Gresini Ducati

Desperate for success - Alex Marquez says his new opportunity with MotoGP world champions Ducati was something ‘I looked for within Honda but could not find’.

On a day that saw Marc Marquez secure his first MotoGP pole position in three years at Motegi and championship contenders struggle, five riders shocked us with their performance, but who are they?

Could the 2022 MotoGP championship battle become a four-way fight - Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro believe Enea Bastianini remains a real threat, although one who is ‘less of a contender’ with just five races to go.

Alex Marquez insisted that he and his brother Marc Marquez won’t share insider secrets when they race for rival teams - and joked that they would build a wall in their motorhome.

Alex Marquez will join Gresini Ducati for the 2023 MotoGP season to partner Fabio di Giannantonio.