GASGAS on the podium in Moto3 and Moto2 in Australia, and a Moto3 championship title in the bag; does it get any better than this? Izan Guevara wins and secures the riders’ title while Sergio García finishes 3rd. In Moto2 Jake Dixon takes a cool fifth podium of the year.
He was the 2019 European Talent Cup champion, the 2020 JuniorGP World Champion and now Izan Guevara is the 2022 Moto3 World Champion! Amidst the stunning scenery of southern Australia, and racing on what is considered by many to be one of the finest motorcycle race circuits in the world, Phillip Island, Izan Guevara made his mark on the history books.
6 victories and 11 podiums meant the 18-year-old Majorcan was able to wrap up the 2022 Moto3 title, two races before the end of the year. Over a 23-lap race which saw a white-hot battle between four leading riders - covered by just seven hundredths of a second - Guevara emerged on top and sealed his championship challenge in commanding style.
Ultimately Guevara’s rivals, including his own Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Moto3 teammate - Sergio García - had no answer for a blistering final breakaway lap at the end of the race, and a new champion was crowned!
In Moto2, Inde GASGAS Aspar Moto2 Team rider Jake Dixon yo-yoed through the standings throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Dixon initially posted fastest on Friday, but then grip issues during Saturday qualifying saw the British rider line up on Sunday in P14. Keeping his head down, Dixon rode a strategic 25 lap race to work his way back up the field to take a decent third place podium. Teammate Albert Arenas progressed throughout the race too. Starting from P19, Arenas posted consistent times, to finish inside the top 14 and pick up two points.
With just two Grand Prix remaining of the year - Malaysia and Valencia - GASGAS is poised to secure additional titles in Moto3 - by currently leading the Constructor and Teams standings. Watch this space.
#28 - Izan Guevara: “To be world champion is incredible! I don’t know how to say it. It was an incredible race which has been part of an incredible season. It was a really close group at the front here today - I pushed as hard as I could, and in the last lap I thought it was possible to win the race. Huge thanks to my team, my family, and my friends for the support.”
#11 - Sergio García: “Overall I’m happy with the result - I raced really, really hard today. I think ultimately the problem was on the straights; I was missing a little bit of speed. But we have to continue working on this and keep pushing for the final Grand Prix of the season.”
#96 - Jake Dixon: “I’d been fast through free practice and then I had a really bad qualifying which dropped me down to P14. I wasn't able to get any more out of the rear tire but I was able to keep up the consistency and do the same lap time every lap. I didn't have the pace of the others in front, but to come through from 14th was as good as we could have hoped for. That one was for Chrissy Rouse - his passing is so sad, and my heart goes out to all his family and friends. I raced with all my heart today - which is what he did every time on the bike.”
#75 - Albert Arenas: “Well, we managed to get a few points and physically I felt fine after the crashes I had yesterday. It was a hard weekend and we have a few more days now to recover and get better for Malaysia and to try and end this period of flyaways in a good fashion. Many congrats to Izan for the title after a great season.”
Pit Beirer – GASGAS Motorsports Director: “What a finish to an amazing championship for Izan, Jorge and all of his team. It’s been clear for some time that we have another special talent coming through the ranks and Izan showed his champion credentials in the best possible style today. GASGAS’ first world title in the MotoGP classes and we couldn’t be happier.”
Results - 2022 Moto3 World Championship, Round 18:
1. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) 23 Laps; 2. Deniz Oncu (KTM) +0.345, 3. Sergio García (GASGAS) +0.460
Moto3 Championship Standings - After Round 18:
1. Izan Guevara (GASGAS, World Champion) 290pts, 2. Sergio García (GASGAS) 225pts, 3. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 223pts
Results - 2022 Moto2 World Championship, Round 18:
1. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 25 Laps; 2. Pedro Acosta (Kalex) +3.556, 3. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) +9.583, 14. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) +47.608
Moto2 Championship Standings - After Round 18:
1. Ai Ogura (Kalex) 242pts, 2. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 238.5pts, 3. Aron Canet (Kalex) 192pts, 7. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) 143.5pts, 14. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) 76pts