MotoGP Italy 2022 | Page 82

PREVIEW

There are few certainties in racing . But a year of close , unpredictable contests in Moto3™ is one of them . Recent seasons have shown Grand Prix ’ s junior category to consistently provide the most exciting contests of the day . And if the early races are anything to go by , 2022 will be no different . Following on from a pulsating championship fight in 2021 , this year sees a similarly tight grid with a host of challengers capable of race wins aboard evenly matched machinery . A total of ten Hondas will go up against KTMs in various guises . 14 KTMs will compete alongside GASGAS , Husqvarna and CFMoto ( all rebranded KTMs ), which field two riders apiece . In terms of challengers , it would be hard to look past Leopard Racing Honda ’ s Dennis Foggia . The Italian showed speed in abundance in Qatar , finishing seventh despite starting from the back of the grid and taking two Long Lap Penalties . He then dominated race two , scoring a first win of the year and claimed a pair of seconds in Argentina and Austin . Foggia ’ s biggest challenger could come from the Aspar GASGAS team . Sergio Garcia has been a consistent challenger , as seen in race one , when he finished second despite serving a Long Lap Penalty . And there can be no doubting his win in Argentina was his best performance to date , which was backed up by victory in Portugal and second at Jerez .
But the young Spaniard will be well aware of the speed of team-mate Izan Guevara , who was an impressive rookie in the class in 2021 . His pole position in Qatar showed he has the speed . And his brilliant last corner win at Jerez hinted at a strong year ahead for the teenager . As always in Moto3™ , there is a strong supporting cast . Andrea Migno won the first race of the year and is in the strongest shape of his career . The same could be said of CFMoto ’ s Carlos Tatay , who scored a maiden Grand Prix pole position and podium in Indonesia . Jaume Masia returned to his best with brilliant last-gasp victories at COTA and Le Mans . And Ayumu Sasaki has been one of the fastest riders , scoring a podium in Argentina .
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