Acosta is undoubtedly one to watch. The team KTM Ajo rider recently scored his second Moto2 career win, proving that he is exactly what he was described as being in 2021: a phenomenon of his class.

Small but mighty: the exceptional Moto2 rookie

We’re convinced that, if he hadn’t sustained injury mid-season, Pedro would have achieved more than the two race wins we've seen so far. At the start of the year, the critics had a lot to say about him, but he has responded both verbally (we’ve heard him for ourselves) and on track.

We like that, a rider with balls. As sizeable as his talent. And yet his stature is slight. Almost like a jockey, with the character of a pitbull. Fairly relaxed in the paddock, a hyena on track. And Motegi looks forward to welcoming number 51, the rider as in demand as Manga comics.

It’s all about Augusto. Almost, because there’s also Ogura

Many say Fernandez is well on his way to the intermediate title, and it’s true, but the maths tells us that the championship is still very much alive. Ogura is close, and he’ll be racing in front of his home crowd at Motegi. The Japanese rider knows he’ll remain in Moto2, while Agusto knows he’ll move to MotoGP. What a difference in mentality.

They’re both weapons on the track though. And then there’s Aron Canet, a rider who’s more than keen to score a first win. Doing it in on Japanese soil would make it all the more significant. And Celestino Vietti Ramus? Where is he? He’s clearly suffered a slump in performance but we except a prompt response, as the Italian still has the potential to win.

Traslated by Heather Watson

MOTOGP, MOTEGI "YAMAHA" TURF, BUT DUCATI THE FAVOURITES