At the dawn of a record season of 21 races, which begins this weekend in Qatar, the fight for the title promises to be very open.

After Joan Mir (Suzuki), 24, in 2020, it was Quartararo (Yamaha), 22, who took the world crown in 2021 against his first rival Bagnaia (Ducati).

The Spanish drivers Joan Mir (Suzuki), Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) and French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) pose in the Lusail stadium on March 2, 2022 in the suburbs of Doha, before the 1st Grand Prix of the season, on March 6 March 2022 KARIM JAAFAR AFP

While the younger generation was gaining ground, Marquez, who unchallengedly dominated the discipline, titled six times between 2013 and 2019, collapsed: 2020, 2021 will remain for him two long seasons marked by physical glitches - broken right arm then vision problems.

If he still managed to win three races to finish in 7th place last year, a fall at the end of October during motocross training deprived him of the last two Grands Prix.

The Spaniard suffered from diplopia, a problem of doubling of vision which had already handicapped him ten years ago.

"It's been a rocky road since 2020. Last year when it looked like the arm was better, I was winning again, I had this diplopia. But today everything looks good , the vision is perfect, the arm is better too," he told AFP in early February.

Spaniard Marc Marquez, riding his Honda, during the 1st pre-season test session, February 5, 2022 at the Sepang circuit (Indonesia) Ahmad Fadali AFP / Archives

The eight-time world champion in all categories signed his return to the tracks during pre-season testing in Sepang (Indonesia) in February.

"I hope it's the end of the tunnel!" Said the 28-year-old pilot.

Marquez "hopes" now to have this promised duel against Quartararo, "because it would mean that I am in the fight for the title".

But according to him, 2022 will be more "a battle with a lot of riders", with Quartararo and Bagnaia as "favorites".

Premiere without Rossi

The Frenchman, in any case, is sure of his ambitions: "I tasted victory, I don't want to leave it anymore, I have even more motivation," he told AFP.

For his fourth season in MotoGP riding a Yamaha, his second in the factory team, "El Diablo" will however have to do with a bike that does not seem to be the most efficient, in terms of pre-season tests.

"Of course, I expected a lot more from Yamaha, on the engine aspect. The number 1 objective was to have more power", he noted, as he has been hammering it since the end of 2021, when the Ducati dominated him.

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, riding his Yamaha, during qualifying for the MotoGP French Grand Prix, May 15, 2021 on the Le Mans circuit JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP / Archives

"But in the end the tests went pretty well, now you have to be 100% focused on the race," he said.

It will also be necessary, and perhaps above all, to keep an eye on the vice-champion Bagnaia and his flamboyant red Desmosedici.

The 25-year-old Italian, 2018 Moto2 world champion, dominated the end of the 2021 season with four victories in the last six races.

The joy of the Italian Francesco Bagnaia, winner, riding his Ducati, of the San Marino Grand Prix of MotoGP, on September 19, 2021 on the Marco-Simoncelli circuit in Misano Adriatico ANDREAS SOLARO AFP / Archives

Especially since in 2022, the power of the Ducati will be increased tenfold.

Already world champion of manufacturers, the Italian firm will have eight motorcycles in its armada this season, against six previously: in addition to its two official flagships, the Pramac, Gresini and VR46 teams are also equipped by Ducati.

At the forefront of which are the Pramacs of the Frenchman Johann Zarco and the Spaniard Jorge Martin.

Zarco, 31, will want to pick up the thread of his Moto2 titles in 2015 and 2016, after his best season in the elite in 2021 - 5th place finish and four 2nd places.

Frenchman Johann Zarco, riding his Pramac, during the 1st pre-season test session, February 5, 2022 at the Sepang circuit (Indonesia) Ahmad Fadali AFP / Archives

The 24-year-old Spaniard comes out of a thunderous first year with a victory and three other podiums.

He will be one of the attractions, just like his compatriot Joan Mir (Suzuki), 2020 regularity champion, the Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) or the Italian Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha).

The season will also be the first without Valentino Rossi since 1999. Young retiree after nine world championship titles (7 in the premier category), the Italian legend has not quite said goodbye to his loves: his VR46 team arrives in MotoGP, with his initials, his favorite number and two Italians on the handlebars, Luca Marini, his half-brother, and Marco Bezzecchi.

© 2022 AFP