The beginning of the epic 2024 Global Series is just around the corner and the line-up is confirmed for the MotoGP™ eSport Championship’s most critical phase, which gets underway on Thursday 10th October.
Eleven gamers from six different countries will represent one of the current MotoGP™ teams in the three-round Global Series that determines the winner of the 2024 MotoGP™ eSport Championship.
Competitors from the UK, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Germany and Potugal all make up a strong Global Series entry list, with three new names sure to keep the established winners from previous years on their toes!
Here we run you through each team’s eSport Rider selection.
Aprilia Racing eSport Team: davideturrisi06
Italian Davide showcased his gaming mettle by challenging the established names in the 2023 Pro Draft before he took part in his first Global Series soon after, representing Prima Pramac Racing. He did remarkably well, scoring enough consistent results to sit 4th in the overall standings, which earned him a call up to Aprilia Racing’s eSport Team for 2024.
Repsol Honda Team: adriaan_26
Adrian Montenegro, now known as Adriaan_26, on the 2020 Global Series by some margin, scoring five race wins on his way to the championship, and marking himself out as one of the fastest gamers on the planet. The 26-year old switched from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing to the Repsol Honda Team for 2021, when he finished fourth overall. He won it again in 2022, and even if he was 3rd last year, he’ll be one of the favourites for this year’s series.
Ducati Lenovo eSport Team: danielealoè26
Italian gaming fanatic danielealoè26 was one of the sensations of last year’s eSport Championship, as he finished 6th in his first ever Global Series appearance for Ducati Lenovo. Riding for MotoGP™’s most successful current team, he dealt with the hig expectations remarkably well. And he’s back again for another Global Series in red.
Pramac Racing: Flavio Baldacci
A new name in this year’s Global Series, Italian Flavio shot to prominence in this year’s Pro Draft, placing 8th in the European standings. Using the Xbox, the creator known, was inside the top three in each of the three Online Challenges for that console. He’s riding for one of the most competitive teams, and will have one of the most competitive bikes for the 12 races ahead.
LCR Honda CASTROL eSports Team: PieroRicciuti55
The Italian makes a welcome full-time return to the Global Series in 2024 after stepping in for the final round of 2023. Piero was a stunning 2nd in the 2021 & 2022 Global Series. A safe set of hands, capable of scoring some big results on his day.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP: trast73
Trast73 (real name: Lorenzo Daretti) is proper MotoGP™ eSport royalty. Having won the championship in 2017 and 2018, he joined Monster Energy Yamaha 2019 and added a third title to his roster by winning the 2021 Global Series by 15 points. Back with Monster Energy Yamaha, he’ll be keen to atone for his second place finish last year.
Gresini Racing MotoGP™: DipoAkbar12
Inspired by the success of countryman and former MotoGP™ eSport competitor Moe, DipoAkbar12makes it into the Global Series on the back of some eye-catching performances in the Pro Draft. Competing for the highly competitive Gresini Ducati, the Indonesian creator could be a dark horse in his first ever Global Series appearance.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Jack Hammer4658
Jack Hammer4658 (real name: Jack Hammersley) enters his fourth campaign in the Global Series as the reigning champion. Remaining with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for its 2024 challenge, the 21-year old promises to be even better this time around. He’s shown steady progression since his Global Series debut in 2021 and is the gamer to beat this year.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech 3: kainsta28
kainsta28 became the first German to compete in the Global Series for some time after he caught the attention of the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech 3 team with his Pro Draft performances in 2023. He went on to enjoy a steady campaign, placing 8th in the final standings with 66 points. Could he aim for the top six this time around?
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: Sbadalongo
Italian Sbadalongo (real name: Michele Giacon) caught the eye with a series of impressive showings in the 2022 Pro Draft, as he scored 52 points from a possible 100. A first appearance in the Global Series followed, when he finished eighth. Switching from Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati, to Aprilia Racing for 2023, he went one better by finishing seventh. Back with the VR46 Ducati team, he’ll be gunning for a top three place.
Trackhouse Racing: Tysox_93
No prizes for guessing who Trackhouse Racing’s contestant grew up supporting! Running the number 93, Tysox_93 will be Portugal’s sole entry for this year’s Global Series after finishing 5th in the European Standings of this year’s Pro Draft. A debutant, he’ll be gunning for top six finishes in some of the races this year.
