Let's go for the big review of this MotoGP season! For two days, we will look in the rearview mirror, look in detail at what worked (or not) for almost a year. Show, title race, overtaking, everything will be there! In order to remain concise, the lessons will be presented in point form. Are you ready? Here we go!
Let’s get to the big part without further ado. Was this 2024 campaign good or not? In my opinion, because this is just my opinion, it was average. I hope you will understand my feelings through the different chapters presented.
A glaring lack of tension on the scale of a MotoGP season
The most important element of a season is the competition, even before the showovertaking, accidents or the domination of a manufacturer, since that is what was in question. It is the battle for the world title that takes precedence, it is this that will make us remember this year 2024 in twenty years. For once, I was quite disappointed, and this parameter will be distilled into all the points exposed.
The biggest problem, still in my opinion, being this lack of tension. Yes, it was close between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, and it's true that it came down to the last race. Yes, these are two exceptional drivers, who, what's more, share the same vision of sport and fair-play. Yes, I can understand the interest in such a scenario, that is to say, a
remake of 2023, with two competitors who have the same chances. But in my case, it didn't take. And I wasn't the only one.
Bagnaia is full of talent, certainly, but he is not demonstrative for a penny. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Alex Rins, too, mentioned this lack of tension between the two, as if the stakes were not that big. DORNA and its communications department did everything to sell us an exceptional rivalry, a grandiose contest based on photos taken at the top of the skyline from Kuala Lumpur. Except that in reality, it was flat. The two never activated the psychological lever, but worse: there was not a single spicy little sentence, not a provocative celebration, not a sign of well-placed arrogance. I felt more like I was seeing two friends fighting over a meaningless victory in a video game than the highest individual distinction in the motorcycling world..
Of course, it came down to the last Grand Prix, but it was a foregone conclusion, Martin couldn't lose unless there was a miracle. But that's not all, because most of the time, the tension is created by the confrontation on the trackand here is another black point of this year.
Very few interesting battles
Martin and Bagnaia did not cross paths on the track, except for a few laps. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
It's been a long time since we've been so bored watching races. I am sure that you will share this opinion because I have already had the opportunity to survey you throughout the year. First, in 40 starts, Bagnaia and Martin have never directly faced each other for a victory. It happened twice last year and all we got was a few laps at Sepang, when the season was almost decided. If we add this parameter to the lack of rivalry between the two, it cannot give a great title race, still according to my criteria.
And then, speaking of other pilots, the huge battles were far too rare as well. Apart from Jerez and this explanation between Marquez and Bagnaia, we didn't have much to sink our teeth into. Come on, there was this overtaking of Bastianini on the “Martinator” at Misano, but it was more forced than magnificent. It must be said that the style of Bagnaia and Martin, very “Lorenzo-esque”, does not offer almost any chance to their opponents. When they escape, it's over, basically. The two have accumulated 28 victories in total, so obviously, we found the time long.
I think we saw the worst show on track since 2021,
a pretty dull year too.
If the results seem very negative to you, it's because this episode concerned the most important points, which I considered average. There is still something good to remember, but we will talk about it again tomorrow, same time, so be there! In the meantime, tell me what you thought of this 2024 campaign in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
This year was marked by the absence of spicy outsiders. No Binder, Bezzecchi or Espargaro all in front regularly. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
