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 went toe to toe with Pedro Acosta all the way to the penultimate race of 2021 in a gripping title fight , winning five races along the way . 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 .
Perhaps Foggia ’ s biggest challenger will come from the Aspar GASGAS team . Sergio Garcia was right in the midst of last year ’ s title fight until a free practice crash at the Circuit of the Americas bruised a kidney and put him out of two races .
Garcia was strong in race one , finishing second despite serving a Long Lap Penalty and his win in Argentina was his best performance to date .
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 fine second place in Indonesia hinted at a strong year ahead for the teenager . Could he push Foggia for the ultimate honours ?
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 . And Jaume Masia returned to his best with a brilliant last-gasp victory at COTA .
82 | Moto3™ TM | | Algarve Season Preview