The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto hosts the season opener for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup, with the stage set for a stunner
After a good few months to recharge, the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup will soon be back in action. The classic Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto is the venue as the class of 2022 get ready to race, with a new era about to begin: the bikes have lost 15kg, Q1-Q2 qualifying starts, and there are two races every single weekend.
Home to the impossible, MotoGP™ heads for Jerez
Jerez is a venue all know as the track hosted not one but two pre-season tests for the Cup, but some have the edge on experience. The two current riders to have won at the venue are Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) – two expected challengers this season too – and two-time Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons HP 40), another expected frontrunner, has been on the podium at the track. The fight between the three has already thrilled – and spilled – before, and 2022 promises another titanic showdown.
2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™), meanwhile, looks to have got his mojo back a little more in 2022 if the test timesheets are anything to go by, and Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) is back with a bang. The former podium finisher returns to MotoE™ this season and put in the fastest lap overall at the test, looking to fight for the Cup this season.
The likes of Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team), a race winner last year, and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), already a podium finisher, can’t be counted out, but we will have to wait a little longer to see the return of Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ Team). After a crash at the 24h of Le Mans, the Brit is sidelined for the MotoE™ season opener and will be replaced by Lukas Tulovic – the German likewise an experienced electric runner.
Meet the rookies looking to take MotoE™ by storm in 2022
There are some intriguing rookies this season too. Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE), multiple podium finisher in WorldSBK, joins the fold, and Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) – fastest rookie in testing – switches WorldSSP machinery for MotoE™. Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) is another as the Spaniard joins from dominating the European STK600 Championship, the same position Fermin Aldeguer was in at the start of his MotoE™ adventure.
The new Q1-Q2 format means qualifying takes place on Friday at 16:50, before Race 1 gets underway at 16:25 on Saturday. Race 2 then sees the field head out at 15:30 on Sunday, completing a packed weekend of track action for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup!
