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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INTERVIEW I 2022 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPION FRANCESCO BAGNAIA P104 Yes, Bagnaia's Ducati Des- mosedici GP22 was the grid's best bike. And an argument could be made that Quar- tararo's refusal to give in all year long despite the severe shortcomings of his under- powered Yamaha YZR-M1 was worthy of greater admiration. Even Bagnaia admitted later his rival "still is the more com- plete rider." But the cold, hard facts are no one won as many races (seven) as the 25-year- old in 2022. No one ascend- ed the podium as often (10). And no other rider amassed as many front-row starts (11) or more pole positions than Bagnaia's five. Bagnaia's championship win wasn't just a triumph for himself, Ducati and Italy—it also marked the first occasion a rider from Valentino Rossi's fabled VR46 Academy claimed the sport's highest honor. Established in 2014, the school for the next generation of Italy's talent grew out of Rossi's desire to put Italy back on the racing map. Before then, the country's prospects were falling short in the junior classes. Rossi was still attracting worldwide attention, but glancing at the nation's Moto2 and Moto3 entries didn't inspire wonder. Take 2013, for example. The country's intermedi- ate class hopes fell on experienced names Mattia Pasini and Simone Corsi. The best-placed Italian in Moto3 was 10th. And all the while, Spain was cleaning up across the board. 2022 produced a challenge for Bagnaia, Mor- bidelli, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi—the Academy's MotoGP representatives: Rossi's re- tirement. Before, the 42-year-old was ever-present at racetracks to offer advice. But he only attended three GPs this year. "Without Vale, we passed through tough mo- ments," said half-brother Marini. "When we were training, we had a key point, like an idol, to follow every day. Without him it's been a bit more difficult." Bagnaia heaped praise on the Academy after his championship triumph. "It's not just the influ- THE VR46 ACADEMY'S FIRST CHAMPION At [Valentino's] Ranch, we are always together, fighting like this, putting a lot of pressure on each other. So, this helps in these situations. The moment it all changed. Bagnaia's crash in Germany signaled the beginning of the greatest points comeback since the world championship was created in 1949.