Michael Scott | January 18, 2023
Cycle News In The Paddock
COLUMN
Who Will Be Champion In 2023? The Stars Know Best
Do you believe in magic? Me neither. And astrology? Was going to say the same again. But as so often a little delve into the woo-woo world of star signs reveals some slightly creepy nuggets among the piles of platitudes and gallons of guff.
Consider this line, which applies to Alex Rins, the only Sagittarian of the dozen-strong gang of MotoGP riders who have already won or are likely to win a race: “Don’t fly too high … stay away from risky ways to have a great life.”
Ooof. Could have sleepless nights thinking about that.
Well, horoscopes are like that. Written in such a way to fit almost any circumstance.
Or are they?
I delved deeper, starting with Marc Marquez, for whom 2023 is surely make or break, as he turns 30. Coming back from three years of injury hell on a Honda that during that time has gone from paragon to poltroon, he is running out of chances and facing that inevitable tide of precocious young talent.
Luckily, his horoscope (culled with thanks from Astrotalk.com) promises “some days and events [wherein you can] work on yourself to achieve better things in the year ahead.” He is enjoined to “put all your efforts in the right places.” Like sorting out the Honda.
Spookily, the Mars transit “will also fix things that were running off-track the previous year.” In Marc’s case literally so.
And, “…in the third quarter the missing pieces of your puzzle will be right in front of your eyes.”
Encouraging news.
Although since all the same also applies to Jorge Martin, who has a big point to prove stuck on the satellite Pramac Ducati after missing out on promotion to the factory squad, Marc will also need to keep looking over his shoulder.
Sharing the omens applies in particular to Capricorn Enea Bastianini who took the factory Ducati seat in place of Martin, and several others. The goat symbol is by far the best represented on the grid, including also defending champion Pecco Bagnaia, plus Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira, and KTM new boy Jack Miller.
Aside from the rather vague promise that “you would do pretty well [in 2023], helping to achieve all the leftover plans of the previous year, to which in particular do the other predictions apply?
Who, for example, will Jupiter save ‘from multiple adversities’”?
Puzzlingly, they are advised of the “need to follow a queue of thoughts,” whatever that might mean.
And a word threatening long-lap penalties, for those that “run into any shortcuts, as that would surely drag you to the other side of the road in no time.”
Wise words, there, for any motorcycle racer, with any old birthday.
But what of Fabio Quartararo, who came so close to a second straight title despite his Yamaha’s performance deficit?
The sole Taurus represents a happy group apparently “pro at being focused in their lives.” The casting for 2021 “wants you to make some changes—the good ones.” But Fabio has pre-empted that clear advice to switch to Ducati by already signing with Yamaha until the end of 2024. Perhaps he knows something about impending power upgrades that has been kept hidden from the usually all-knowing astrologers.
There’s some bodywork damage ahead, after “some clashes with people around you, things might look a little twisted. But worry not … Ketu is there to save you from difficult challenges.”
Good old Ketu, eh. But then again, where was Ketu last year, I’d like to know?
They have it about right for Joan Mir, in one respect. The only Virgo is indeed “one of the most sane-headed folks on the zodiac table. But even you are not perfect.” Signing up as Marquez’s teammate on the flawed Repsol Honda is a high-risk strategy for the former safe and steady 2022 champion. “There are possibilities of changes in the finances and relations you possess,” warn the stars, adding, “You shall enjoy a mini roller-coaster ride.” Not sure, however, that in this context “enjoy” is really the right word.
Leos have the right kind of aggressive motif. Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro and KTM’s Brad Binder might not agree that “nothing in life is hard,” but will happily, “cherish the moments you have instead of worrying about what is not there.” Like grip, perhaps, and corner exit speeds.
“Happy go lucky Scorpio” fits Marco Bezzecchi well, but a cautionary warning to “keep the process slow and steady” suggests no first win this year.
This leaves just perennial dark horse Johann Zarco, retained by Pramac Ducati for his faithful support. Will 2023 finally see him achieve a first win? The omens are not propitious, for “Saturn is there … and will slow you down to let you understand life differently.” Er, non merci, Saturn. CN
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