British gamer Bailey (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the 2022 MotoGP™ eSport Rising Stars Series Champion after an heroic comeback in the final event by just over one second.
On the back of six highly successful years, the MotoGP™ eSport Championship continues to innovate in a variety of ways in 2022. After debuting in 2020, the Rising Stars Series, an eSport talent promotion initiative, will have the third running of its final
Aimed at finding and fostering fresh eSport talent around the world, the Rising Stars Series mirrors Road to MotoGP™ initiatives out on track such as the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and more, as it seeks to promote young talent towards the pinnacle of the sport.
There were changes to streamline the series in 2022. The programme consisted of three Online Challenges, where results will be separated by three World Regions (the Americas, Europe and Africa, Asia and Oceania). This year, there just one final will determine the outright winner, with the top four gamers from each region qualifying for the showcase event.
The final took place on Wednesday at 14.00 (GMT +2) with the finalists taking on the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia over ten laps determining who walked away with the crown.
Seven countries were represented among the twelve hopefuls that fought it out on Wednesday, including Italy, the UK, Germany, the USA, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand.
And in an action-packed start, three finalists crashed out at the first turn, including pre-race favourite AleGhido32 (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). Emerging from the chaos [EU PRO] danyy26 (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was the early leader ahead of syafiqracer92 (Prima Pramac Racing) and Adamaiman43 (Repsol Honda Team). Bailey enjoyed a steady start in fifth.
But the British gamer soon started to make progress. By the close of the first lap he had picked off two riders ahead, before taking advantage of [EU PRO] danyy26’s crash on the second lap to lead. From there he built up a solid lead of 3s, which he controlled until the chequered flag to become the 2022 Rising Stars Series Champion!
Behind, Eiky 13 (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) kept the leader honest, whittling away at the deficit ahead until the chequered flag to secure a fine second place. AleGhido32 (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) recovered brilliantly from his first corner crash to tear through the pack and claim a well-deserved third place.
Check out the full standings HERE!
