By Alberto Cercós García / Motosan.es
If there is anyone who knows everything about MotoGP first-hand, it is Ricard Jové. DAZN commentator, team principal and die-hard fan, Jové reviews with Motosan everything that happened in 2021. But with an eye on 2022.
The return of Marc Márquez seems to be the key, as well as the season that Jorge Martín could have. His point of view, very close to the riders since he has seen many of them grow, gives a very significant plus to what we could find next season in MotoGP. What is clear is that 2022 promises to be an exciting year.
It's been about a month since the 2021 MotoGP season ended and we're all already thinking about next year. In the premier category, what battles do you think we will have?
Ricard Jove : " I'm someone who looks at logic and numbers. If we analyze the end of the season taking into account the fact that we finished in November, that in March we will start with few variables of evolution on the bikes and that there will be few tests, I am hold on to what is there. The way some riders finished, especially taking into account the second part of the championship. Quartararo has only won one race since Austria, but Bagnaia has four victories. The Italian will be the man to beat, but Fabio will also want to keep his level after being champion. These are the two big favorites. But I want and I must add the one I am thinking of and whom we must take into account: Jorge Martín. The Spaniard is at Bagnaia level or higher. He hasn't had much luck, but he has the speed and, if he doesn't make any mistakes, he will at least be in the fight for the championship. Finally, I would add a fourth. Because despite shoulder and eye injuries, Marc Márquez will also fight for the title. Because taking into account all his context this season, he has two victories and three podiums. This is why, logically, these are the four drivers who will be the most talked about in 2022. »
Quartararo, in 2020, we were all aware that he had to fix some things in his head. He did it and became MotoGP champion. He now has to defend his title and the question is whether he can handle this added pressure...
« That's a good question and it's something that also happened to Joan Mir after her win in 2020. I want to see what happens with the anxiety or frustration that can come from not having an evolution clear of his Yamaha and with which he suffers as he did at the end of this last season. He will have to give 100% when it comes to driving. And we must remember that Quartararo is a little nervous, that when he is frustrated, it shows. We'll see what happens if he feels like his bike has been left behind and hasn't evolved. All this is conditional, because nothing is written in stone. We're going to start the season the way we finished it, and that may frustrate Fabio, as I say, because he didn't finish very well. »
You mentioned Joan Mir. This year has not been positive for him or Suzuki, what would you recommend he do for 2023? Especially since his contract expires this season.
“Joan didn't have a bad championship. He finished third with six podiums; only Quartararo with ten, and Bagnaia with nine, have beaten him in terms of podiums. It's clear that he was the reigning world champion and he has no victories: that's what hurts. His frustration and doubts are shared by Álex Rins, and we will see what Suzuki brings to face his rivals. If they don't bring anything, they will start the season with doubts. And to face a year and feel inferior because your rivals are progressing and you are not, it's frustrating. My recommendation, which is not a recommendation because I'm no one, is that there will be a lot of riders who will be lured into the market. If they don't see improvements in their bikes, they will be tempted. There will be changes, but be careful. We'll see what options Joan may have. For example, Ducati may be looking for a leader, but they have worked very well on their future and they have Bagnaia, Martín, etc. »
You said it a little before, but it is clear that if Marc Márquez is 100%, he will be an obvious candidate to regain the MotoGP title, right?
« For me and for his opponents, a guy who can win 85 Grands Prix, are we going to leave him for dead now? No. I think he'll recover from his shoulder, even if it's only 90%, and I'm sure he'll recover from his vision. We must therefore count on him. Márquez is the most complete rider of the last decade in MotoGP. He has three very important battles ahead of him: recovering well, working and managing the evolution of the Honda, and the question of the future. He now becomes the go-to veteran that everyone wants to beat, and he must defend that throne. Until now, it was he who symbolized the next generation; now, it is the young people who want to dethrone him. Between injuries and complications, he will have a lot to do. I cannot doubt Márquez, because of his track record, his intelligence and his management: he will be there. It will take more or less time, but he will be in the fight for the title. And all of this will be very good for everyone, because I want to see a fight where there are several riders and there are no big differentials. »
Another topic to discuss is related to Aprilia, with Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales: what do you expect from them this season after seeing how the Italian brand continues to evolve favorably?
« The bike isn't that far away, but something is missing. I think the duo that Aleix and Maverick are going to form in terms of collaboration and development is going to be very good. On the track, there will obviously be rivalry, and that can help them take the step they are missing. Because that’s what it’s all about, the details. This bike won't be ready to fight for the title, but it will be ready to be in the top 5 in many races. I also believe that many podiums will arrive. For what ? Because logic indicates that little by little and with good drivers, all the brands are getting closer. Everyone thinks they are better than the other, and this will also help them take more risks and always achieve higher. »
We will have to keep an eye on a rookie, Raúl Fernández. After an excellent season in Moto2, how do you envisage his debut in MotoGP?
« A question mark will be how KTM will deal with the loss of steering we have seen this season. They have achieved some results, but it is clear that they are not going in the direction of what they seemed to want to do in 2020. We will see how far Raúl Fernández or Remy Gardner can go with the KTM, but we cannot I don't know yet and it will depend on how they evolve. All MotoGP riders go very fast, and we can't ask too much of these two rookies. It will be very interesting to see the fight between them, which will also help them improve. Raúl and Rémy will do a very decent job, but it will depend on the evolution of the Austrian brand. »
In Moto2, there will be Pedro Acosta, who had an excellent season in Moto3. We will see if he is able to adapt to the category, with Augusto Fernández offering plenty of fights. Both in a winning team…
« The problem is still the same. There are people who, without having an initial innate talent, evolve, arrive and conclude. And others, who not only had this initial talent, but who concluded right away. It is very difficult to predict what Pedro Acosta can do, but taking into account that he will be in one of the best teams in the category and that he has brutal talent, he will be at the front from the start, close to the podium. I don't know if he's going to win the title, but he's going to fight to win races. There are some guys who get hit by a magic wand, and Acosta seems to be one of them. But we must be careful that he is not mistaken. See Quartararo, what it cost him to win a first world title. Acosta has all the numbers to be in the top 5 right out of the gate, but where could he go from there? We'll see what surprises he has in store for us. You will have to live it and enjoy it, without putting too much pressure on it. »
To end with a radical change of subject. You accompanied Carlos Checa for a large part of the season commenting on MotoGP on DAZN. What idea crossed his mind to take the plunge and participate in the Dakar?
« I have known Carlos since I was very young. He's a guy with a very high human level, he's a great teammate. But of course he gets fidgety. And he's lucky to have a life that allows him to make this kind of decision. Taking on very interesting challenges like this, which he must have kept for a long time like a thorn in his side. He is in good shape and has taken the plunge because you have to enjoy life. I envy him for having the motivation to prepare for a race like the Dakar. He is very motivated because he remains a young man. He takes good care of himself, he doesn't sit still and he needs this kind of challenge. He's going to have fun, he's going to enjoy it. »
Read the original article on Motosan.es
Alberto Cercós Garcia
