Three podiums, nine riders: The start to the 2022 MotoGP season also impresses Alex Hofmann – What he says about Aprilia’s maiden victory and who he criticises
So far, the 2022 MotoGP season has not disappointed: in the first three races, nine different riders from six different manufacturers stood on the podium. With Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia also celebrated its first victory in the premier class last race weekend in Argentina.
In the view of ServusTV expert Alex Hofmann, MotoGP is more competitive than ever: “Realistically, 50 percent of the field can definitely win.”
“With Aprilia, there was even a new manufacturer added. The others are also so well positioned that I don’t want to rule it out if the perfect day comes or the rain god is just around,” the ex-racing driver holds. The perfect day – or rather the perfect weekend – in Argentina was Espargaro’s.
Aleix Espargaro has “believed in himself for so long “
The Aprilia rider was fast in practice, secured pole position in qualifying and claimed victory in the race after a close duel with Ducati rival Jorge Martin. For him it was the first in his 284th World Championship race, as he had not won in the small classes before either.
This was Aprilia’s 294th victory in the world championship. For the Italian brand, however, the victory in Argentina was the first in the premier class. Together with Espargaro, they have been working towards this since 2017. “He got on the Aprilia at a time when nobody wanted the bike,” Hofmann knows.
“He went through the entire development and believed in himself for so long, but never won a Grand Prix before that. The story was accordingly kitschy. “
Marc Marquez knows “only the Superman in himself “
After three races, Espargaro now even leads the World Championship standings – ahead of Brad Binder (KTM) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini-Ducati). Marc Marquez, who many thought would come back in full force in 2022 after his long injury break, is in 15th place with only eleven points.
After his highsider in Indonesia, the Honda rider had to take another break. Hofmann criticises: “In Indonesia, I felt there was a lack of common sense in the team. They knew the bike was not up to it. On a weekend like this I have to say, okay, I’ll take a 5th place. But Marc only knows the Superman in him. “
And the ServusTV expert also views the technical development in MotoGP with suspicion. “We are at the critical limit,” he thinks and praises the premier class on four wheels, which will be racing under new regulations from this year onwards.
Has MotoGP become too technical?
“Formula 1 has got it and done it right. You can look forward to more fights and overtaking manoeuvres. The drivers have already made it clear in recent years that overtaking is becoming more and more difficult,” Hoffmann sees parallels to MotoGP.
However, one development has recently been put a stop to by the rule makers: From 2023, the so-called “ride height device” will be banned for the front. It enables the riders to compress not only the rear but also the front wheel while riding. Ducati had further developed the system for the 2022 season.