MotoGP™ makes a grand return to Asia this weekend after three years way, and that means MotoGP™ Fantasy is back as well. Plenty of riders have changes team or even constructor since the last visit to the Mobility Resort Motegi, back in 2019, and some have never been there on a MotoGP™ bike at all. That makes picking your team that much harder, but let’s try and help the process along ahead of this weekend’s Motul Grand Prix of Japan.

Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) scored a memorable, final-lap victory just days ago at the Aragon GP and that pass on future team-mate Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) also made him the top rider in MotoGP™ Fantasy. Bastianini scored 33 points but, just like how they took the chequered flag at MotorLand Aragon, Bagnaia picked up 30 Fantasy points after he qualified on pole position and finished second on Sunday.

Third on the day and also in terms of Fantasy points went to Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). His return to the podium yielded 14 points if you were lucky enough to already have Bastianini and Bagnaia in your Gold team, and 28 points for those who had Espargaro in their Gold team. Likewise, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) scooped a total of 20 Fantasy points for qualifying on the front row and finishing fifth.

Ducati clinched the constructors’ championship with its Aragon victory, and the double podium meant it was also top constructor in MotoGP™ Fantasy with 31.5 points.

In total, the French GP Dream Team would have cost you 20.7M and – if you designated Bagnaia as your Motul 300V Boost Turbo Rider – you would have scored a total of 151.5 points.

It’s something of a Motegi mystery for gamers considering MotoGP™ has not been to the circuit since 2019, but it’s worth remembering that the layout tends to suit the Ducati Desmosedici – the bike of the form riders in the field. Bastianini is going for an asking price of 3.6M while Bagnaia – with four wins and a second place in the last five races – would cost you 5.3M. However, Bagnaia has ridden at Motegi on a MotoGP™ bike in 2019, when Bastianini was a Moto2™ rookie. Maybe ‘Pecco’ is better value than ‘La Bestia’ despite being more costly.

Aleix Espargaro, like Bagnaia, is seriously back in the hunt for the World Championship title, and will be one to watch in Japan – he’ll cost 4M to get into your Fantasy team this weekend. Then there is Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), who won at Motegi in 2018 and 2019 – and back in 2016. The eight-time Champion is not at full fitness and while his Aragon race ended with early retirement, he was quick. Would the Spaniard be worth a look at a price of 3M?

Plenty to ponder for MotoGP™ Fantasy gamers, so get playing now!