MotoGP 2023: TNT Sports pundits preview second half of season ahead of 'must-watch' British Grand Prix
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Published 21/07/2023 at 11:29 GMT
The British Grand Prix heralds the start of a new era as TNT Sports becomes the new home of MotoGP. The 2023 season resumes after the summer break this month with the British GP at Silverstone. Ahead of the first race on TNT Sports, we asked Sylvain Guintoli, Neil Hodgson, Michael Laverty, Suzi Perry and Gavin Emmett to preview the second half of the season.
Ducati Lenovo Team's Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia competes during the Dutch MotoGP at the TT circuit of Assen, on June 25, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
The 2023 MotoGP season resumes after the summer break next month with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
It is eight races down and 12 to go as the United Kingdom prepares to host the world's fastest riders.
Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) leads the way after a fascinating season so far, sitting top of the Championship standings with 194 points, ahead of Prima Pramac's Jorge Martin (159 points) and Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46 (158).
Ahead of what will be the first race live on TNT Sports, we asked our resident MotoGP experts Neil Hodgson, Michael Laverty, Suzi Perry, Sylvain Guintoli and Gavin Emmett to bring us up to speed on the season so far and preview the rest of the year.
Sylvain Guintoli
Moment of season so far?
"The first ever sprint race at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
"It was such a big shock to see riders fighting for position and taking maximum risks straight away.
"The first half of the season has been full of surprises with no shortage of excitement. I'm sure the second half of the season will be just as amazing.
"The summer break has been quite long this year, but as soon we come back it heats back up and we have a race almost every weekend from now until the end of the season."
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Pecco Bagnaia won the British Grand Prix on his way to the 2022 MotoGP riders' championship.
Image credit: Getty Images
What about the British Grand Prix?
"The British Grand Prix is always a special occasion, with a special atmosphere.
"It's a chance for the UK fans to meet their heroes and watch them on track at a truly historic venue like Silverstone."
Michael Laverty
Moment of the season
"The moment of the season for me has to be the second Sprint Race.
"I loved the inaugural Sprint Race in Portugal, the scrappiness of it, but Argentina was absolute mayhem.
"I loved watching the aggressiveness of all the young riders going for it, figuring out how to attack a Sprint Race. That was quite the spectacle.
What does the British Grand Prix mean to you?
"The British Grand Prix is a historic event, used to be at Donington Park now it's at Silverstone - the best track in the world for me.
"It kicks off the second half of the season in style. Everyone will be fired up coming off the summer break and hopefully we'll get some sunshine for the best riders on the best bikes in the world.
"Silverstone is always a must-watch Grand Prix. I love the racing around there because it's such a high-speed circuit, there's a bit of everything.
"It's never been this close at this stage of the season with 15, 20 riders that could win a MotoGP race. Edge of your seat stuff!
"There are a lot of questions to answer: can Ducati repeat their performance with Pecco? Is it going to be a first satellite world champion with Jorge Martin from Pramac? Will the Japanese manufacturers have a resurgence?
"There's still a long way to go in this championship."
Gavin Emmett
Moment of the season
"My moment of 2023 so far has to be race one, Portimao, Marc Marquez and his collision with Miguel Oliveira.
"It injured Marc but it also showed he was having to push the bike to its limits.
"At the midway mark in the season, Marquez and Honda are having a disastrous year and that moment said it all."
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Marc Marquez has struggled to reproduce the form that saw him win eight world titles.
Image credit: Getty Images
What are you most excited about for the British Grand Prix?
"It's brilliant news for British MotoGP fans that they can now see all the action across the TNT Sports offering.
"Silverstone this year comes after a five-week break in the championship and it will set the tone for the remainder of the season.
"Everyone has had time off and they will want to hit the ground running and one of the fastest race circuits on the whole MotoGP calendar.
"It's the longest race track on the circuit, it's a real challenge but the riders love it.
"It's the home of British motorsport, perfect for overtaking, and if the crowds turn up there's no better place to be."
Why should fans tune in?
"You simply have to tune in for the rest of the season for the lesson 2022 taught us, when Fabio Quartararo had a 92-point lead over Pecco Bagnaia.
"Everyone thought the championship was done at the halfway point but Pecco clawed it back and it went right down to the last race of the season.
"Bagnaia may have a lead but don't be surprised to see other Ducati riders challenging him down the stretch."
Neil Hodgson
Moment of the season
"People will expect me to say the Sprint Races, but I'm going to say the crowds.
"We had a record crowd in Le Mans, 278,000 turned up over the weekend - unbelievable!
"Our sport is growing, it's more popular than ever before and it's never been better."
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Sam Lowes will be hoping he can challenge for a podium finish in front of his home fans at Silverstone.
Image credit: Getty Images
And what about Silverstone?
"The British Grand Prix is so important in the calendar. It gives the fans the opportunity to meet the riders and see them on track.
"This year's race at Silverstone is a must watch. You're going to see, in the lower classes, British riders like Sam Lowes and Jake Dixon fighting for wins.
"Then in MotoGP, you're going to see the best riders in the world on a wide open track on the fast, flowing corners of Silverstone.
"The racing's always close and the action's second to none, so you won't want to miss it.
"The beauty of the MotoGP calendar is that we go overseas for the last few rounds.
"We're going to get inclement weather, we're going to go to some peculiar race circuits and that makes the racing really unpredictable.
"Last year's championship went down to the last round, and I've got a sneaky feeling it's going to be the same again this year."
Anything else?
"For me, the most interesting question after the summer break is 'what can the Japanese manufacturers do?'
"Marc Marquez has had so many injuries he appears to have lost his confidence now - he can't stop crashing.
"And Yamaha haven't quite had the pace. Can they fight back like we've seen them do in the past?"
Suzi Perry
Moment of the season
"I have absolutely loved the sprint races.
"Brad Binder going from 15th to 1st as been a particular highlight so far for me."
Describe what the British Grand Prix means to you?
"Silverstone is the beating heart of British motorsport.
"The British Grand Prix is a must-watch because we just might get a home winner. Just imagine if Jake Dixon wins there this year!
"The second half of the season should bring a full grid again, fingers crossed.
"We're going to India for the first time and there will be the most fantastic title race."
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TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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