Any lingering doubts about the 2023 MotoGP world championship fight were erased over an ultra-tense Japanese Grand Prix weekend that ended with Pecco Bagnaia's lead over Jorge Martin down to just three points.
And this wasn't because of some calamity for Bagnaia, but a pair of straight-fight defeats in close competition across wildly varying weather conditions.
So as Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate on The Race MotoGP Podcast, we really do have a proper head-to-head title fight coming up over the remaining six rounds.
As well as how both protagonists rode at Motegi, our panel discuss whether it's really sustainable for Martin's team Pramac to keep this up given its satellite status and what Ducati might do with its 2024 rider line-up if Martin actually beats Bagnaia to the title.
Speaking of 2024 Ducati riders, the latest developments and rumours over Marc Marquez's future get plenty of airtime.
There's also analysis of what could've been a very significant weekend for KTM's prospects, while also producing yet more discord over its five-into-four 2024 rider dilemma.
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