MotoGP™ makes its long-awaited Phillip Island return this weekend, with it playing host to the Animoca Brands Grand Prix of Australia. The paddock touchdown in Melbourne for the first time in three years, and we’re sure it’s going to be worth the wait with plenty of titles on the line across the different classes.
No less than six different awards are up for grabs across Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP™, with both riders and teams’ trophies at stake. Get a full run down of who can win what, and how, below!
MotoGP™ Teams’ Championship
Having already claimed the constructors title, Ducati are on the verge of claiming their second piece of silverware this season. Their factory team currently sit on 396 points, 75 ahead of Aprilia Racing, meaning they just need to outscore the Noale factory by 16 points this weekend to take home the Teams’ Championship in consecutive years.
MotoGP™ Rookie of the Year
In truth, it only seems a matter of when rather than if, with Marco Bezzecchi only seven points away from being crowned 2022 MotoGP™ Rookie of the Year. The Mooney VR46 rider has been the outstanding freshman this season, with 11 top 15 finishes leaving him on 80 points for the season, the highlight of which came was a podium at Assen. Gresini Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio is his closest rival on 23 points.
MotoGP™ Independent Rider of the Year
With four wins and another podium to his name, it’s little surprise to see Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) lead the way in this battle. The Italian sits on 180 Championship points, 29 more than last season’s winner Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), meaning that 21 points will be enough to secure the title for ‘The Beast’.
MotoGP™ Independent Team of the Year
In a slight role reversal to above, it’s Zarco and Pramac Racing who hold the advantage over Bastianini and Gresini Racing in the Independent Teams’ Classifications. Zarco and Jorge Martin need to outscore their Ducati counterparts by 16 points this weekend to secure successive titles.
Moto3™ Riders' Championship
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is on the precipice of making history, with the young Spaniard holding a 49 point advantage over Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) in the Moto3™ class, with just 75 points left on the board. Victory will bring him the title, while so will outscoring his rivals by two points in Australia.
Given his incredible recent run of form, would be difficult to bet against him putting in a strong performance, leaving the onus on Foggia and Aspar teammate Sergio Garcia to keep the title fight alive.
Moto3™ Team of the Year
Given the results of both Guevara and Garcia in 2022, it leaves Aspar within touching distance of the lightweight class teams’ title. They currently have 474 points, 130 more than Leopard Racing, meaning that the latter need to outscore the leaders by 41 points this weekend if they want to keep themselves in it.
As you can see, there is plenty at stake in Phillip Island, so make sure you tune in over the weekend for the Australian GP!