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 top three in last year ’ s championship – Remy Gardner , Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi – all graduated to the premier class , leaving the way open for a host of hopefuls to fight at the front .
The opening races 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 in Qatar and his second in Argentina . But a crash in Texas gave his rivals hope .
The same could be said of Sito Pons ’ Moto2™ squad . The former 250cc World Champion has recruited Aron Canet and Jorge Navarro to his ranks for 2022 . Canet , in particular , has adapted to the Kalex chassis quickly after two years on a Boscoscuro frame , scoring second and third place finishes in the first two races before a costly crash in Austin cost him his first Moto2™ win . the pain for a brilliant third place in the season opener in Qatar and a solid fourth in race two before two tough races in Argentina and Austin .
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 has scored a fourth and a fifth in the season ’ s first two races and must fight back from below par showings in Argentina and Austin .
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 . Acosta ’ s testing performances were mesmeric , but so far his race performances haven ’ t quite been at that level . Expect him to be fast once the European season starts .
Marc VDS ’ Sam Lowes stands his best chance yet of claiming an elusive Grand Prix world title despite battling a tendonitis issue in his left wrist during the offseason . Yet the Englishman still fought through
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