Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1443963
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 19, 2022 P133 several chassis changes. No wonder the riders were thrilled at first tests at Jerez in November, on an early proto- type. Satellite teamster Nakaga- mi was fastest on day one, and Repsol rider Pol Espargaro a close fourth on day two. Signifi- cant improvement. But how about Honda's super- star? Marquez made a fighting return during 2021 but proved fragile again when a concussion in a training tumble caused the return of the same double-vision problems that threatened to end his career early in 2011. Back then, delicate, and potentially risky micro-surgical repair brought relief. This time, surgery has so far been avoid- ed, while a cautiously worded statement from Honda before Christmas revealed that he had resumed physical if not on-bike training, after "progress has been deemed favorable" by his ophthalmologist. Stopping short of reporting complete recovery meant that his appearance at pre-season tests remains doubt- ful and left the possibility of more surgery. Mid-January, however, came more encouraging news. The latest examination confirmed "a clear improvement in the vision." For the first time in almost three months, Marc was given the all-clear to get back on a motor- cycle. Only motocross at first, but a step in the right direction. MotoGP margins are small. But not that small if you are Pecco Bagnaia who rode the upgraded Ducati to a massive top place at those Jerez tests, four-tenths clear of the rest. Pecco finished last year's campaign on the crest of a wave, with four wins in the last six races. This was an omi- nous start to the new season. Fans and rivals await the finished version of the 2022 Desmosedici with (respectively) excitement and trepidation. Adventurous race chief Gigi Dall'Igna led the way over recent years with aerodynamics, rear tire cooling and shape-shifting active ride-height adjustment. The formidable desmo engine still had an (admittedly shrink- ing) power advantage last year, although KTM was closing the gap. And the rival factories, one by one, had all adopted the same innovations, to claw back some equal footing. But what will Dall'Igna think of next? In fact, Ducati's only weakness last year was having too many good riders, taking points off one another. With Bagnaia plus proven winners Miller and Martin now backed by the biggest cast— no less than eight Dukes, includ- ing the new VR46 team, the most numerous on the grid. To a lesser extent, defend- ing champion Fabio Quartararo faces a similar problem from new factory teammate Franco Mor- bidelli. Franco beat him when they were last on equal bikes, back in 2020. This leaves Suzuki, with 2020 champion Mir and teammate Rins, desperate for more horsepower after a season where the former's brilliant riding just wasn't enough, and the latter had a series of crashes trying to overcome the GSX-RR's weaknesses. Promises were made. Time will tell. KTM's race winners Binder and Oliveira were left wishing for better all-round performance to match the engine's strength. The Austrian factory has not shown itself short of either ability or commitment. Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro hopes his new teammate Mav- erick Vinales (himself intent on rescuing his career) will help continue the Italian marque's recent improvements. Plus, a raft of satellite team riders with plenty to prove. What could possibly go wrong? CN Stopping short of reporting complete recovery meant that his appearance at pre-season tests remains doubtful and left the possibility of more surgery.