PREVIEW
Big things are also expected of Sito Pons ’ Moto2™ squad . The team helped the likes of Pol Espargaro , Maverick Viñales , Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo in the past but 2021 was nothing short of disastrous as their riders finished 19th and 23rd in the championship . But Pons 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 scoring five podiums last year , when he finished sixth overall . Both Spaniards have ridden Boscoscuro frames for two years so this switch to Kalex hardware should bear fruit straight away .
The Honda Team Asia line up of Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra could be the dark horses of the season after Ogura ’ s deeply impressive rookie campaign in 2021 . Preseason testing has shown both men have the speed to fight at the front with Ogura in particular already attracting the attention of MotoGP™ team bosses for a possible move in 2023 .
Four manufacturers will be part of the 2022 Moto2™ grid , with reigning champions Kalex the most in demand . There will be 24 Kalexes on this year ’ s grid , with Boscoscuro , GASGAS and MV Agusta fielding two bikes apiece .
Of those , the Boscoscuro machines are the most likely to score success . The most successful Moto3™ rider in history Romano Fenati steps up for his second crack at the Moto2™ class for the Speed Up team . His team-mate Fermin Aldeguer could also be a podium contender on occasion despite being just 16 years old .
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 .
Likewise , Aron Canet confirmed his preseason speed with a fine second place , equaling his best result in the Moto2™ class . And Sam Lowes shrugged off a tricky tendonitis issue in his left wrist by clocking up a strong third place in the first race of the year . There was also enough in the performances of Augusto Fernandez , Tony Arbolino and Ai Ogura to suggest they will be running at the front this year .
Mandalika Preview | Moto2™ | 61