Moto GP 2022 Season Preview

To anyone having withdrawal symptoms from lack of Moto GP.  The wait will soon be over as the new Moto GP season is fast approaching but what do we know about it so far?

The 2022 championship calendar:

Where

Track

Date

Qatar

Grand Prix of Qatar

6th March 2022

Indonesia

GP of Indonesia

20th March 2022

Argentina

Grand Prix Michelin de Republica Argentina

3rd April 2022

United States of America

Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas

10th April 2022

Portugal

Grand Prix of Portugal

24th April 2022

Spain

Grand Prix Red Bull of Espania

1st May 2022

France

Shark Helmets Grand Prix of France

15th May 2022

Italy

Grand Prix d’Italia Oakley

29th May 2022

Spain

Grand Prix Monster Energy de Catalunya

5th June 2022

Germany

Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland

19th June 2022

Netherlands

Motul TT Assen

26th June 2022

Finland

Grand Prix of Finland

10th July 2022

Great Britain

Monster Energy British GP

7th August 2022

Austria

Mottorrad GP Von Osterreich

21st August 2022

Italy

Grand Prix di San Marino e delle Riviera di Rimini

4th September 2022

Spain

Grand Prix de Aragon

18th September 2022

Japan

Motul Grand Prix of Japan

25th September 2022

Thailand

Thailand Grand Prix

2nd October 2022

Australia

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

16th October 2022

Malaysia

Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix

23rd October 2022

Spain

Grand Prix Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana

6th November 2022

(Circuits, dates and names correct on date of writing but may be subject to change)

The teams and riders:

Team

Riders

Riders Numbers

Yamaha

Fabio Quartararo

Franco Morbidelli

20 (1)

21

Lenovo Ducati

Francesco Bagnaia

Jack Miller

63

43

Repsol Honda

Marc Marquez

Pol Espargaro

93

44

Suzuki

Joan Mir

Alex Rins

36

42

Aprilia

Aleix Espargaro

Maverick Vinales

41

12

Red Bull KTM

Brad Binder

Miguel Oliveira

33

88

Pramac Ducati

Johann Zarco

Jorge Martin

5

89

LCR Honda

Takaaki Nakagami

Alex Marquez

30

73

Yamaha (With U)

Andrea Dovizioso

Darryn Binder

04

40

Tech 3 KTM

Remy Gardner

Raul Fernandez

87

25

VR46

Luca Marini

Marco Bezzecchi

10

72

GR

Enea Bastiannini

Fabio De Giannantonio

23

49

There are some new names listed above for the Moto GP 2022 championship:

  • The Moto 2 Champion – Remy Gardner will be riding for KTM as will Raul Fernandez.
  • Brad Binder’s brother – Darryn will be racing for (With U) Yamaha.
Andrea Dovisioso and Darryn Binder’s bikes. Courtesy of Moto GP Twitter page.
  • Marco Bezzecchi will be the pilot for new team VR46.
  • Fabio De Giannantonio will be on the GR bike.
Enea Bastiannini and Fabio De Giannantonioi. Image courtesy of: Moto GP Twitter page

Some new teams are also listed above:

VR46 (Valentino Rossi’s team), GR (Gresini Racing) and With U Yamaha (was Petronas Yamaha).

Other news:

Marc Marquez fans will be jumping for joy at the big announcement that he is finally fit enough to start testing (which has already started – 5th February). This means he should be back for the new season starting in Qatar. He has been cleared of Diplopia for the second time in his career and his shoulder/ arm should be healed as well. As of February, it was the first time he has ridden his Repsol Honda since October 2021.

This year also marks the first year in 26 years that The Doctor won’t be present in a Moto GP race. However, his team VR46 will be racing, with Brother Marini and new rider Bezzecchi.

One man may have left Yamaha but one man has remained – Cal Crutchlow has been confirmed to stay as their official test rider for 2022 and 2023.

Something to keep an eye out for, will be Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller who will be racing in the iconic ‘Ducati Red’ for the first time in Moto GP.

As for the tracks, Catalunya – turn 4 has a new run-off area and Circuit of the Americas is in the final stages of resurfacing, following on from negativity from the riders. Turns 2-10 and 12-16 are being ‘repaved and reinforced’.

Moto GP will be returning to Indonesia for the first time since 1997, which will be a real treat for old and new fans alike. Riders have recently been testing at the circuit and have provided valuable feedback, which has resulted in surface issues being addressed.

Beautiful views at the Indonesian circuit. Courtesy of Ducati Moto GP Twitter page.

Audiences are sure up for some entertainment this year with the insurgence of new faces/ teams and tracks. Will we see Quartararo defend his title? Will we see Mir return to the top spot? Will Marquez be strong enough to fight for the title? Will Bagnaia be fighting again for the championship? Or will there be a new surprise?

The countdown begins…

 

 

 

(Featured image: Courtesy of Moto GP website)

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