Starting with the most impressive riders, which is a list that’s heavily dominated by Ducati, we have gone with one of two Pramac riders…

5 – Johann Zarco

Zarco showed brilliant consistency before crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix when Fabio Quartararo went down directly in front of him, leaving Zarco with nowhere to go. Prior to Assen, Zarco was on a run of three consecutive Grand Prix podiums, while also finishing all three of those sprint races in the top six. Late race pace has been Zarco’s biggest strength so far this season and has resulted in him being a podium threat through the year. Zarco remains winless in MotoGP but 2023 appears to be his best chance yet at changing that. 

4 – Jorge Martin 

Like his Pramac teammate, Martin has been brilliant for much of the season and is currently the main threat to Bagnaia in the championship. A double victory at Sachsenring is Martin’s highlight, however, it’s his consistency that has been the biggest improvement compared to last year, not his out-right pace which has never been in question. If Martin is to challenge Bagnaia for the title then his ‘bad weekends’ need to see him finish slightly higher than he has thus far. 

3 – Brad Binder 

The only non-Ducati rider on this list, Binder, like Martin is double winner albeit his two wins have come in the sprint races. The KTM rider won from 15th on the grid in Argentina, a result that very few riders could manage from that far back. Binder, who was already superb in a Grand Prix setting over the last few seasons, has elevated his game even further since the addition of Jack Miller to the Austrian manufacturer. Binder is currently fourth in the world championship.

2 – Francesco Bagnaia

Making his way in at two on this list is the current series leader Bagnaia, who aside from mistakes in Argentina and America, has largely been the rider to beat. Dominant when leading races, Bagnaia has also pushed several riders all the way such as Binder at Jerez and Martin in Sachsenring. Bagnaia has not been off the podium in any of the last seven races which is by far the best streak of anyone so far this year. 

1 – Marco Bezzecchi 

The only Ducati rider on this list that’s not on full factory machinery, Bezzecchi has been nothing short of sensational for much of this season. A dominant winner in Argentina, Bezzecchi backed up his maiden MotoGP win by doing the same during the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. Bezzecchi also completed a near clean sweep at Assen after topping every practice, qualifying and winning the sprint. When he’s been at his best, no one has managed to lay a glove on him, something that’s hugely impressive considering he’s in his second year in MotoGP and is riding last year’s spec bike.  

In terms of the five most disappointing riders, some big names have found their way onto the list, including three out of the last four MotoGP champions. 

5 – Raul…