The rival advances that will test Quartararo's reign in MotoGP 2022

The MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar this weekend and its defending champion has a significant disadvantage against the chasing pack which will truly test his title credentials. Here's what to look out for ahead of the start of the 2022 season.

The sophomore slump is a phenomenon in music where an artist or band’s follow-up to their successful debut album fails to land the same impact. More commonly, this is known as ‘the difficult second album’. It is something that can also be applied to a reigning MotoGP world champion. Winning one is hard enough, repeating that feat is an even more difficult proposition.

Fabio Quartararo’s historic 2021 title, when he became France’s first MotoGP world champion and ended a drought for Yamaha dating back to Jorge Lorenzo’s 2015 success, fulfilled a prophecy. In his pre-grand prix days in the Junior World Championship, Quartararo was touted as the next Marc Marquez.

Share Or Save This Story

Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary MotoGP reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers other motorcycle racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.