PREVIEW
The 2022 edition of the Moto2™ World Championship promises to be a wide-open affair with a host of experienced names facing a batch of exciting rookies .
The first race of 2022 threw up a few surprises and displayed who should be in overall contention in the months ahead . Celestino Vietti put in a dominant performance to win his first race in the class , and gives the impression he could repeat that achievement in the immediate races ahead . He rode maturely in Indonesia to claim second in difficult conditions .
Big things are also expected of Sito Pons ’ Moto2™ squad in the year ahead . The former 250cc World Champion has recruited Aron Canet and Jorge Navarro to his ranks for 2022 , two names that are capable of winning races . Canet , in particular , has great potential after a fine second place finish in the first race of the year in Qatar and his third place in Indonesia .
Marc VDS ’ Sam Lowes stands his best chance yet of claiming an elusive Grand Prix world title . The Englishman won three races last year and finished fourth overall . This offseason he has battled tendonitis in his wrist but still fought through the pain for a brilliant third place in the season opener in Qatar , fourth in race two .
Another favourite for the title this year must be Augusto Fernandez , who has switched Marc VDS for Ajo Motorsport for 2022 . The Spaniard finds himself in the team that dominated last year ’ s proceedings , and after a tricky start to his own 2021 , Augusto notched up six podium finishes to claim fifth place in the championship . He was a fine fourth in race one and fifth in race two .
There will be great interest on the other side of the Ajo garage as 2021 Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta steps up to make his Moto2™ debut . The Spaniard from Murcia was nothing short of sensational last year as he won the Moto3™ title at his first attempt , becoming the second youngest Grand Prix World Champion in the process . Acosta ’ s testing performances were mesmeric , showing he ’ ll be fighting at the front early in the year .
Argentina Preview | Moto2™ | 69