As five stars prepare for their inaugural premier class cruise, the fight for Rookie of the Year looks ready to be a doozy once more.
As the 2022 MotoGP™ season gets ready to kick off under the lights of the Lusail International Circuit, there are five rookies gearing up for their first ride in the premier class.
All of those five rookies will be attempting to emulate the achievements of Jorge Martin and Bastianini. In the season of 2021, which included distinguishing themselves as elite by securing podiums. Let's take a look at some of the fresh faces in MotoGP™ 2022.
- Remy Gardner
KTM Factory racing Tech3
Remy Gardner, the son of Wayne Gardner who is the former 500cc World Champion and intermediate class King for the year 2021, had a fantastic start and end to last season. Gardner finished the podium in just one of the first nine races, and he racked up three victories during that time. This gave the Australian a 31-point advantage over Raul Fernandez- his rookie teammate as they headed for the summer break. As the season progressed towards the later half, he finished the podium four more times, which also included the wins at Silverstone and Portimao before he won the Moto2TM championship by four points over Fernandez.
Regretfully, Gardner's preseason was disrupted due to a wrist injury, preventing us from witnessing his fullest initial potential. Gardner, however, has been discreetly and quietly working about his business and the fully fit Aussie will be a delight to watch as he will be terrifyingly quick.
- Raul Fernandez
KTM Factory racing Tech3
After an incredible Moto2TM rookie season, the newest quick Spaniard enters MotoGP™. KTM made the decision that Fernandez be promoted into Tech3 with Gardner following a dramatic head-to-head competition between the two factory riders. Other manufacturers expressed a little more genuine interest in services of the number 25.
Fernandez has adjusted well to the 2022 premier class, as anticipated. The lone downside from what appeared to be a good pre-season was a massive crash on the second day. Post showcasing his capabilities in 2021, many people will be picking up on Fernandez for Rookie of the Year. With Fernandez’s oozing levels of confidence, it could be thrilling to watch him in the 2022 season.
- Marco Bezzecchi
Mooney VR46 Team
After such stellar seasons by Gardner and Fernandez, Marco Bezzecchi who has been Moto2 race winner thrice ultimately saw his title chances slip away. The Italian, on the other hand, joins the arena with a lot of potential and anticipation.
Bezzecchi had a fantastic season in 2021, being the winner at the Styrian GP along with finishing third overall and garnering seven podiums. In this year’s season, he will race for the Racing Team Mooney VR46 alongside Luca Marini who is a very close friend of his and sophomore. It seems like the ideal environment for Bezzecchi to focus and have a successful debut season in MotoGP™. He was also the best and the fastest rookie finishing only 0.8 seconds behind Pol Espargaro.
- Fabio Di Giannantonio
Fabio Di Giannantonio is another emerging star from Italy. Diggia finished seventh in the standings after claiming three other podiums in Qatar, America, and Valencia during the 2021 season, and Fabio’s win in Jerez was the highlight of the 2021 season.
As a result of gastroenteritis, Di Giannantonio missed the second and third days of the Shakedown Test. He will be running the number 49 instead of running his usual number 21. In the Jerez Test the fastest rookie lost two vital days on the bike, but at the Mandalika Test he ended as the second best rookie with just 0.8s away from the fastest time.
- Darryn Binder
The South African made headlines after WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team announced Darryn’s colossal move from Moto3 to MotoGP™. Binder's lightweight title bid went awry in 2021 after the rookie Pedro Acosta swept the world, but he nonetheless had a great season. In Moto3, his weight and height caused problems, and it's true to say that he's had a promising start in MotoGP™.
Andrea Dovizioso's experience should come in handy for Binder, who was only two seconds off the fastest time in Mandalika. It'll be interesting to see what Binder does in the upcoming race.
MotoGP™ rookies will begin their premier class adventures at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday evening. Who will bag the title of Rookie of the Year this season? Don't miss any of the action with VideoPass, as it is available live and on-demand.