The Catalunya MotoGP at Barcelona witnessed an eventful race, filled with dramatic twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Aleix Espargaro clinched a stellar victory, leading Aprilia’s maiden one-two finish, with Maverick Viñales following closely behind. Jorge Martin secured a commendable third spot, while the reigning champion, Francesco Bagnaia, faced an unfortunate accident, sidelining him with leg injuries. This captivating contest at Barcelona has set the stage for the forthcoming spectacle in India.
As the world of MotoGP shifts its focus eastward, the anticipation is palpable. The Grand Prix of India is on the horizon, and with the memory of Barcelona still fresh, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how the events of Catalunya influence the dynamics on this new racetrack. Will Aprilia continue their dominance? Can Martin close the gap further? And most crucially, how will Bagnaia’s absence affect the championship battle? As the engines roar in anticipation, our expert analysis and betting tips for the Grand Prix of India are coming up, ensuring you’re well-equipped for the next chapter of this thrilling MotoGP season. Stay with us!
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Schedule and How to Watch the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
The Buddh International Circuit is abuzz with anticipation, readying itself for a series of riveting MotoGP events from September 21st to 24th. It’s all leading up to the crowning glory: the Grand Prix of India. For a detailed view of the weekend’s events, refer to the official schedule. For enthusiasts who can’t be at the venue in person, be sure to check the official MotoGP website for viewing options. (Note: While live broadcasts might be limited in certain regions, including the US, you can still catch comprehensive race highlights and updates on the website!) If betting is on your agenda, don’t forget to follow the live action and keep an eye on NXTbets for updates on odds and prices.
Best Bets and Picks for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
With a range of betting options available, from Event Winner to Head-to-Head bets, bettors are presented with a wide spectrum of wagering opportunities. Here are our top picks and dark horse selections for this event:
Top Picks and Bets
Driver
Event Winner Odds
Francesco Bagnaia
+322
Jorge Martin
+558
Marco Bezzecchi
+687
Aleix Espargaro
+1150
Maverick Vinales
+1182
Francesco Bagnaia, despite his harrowing accident in Catalunya that led to hospitalization, still holds tight with the shortest odds at +322. His season’s prowess and championship lead cannot be ignored, yet bettors should tread with caution given his recent physical ordeal.
Jorge Martin, with odds of +558, comes off a strong podium finish in Barcelona. He showcased grit and tactical acumen, managing to keep even seasoned racers at bay. A bet on Martin seems promising given his recent form and upward trajectory this season.
Marco Bezzecchi, priced at +687, had a challenging race in Barcelona but remains a top contender, especially if he can recalibrate and adapt to the Buddh International Circuit’s nuances. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro’s triumphant run in Barcelona, leading Aprilia’s first-ever one-two finish, certainly makes his +1150 odds enticing for those seeking value.
Lastly, Maverick Vinales, at +1182, might be perceived as a long shot to some. Yet, considering his dominant performance in Catalunya prior to being edged out by his teammate, he remains a wild card with potential for a lucrative payoff.
Outsider Picks
Driver
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Johann Zarco
+1182
$256.40
Brad Binder
+1487
$317.40
Marc Marquez
+1539
$327.80
Johann Zarco, priced at +1182, had a tumultuous experience in Barcelona, getting caught up in a pile-up and failing to capitalize on potential early leads. However, Zarco’s undeniable talent, combined with his drive to recover from the setback, makes that $256.40 payout on a $20 bet quite intriguing.
Brad Binder, coming in with odds of +1487, faced an unfortunate chain of events in Catalunya, from running out of medium front tires to his unavoidable collision with Bagnaia. Yet, this Red Bull KTM talent has shown sparks of brilliance this season. His odds offer a tempting prospect for bettors looking to back an underdog with a potential to upset the status quo.
Then, there’s the seasoned Marc Marquez at +1539. The iconic Repsol Honda rider had a challenging run in Barcelona, struggling and eventually finishing 13th. Still, this is Marc Marquez we’re talking about, a multi-time world champion. While his current form is a concern, counting him out entirely might be premature. A $20 wager could yield $327.80, and with Marquez, a resurgence is always just around the corner.
Head-to-Head Picks
For the upcoming showdown at the Buddh International Circuit, several matchups promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Considering recent performances, track records, and the unique characteristics of this circuit, we’ve delved deep into some of the most thrilling head-to-head clashes slated for the Grand Prix of India:
Matchup
(Favorite in Bold)
Winner Odds
Marco Bezzecchi v. Jorge Martin
-115
Alex Marquez v. Luca Marini
-135
Brad Binder v. Marc Marquez
-117
Pol Espargaro v. Franco Morbidelli
-104
Augusto Fernandez v. Fabio Di Giannantonio
-118
Luca Marini v. Jack Miller
-107
Miguel Oliveira v. Fabio Quartararo
-136
Maverick Vinales v. Aleix Espargaro
-105
Expert Pick for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
Aleix Espargaro at +1150 offers tantalizing value. Fresh off a commanding victory at Barcelona, Aleix showcased not only his capability to win but also Aprilia Racing’s growing prowess in the MotoGP circuit. With momentum on his side and a clear synergy with the RS-GP23 bike, the payout potential for his odds is quite alluring. Given his recent performance and the ascending trajectory of his team, backing Espargaro seems like a judicious bet for those eyeing value.
Where to Bet on the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
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The approaching showdown at the Buddh International Circuit promises heart-pounding action for both MotoGP enthusiasts and wagering aficionados. Whether you’re backing the seasoned titans or taking a punt on the dark horses, expect a fusion of high-octane racing and gripping betting prospects.
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Maverick Viñales withdrew from the US MotoGP at COTA after Free Practice 1 when track medical checks found a surgical screw in his previously operated left shoulder had come loose. Tech3 said the displaced screw and ongoing pain forced his withdrawal; Viñales will return to Europe for a minor procedure, and AS reported the operation was scheduled for the week after the Austin round. He was 13th in FP1, nearly a second down on team‑mate Acosta, and had planned to use Friday practice to judge whether he could continue before deciding to withdraw.
The left‑shoulder problem dates to July 2025 and has been linked in reports to Sachsenring qualifying and to a crash at the Italian Grand Prix; Viñales underwent surgery in Italy after that summer injury. Since then he has reported loss of strength and difficulty changing direction, especially when turning left, and his performance has suffered — he completed only five of the final 13 grands prix in 2025, missed eight rounds between the summer incident and the Portuguese round, and has scored just three world championship points since the injury. He entered the season without points from the first two rounds amid reported KTM specification problems, and has been running a different KTM RC16 configuration while managing the shoulder. Over the winter he worked with coach Jorge Lorenzo and took part in a February Sepang test when he believed the shoulder had healed.
Tech3 says Viñales is targeting a return at Jerez (April 24–26). The postponement of the Qatar race gives him an additional recovery window before that weekend. Viñales said he is “worried about my future,” has not ruled out further surgery, and has previously avoided publicly detailing the injury for fear it could lead to being sidelined by KTM and affect his salary.
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s hard, fair wheel-to-wheel duel with seven-time champion Marc Márquez defined his weekend at the 2026 Brazilian MotoGP, as he emerged third on the podium after a lengthy fight described as “aggressive but clean.” Di Giannantonio said he studied Márquez’s precision — particularly through left-hand turns — and “picked up a lot of ideas” about how to tackle the Spaniard in future races. The result gave Ducati its first podium of the year in the longer main race and was particularly meaningful to Di Giannantonio because it came from direct on-track combat with such an accomplished rival.
The podium followed a difficult build-up: Di Giannantonio had taken pole on Saturday and finished second in the Sprint after two mistakes handed victory to Márquez, then suffered a heavy crash in Sunday morning Warm Up that badly damaged his Ducati Desmosedici. VR46 Ducati mechanics repaired the bike in time and Di Giannantonio started the shortened Grand Prix — which had been cut by eight laps, a decision he learned about roughly six minutes before the race — despite reporting left-shoulder pain and intermittent loss of concentration from impacts under hard braking. He managed the discomfort through the early laps, found a rhythm and climbed to the podium, leaving Brazil with two podiums overall.
The weekend exposed technical gaps as much as it showcased racecraft. Di Giannantonio credited a small setup change and his crew for lifting him among the best Ducatis on the grid, but warned Aprilia had an advantage on the slippery, deteriorating asphalt and said Ducati must work on front-end stability to carry more speed through corners. Márquez, who finished fourth after a front-end washout on a patch of peeling asphalt and early tire discomfort, acknowledged the strength of Aprilia’s package and elected to back off after his off to protect championship points. Di Giannantonio’s podium also shifted the Ducati pecking order: he left Brazil as the top Ducati rider in the standings, three points clear of Márquez and 19 points behind championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. The result underlined both the value of close wheel-to-wheel racing as a development ground and the technical issues teams will need to address going forward; Ducati’s season-long podium run had already been broken in Thailand, ending an uninterrupted streak that dated back to Silverstone 2021.
Ducati’s hopes at the Thai MotoGP in Buriram were derailed by mechanical problems and an unexpectedly poor team showing that left the factory without a podium. The result ended a long run of Ducati podiums — reported as an 88-race streak that began in 2021 — though sources differ on the precise race it began (reports cite the 2021 British GP and Aragon 2021). Aprilia dominated the opener, turning what had been a pre-race expectation of Ducati strength into a difficult weekend for the Italian marque.
The most dramatic failure came when Marc Márquez, who had begun the race on the front row and was contesting a podium, ran over the Turn 4 curb on lap 21 and suffered a deformed rear rim that caused an immediate loss of tire pressure and forced his retirement with six laps remaining. Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi said “the rim exploded,” and technical lead Piero Taramasso said rim damage had been visible all weekend amid extreme heat and an aggressive curb design. Márquez called the failure “very strange” and “unlucky,” said he did not believe Michelin or the track surface were to blame, and insisted there was “no panic” at Ducati. Tardozzi added the failure likely cost Márquez at least a third-place finish and warned it complicates his championship bid.
Other Ducati riders also suffered setbacks. Fabio di Giannantonio, the top Ducati finisher, recovered to sixth after a mysterious technical fault on lap six that he said produced overheating, reduced his pace and forced him to back off; he ruled out a direct tire failure but declined to specify the issue and said he believed he could have challenged for a podium. Franco Morbidelli finished eighth and Francesco Bagnaia ninth after a weekend of struggles; Alex Márquez and Marc Márquez both retired, Michele Pirro finished last as a replacement rider, and team members were left searching for explanations as engineers tried to understand why the bikes felt different from testing. With Ducati stunned and Aprilia celebrating a dominant day, team figures urged calm while investigations into the wheel and bike issues continued.
Victoria’s Allan Labor Government formally rejected a request from MotoGP Sports Entertainment (formerly Dorna Sports, also referred to as MotoGP Sports Entertainment SL) to move the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Phillip Island to Melbourne’s Albert Park, and tied extra state funding to keeping the race at Phillip Island beyond 2026. The government said the event was “synonymous with Phillip Island,” and framed the Grand Prix as vital for tourism, local businesses and jobs. It conditioned any additional cash to upgrade facilities on MotoGP committing to keep the event at Phillip Island, a move that has effectively closed off an immediate relocation to Albert Park.
The decision came as the existing contract between Dorna and the state is due to expire at the end of 2026. Dorna had argued Phillip Island did not meet current World Championship infrastructure standards, and reports in late 2025 showed the promoter was keen to relocate. Attendance weakened in 2025, with the Australian round among five grands prix that had weekend crowds under 100,000, and supporters launched a petition in late 2025 to keep the race at Phillip Island. The government’s backing included references to a proposed cash injection — the pledged amount and whether it was accepted were not confirmed in reports — and Phillip Island has hosted the Australian MotoGP 29 times.
Local politicians and officials welcomed the decision. Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos called Phillip Island the “home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix,” Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead said she hoped any investment would be directed toward facility upgrades to meet standards, and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said Labor would defend the Bass Coast’s interests. The announcement kept the current contract timeline intact while signaling Victoria’s willingness to upgrade and financially back the race so long as it remains at Phillip Island, even as other jurisdictions such as South Australia and the Bend motorsport complex have been reported as interested in hosting the event in the future.
Best Bets: 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India Pre-Event Odds
Schedule and How to Watch the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
Best Bets and Picks for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
Top Picks and Bets
Outsider Picks
Head-to-Head Picks
Expert Pick for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
Where to Bet on the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of India
Related Posts
Viñales withdraws at COTA after shoulder screw dislodges
Maverick Viñales withdrew from the US MotoGP at COTA after Free Practice 1 when track medical checks found a surgical screw in his previously operated left shoulder had come loose. Tech3 said the displaced screw and ongoing pain forced his withdrawal; Viñales will return to Europe for a minor procedure, and AS reported the operation was scheduled for the week after the Austin round. He was 13th in FP1, nearly a second down on team‑mate Acosta, and had planned to use Friday practice to judge whether he could continue before deciding to withdraw.
The left‑shoulder problem dates to July 2025 and has been linked in reports to Sachsenring qualifying and to a crash at the Italian Grand Prix; Viñales underwent surgery in Italy after that summer injury. Since then he has reported loss of strength and difficulty changing direction, especially when turning left, and his performance has suffered — he completed only five of the final 13 grands prix in 2025, missed eight rounds between the summer incident and the Portuguese round, and has scored just three world championship points since the injury. He entered the season without points from the first two rounds amid reported KTM specification problems, and has been running a different KTM RC16 configuration while managing the shoulder. Over the winter he worked with coach Jorge Lorenzo and took part in a February Sepang test when he believed the shoulder had healed.
Tech3 says Viñales is targeting a return at Jerez (April 24–26). The postponement of the Qatar race gives him an additional recovery window before that weekend. Viñales said he is “worried about my future,” has not ruled out further surgery, and has previously avoided publicly detailing the injury for fear it could lead to being sidelined by KTM and affect his salary.
Di Giannantonio third after wheel-to-wheel with Marquez
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s hard, fair wheel-to-wheel duel with seven-time champion Marc Márquez defined his weekend at the 2026 Brazilian MotoGP, as he emerged third on the podium after a lengthy fight described as “aggressive but clean.” Di Giannantonio said he studied Márquez’s precision — particularly through left-hand turns — and “picked up a lot of ideas” about how to tackle the Spaniard in future races. The result gave Ducati its first podium of the year in the longer main race and was particularly meaningful to Di Giannantonio because it came from direct on-track combat with such an accomplished rival.
The podium followed a difficult build-up: Di Giannantonio had taken pole on Saturday and finished second in the Sprint after two mistakes handed victory to Márquez, then suffered a heavy crash in Sunday morning Warm Up that badly damaged his Ducati Desmosedici. VR46 Ducati mechanics repaired the bike in time and Di Giannantonio started the shortened Grand Prix — which had been cut by eight laps, a decision he learned about roughly six minutes before the race — despite reporting left-shoulder pain and intermittent loss of concentration from impacts under hard braking. He managed the discomfort through the early laps, found a rhythm and climbed to the podium, leaving Brazil with two podiums overall.
The weekend exposed technical gaps as much as it showcased racecraft. Di Giannantonio credited a small setup change and his crew for lifting him among the best Ducatis on the grid, but warned Aprilia had an advantage on the slippery, deteriorating asphalt and said Ducati must work on front-end stability to carry more speed through corners. Márquez, who finished fourth after a front-end washout on a patch of peeling asphalt and early tire discomfort, acknowledged the strength of Aprilia’s package and elected to back off after his off to protect championship points. Di Giannantonio’s podium also shifted the Ducati pecking order: he left Brazil as the top Ducati rider in the standings, three points clear of Márquez and 19 points behind championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. The result underlined both the value of close wheel-to-wheel racing as a development ground and the technical issues teams will need to address going forward; Ducati’s season-long podium run had already been broken in Thailand, ending an uninterrupted streak that dated back to Silverstone 2021.
Rim failure likely cost Márquez podium, harms Ducati bid
Ducati’s hopes at the Thai MotoGP in Buriram were derailed by mechanical problems and an unexpectedly poor team showing that left the factory without a podium. The result ended a long run of Ducati podiums — reported as an 88-race streak that began in 2021 — though sources differ on the precise race it began (reports cite the 2021 British GP and Aragon 2021). Aprilia dominated the opener, turning what had been a pre-race expectation of Ducati strength into a difficult weekend for the Italian marque.
The most dramatic failure came when Marc Márquez, who had begun the race on the front row and was contesting a podium, ran over the Turn 4 curb on lap 21 and suffered a deformed rear rim that caused an immediate loss of tire pressure and forced his retirement with six laps remaining. Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi said “the rim exploded,” and technical lead Piero Taramasso said rim damage had been visible all weekend amid extreme heat and an aggressive curb design. Márquez called the failure “very strange” and “unlucky,” said he did not believe Michelin or the track surface were to blame, and insisted there was “no panic” at Ducati. Tardozzi added the failure likely cost Márquez at least a third-place finish and warned it complicates his championship bid.
Other Ducati riders also suffered setbacks. Fabio di Giannantonio, the top Ducati finisher, recovered to sixth after a mysterious technical fault on lap six that he said produced overheating, reduced his pace and forced him to back off; he ruled out a direct tire failure but declined to specify the issue and said he believed he could have challenged for a podium. Franco Morbidelli finished eighth and Francesco Bagnaia ninth after a weekend of struggles; Alex Márquez and Marc Márquez both retired, Michele Pirro finished last as a replacement rider, and team members were left searching for explanations as engineers tried to understand why the bikes felt different from testing. With Ducati stunned and Aprilia celebrating a dominant day, team figures urged calm while investigations into the wheel and bike issues continued.
Labor Links Venue Funding to MotoGP at Phillip Island
Victoria’s Allan Labor Government formally rejected a request from MotoGP Sports Entertainment (formerly Dorna Sports, also referred to as MotoGP Sports Entertainment SL) to move the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Phillip Island to Melbourne’s Albert Park, and tied extra state funding to keeping the race at Phillip Island beyond 2026. The government said the event was “synonymous with Phillip Island,” and framed the Grand Prix as vital for tourism, local businesses and jobs. It conditioned any additional cash to upgrade facilities on MotoGP committing to keep the event at Phillip Island, a move that has effectively closed off an immediate relocation to Albert Park.
The decision came as the existing contract between Dorna and the state is due to expire at the end of 2026. Dorna had argued Phillip Island did not meet current World Championship infrastructure standards, and reports in late 2025 showed the promoter was keen to relocate. Attendance weakened in 2025, with the Australian round among five grands prix that had weekend crowds under 100,000, and supporters launched a petition in late 2025 to keep the race at Phillip Island. The government’s backing included references to a proposed cash injection — the pledged amount and whether it was accepted were not confirmed in reports — and Phillip Island has hosted the Australian MotoGP 29 times.
Local politicians and officials welcomed the decision. Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos called Phillip Island the “home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix,” Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead said she hoped any investment would be directed toward facility upgrades to meet standards, and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said Labor would defend the Bass Coast’s interests. The announcement kept the current contract timeline intact while signaling Victoria’s willingness to upgrade and financially back the race so long as it remains at Phillip Island, even as other jurisdictions such as South Australia and the Bend motorsport complex have been reported as interested in hosting the event in the future.