After keeping the world waiting for what felt like an eternity, the Mooney VR46 Racing team has finally unveiled its 2022 livery for both the Moto 2 and MotoGP class.
The unveiling took place in the presence of all four team riders (Nicolo Antonelli, Celestino Vietti, Marco Bezecchi, and Luca Marini) at the iconic Rossini theater in Pesaro, a town just a few miles away from Rossi’s hometown, Tavullia in Italy.
Now that all MotoGP teams have unveiled their challengers, the stage is set for the first race of the 2022 MotoGP season on March 6, 2022.
Mooney VR46 Racing Team Livery For 2022
The Mooney VR46 Racing team was the last MotoGP team to take the wraps off their livery. And they made sure it was worth the wait.
Comprising a dark gloss grey base coat, the livery has two thick contrasting lines running on the fairings. The first one celebrates the yellow color of the team’s new title sponsor, Mooney, while the other one pays homage to the iconic bright neon yellow color of none other than the nine-time world champion (and team boss) Valentino Rossi.
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For added flair, the tail end is also wrapped in neon yellow whereas the aero package and the front fairing get Mooney’s yellow color.
This livery, coupled with Ducati’s streamlined Desmosedici GP22 bike, makes it of the most intriguing bikes on the grid.
While the Ducati GP222 does steal the show, the Moto 2 Kalex race bike of Vietti and Antonelli is worth mentioning too and looks nothing short of impressive too.
Ducati Desmosedici GP22 & Moto 2 Kalex Specs
The Ducati Desmosedici GP21 was arguably the best motorcycle on the ‘21 MotoGP grid, showing excellent consistency and speed at all circuits. And the GP22 plans to one-up this.
With a tweaked aero package and a revised tail end, the GP22 draws power from a 999cc, 90 degrees, V4 engine putting out over 250 horsepower. And in case you’re wondering, the Johann Zarco managed a top speed of over 225 mph in 2021 aboard the GP21.
Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, the GP22 weighs around 346 pounds.
Coming to the Moto 2 bike, it is built around a proven Kalex chassis which houses Triumph’s 765cc, triple-cylinder motor, common for all Moto 2 bikes. This engine is said to put out 140 horsepower while weighing just under 320 pounds.
Several Moto 2 riders have recorded top speeds of over 187mph, which is nothing but shocking for an engine of this size.
Rider Thoughts
On the reveal, here’s what the MotoGP riders had to say.
Luca Marini #10
"It will be a very important season for me and the whole Mooney VR46 Racing Team: I have begun to become familiar with the new Ducati GP22 bike and to understand its potential in the last tests. The feelings are more than positive, the goal is to be able to consistently stay in the top group, fight for the Top5, and always stay in the Top10. I would like to arrive on the podium then, I know it's a very ambitious goal but I have faith in my crew. The atmosphere is great, we had fun and I had a good time. I also really like the colors of the bike, they have always been those of the VR46".
Marco Bezzecchi #72
"Qatar is just a breath from now and I will have to learn to manage the positive pressure that will come. It has been a long wait and the adrenaline is a lot now. I'm happy with how the tests went, of course, I still have a lot to do, we have only done one race simulation so far and the first GPs will be challenging. I like the Team, they are close-knit and the atmosphere is good. The title of Rookie of the year is a great goal, more than anything else, I'd like to fight for it until the end. It will be a special get out on the track on this bike: it has the colors of Valentino and the VR46 family and the Italian spirit of Mooney and Ducati".
Image Source: MotoGP