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After its annual hiatus, racing is back on centre stage. Over in the four-wheel world, the Formula One world championship is finally underway, with McLaren making a blistering start in their bid to usurp Max Verstappen as champion.
Over on two wheels, the new MotoGP season has also begun, and there is plenty to talk about in the early stages of the campaign.
Reigning champion Jorge Martin is attempting to defend his crown. But after narrowly holding off the late charge of former champion Francesco Bagnaia last term, the bookies currently don’t fancy his chances of retaining the title.
He is as long as 70-1 with some outlets to reel off a second straight title, and lots of people will be wondering whether he’s actually worth a flutter.
However, it isn’t just outright betting where sportsbook outlets are showcasing their excitement surrounding the sport. With Thunderpick Sportsbook’s thrilling promotions, there’s even more to get excited about.
They have drawn inspiration from the Grand Prix world to create an exhilarating ‘race’ promotion, one that lets players rack up points for every bet during the race period. The first to cross the finish line snags a massive prize, igniting the kind of excitement that reminds you why we love the sport.
But as thrilling as Thunderpick’s competition is, those on the MotoGP grid have just one prize on their minds right now – winning that world championship.
The season’s first two races have already concluded, and the action is heating up nicely ahead of showdowns in the US and Qatar.
Here are the biggest talking points so far this term:
Jorge Martin: The defending king faces fresh battles
The 2024 season will be remembered as ‘The Year of Martin’. The Spanish sensation stormed through the field, snatching the championship with ice-cold precision against all odds.
His 17 podium finishes screamed consistency, while his fearless charge against heavyweights such as Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez showed he’s not just here to play the game – he’s here to own it.
But this season comes with a twist. Martin has shifted to Aprilia, trading the familiar comforts of Ducati for a factory eager to disrupt the reigning powerhouse. It’s a brave move, but injury woes have already thrown a wrench in the works, keeping him out of the opener and forcing him to play catch-up from the start. Can the fearless Martinator adapt to Aprilia’s RS-GP and prove he’s more than a one-brand wonder? The road to a repeat just got steeper, and all eyes will be on the man carrying that number one plate.
Marc Marquez is back, baby – and he wants History
Marc Marquez is living that ‘comeback kid’ narrative like no one else.
Throughout the 2010s, the Spaniard was the dominant force on track, claiming his maiden world championship in his debut season back in 2013 and not looking back. Between then and 2019 he claimed six titles, only missing out on the top spot in 2015 to teammate Jorge Lorenzo, but now he heads into his sixth year without a crown.
After years of injuries and struggles, Marquez has left Honda in the rearview mirror and found his rebirth at Fortress Ducati. And boy has he hit the ground running.
Opening the season with back-to-back wins in Thailand and Argentina, the 32-year-old isn’t creeping toward greatness – he’s charging at it full throttle.
This season isn’t just about wins; it’s about legacy. Marquez has his sights set on Valentino Rossi’s record of seven premier-class titles, and he’s not shy about it.
But in his way stands his teammate and the pride of Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia. It’s a clash of titans – the cunning veteran versus the calculating more recent champ. The Italian’s silky-smooth dominance versus Marquez’s never-say-die aggression. If that doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, we don’t know what will.
Ducati’s dynasty rolls on
What’s faster than a Desmoquattro hurtling down a straight? Ducati’s rise to dominance over the last few years.
Heading into this season, the Italian team has three consecutive world titles and a roster that brims with superstars. In recent times, they’ve been the gold standard, the bar everyone else measures themselves against. And judging by the start to the season, they won’t be loosening their stranglehold over the rest of the grid any time soon.
Even with some changes in strategy this year, Ducati remains terrifying. While they’ve trimmed the number of factory bikes on the track, their engineering brilliance seemingly knows no bounds. The GP24.9 – an evolution of last year’s devastatingly fast GP24 – is poised to deliver another season of heartbreak for their rivals. And Marquez on a Ducati? For the opposition, that’s the stuff nightmares are made of.
But with Bagnaia eager to assert himself as the team leader, Ducati has the spicy recipe for fireworks in its own garage. Will these stars tear each other apart trying to reach the top, or will we see dominance with a side order of team drama?
Either way, the rest of the grid should be sweating.
