The prototypes that compete in MotoGP are the ultimate in technology. The choice of top brands has only one great common denominator.
We usually glorify the exploits of the champions of the premier class, sometimes forgetting the image benefit of victories on the track for the manufacturers. MotoGP is currently going through a phase of profound crisis. There are just 5 brands left to fight for the scepter in the premier class of the MotoGP.
Ducati dominates the scene, queen since 2020. Thanks to the technical innovations proposed by the engineer. Luigi Dall’Igna the Desmosedici began a cycle of triumphs with Pecco Bagnaia. The latter won the last 2 world championship awards, overcoming the resistance of Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin. The battle has moved between the Ducatisti again this season. For all the other builders there is only crumbs to collect.
In a top class dominated for decades by Japanese motorcycles, KTM and Aprilia have grown exponentially. I’m not at the World Cup yet but they have shown greater potential than Yamaha and Honda.
The latter is the most successful manufacturer in the history of MotoGP, but for years they have not been at the top of the constructors’ rankings. After the epic by Valentino Rossi and continued with Hayden and Stoner, without forgetting the contribution of Dani Pedrosa, HRC triumphed in the previous decade with Marc Marquez.
All the names mentioned above have contributed to making the house of the golden wing the number 1 brand in the world. As former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone often said, you win on Sunday so that you sell on Monday. It’s an unwritten rule of the motoring world. Motorsport has always represented the most important showcase for sales and sponsors. Impressive money is in circulation.
MotoGP, the commitment of the top teams
Pilots give and pilots take away. For example, Valentino Rossi’s departure from two-wheel racing had a negative impact on the premier class and also on Yamaha. It is no coincidence that the Iwata brand is going through a period of downturn. The concessions weren’t even enough to make Quartararo and Rins smile again. Big brands want to sell motorcycles and show that they can make lightning-fast prototypes in the most challenging class of motorcycling. Floating in the last positions does not represent a good calling card.
Centaurs are usually passionate about racing. Almost everyone has their own favorite in the series-derived motorcycle championship and in MotoGP. It is no coincidence that Ducati has achieved sensational sales records, driven by the victories of Bagnaia in MotoGP, Bulega in Supersport and Bautista in Superbike in 2023. Honda’s collapse, however, also resulted in the departure of Marc Marquez in the direction of the house in Borgo Panigale.
The eight-time world champion had been essential in keeping Honda’s sales at the top in Spain. The Tokyo company now had to complete and reinvent itself starting from the livery. Suzuki’s farewell at the end of 2022 was also sensational. Despite some decent results on the track, the Japanese brand preferred to invest elsewhere. The rumors speak of a possible arrival of BMW in MotoGP, but at the moment we are collecting the excellent farewells in the recent past, such as that of Kawasaki, and, without significant results, the top Japanese brands are also in the balance.
