The world championship returns to Japan, and Motegi. It’s been three years since a MotoGP race was held there and many things having changed since then. There will be no Valentino Rossi for example, and the world champion is not Marc Marquez, but Fabio Quartararo. Will the Frenchman honour his manufacturer at their home track, or will he have to lower his head?

Motegi a favourable track for Ducati?

The Japanese managers care dearly about this weekend’s round. Those who say that the Suzuka 8 Hours is the most important event on the calendar should come to Motegi and they might change their tune.

We already know that the Iwata bosses will be asking Quartararo to go one step further. Or rather, to finish as far ahead as possible, preferably ahead of everyone. As if that were easy, as if there were no Ducatis taking part. The only strong M1 lies in the hands of #20, you know that better than we do. On the contrary, the Desmosedici is competitive with at least six riders.

Let’s take just two names, Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini, riders who dominated the Misano and Aragón races. The Italian duo start the weekend as favourites, the GP22 and GP21 capable of cleaning up. But while they say that the red bike has the upper hand at the Twin Ring, it in fact only won once between 2012 and 2019. With Andrea Dovizioso in 2017.

Honda and Suzuki, last chance, but look out for the RS-GP. And KTM?

Honda and Suzuki are having a tough time of it in 2022. In Tokyo, it seems they’re lacking ideas and performance, while in Hamamatsu they’ve lost the desire to compete. What a disaster. Considering the importance of local pride, we are certain that both will attempt a comeback, but we can’t promise anything. The track is actually owned by Honda, did you know? In fact, if Quartararo is under pressure from the Yamaha bosses, then consider Marc Marquez. It must be worse for him. The HRC and the RC 213V need to do well at Motegi, and that’s that. The GSX-RR needs to bow out with honour, and that’s that. Rider Alex Rins will do his best, wildcard Tsuda will stand in for Joan Mir.

Not good. Also because Ducati and Aprilia will put up the usual fight. Pecco and Enea, Aleix. Espargaró is fighting for the title, but try to imagine an RS-GP on the podium, or even on the top step on Japanese soil… it would be like breaking the toughest bank.

As for the KTM contingent, we truly cannot say. The truth is that Brad Binder was strong at Motorland, but the manufacturer hasn’t seen a podium since Mandalika, when Miguel Oliveira battled in the wet. We’ll see whether an eventual rain shower might give them another chance.

Traslated by Heather Watson

GP Aragón, Bagnaia: “I hope a lot of people have been silenced after this last weekend”