The roar of engines and the scent of burnt rubber at Buddh International Circuit are now behind us as the Grand Prix of India crowned Marco Bezzecchi the winner, in a race that heightened tensions in the title chase. Ducati reigned supreme with Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín claiming the top spots, while Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo secured third. A significant narrative was Pecco Bagnaia’s loss of vital championship points, narrowing the gap to a mere 13 points between him and the ever-persistent Martín.
Repsol Honda Team, traditionally strong contenders, faced a challenging weekend. Marc Márquez, despite his commendable grit after a crash, finished ninth. Meanwhile, Joan Mir showcased a surge of improvement, finishing fifth and setting an optimistic tone for Honda as they approach their home Grand Prix in Japan.
Now, we turn our sights to Japan. Mobility Resort Motegi awaits the riders, a circuit filled with its own unique challenges and stories. As the championship fight intensifies, the Grand Prix of Japan promises exhilarating racing and an intriguing contest for bettors. The question looms – can Ducati maintain their dominance, or will another team rise to challenge the Italian giants? Stay with us as we dive deep into odds, analyses, and the top picks for the Japanese showdown.
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Schedule and How to Watch the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
The Twin Ring Motegi is abuzz with anticipation, readying itself for a series of riveting MotoGP events from September 29th to October 1st. It’s all leading up to the crowning glory: the Grand Prix of Japan. 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 Japan
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
Payout on $20
Francesco Bagnaia
+317
$83.40
Jorge Martin
+413
$102.60
Marco Bezzecchi
+525
$125.00
Brad Binder
+999
$219.80
Fabio Quartararo
+1063
$232.60
Leading the odds is Francesco Bagnaia, and rightly so. His consistent season and being the current championship leader place him in good stead, but the recent setback at the Indian GP could play on his mind, especially with teammate Jorge Martin snapping at his heels.
Jorge Martin, with odds of +413, has been a revelation this season. Having inched to within 13 points of Bagnaia’s standings lead with his 2nd place finish at the Indian GP, he showcases momentum and determination, proving that he is not just in the fight but a genuine threat to the championship.
Marco Bezzecchi, fresh from his victory lap in India, comes into Motegi with a shot of confidence. His odds reflect not just his recent win but also a season where he has consistently been a podium threat.
Brad Binder and Fabio Quartararo, both offering longer odds, are wild cards in this race. Binder’s consistency places him fourth in the general standings, while Quartararo, despite being further down the odds list, has shown he can clinch podium finishes. Both riders have the capability to upset the perceived hierarchy and throw in a twist at Motegi.
Outsider Picks
Driver
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Marc Marquez
+1438
$307.60
Johann Zarco
+1438
$307.60
Aleix Espargaro
+1718
$363.60
Marc Marquez, with odds of +1438, may not have had his best season, but his reputation as a multi-time world champion precedes him. Motegi’s technical nature, combined with Marquez’s penchant for late braking and aggressive cornering, makes him a formidable contender. Despite his unfortunate slip in India, his ability to swiftly climb back and finish ninth demonstrates the Spaniard’s indomitable spirit and resilience.
Johann Zarco, possessing the same odds as Marquez, has had flashes of brilliance this season. Racing for Ducati, a machine that has been dominant throughout, there’s always the possibility that Zarco finds the sweet spot with the setup and emerges as a surprising frontrunner. His consistent performances and occasional podium finishes give weight to this speculation.
Aleix Espargaro‘s +1718 odds might make him the lengthiest shot of the trio, but the Aprilia rider has been in the form of his life. The bike’s notable performance improvements combined with Espargaro’s vast experience mean he could exploit any weaknesses in the favorites, especially if unpredictable conditions level the playing field. With the nature of MotoGP being as unpredictable as it is, dismissing any of these outsiders would be unwise.
Head-To-Head Picks
For the imminent duel at the Motegi’s Mobility Resort, anticipation is at fever pitch as numerous matchups are set to captivate and enthrall. Weighing in on recent performances, past records at this Japanese circuit, and its distinct challenges, we’ve spotlighted some of the most electrifying head-to-head confrontations poised to unfold at the Grand Prix of Japan:
Matchup
(Favorite in Bold)
Winner Odds
Joan Mir vs. Franco Morbidelli
-104
Fabio Quartararo vs. Marc Marquez
-122
Johann Zarco vs. Marc Marquez
-102
Miguel Oliveira vs. Jack Miller
-106
Maverick Vinales vs. Miguel Oliveira
-115
Jorge Martin vs. Brad Binder
-110
Augusto Fernandez vs. Takaaki Nakagami
-138
Expert Pick for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
After a stellar performance in India, Jorge Martín has showcased not only his race pace but also his ability to capitalize on others’ mistakes. Riding a Ducati, which has been dominant this season, Martín’s continuous closing of the points gap indicates his escalating form. With only a 13-point deficit to the leader, Bagnaia, Martín will be extra motivated to bridge this gap. Given his +413 odds, this pick offers a valuable combination of likelihood and return, making it an enticing choice for the Japan GP.
Where to Bet on the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
Ready to stake your claim for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan? Visit our affiliated sportsbooks and review the most up-to-date odds and special offers before making your selection.
The imminent race at the Mobility Resort Motegi is set to be an adrenaline-charged spectacle for MotoGP fans and bettors alike. Whether you’re supporting the established frontrunners or placing faith in the underdogs, prepare for an exhilarating blend of world-class racing and compelling betting opportunities.
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California is among the few states in the United States yet to legalize gambling. However, if you are a motorsports enthusiast in California looking for a better way to engage with MotoGP, we recommend Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). It is often classified as a game of skill rather than chance, hence allowed even in regions …
Day 1 at the Sepang shakedown produced a busy opening to the 2026 MotoGP pre-season. Honda’s Aleix Espargaro topped the day with a provisional 1:58.091, roughly half a second clear of the field. Pramac Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu made a high‑profile MotoGP debut as the fastest rookie and fourth overall with 1:59.647. LCR rookie Diogo Moreira overcame an early mechanical issue to finish inside the top ten in 2:00.894 (some sources vary on his exact placing). Next, KTM’s Pol Espargaro and KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa ran prominently near the front. Yamaha test riders showed strong top speed, as Augusto Fernández recorded 327.3 km/h, while Ducati test rider Michele Pirro was the last into the 1:59s. Teams evaluated new aero and components in the pitlane; visual updates included Ducati’s new Lenovo livery and several Yamaha M1s fitted with rear aero.
On Day 2, the pace tightened. Aleix Espargaro improved in the morning running to a provisional 1:58.066 on the RC213V, about 0.512 seconds clear of Pol Espargaro. Toprak was third, 1.079 seconds off the morning benchmark and roughly half a second quicker than his Day‑1 time. Jack Miller completed his first laps of the year, while Moreira remained about 2.8 seconds adrift of the leader. Ducati and Aprilia continued to log laps through their test riders. Pirro was 4.934s off the leader, and Lorenzo Savadori 9.972s adrift, as the session, scheduled from 10 am to 6 pm, ran with limited live timing, so times remained provisional.
Across both days, the shakedown functioned more as a technical preview than a definitive performance order. Manufacturers tested aero variations, new engine hardware, and multiple chassis configurations; Yamaha’s V4 program and rear‑aero packages drew particular attention. Several teams ran expanded bike counts. The return of KTM test rider Mika Kallio and planned LCR livery unveilings added visual cues, as teams used long runs and component evaluations to prepare for the official early‑February Sepang test. The shakedown established early benchmarks and highlighted items to monitor as teams moved into the main preseason program.
Fabio Quartararo has signed a two-year contract with Honda that will begin under the new 850cc regulations in 2027. He will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season. The 26-year-old 2021 world champion made his MotoGP debut with Yamaha in 2019 and departs after recording 11 victories, 32 podiums, and 21 pole positions for the manufacturer. Despite a contract extension from Yamaha in April 2024 that met his financial demands, Quartararo has not won since the 2022 German Grand Prix and has managed only four podiums since 2023. He cited Yamaha’s lack of progress on its inline-four development as the decisive factor in his decision to move on and opted to leave before testing Yamaha’s new V4 for 2026.
Honda’s announcement locks in the factory team to field Quartararo under the incoming 2027 regulations, though the exact seat within Honda has not been confirmed. Joan Mir and Luca Marini were named in reports as possible vacancies because both are out of contract. The timing of the move was explicitly tied to the sport’s technical reset for 2027, making the regulatory change a major factor in the transfer. Motorsport reporting that preceded the announcement had framed a Quartararo-to-Honda switch as likely to reshape the rider market, with reporter Uri Puigdemont and others noting how an early high-profile move can accelerate negotiations across the paddock.
The deal makes the 2026 season a transitional or “shakedown” year for Quartararo and other riders as teams prepare for the new rules. However, it represents a significant personnel loss for Yamaha. Only a handful of riders, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Diogo Moreira, and Johann Zarco, have publicly confirmed contracts for 2027, underscoring how a confirmed signing of Quartararo could trigger downstream moves. Honda presented the contract as definitive for 2027–2028, framing the next chapters of the championship as a period of notable technical and market change across MotoGP.
Luca Marini set the fastest lap in Friday FP1 at the French GP in Le Mans, posting a 1:30.857 to put Honda on top in the dry, sunny 45-minute session. Pedro Acosta (KTM) moved into the leading positions in the final minutes after fitting new rubber, and Johann Zarco put a second Honda in the top three, the quickest of those on older tyres. Fabio Di Giannantonio led for much of FP1 before finishing fourth for VR46, while Enea Bastianini climbed to second late in the session, staying close to Di Giannantonio’s earlier benchmark.
Alex Rins finished sixth and Joan Mir showed competitive early pace. Ducati rider Marc Márquez ran on used tyres and was ninth, and championship leader Marco Bezzecchi ran on used rubber and ended FP1 14th. Tech3 called up Jonas Folger to replace the sidelined Maverick Viñales; Folger completed FP1 at the back. Pramac rookie Toprak Razgatlıoğlu struggled, Francesco Bagnaia showed brief speed before sliding down the order, Fabio Quartararo tested last year’s Inline4 tri-plane front wing, and Franco Morbidelli sat out the opening five minutes as a penalty.
Support-class FP1s supplied early benchmarks too. In Moto2 Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) topped FP1 with a 1:34.740 ahead of Izan Guevara and Celestino Vietti, while in Moto3 Alvaro Carpe led with a 1:41.252 as very tight gaps underlined a competitive opening practice. The sessions featured mixed tyre strategies and equipment choices, and the forecast called for deteriorating conditions later in the weekend, raising the prospect of another rain-affected French GP.
Best Bets: 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan Pre-Event Odds
Schedule and How to Watch the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
Best Bets and Picks for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
Top Picks and Bets
Outsider Picks
Head-To-Head Picks
Expert Pick for the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
Where to Bet on the 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
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Aleix Espargaro Tops Sepang Shakedown with 1:58.066
Day 1 at the Sepang shakedown produced a busy opening to the 2026 MotoGP pre-season. Honda’s Aleix Espargaro topped the day with a provisional 1:58.091, roughly half a second clear of the field. Pramac Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu made a high‑profile MotoGP debut as the fastest rookie and fourth overall with 1:59.647. LCR rookie Diogo Moreira overcame an early mechanical issue to finish inside the top ten in 2:00.894 (some sources vary on his exact placing). Next, KTM’s Pol Espargaro and KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa ran prominently near the front. Yamaha test riders showed strong top speed, as Augusto Fernández recorded 327.3 km/h, while Ducati test rider Michele Pirro was the last into the 1:59s. Teams evaluated new aero and components in the pitlane; visual updates included Ducati’s new Lenovo livery and several Yamaha M1s fitted with rear aero.
On Day 2, the pace tightened. Aleix Espargaro improved in the morning running to a provisional 1:58.066 on the RC213V, about 0.512 seconds clear of Pol Espargaro. Toprak was third, 1.079 seconds off the morning benchmark and roughly half a second quicker than his Day‑1 time. Jack Miller completed his first laps of the year, while Moreira remained about 2.8 seconds adrift of the leader. Ducati and Aprilia continued to log laps through their test riders. Pirro was 4.934s off the leader, and Lorenzo Savadori 9.972s adrift, as the session, scheduled from 10 am to 6 pm, ran with limited live timing, so times remained provisional.
Across both days, the shakedown functioned more as a technical preview than a definitive performance order. Manufacturers tested aero variations, new engine hardware, and multiple chassis configurations; Yamaha’s V4 program and rear‑aero packages drew particular attention. Several teams ran expanded bike counts. The return of KTM test rider Mika Kallio and planned LCR livery unveilings added visual cues, as teams used long runs and component evaluations to prepare for the official early‑February Sepang test. The shakedown established early benchmarks and highlighted items to monitor as teams moved into the main preseason program.
Honda Signs Quartararo for 2027; Mir, Marini possible
Fabio Quartararo has signed a two-year contract with Honda that will begin under the new 850cc regulations in 2027. He will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season. The 26-year-old 2021 world champion made his MotoGP debut with Yamaha in 2019 and departs after recording 11 victories, 32 podiums, and 21 pole positions for the manufacturer. Despite a contract extension from Yamaha in April 2024 that met his financial demands, Quartararo has not won since the 2022 German Grand Prix and has managed only four podiums since 2023. He cited Yamaha’s lack of progress on its inline-four development as the decisive factor in his decision to move on and opted to leave before testing Yamaha’s new V4 for 2026.
Honda’s announcement locks in the factory team to field Quartararo under the incoming 2027 regulations, though the exact seat within Honda has not been confirmed. Joan Mir and Luca Marini were named in reports as possible vacancies because both are out of contract. The timing of the move was explicitly tied to the sport’s technical reset for 2027, making the regulatory change a major factor in the transfer. Motorsport reporting that preceded the announcement had framed a Quartararo-to-Honda switch as likely to reshape the rider market, with reporter Uri Puigdemont and others noting how an early high-profile move can accelerate negotiations across the paddock.
The deal makes the 2026 season a transitional or “shakedown” year for Quartararo and other riders as teams prepare for the new rules. However, it represents a significant personnel loss for Yamaha. Only a handful of riders, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Diogo Moreira, and Johann Zarco, have publicly confirmed contracts for 2027, underscoring how a confirmed signing of Quartararo could trigger downstream moves. Honda presented the contract as definitive for 2027–2028, framing the next chapters of the championship as a period of notable technical and market change across MotoGP.
Marini’s 1:30.857 Puts Honda Top in Le Mans FP1
Luca Marini set the fastest lap in Friday FP1 at the French GP in Le Mans, posting a 1:30.857 to put Honda on top in the dry, sunny 45-minute session. Pedro Acosta (KTM) moved into the leading positions in the final minutes after fitting new rubber, and Johann Zarco put a second Honda in the top three, the quickest of those on older tyres. Fabio Di Giannantonio led for much of FP1 before finishing fourth for VR46, while Enea Bastianini climbed to second late in the session, staying close to Di Giannantonio’s earlier benchmark.
Alex Rins finished sixth and Joan Mir showed competitive early pace. Ducati rider Marc Márquez ran on used tyres and was ninth, and championship leader Marco Bezzecchi ran on used rubber and ended FP1 14th. Tech3 called up Jonas Folger to replace the sidelined Maverick Viñales; Folger completed FP1 at the back. Pramac rookie Toprak Razgatlıoğlu struggled, Francesco Bagnaia showed brief speed before sliding down the order, Fabio Quartararo tested last year’s Inline4 tri-plane front wing, and Franco Morbidelli sat out the opening five minutes as a penalty.
Support-class FP1s supplied early benchmarks too. In Moto2 Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) topped FP1 with a 1:34.740 ahead of Izan Guevara and Celestino Vietti, while in Moto3 Alvaro Carpe led with a 1:41.252 as very tight gaps underlined a competitive opening practice. The sessions featured mixed tyre strategies and equipment choices, and the forecast called for deteriorating conditions later in the weekend, raising the prospect of another rain-affected French GP.