More ‘friendly fire’ expected

The 57th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix is likely another edition in which the final victory will focus on two, possibly three, top names.
Racing two Zeeco BMW Motorrad M1000RR machines, teammates Peter Hickman and Davey Todd are the favorites to take this year’s crown.

Winner last year in a disrupted and very unusual edition due to the rain, Todd wants to prove that he has what it takes to win the Guia race fair and square over the 12 laps scheduled for Saturday (Nov. 15) morning.

Last year, the Motorcycle GP race was canceled due to a wet track, with winners determined based on the results obtained in Saturday morning’s qualifying session.
The decision awarded Todd his first win in Macau, with Finn Erno Kostamo second and Hickman third.

Regardless of the conditions, these three names will likely repeat themselves at the top this year, with Todd potentially having the upper hand.

Recovering from a severe accident at the Isle of Man TT this year during a qualifying session on May 30, Hickman will likely not be at the peak of his form, but he will certainly put those setbacks aside to give his best shot in his fifth Macau GP win attempt.

Out of the GP this year is record-holder Michael Rutter, who is also recovering from a major crash at the Isle of Man TT.

In addition to the three favorites for the podium, two other names, Rob Hodson and Paul Jordan, emerge as contenders for the top spots.
They finished fifth and sixth last year, and their experience from many editions around Guia puts them in a strong position to earn a top-five finish this year.

We will also be curious to see Lukas Maurer return after a one-year absence from the Guia circuit. In his previous two visits to Macau, the Swiss racer has always shown great race pace, finishing 6th in 2023 and a personal best 4th in 2022.

Other contenders aiming to improve on last year’s performance include Michael Evans (8th last year), Laurent Hoffman (10th last year), and Amalric Blanc (11th last year).

The GP also welcomes this year, for the first time, New Zealander Mitchell Rees, Brit Don Gilbert, and Italian Maurizio Bottalico.