MotoGP schedule: British Grand Prix at Silverstone
Diogo Moreira, riding for KTM, carved his name into the record books by securing pole position in the lightweight class, marking the first time a Brazilian rider topped the world standings on this stage. At the Silverstone circuit, the 18-year-old São Paulo native unleashed a speed run that outpaced every rival. In a six-lap sprint that left the field chasing the Brazilian, Moreira claimed the first pole of his career, finishing ahead of Izan Guevara of GasGas and Ryusei Yamanaka of KTM, with the top three separated by a razor-thin margin in the final timing. This moment represented a historic milestone for Brazilian motorcycle racing in the lightweight category and signaled Moreira as a rising force in MotoGP.
Argentina’s and Europe’s favorites watched as Moreira executed a flawless lap that no one could match. The moment was celebrated across social media, with official MotoGP channels highlighting the pole as a landmark achievement for Brazilian motorsport. A tweet from MotoGP on August 6, 2022, captured the excitement surrounding Moreira’s breakthrough at Silverstone.
Meanwhile in the premier class, Italian Riccardo Rossi stood out from early on, delivering a strong performance. Spaniards Xavier Artigas and Sergio Garcia Dols showed solid pace, while Japan’s Taiyo Furusato finished in the leading group, holding a pace that kept him well within striking distance for the second division. The scene was competitive and stacked with talent, as several riders pressed to secure their best times and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
World championship leader Sergio Garcia Dols faced a demanding session yet managed to persevere, clocking consistent laps that kept him among the top contenders. He was joined by fellow KTM riders David Muñoz, Adrián Fernández, and Jaume Masiá, as well as Carlos Tatay from CFMoto, with Ana Carrasco of KTM standing out as the lone female rider near the front of the ranks. The group stayed tightly packed, trading places as teams and riders adjusted to Silverstone’s fast, technical layout.
In the second division, the field displayed a mix of solo charges and strategic wheel sharing, with some riders pushing for quick personal bests while others relied on drafting to chase improvements. The tactical choices carried inherent risk if the Racing Directive were triggered, as it could create unsafe situations for others on track. It was clear the riders were weighing exposure against the potential reward of a faster lap time, a balance that often defines a session in this class.
Japan’s Kaito Toba set the initial benchmark in the second division, his pace signaling one of several strong efforts to follow. Izan Guevara awaited his moment, benefiting from the consistent progress of teammate Marine Pioneer. As the session progressed, a cluster of riders began shaving tenths off the clock in the second turn, moving the entire field toward tighter competition as the clock ran down.
The mood shifted with Diogo Moreira returning as a key reference in the second division, his lap time gelling in the sequence that included Rossi and Nepa ahead of him. Sergio Garcia Dols again faced a battle to stay with the leaders, as a core group of seven riders remained in the mix with time to improve in the closing minutes. The session’s tension built as the minutes ticked away, with several riders still seeking to unlock a faster lap before the checkered flag.
Public pre-race chatter and on-track battles highlighted the emergence of fresh talent. Izan Guevara surged to the front row in the closing moments, positioning himself as a formidable threat at Silverstone. The moment captured on social feeds underscored the dramatic, unpredictable nature of MotoGP in the United Kingdom, where home fans and international fans alike watched closely as the field assembled for qualifying. The spectacle was a reminder that strategy, teamwork, and raw speed all collide in this high-stakes arena.
Brazil’s Moreira continued to shape the narrative as he rolled to a 2:10.951 pace during the session, with Rossi and Nepa close behind. Garcia Dols fought to keep pace, while several riders, including Foggia and Suzuki, battled to climb away from the rear and into the more competitive bands of the standings. By the time the session concluded, Moreira stood ahead of the rest, cementing the first pole position of his sporting career with Guevara and Yamanaka following in close pursuit. The rest of the order saw Rossi, Nepa, and Öncü securing strong positions, with Foggia, Suzuki, and Sasaki also nabbing top-four finishes, and McPhee, Garcia Dols, and Holgado close behind.
Those moments on track underscored a weekend that promised intense racing across multiple classes. Moreira’s pole in the lightweight class signaled a new era for Brazilian riders and highlighted the depth of talent racing in MotoGP’s global grid. The Silverstone event continued to deliver drama, as the field pushed toward race day with clear intent and an eye on the championship chase.
Note: The British Grand Prix at Silverstone remains a pivotal fixture in the MotoGP calendar, drawing fans from North America and around the world who follow the rapid pace and evolving narratives of the lightweight and premier classes. The competitive environment, the close times, and the tactical decisions on the track all contribute to a compelling weekend of racing that showcases emerging stars and seasoned veterans alike. This race weekend added another chapter to the ongoing story of MotoGP’s growth and the rising profile of riders from Brazil and beyond. [Citations: MotoGP press notes and race day coverage, August 2022].