MotoGP’s newest independent squad poised for an exciting debut during the first official 2022 pre-season test at Jerez this week
As the thrilling 2021 MotoGP World Championship season concludes, preparations for the 2022 season kicks off almost immediately this week with the first two-day official pre-season test session in Jerez, Spain.
Notably, said occasion will also mark the highly anticipated debut of the all-new WITHU YAMAHA RNF MotoGP TEAM. Led by Team Principal Razlan Razali and Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg, the Yamaha-backed independent squad features renowned Italian veteran Andrea Dovizioso paired alongside promising South African rookie Darryn Binder to form its riders roster.
Despite taking a sabbatical from competition for over half-a-season, Dovizioso showed improvement of pace when he returned for the final five races of the recently concluded 2021 season aboard a then Spec-A (2019) Yamaha machinery. For the upcoming test in Jerez, the highly experienced 35-year-old Forlimpopoli native will familiarise himself with a new factory-spec (2022) Yamaha YZR-M1 machine.
With new materials and personnel at hand, this week’s official test will serve as a key shakedown of sorts for WITHU YAMAHA RNF MotoGP TEAM. Nevertheless, through the abundance of potential it holds at hand, the squad has set its sights at becoming one of the most competitive independent teams in the new era of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
This week’s official MotoGP pre-season test takes place on November 18 and 19 at the famed Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Located in Spain’s Andalusia region, the fast and technical 4.4km-long course with a total of 13 turns stands both as a regular fixture in the MotoGP world championship calendar and top favourite amongst riders.
Besides this, two more official pre-season test sessions will be held throughout February next year in Malaysia (Sepang) and Indonesia (Mandalika) specifically for the premier class. After which, the 2022 season is set to go underway under the floodlights of the Qatar Grand Prix in March.
Andrea Dovizioso #04
“I am really happy to be in Jerez just four days after the final 2021 race in Valencia. We had a good weekend there, and we are heading to Jerez in the best situation. Over five races, we did the maximum and I adapted myself quite well with the bike and now, I’m very keen to try the new bike”.