The 2024 MotoGP season has been dominated by Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia, with both riders consistently leading laps across sprint races and main races. Their dominance has been undeniable, but let’s take a closer look at the top 10 riders who have led the most laps this season, highlighting just how often these riders have been in control of the races.
Pecco Bagnaia Leads the Pack
As expected, Pecco Bagnaia has topped the leaderboard for the most laps led in the 2024 MotoGP season. With an impressive total of 349 laps led, Bagnaia outshines Jorge Martín by nearly 100 laps. This staggering number can largely be attributed to his 11 victories on Sundays, where the longer race distance allows him to dominate. However, Jorge Martín comes out ahead in the Sprint races, leading 6 more laps than Bagnaia during these shorter, high-intensity events.
Jorge Martín: A Strong Competitor
While Pecco Bagnaia led more laps overall, Jorge Martín made his mark in the Sprint races, where he led a total of 96 laps compared to Bagnaia’s 90 laps. Although Martín finished second in total laps led for the season, his performance in Sprint races shows his ability to maintain strong pace and leadership in shorter races, positioning him as a formidable contender throughout the season.
Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales
Rounding out the top 5 in the 2024 MotoGP lap lead rankings are Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales. Márquez, with 60 laps led, continues to be a competitive force, showing flashes of his former world champion form despite dealing with injury setbacks. Viñales, who has become a major force with Aprilia, managed to lead 22 laps, mainly boosted by his performance in Austin, where he dominated the Sprint race and extended his lead in the Main race.
Rising Star: Pedro Acosta
In his debut MotoGP season, Pedro Acosta has already shown incredible potential. With 13 laps led across the season, Acosta has proven to be a rising star, having led a handful of laps in races. This places him in 6th position on the list, alongside Enea Bastianini and ahead of more seasoned riders. Acosta’s impressive start suggests he could challenge for higher positions in future seasons.
The Rest of the Top 10
The remaining spots in the 2024 top 10 saw a mix of surprises and established riders. Raul Fernandez led 2 laps in Catalonia, while Brad Binder, Aleix Espargaró, and Jack Miller each led 1 lap during select races. These riders showed their ability to take control, even if briefly, in certain situations.
Top 10 Riders Leading the Most Laps in MotoGP 2024
| Rank | Rider | Laps Led in Sprint | Laps Led in Main Race | Total Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pecco Bagnaia | 90 | 259 | 349 |
| 2 | Jorge Martín | 96 | 170 | 266 |
| 3 | Marc Márquez | 13 | 47 | 60 |
| 4 | Maverick Viñales | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| 5 | Enea Bastianini | 18 | 3 | 21 |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| 7 | Raul Fernandez | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Brad Binder | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Aleix Espargaró | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Jack Miller | 1 | 0 | 1 |
As the season progresses, it’s clear that Bagnaia and Martín are the dominant forces in MotoGP 2024, with Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales continuing to assert themselves as strong competitors. The emergence of young riders like Pedro Acosta also signals exciting times ahead for the sport.
