MotoGP™ returns to the Sachsenring for the 2022 edition of the German GP, and for the first time since 2012, we will have a new king of the ring. That is of course due to the enforced injury absence of Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) who has taken the last eight wins in Chemnitz. Always a banker in this fixture for MotoGP™ Fantasy, we’re going to take a look at how the Repsol Honda rider’s absence affects the state of play.
Who made the Catalan GP Dream Team?
Before previewing this weekend’s action, we’ll take a quick look at who made an impression last time out. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) put on a masterclass to lead from Lap 1 until the chequered flag, and the reigning Champion took home 42 points for the MotoGP™ Fantasy Catalan GP Dream Team.
Joan Mir launched from 17th on the grid in Barcelona after a tough qualifying, but the Suzuki man put on a superb Sunday showing to fight his way through the pack and come home fourth. Picking up a healthy 26 points thanks to advancing his grid position, the 2020 World Champion brought home a total of 39 points for the Dream Team.
Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) started from the back of the grid after failing to set a time during qualifying, but like Mir, the Spaniard had an excellent race to record a top 10 finish. Picking up 15 positions, Marquez earned 18 points as a Silver Rider in the MotoGP™ Dream Team.
Rounding out the four best riders of the day is Jorge Martin. The Pramac starlet capitalized on an Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) blunder to take second and confirm his return to form. He brings in 16.5 points as a Silver Rider.
Who was the top constructor?
Thanks to the efforts of Quartararo and Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team), Yamaha were the top dogs in Catalunya. The Iwata factory collected 34 points, five more than Ducati while KTM were the best of the rest with 23 points.
In total, the weekend’s Dream Team would have cost you 16.7M and collected 149.5 points.
Who should I back to become the new king of the ring?
As mentioned, Marc Marquez has made the German GP his own since 2013, taking victory in every premier class race since his rookie year. The absence of the eight-time World Champion throws up a few interesting possibilities as to who could bring home the biggest points haul this weekend.
Of course, Quartararo will start among the favourites, as will perennial race contender Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Neither rider comes cheap, with the latter the more generously priced at 4.4M, 0.6M cheaper than the Frenchman. Despite his Barcelona blunder, Aleix Espargaro, available for 4.1M, shouldn’t be discounted given his incredible run of form.
Enea Bastianini could prove a shrewd addition. Despite an inconsistent season, the Gresini rider is a three-time race winner in 2022 and looks very affordable at 3M. It should also be noted that one of those victories came at COTA, another anti-clockwise track that Marquez has dominated at.
At 2.3M, Jorge Martin is a hard-to-ignore option after his podium in Catalunya. The Spaniard had struggled for form in recent rounds but with a new set up on his GP22, he seems to have found his confidence once again. Though a Ducati hasn’t been on the podium in Germany since 2016, he looks a steal for a rider of his quality with plenty of upside in value.
Elsewhere, the factory KTMs have experienced some joy in Germany. Miguel Oliveira took a comfortable podium here last season while Brad Binder narrowly missed out in P4. They would cost you 2.7M and 3.6M respectively.
It certainly is a bit of a lottery when it comes to picking your team this weekend. Any number of riders could make an impression and in order to make the best choice, you’ll have to follow the action closely when it kicks off on Friday. Wheels are on the ground from 09:00 local time (GMT +2). Make sure you tune in then.