Foggia Fights His Way To Third in 2022 Moto3 World Championship
Circuit Ricardo TormoDennis Foggia (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) rode the final race of his Moto3 career at Valencia today, fighting back from ninth place at three-quarters distance to finish fourth, one position off the podium, and take third overall, on the championship ‘podium’.
The 21-year-old Italian, who graduates to Moto2 next year, started from the third row of the grid and had to use all his speed, aggression and intelligence to find a way through the pack, which was as hectically close as always. Foggia had challenged for the 2022 Moto3 championship for much of the season, taking four race victories along the way.
The battle for fourth today was the highlight of the race, with no less than ten riders in the hunt, all of them taking the chequered flag separated by less than two seconds. Foggia won fourth place by just 0.441 seconds.
Team-mate Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) started alongside Foggia on the third row of the grid and was riding well inside the top ten until after one-quarter distance when he ran into problems. First, the 25-year-old from Chiba had to take a long-lap penalty, which lost him time and places, then he had other issues that dropped him further back, so he finished the race in 14th place, taking home two points for the season finale to end 2022 seventh overall.
Suzuki took the chequered flag a fraction ahead of fellow NSF250RW rider Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team Honda NSF250RW), who grabbed the final World Championship point in 15th, to complete his season inside the top ten, in ninth overall.
Mario Suryo Aji (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) completed the last race of his rookie Grand Prix season in 27th. The 18-year-old Indonesian has twice scored points during his apprentice year, at his home Grand Prix in March and at the Italian GP in May, learning so much along the way.
Team-mate Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) ended his rookie GP campaign in the gravel, after tumbling out on lap 15 of 23. The 17-year-old from Kanoya had been doing his best to work his way towards a second finish in the points this year, climbing to 23rd after qualifying 27th, before things went wrong.
The Moto3 paddock returns to action next March, with official tests at Jerez, Spain, and Algarve International Circuit, Portugal, in preparation for the 21-race World Championship opener, the Portuguese GP on 26th March.
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The result of today isn't good, but it's the moment to do a resume of the season. And I feel proud about what we've done and about what I learned. I enjoyed it and I increased my maturity during the season. Today's race was tough; I had a problem with my arm after lap nine. I was catching the group ahead, but with the arm-pump problem, I suffered a lot at every left corner. The season is over, and it's time to start thinking about next year.
The result of today isn't good, but it's the moment to do a resume of the season. And I feel proud about what we've done and about what I learned. I enjoyed it and I increased my maturity during the season. Today's race was tough; I had a problem with my arm after lap nine. I was catching the group ahead, but with the arm-pump problem, I suffered a lot at every left corner. The season is over, and it's time to start thinking about next year.
Today I expected a little bit more. My pace during the weekend wasn't so good, but I was constantly riding into the group led by Suzuki in the race. Lap by lap, I was gaining positions, but I crashed; I don't know how. After crashing in all the last two races, I planned to finish the race. But, in any case, I'm proud of my season. I want to thank my staff for all their support.
Today I expected a little bit more. My pace during the weekend wasn't so good, but I was constantly riding into the group led by Suzuki in the race. Lap by lap, I was gaining positions, but I crashed; I don't know how. After crashing in all the last two races, I planned to finish the race. But, in any case, I'm proud of my season. I want to thank my staff for all their support.
