The MotoGP™ eSport Championship roared back into life with two dramatic races as the 2022 Global Series kicked off at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello during the #ItalianGP.
For the sixth year in succession, the Global Series pits the fastest gamers from around the world against one another over five rounds and ten races. Each finalist has been chosen to represent one of the twelve current MotoGP™ teams as they fight it out to become the 2022 MotoGP™ eSport Champion.
The first round came live from the wonderful Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello during the Italian Grand Prix, with Gavin Emmett presenting the event at the eSport stage, constructed on the inside of the track. MotoGP™´s Jack Appleyard and Jack Gorst were on commentary duties, and were joined by special guests for the action.
American Moto2™ superstar Cameron Beaubier was on hand to cast his eye over the action in race one, held at the Sachsenring in wet conditions over ten laps. Soon after eight-time MotoGP™ race winner Maverick Viñales joined the commentary team to offer some unique insights on race two, held around the stunning Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in dry conditions, this one held over eight laps.
Suzuki ECSTAR eSports Team AndreaSaveri11 set pole position for both encounters on Thursday and there was drama from the very first lap of race one. Adriaan_26 (Repsol Honda Team) jumped into an early lead, while there were problems for likely contenders Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Trast73 and Cristianmm17 (LCR Honda CASTROL eSports Team), who ran off track on the first lap.
AndreaSaveri11 then began to put long-time leader Adriaan_26 under intense pressure, closing right onto his rear tyre. Despite an attempted pass at turn one, Adriaan_26 just held on to win an absorbing contest by just 0.3s! The impressive Jack Hammer4658 (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took a first podium in third, while Trast73 recovered to fourth.
