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 . Sito Pons ’ Moto2™ squad come into the year with high expectations . 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 crashes in Austin and Portugal cost him his first Moto2™ win . 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 the pain for a brilliant third place in the season opener in Qatar and a solid fourth in race two before tough races in Argentina , Austin and Portugal . Another favourite for the title this year must be Augusto Fernandez , who has switched Marc VDS for Ajo Motorsport for 2022 . 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 is also great interest on the other side of the Ajo garage as 2021 Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta steps up to Moto2™ . 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 .
82 | Moto2™