2022 MotoGP Predictions

[Yetski]

Really looking forward to proceedings kicking off this weekend, on what looks like being a fantastic season.
So who do you fancy to take the title this year?
Bagnaia for me, sure he'll be pushed a few times by Martin as well.
Quartararo will certainly be up there again, but obviously still questions regarding the Yamaha's top speed.
Can never discount Marquez especialy if he remains injury free, proved at the end of last season he's still mentally up for it.
The Suzuki's didn't fair too bad in pre-season, so surely them, Miller and Zarco will take a few wins, and would like to see Espargaro and the Aprilia get to the top of the Podium for one.
Bring it on

[Yetski]

Rob 131 Sport said:

Maybe it’s just an age thing (I’m 49) but GP racing doesn’t captivate me like in previous years. I was fortunate enough to live through the Rainey, Schwantz, Gardner, Lawson, Mackenzie era, where you were literally counting down the hours to the first race of the season.

I think that Rossi has held people’s interest for years following the unfortunate IMHO movement from 2 Stroke to 4 Stroke.

At 54 I also loved thad period, there were some great personalities in the paddock, and the racing was fantastic, but I'm definitely feeling the excitement for this season, so many unknowns, so many potential winners, could be the best season for a long time (hope it doesn't disappoint), I'm counting down the hours.

[Yetski]

Rob 131 Sport said:

LukeBrown66 said:

Rob 131, I too yearn for the return of the 500's they sounded better, looked better and were ridden by Gods!

I cannot relate to Marquez and Fabio etc as much as Rainey, Schwantz, LAwson et al.

I know the bikes are just as hard to ride now, but I am sorry I don't they will ever be as tough to ride as a 1989 500 with 160hp a 1500rpm powerband, crap tyres and tracks that were bumpy, ill prepared and no run off.

Those men were riding on a different level to the modern riders as they had no safety net, electronics, tech and tracks, tyres and bikes that bit them far harder, yet they still went over the limit routinely, hence their status in my mind as the best group that ever mode motorcycles fast. But then people will say Stanley Woods, Geioff Duke, Hailwood, Surtess were riding bikes on basically pushbike tyres on gravelly roads etc etc, so every era has it's Gods.

I was lucky enough to see them at Donington in the early 90's and they were like rock stars to me, then you meet Doohan and he is a dwarf!! Never meet your heroes lol! But they all were

I remember going to the GP at Donington in 88, 89 and 90 as a teenager to watch those complete racing genius’ do the most amazing things on 2 wheels. On those days it was always fantastic sunshine.

I would enter the circuit at Redgate and watching during morning warm up the 500’s rear wheel steer down Craner Curves was some spectacle. In all the subsequent years of watching racing around the world I’ve yet to experience anything like it. The next best spectacle I’ve experienced is the IOM TT, which is a very close second.

I do go to the MOTO GP at Silverstone and sit in a Grandstand seat. Yes it’s a good day out, but unfortunately not quite the same as the 500’s IMHO.

Those were the days at Donington, there would always be an annual pilgrimage from us for the full weekend of debauched camping, we'd take a 7.5T truck full of wood for our bonfire, beer and our PA, but unfortunately year on year health and safety came into play, and it just got dumbed down too much, still got legendary memories of the campsite, and some scars to prove it.
But one memory etched in my mind is entering Coppice one morning for practice, and Randy Mamola smoking both tyres of the Cagiva one handed while waving to the crowd, as he exited he let the rear hook up and wheelied all the way under the dunlop bridge still waving, loved watching Randy.
Definitely those guys had a different skillset, but just seems this year has all ingredients for a brilliant season, unfortunately it's the first time I cannot make it to Qatar (apart from last years Covid race) but certainly looking forward to getting down to Jerez.