Espargaro, at the foot of the final podium

During his 12 full seasons in MotoGP, Aleix Espargaro had never scored more than 126 points in the championship. This 2022 season is by far the best for the Catalan who concludes the year with no less than 212 units on the clock. 

As a bonus, he won for the very first time in his career at the Argentine Grand Prix. After this meeting, which also marked his 200th start in the premier category, Espargaro even took control of the championship for the very first time. 

Five more podiums followed, but, all things considered, he had to settle for fourth overall after giving up in Valencia due to a technical problem. “Fighting for third place represented a dream for me, something historic, especially with the current level of the championship,” he recalled after the race. I think it would have been possible, but unfortunately a technical problem forced me to give up. Too bad, after the season we had. I gave everything from the first to the last race and I have no regrets. That's racing, things don't always go the way you hope. Now we must continue working, because next year will be another opportunity to do well. »

With if… 

The eight points he missed to reach the championship podium may be found on home soil, on the Barcelona circuit. The Spaniard was in second place behind fabio quartararo at the start of the last loop, but, thinking he had passed under the checkered flag, he cut his effort before realizing his mistake a few moments later. 

He got back on the gas, but the damage was done... he crossed the finish line fifth in the hierarchy. In the maneuver, he lost nine points (20 for second place and 11 for fifth), which would probably have helped him finish on the third step of the podium ahead of Enea Bastianini; the Italian having scored 219.