MotoGP: Catalan Grand Prix – Who was where

June 5, 2022 June 5, 2022

The Catalan Grand Prix looked like it could be crucial for the championship with three title contenders on the front row. One of the three championship hopefuls lost out on a podium after a silly mistake. One was taken out on lap one. The last had different fortunes as he took victory in Catalunya.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:

Fabio Quartararo:

The rider who started third on the grid was the championship challenger who had the best fortunes. Quartararo was dominant from start to finish. The French champion took the lead on lap one of the race and saw it through until the end. Yamaha will be happy to have signed Quartararo for two more years and then to extend their championship lead at the Catalan Grand Prix.

Franco Morbidelli:

While his teammate was on top of the podium once again Morbidelli struggled towards the back. The Italian rider looked strong on Friday but as the weekend progressed Morbidelli appeared to lose ground. A 13th place finish and to be 19th in the championship is not what Yamaha or Morbidelli would want.

Prima Pramac Racing:

Jorge Martin:

After four poor races in a row Martin has finally delivered for Pramac Ducati once again. The Spanish rider took a second place finish in the Catalan Grand Prix and rode incredibly. After a good battle with a championship hopeful Martin inherited his second place after a mistake by his race rival.

Johann Zarco:

The French rider is keeping his name in the hat for the factory Ducati team for 2023 as he finished third. Zarco started fourth place and made secured a strong podium and is also now fourth in the championship. Zarco could be an outsider for a championship challenge for Ducati.

Team Suzuki Ecstar:

Joan Mir:

The 2020 champion looked like he would have a terrible time in the Catalan Grand Prix as he started from 17th on the grid. However, Mir put in an incredible ride as he made his way up from his low grid slot to fourth place across the line. After two consecutive DNF’s Mir desperately needed this result.

Alex Rins:

Rins had different fortunes to his teammate as he was taken out in a first corner crash. Rins went barreling through the air and has been taken to hospital for check ups after the incident.

Aprilia Racing:

Aleix Espargaro:

Another championship favourite who started on the front row was Aleix Espargaro. The Aprilia rider started his home Grand Prix from pole. However, he could not convert it to a race win or a podium. Espargaro crossed the line with one lap to go and thought the race had finished. Because of his mistake Espargaro dropped from second to fifth.

Maverick Vinales:

A good result for Maverick Vinales today. The Spaniard started from eighth on the grid and looked strong all weekend. Vinales had a competitive race and crossed the line in seventh place. A good result for Vinales in a hard season.

Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

Luca Marini:

The Italian rider had a very strong race around the Catalan circuit. After qualifying ninth on the grid Marini looked strong. The VR46 riders race went even better than his qualifying as he carried himself well through the field and crossed the line in an impressive sixth place.

Marco Bezzecchi:

It is weekends like this where you have to remember Bezzeccchi is still a MotoGP rookie. After qualifying 13th on the grid the Italian was guaranteed to have a hard race. But after pushing to make some ground Bezzecchi lost the front and crashed out.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Brad Binder:

Once again Binder proved that he is a fantastic racer, but he needs to improve his qualifying. The South African started 15th on the grid after some flat out laps on Saturday. But when the lights go out for the race Binder turns into a different animal and made his way up to eighth.

Miguel Oliveira:

The Portuguese rider did the exact same as his teammate. Oliveira qualified 16th place just behind his teammate and finished ninth, just behind his teammate. Oliveira may find a better qualifying pace next year if he joins Ducati.

LCR Honda:

Alex Marquez:

The Spaniard looked like he was on for an awful Catalan Grand Prix. Marquez started from 25th on the grid, which was the very back of the grid. But Marquez put together an amazing ride which his brother would be proud of. The younger Marquez finished 10th place in Catalunya.

Takaaki Nakagami:

The Japanese rider started 12th place and had been strong all weekend. However, disaster struck for Nakagami as he crashed on lap one, turn one and took out two other factory riders. Nakagami has been taken to hospital for further scans to make sure he is all good.

Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:

Remy Gardner:

Remy Gardner had an incredible ride this weekend. Gardner started from 20th place on the grid but in the race he made his way up to 11th place across the line. This is Gardner’s third points scoring position of this season.

Raul Fernandez:

Fernandez has finally scored points in MotoGP as he finished 15th place at the Catalan Grand Prix. After starting 24th on the grid the Spaniard put together a good ride and stayed on when others did not.

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:

Darryn Binder:

Darryn Binder had by far his best ever MotoGP race of the 2022 season. The South African rider crossed the line in 12th place in a fully dry race. This could be a sign of good things to come for Binder in the remainder of the season.

Andrea Dovizioso:

Once again a poor weekend for Dovizioso. The Italian rider started 19th place on the grid and failed to finish what was a race full of high attrition.

Ducati Lenovo Team:

Jack Miller:

Another poor weekend for the Australian factory Ducati rider. After qualifying 11th place Miller could have had a good race. However, it went the other way as Miller dropped back to 14th place in the race.

Francesco Bagnaia:

Championship hopeful Bagnaia will have lost all hope in the championship now. Bagnaia was one of the championship favourites on the front row who was taken out by Takaaki Nakagami. Bagnaia will be hoping to see Yamaha and Aprilia rivals to make mistakes that he can capitalise on this season.

Aruba.it Racing:

Michele Pirro:

Pirro wild carded for the second time this season and finished just outside of the points in 16th place. The Italian rider has been a great test rider for Ducati and will continue to collect data for the manufacturer.

Repsol Honda Team:

Pol Espargaro:

The Spanish rider had a completely retched Catalan Grand Prix. After qualifying in 10th place Espargaro looked like he could be on for a decent result especially when he was fifth place at the start of the race. But Espargaro finished 17th place after a tough race.

Stefan Bradl:

It was an awful race for the Honda test rider who is standing in for Marc Marquez. Stefan Bradl managed to collect data for Honda for 10 corners before he crashed out.

Gresini Racing MotoGP:

Fabio Di Giannantonio:

After qualifying fifth place after a strong Saturday it looked like Di Giannantonio could have been on for a good race. But he also was unable to finish the race after he crashed out.

Enea Bastianini:

One of the riders who seems to be in line for the factory Ducati ride in 2023 has had two DNF’s in a row after he crashed out this weekend. Bastianini’s potential title challenge appears to be at an end as well.