Let's talk MotoGP: Everything you need to follow in Valencia!

The last Grand Prix of the season is the perfect opportunity to bring an old concept out of the closet. Together, let's study the main issues and drivers to follow during the final round of the 2022 world championship. Of course, we are not going to return to the fight between Bagnaia and Quartararo, the case Aprilia, Johann zarco et Jack Miller. We have dedicated a separate analysis to them all which you can find by clicking on the highlighted links.

I) Marc Márquez favorite?

Since his return to Aragón, Márquez has been a bit of an outsider in every outing. However, he was never able to impose himself. He preferred to save money in Thailand and play it safe behind Pecco Bagnaia. At Phillip Island he played in the lead band but was never proactive, unlike bagnaia et Kidneys. The long Sepang circuit and the difficult conditions played a massive role in his performance two weeks later.

The eight-time world champion nevertheless remains a favorite for victory in each race. Valencia may be his moment. First of all, the circuit is anti-clockwise, its favorite profile. The Spaniard has a preference for left turns and that makes a real difference, especially at Austin or the family Sachsenring.

Thus, he has excellent results on the Valencian track. Apart from a fall in the wet in 2018, he has been constantly on the podium since 2012. However, and as strange as it may seem, he has not won there " that " twice in MotoGP, in 2014 and 2019, two years largely dominated by the prodigy.

So, we think it's difficult to see a Márquez favorite for this weekend. Even if we don't take into account his physical condition and his new, more calm approach, this is one of the best Ducati tracks. And we hardly see a poorly born Honda imposing itself under the nose and beard of bagnaia, bastianini, Miller and maybe even an outsider like Bezzecchi ou George Martín.

If there is a bunch battle, it would not be very wise for Marquez to risk injury by wanting to keep up with drivers who are faster than him. Thus, we think that he will be better located than in Sepang (seventh), that he will compete for the podium, but that he will not risk the winter rest for a victory without stakes, as he did in Buriram . Warning: We have been wrong before, and it is difficult to anticipate the performance of a genius like him. So to be continued.

II) A battle for the top 5

 

 

Four drivers play big this Sunday. It's very simple: The positions of Johann zarco, Jack Miller, Alex Rins et Brad Binder are still not sealed. It's a safe bet that today's outsider is in this group. Miller seems best equipped to win in this game, and as we told you in a dedicated analysis, we think he can play for the win.

Zarco too, who can claim sixth position overall, will be keen to do well and should normally have pace. For Rins, it's more complicated. On the one hand, its momentum is excellent, one of the best on the board. His Malaysian weekend, which went under the radar, was very good. In addition, he is still well placed in Valencia and has a MotoGP podium there. On the other hand, its status as an eternal “free electron” cannot guarantee a good place at the finish and the Suzuki GSX-RR will have difficulty responding to the Desmosedici on this route.

Brad Binder severely lacking in speed but should normally be between fifth and tenth position, his preferred ranks this year. If there is a battle, he will probably not be able to hold his own Kidneys, zarco et Miller, unless the KTM RC16 turns into a Honda RC211V again like in Motegi. The unpredictability inherent in these drivers' performance makes the race for the top 5 exciting, especially as surprise guests are sure to join in.

III) Yamaha, the unexpected return?

Two shorter points to finish, but which should not be missed under any circumstances. This weekend, pay attention to Yamaha's performance. Indeed, if the final result did not reflect it, the blues achieved a decent Malaysian Grand Prix. Morbidelli, who was more expected, woke up in qualifying. Starting seventh, he was even ahead of Fabio on the grid.

When the lights went out, Morbidelli was in the game! Before the tuning fork firm asks to “Frankie” to let Quartararo pass and take his two penalty lapses, it was not ridiculous. Even Darryn Binder, before falling, had come up from the 24e to the 11e position !

 

 

We agree, there is no point waiting for a miracle for the last round of the championship. But if Yamaha manages to perform well, this is rather encouraging for winter testing and the 2023 season.

IV) The revenge of Jorge Martín ?

The Pramac driver can gain up to two positions overall this weekend (Oliveira at two points, and Rins at 12). After a bitter failure at Sepang, he will be keen to put his speed at the service of the result.

If Rins makes a mistake or misses his race (which is not so rare in his career), there is a good chance that the “Martinator” will finish ahead of Oliveira on a regular basis (11-4 for Martín this season when both cross the line) especially since good weather is expected. The Spaniard is on a streak of two consecutive poles, and shocked the MotoGP world in qualifying just two weeks ago. But be careful not to end up on the ground and end the year on two (very) bad marks. Let's keep an eye on him.

Do you see any other issues that we haven't talked about? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport