Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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VOLUME 59 ISSUE 17 APRIL 26, 2022 P89 on the restart. It was a tricky race because the whole time it was spitting down [rain] and the first part—I was holding back and just waiting to see what was going to happen. Unfortu- nately, the first riders who got to that corner got caught out; I was lucky because I got to see what was about to hap- pen. So, I rolled off, but it still almost threw me off the bike. It was just a sudden burst of rain. I hope everyone is all right, especially Cameron [Beau- bier], because he was running a great race up in second. I'm bummed for him." Championship leader Ce- lestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Kalex) fought his way back into second for 20 points as his key rivals were denied the chance to score, making the most of his fortune as he extended his title lead out to 34 points. The Italian fought past Jorge Navarro (Flexbox Kalex) on the penultimate lap, before de- fending well on the final lap to secure his fourth podium in the opening five races of 2022. In the series, Vietti holds the lead at 90 points over Ogura's 56 and Arbolino at 49. Roberts' 25-point haul moves him up to fourth at 49, tied with Canet. Beaubier's DNF drops him down to 18th place with 16 points, while Sean Dylan Kelly, who scored his first three points of his GP career in 13th in Portugal, is now 25th in the standings. rain that wiped out Aron Canet (Flexbox Kalex), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing Team), Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and his teammate Somkiat Chantra, Tony Arbolino (Marc VDS Kal- ex), Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing), Albert Are- nas (Autosolar GasGas Aspar), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW Racing) and Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Forward Racing). None of the riders were able to restart, at which point Rob- erts bolted clear and built an early three-second lead. "Being a Moto2 race winner is all I've ever dreamed of," said Roberts. "The start, I said, I just have to go. These condi- tions—there were more people behind me that had more to lose. I just decided to go out and hammer it. I was surprised by the gap I was able to pull. The first part of the race I wasn't really finding my rhythm. "It's kind of a bit of a shock to do it," Roberts continued. "Today was a bit lucky [and] unlucky for others, lucky for me to stay on the bike when the rain came out, and I capitalized MILLER'S FUTURE UP FOR DISCUSSION Jack Miller has denied a widely reported link to a move to LCR Honda for 2023, as the Australian awaits clarification on Ducati's plans for next year. It's believed the Australian's chances of retaining his seat in Duca- ti's factory team are all but over, with the Bologna factory deciding to place either Jorge Martin or Enea Bastianini there next year. The surprise link surfaced after qualifying, with Miller reportedly keen to seek other options in case Ducati decided his services were no longer required by the Italian team. But he was keen to squash the news on Sunday, saying, "There is no truth to that rumor at all. I have no idea where that came from," he said. "I was rather surprised when I saw that this morning on Facebook. But there is zero truth to that rumor." HONDA BLUNTED The optimism that abounded around Honda this preseason seems but a distant memory after its riders strug- gled to impact the leading names in Portugal. 2021 aside, when he was returning from a career-threatening injury, it was hard to recall a more subdued performance by eight-time champion Marc Marquez, who con- tinues to struggle to find a comfort- able setting aboard the '22 RC213V. Marquez feels Honda has lost a part of its DNA but attempting to compensate for the previous bike's lack of rear grip. He can no longer push the front tire as he wishes, which negates one of his greatest strengths. "It's everything," he said. "It's not only me, not only the bike. I mean it's a consequence. When you are in your sweet moment then everything is working. But obvi- ously I'm not in my sweet moment and Briefly... (Left) Alex Rins' charge through the pack was inspiring. The Spaniard would go from 23rd to fourth at the flag. (Below) Joe Roberts has finally done it in Moto2, surviving the chaos for a first GP win.