Every MotoGP racer begins each season with the objectives of earning points, standing on the podium, and winning the Grand Prix, but for six riders there will be one other accolade they will be chasing in 2022… Familial bragging rights.
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Three sets of brothers have the unenviable task of not only battling the rest of the field for honours this season but will also face the challenge of balancing sibling rivalries and brotherly love when they meet each other on the track.
THE BINDERS
For the past two seasons, Brad Binder has carried the South African flag with pride and distinction, picking up a race victory in each year. The Red Bull KTM rider has established himself as a force to reckoned with and, if his team can deliver a bike that is capable of challenging for race victories on the regular, Brad has the talent and skill to potentially challenge for the title in 2022.
Darryn Binder made his debut in the premier class for the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team, a huge step up for the Saffer who is coming straight from Moto3. The move came on the back of Darryn’s most successful season in Moto3 where he claimed two poles and two podiums en route to finishing seventh in the Moto3 standings, on his Honda-powered Petronas Sprinta Racing bike.
Prediction: In all likelihood Brad will provide support for his younger brother off the track, but given their vastly differing ambitions on the track, it’ll come as a surprise if Darryn gets any favours from his big bro. Brad should win at least one race again this year but a title challenge will be the ultimate objective, while for Darryn scoring points regularly will be the minimum target he sets himself.
THE MARQUEZES
Having a six-time MotoGP world champion for a brother must be the most rewarding and challenging thing for a rider trying to make a name for himself. Such is the case for Alex Marquez, who in his own right is an accomplished rider, having won a Moto3 title in 2014 and a Moto2 title in 2019. Since his step up to the premier class in 2020, the Spaniard, now in his second year with Castrol LCR Honda, has struggled to make his mark. His best performances came in his debut season where he claimed a pair of second-place finishes, ending the campaign in 14th place.
Marc Marquez… the man, the myth, the legend! Not much more can be written about the man’s skill or accomplishments that hasn’t already been written. However, to set the scene for 2022 we must look back to the last two years. Having claimed his sixth title in 2019, the Honda rider entered into the 2020 season as the overwhelming favourite for the title. The title challenge lasted exactly one race as a right humerus fracture effectively ended his campaign, despite the Spaniard’s attempts to race again just days after surgery to repair the broken arm. 2021 was a rollercoaster for Marquez as his return to action was delayed to the third race of the campaign. He then went on to complete back-to-back top-10 finishes before three DNFs in a row. Marc then did something he had not done in 581 days… He won a Grand Prix to end the longest barren streak of his career. Despite picking up consecutive victories in Austin and Misano, Marquez was not in the running for the championship and decided to end his season prematurely, missing the final two races in Portimao and Valencia to focus on his preparation for 2022. And so we come full circle… Marquez is fit, healthy, and well rested, which should be an ominous sign for the riders who have prospered in his absence from the sport.
Prediction: Alex would have had his brother in his corner throughout 2020 but with Marc’s eyes firmly set on title No. seven there will be no love lost between the brothers out on the tarmac. Anything but title No 7 for Marc will be a failure while for Alex adding to his podium tally and maybe even sneaking a race win would be a resounding success.
THE ESPARGAROS
The perennial middlemen Pol and Aleix Espargaro are highly regarded in the paddock but have never been able to convert their reputations into success in MotoGP. Much of Aleix’s lack of accolades could be attributed to his machinery, having ridden for ART, Forward Yamaha, Suzuki and, since 2017, Aprilia. Having not picked up a podium since 2014 at the British MotoGP, he will be hopeful of adding to his tally if his team can deliver a bike that is somewhat competitive. Pol, though, has more of a taste for triumph, being the 2013 Moto2 champion and having stood on the MotoGP podium seven times in his career. However, his move from KTM to Honda last season did not translate into instant success, managing to claim just the single podium finish and ending the championship eight places below his ex-teammate Brad Binder. Having a fully fit Marquez to follow around might aide Pol’s hopes, making the best of a bike that should be more than capable of challenging for the title.
Prediction: With Maverick Vinales by his side for 2022 Aleix could have a teammate who he can draw from to inspire him to add to his podium haul. However, finishing in the top-10 of the riders’ standings could be a lofty ambition for the Aprilia man. Having spent a year getting used to the Honda machine, Pol should be able to kick on in 2022, whether or not he will be able to keep pace with teammate Marc Marquez is another question but more podiums should be on the cards for him. The brothers have not clashed on the track but there are no examples of them helping each other out either, so it should be business as usual with the pair looking out for their own interests without getting in each other’s way.
The first opportunity to see how the brothers get on will be at the season-opening Qatar MotoGP, with qualifying on Saturday 5 March and the race on Sunday 6 March. Tune in to SS Motorsport on Dstv to watch all the action live and in HD.
QATAR MOTOGP BROADCAST DETAILS
Saturday, 5 March
Qualifying | 5pm | SS Motorsport
Sunday, 6 March
Moto3 | 1:45pm | SS Motorsport
Moto2 | 3:05pm | SS Motorsport
MotoGP | 5pm | SS Motorsport
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