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.
- Marco Bezzecchi will be the pilot for new team VR46.
- Fabio De Giannantonio will be on the GR bike.
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.
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)