The 2024 MotoGP season is almost upon us and all eyes are firmly on Marc Marquez as he makes his Ducati debut with Gresini Racing. The eight-time world champion’s move from Honda to the satellite Gresini squad has dominated headlines ever since it was first suggested last September. Following pre-season testing, the big question on everyone’s lips concerns how far away his first win on the Ducati is, and indeed whether it is even realistic to expect.
But the 2024 MotoGP campaign yields far more intrigue than Marquez alone. This year is set to be a manic one in terms of the rider market, with most factory contracts up for renewal at the end of the season. As such, this puts the spotlight firmly on a number of contenders as they look to prove they deserve a place on the 2025 grid.
Just four riders are currently contracted beyond 2024. They are reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia, KTM’s Brad Binder (both of whom holding deals to the end of 2026), LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco and factory Honda rider Luca Marini. For the rest, it’s open season; but they don’t have long to stake their claims, with the market – as proved by Bagnaia’s new Ducati deal being penned before the first round – set to move very quickly.
Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Autosport has ranked who we believe are the five main names who need to have a big year in 2024.