Here Are Three Riders That Have Slept the Worst Since The Aragon Grand Prix
The Italian world championship express is rolling towards Fabio Quartararo and the title defense is getting more difficult from race to race – here are three riders who wlept the worst since the Aragon Grand Prix.
Sergio Garcia
The 2022 season started off superb for Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard lead the Championship until the San Marino Grand Prix.
However, having battled with his teammate Izan Guevara for the whole season so far, Garcia’s performance seems to be falling off slightly.
An unusual race for Garcia in the midfield – Image provided by Motorsport Images
It seems the pressure of Aspar’s announcement the better placed riders would get the second seat in the team’s Moto2 project, took its toll on Garcia.
The Spaniard still is in title contention, but just one podium in the last five races simply isn’t enough for a world championship title.
And a 13th place in Aragon doesn’t really help the Spaniard either. Various minor mistakes and lack of concentration cost Garcia a better result at the MotorLand.
Hopefully, him signing a Moto2 contract with Pons Racing, takes the pressure off of Garcia and will bring back his start of the season performance level.
Franco Morbidelli
Franco Morbidelli’s horror of a season continues. After bottling a promising qualifying in San Marino by crashing at his home Grand Prix, the Italian set realistic goals for the Aragon Grand Prix.
The Yamaha of Franco Morbidelli currently sits on the wrong end of the grid – Image provided by Motorsport Images
However, although making up three places over the course of the race, a 17th place finish on sunday simply isn’t enough for the factory Yamaha rider.
Especially, when a 36-year-old Cal Crutchlow is coming out of retirement and beats you on a weaker satellite Yamaha.
Despite a contract with Yamaha until the end of the 2023 season, Morbidelli needs to start performing. Only one race finish in the points puts a spoke in the Italian’s wheel.
Fabio Quartararo
For the defending champion the 2022 season is turning sour. Still leading the standings by ten points, Quartararo’s adavantage from the earlier part of the season is melting by the minute.
Fabio Quartararo after his crash in Aragon – Image provided by Motorsport Images
The Ducati championship train is steaming closer and seems to be unstoppable. With the crash at the Aragon Grand Prix in the first lap kerfuffle, Quartararo took his second zero point race this season.
The Frenchman comes to Motegi knowing that the layout suits the Ducatis more than his Yamaha. The fight against the Italian army is a huge one.
With a battered hip and wounded chest, only Quartararo himself can now decide the championship battle in his favour. However, only one podium finish in the last five races have made the challenge even harder.
