By How to reflect on the 2022 roads season as a whole, well firstly it’s been brilliant to have a full season of racing, for the first time in two years.
To me, this is the best aspect about 2022. This might sound a boring answer but when you consider the problems the sport has faced over recent times, it’s been refreshing, reinvigorating.
We have seen Davey Todd’s star rise and rise, firmly establishing himself now as a roads ‘Alien’.
Peter Hickman continues to rack up TT wins and I’ve no doubt there’s more to come.
Michael Dunlop was back in the TT winners circle, the Crowe brothers Ryan & Callum, Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley, Paul Jordan, Michael Browne, Jim Hind, Privateers Champion Jamie Coward, Rob Hodson, Nathan Harrison all impressed throughout 2022 whilst Glenn Irwin made an eye-catching TT debut.
Superbike race winner times two at the North West 200, it remains to be seen as to whether we will see the BSB Championship runner-up, dabbling with roads action in 2023.
Pure road racing continues to grow worldwide, in particular in Mexico, thanks to the Cain Road Race, Baja International Tourist Cup and San Pedro Martir Hill Climb.
The IRRC series, once again provided quality competition throughout as Vincent Lonbois, David Datzer, Marek Cerveny, Jorn Hamberg duked it out for Superbike, Supersport title successes.
Racing on the roads, is an unparalleled spectacle, nothing comes close motorsport wise.
Right from motorsport’s inauguration in the late 1890’s, road race action has featured.
You’ll hear lots of negativity at times from naysayers, doom merchants, certain reporters, vocal voices on social media stating this that and the other.
What they can’t take away from road racing, the racers, the teams, the marshals, the organisers, anyone who loves the sport, is the joy it brings, a serotonin boost like no other.
I often state don’t let fear control you, in these present times were often told what to think, rather than how to think, been in the present.
Road racers are free thinkers, experiencing the pursuit of facing down danger, overcoming it, mixing with it, controlling it.
I doff my hat, cap to these free thinkers.
Finally, my thoughts are with the friends, families of those we have lost this year, pursuing their dreams.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
