Is Arbolino in line for a 2024 MotoGP move?

The Italian, alongside Acosta, could be a current Moto2™ name we see on the premier class grid soon

2024 is coming:
spare the dates!
Dates for the primary GP and for pre-season testing for 2024 can presently be uncovered
Labels 2023
The dates for the 2024 Qatar Fantastic Prix can presently be declared! The 8th to the 10th of Walk 2024 is the temporary date to be proposed to the FIM as MotoGP™ plans to return to Qatar’s spectacular floodlights for the primary occasion of the season.

Some time recently an special case in 2023 due to broad redesign to the circuit offices, Qatar had opened the Championship for the past 16 seasons continuously and will presently do so once once more. The 2023 Qatar Terrific Prix will be held on the 19th of November, for the penultimate circular of the year, some time recently MotoGP™ is set to return less than four months afterward for the 2024 opener.

Testing for 2024 will start as before long as November as we get our exceptionally to begin with taste of following year’s lattice in a one-day test fair after the 2023 season finale. The Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, as the have for the ultimate circular of the season, will arrange this one-day test on Tuesday the 28th of November 2023.

The pre-season itself will start in February with the Squeeze Test and Official Test at Sepang Worldwide Circuit:

SEPANG
Squeeze Test:
Thursday 1st – Saturday 3rd of February (for test riders and new kids on the block as it were)
Official Test:
Tuesday 6th – Thursday 8th of February

Qatar will have the moment and last test afterward the same month:

QATAR
Official Test:
Monday 19th – Tuesday 20th of February

There will moreover be three days of in-season testing amid 2024, which marks an increment of one day compared to 2023. The settings for the in-season tests will be affirmed in due course.

We’re only five rounds into the 2023 campaign but already the so-called MotoGP™ silly season is in full flow – as it always is.

After his stellar start to the Moto2™ season, one name is being heavily linked to a move up to MotoGP™ for 2024. That name is Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). Likewise to title rival Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the Italian looks like one of the more likely candidates to move into the premier class if a move is available. Unlike Acosta with KTM, Arbolino isn’t heavily affiliated with a factory, meaning his potential MotoGP™ destination isn’t as clear as his Spanish counterpart’s.

In a recent interview with Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Arbolino hinted that he deserves a MotoGP™ seat – or to be talked about moving into one – just as much as Acosta does. “Pedro has nothing more than me” commented Arbolino to Gazzetta, with the latter currently 25 points clear of the 2021 Moto3™ World Champion after his French GP victory.

Fuelling some of the Arbolino to MotoGP™ talk was Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti. Speaking to motogp.com in France, Ciabatti mentioned Arbolino’s name when chatting about riders Ducati are keeping an eye on.

“Yeah, Pedro (Acosta) is one of the most promising riders since his Moto3™ years and we know he has a connection with KTM, which is understandable. Tony Arbolino is also doing a good job. Let’s see, it’s a little too early, we need a couple more races before considering next year,” said Ciabatti.

Moto2™ race recap: Acosta and Arbolino go wheel-to-wheel 16/04/2023

A superb final lap from the Red Bull KTM Ajo saw him get the better of the Italian, while Bo Bendsneyder earned a first Moto2™ podium

Ducati and every other MotoGP™ manufacturer won’t rush a decision. Three races remain before the summer break arrives, and it’s around that time when factories will start to finalise their plans for 2024. But if Arbolino is to move up to MotoGP™ next season, Ducati could be the 22-year-old’s most likely destination – in particular, Gresini Racing MotoGP™.

Obviously, that depends on whether Ducati would like to keep Fabio Di Giannantonio on their books next to Alex Marquez. It’s not been the easiest of seasons for Di Giannantonio so far, but again, Ducati aren’t going to rush into any decision-making at this stage of the season. Ciabatti made that clear.

In addition, Carlo Pernat, Arbolino’s manager, also said it’s “too early” to speak about Arbolino moving up to the premier class to motoinworld.com, but the wise Italian is closely linked with Gresini Racing after Enea Bastianini’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) success with the team – the Italian another rider Pernat manages.

Discussions will be ongoing behind the scenes about 2024 across every factory. Arbolino will be a name that is near the top of the most-wanted lists after his sensational start to 2023, so it’s a story to keep your eyes on over the coming months.