MotoGP Qatar: Heartbreak for Sasaki as Migno masters Moto3

Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno claimed the opening Moto3 victory of 2022 as disaster struck long-time leader Ayumu Sasaki in Qatar.

A determined five-rider battle for the first podium of the season saw Sergio Garcia and Kaito Toba join the Italian for the desert celebrations after a highside disrupted the Japanese rider’s commanding rhythm with seven laps to go.

The first race of the year began with controversy before the lights had even gone out as penalties were handed out to three of the lightweight class big hitters. Both Leopard riders, Dennis Foggia and Tatsuki Suzuki and debut poleman Izan Guevara were forced to start from the back of the grid before serving a long lap penalty as the 18-lap action unfolded. ‘Being slow on the line and disturbing another rider when exiting pitlane’ during Saturday’s qualifying session the charge. Foggia collected a double penalty ‘for moving abruptly on the front straight’ in Moto3’s Q2 with last season’s runner up practicing the long lap loop during morning warm up on his way to topping the session. Gaviota Aspar’s Sergio Garcia had been rumoured to be in line for a penalty before stewards proved he hadn’t impeded the riders around him.

As the new grid formed, Sterilgarda Husqvarna’s Ayumu Sasaki took control with Jaume Masia and Migno alongside, teammate John McPhee promoted from seventh to fifth in the Q2 fallout as he prepared for his 170th Grand Prix start. Two British rookies, Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley lining up for VisionTrack Honda in 17th and 26th respectively.

Sasaki claimed the holeshot as the lights released, Migno sliding into second before Masia hit back, McPhee dropping to 11th as the group swallowed him up and Carlos Tatay crashed out after contact with Garcia at