2022 MotoGP mid-season riders' review

 

The first half of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season has been wrapped, so the riders are taking a month summer break in July, before the title fight continues in the season's 2nd half from August to November. Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo currently leads Aleix Espargaro by 21 points after a dramatic Dutch TT at Assen circuit. Here are our top riders' mid-season recap.

1. Fabio Quartararo
The Monster Energy Yamaha rider began his title defense campaign by finishing 9th in Qatar and a 2nd place in Indonesia. After a doubtful performance in Argentina and U.S.A., the Frenchman took his first win of the season in Portugal which followed by a 2nd place finish in Jerez, fourth in his home race at Le Mans, another 2nd place in Mugello, Italy, and back-to-back wins in Catalunya and Germany. However, Quartararo's only mistake so far was in Dutch TT at Assen, where he collided with title rival Aleix Espargaro on fifth lap at turn 5, causing the Frenchman's first DNF of the season. The incident also led him into a long-lap penalty punishment for next race in Silverstone circuit.

Quartararo's lead could also being possibly threatened in some races during the 2nd half of the season, at the track he does make a mistake such like Phillip Island (Australia) and Sepang (Malaysia). But El Diablo will give absolute and promising better performances for the 2nd half of the season than he did in the first half of the season.

2. Marc Marquez
The six-time MotoGP world champion ended his season too early after the Repsol Honda Team rider decided to take his fourth surgery on his broken humerus he sustained after a massive highside crash at 2020 Spanish GP in Jerez. Marquez started his 2022 season with a fifth place finish at Losail in Qatar, before another massive highside at Mandalika forced The Baby Alien to miss Indonesian and Argentinian races. Heading to Austin, Texas to defend his COTA crown, Marquez made a poor start, but in the end managed to battle his arch nemesis Fabio Quartararo for sixth place on the final three laps of the race. The Spainard consecutively finished in top-ten until Mugello, before he took his surgery on his broken humerus and his recovering progress gets better as he prepares for the 2023 season, his forthcoming 11th season in his premier class career. 

3. Francesco Bagnaia
The factory Ducati rider made a tough start with a DNF at Losail, Qatar and a single point finish in Mandalika, Indonesia. However, the Italian rider fights back with his wins in Jerez, his home race at Mugello, and in Assen. It's still difficult for Bagnaia to keep his title fight going for the 2nd half of the season. Bagnaia must at least to require 6-8 race wins for the latter half of the season to win the title, unless if either Quartararo or Espargaro make some mistakes.

4. Aleix Espargaro
A sudden victory in Argentina saw Aleix Espargaro started to become a new title contender in 2022. Consecutive podiums from Portugal to Italy, sees the Aprilia rider's most fantastic start for his title fight. The Spaniard's consistency of scoring points in every single races so far this season shown his most incredible progression of his 12th season competing in premier class.
However, Espargaro must still continue to learn the strengths and weaknesses for the 2nd half of the season. If Espargaro wants to win his maiden premier class title, he must to keep his consistency going, unless if Quartararo making some mistakes in some of the difficult tracks.

5. Enea Bastianini
Another favorite rider to win the title, the Gresini rider made an impressive start with wins in Qatar, United States of America, and France. Tumbles in Italy and Catalunya, the Italian rider made so difficult to fight for the title. But Bastianini continues to keep his promising performance continuing for the 2nd half of the season as if he could battle for the maiden MotoGP title. Like Bagnaia, Bastianini's title hopes became uncertain for the rest of the season.

So, who will be dominating the 2nd half of the season? Will the title fight heat up until Valencia? Watch every races on MotoGP.com!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts