Like every year, the young Moto3™ riders have made quite the impression during the first part of 2022. However, after 11 Grands Prix, some of them have distinguished themselves and shone more than others. In particular, the GASGAS Aspar Team duo of Sergio Garcia and Izan Guevara have impressed with six victories between them meaning they sit first and second in the table. But with 225 points still at stake, anything is still possible in the lightweight class.
Sergio Garcia
The overall lead is occupied by Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team), who has been extremely consistent during the first part of the season. Since the opening round of the year at Lusail, the 19-year-old has climbed onto seven out of a possible 11 podiums, including three victories in Argentina, Portugal, where he took over at the top of the standings, and Italy. Will consistency be the key to his success or, with a dynamic teammate cutting his advantage in recent rounds, will he have to take more risks?
Izan Guevara
Only three points separate Guevara and his teammate Garcia after a remarkable recent run from the Mallorcan. He became the first man in seven years to win back-to-back lightweight class races by over a second in Barcelona and Germany and then backed it up with a second place finish last time out at the Dutch TT.
The 18-year-old has been on the podium in the past six races to make him by far and away the form man in the Championship at this moment in time. But it's a case of what could have been after a cruel technical issue forced him out of the lead of the Argentinian Grand Prix and robbed him of a potential Championship lead heading into the summer break. All eyes will be on the former Junior World Champion as he aims to make it seven rostrums on the bounce and take control of the title chase for the first time in his career.
Foggia, Sasaki and Masia
Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) and Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) have all been serious contenders at one stage throughout the first half of the season but for various reasons find themselves as outsiders ahead of the final nine rounds of the year.
Foggia is currently third in the standings and, although he sits 60 points adrift of Garcia at the top of the table, will be fancying his chances after a remarkable turnaround in the second half of 2021. The Italian went on a magic run of six straight podiums, including victories on our two visits to Misano and at Aragon, to cut Pedro Acosta's title lead by 66 points in the space of six rounds. The Leopard Racing man will need a similar run in the second half of this year if he stands any chance of being crowned Champion.
Sasaki's title hopes were seemingly over after a nasty crash at Mugello left him with a broken collarbone and a pair of broken bones at the top of his spine. However, the Japanese rider returned after three weeks to pick up 13 valuable points in Germany and then broke his Grand Prix duck in Assen just seven days later. The Husqvarna man has been competitive all year, so will that debut victory be the final piece to the puzzle to help him claw in 69 points?
Not far behind Foggia and Sasaki is Jaume Masia. The Valencian started the season proving right all of the pundits who picked him as one of the main title contenders, with four consecutive podium finishes from Argentina to France. However, since his victory in Le Mans, the Ajo rider has failed to break into the top seven. There's no doubt being wiped out on the final lap in Assen will have left a bitter taste in his mouth and we could see a resurgent Masia in the second half of the year.-
Who can spoil the party?
The competition is always fierce in Moto3™ and there will be a handful of riders in the second half of 2022 who are keen to make a name for themselves. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) is the first name that springs to mind. The Turk is on the lookout for a Moto2™ ride in 2023 so knows he needs to start churning in some results. Rookies Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets-MSI) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) have burst onto the scene and are only going to grow in confidence as the year goes on. Plus class veterans Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) will be aiming to put their experience to good use.