Pflugdorf / Valencia - This is a result that, at the end of a far from optimal season in 2021, gives courage for 2022. In the last race of the Moto2 World Championship in Valencia, Spain, 28-year-old Marcel Schrötter from Pflugdorf won the eighth win of the season for the Spaniard Raul Fernandez from starting position 13 to 9th place. That is the best ranking of the motorcycle professional after the summer break. The number 23 last came ninth on June 27th in Assen. And: Schrötter even crossed the finish line one place ahead of the new world champion Remy Gardner (Australia).
With 9th place and a further seven World Cup points, the Upper Bavarian secured 10th place in the overall standings. After ranked 8th twice (2018 and 2019) and 9th place in the previous year. No wonder he was not satisfied with it, especially since he failed to make it onto the podium for the first time since he started in the Moto2 World Championship (and that is since 2013). “The 10th place overall does not meet my expectations. Especially when you start the second half of the season in sixth place after the summer break and have been in this class for a few years. There is no way I have to hide, but the end result is not where I want to go, ”he clarifies. “But I have to add that we weren't among the fastest this year, but lived a lot from my race pace and achieved a lot of solid race results, especially in the first half.And that partly coming from starting positions far back from the sixth or seventh row. That shows how much potential there is. But we don't have the pure speed to knock one out in qualifying. We have to work on that and improve. "
Regarding the last race, in which he was temporarily in 6th place, the Kalex driver from the Liqui Moly Intact GP team in Memmingen says: “I didn't feel that strong and I struggled to drive cleanly. It wasn't exactly a good race, more could have been done. A top six result was within reach. That's why I'm a little disappointed. At least we can go into the winter break with a single-digit result, that was a solid end to the season. We have improved and on the last two race weekends achieved the upward trend we were aiming for. But we have to do our homework in winter so that we can play to our usual form and strength right from the start next year.Then you can also fight for a decent final position in the championship. "
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Moto2 World Championship rider Marcel Schrötter bows to the great Valentino Rossi, who ended his unique career on Sunday
© Glänzel
Grace Vale!
The last race in 2021 will be remembered for a long time by the entire “motorcycle family”. Schrötter: “It will be unforgettable for me, as two of my idols have ended their active racing careers. In addition to Valentino Rossi, Tom Lüthi also drove his last race. I followed Tom's career when I was still driving national youth series. He was always a driver to look at. When my own World Cup career began, Tom was my team-mate for a total of three years. He was always a very pleasant partner in the box. Our years together were wonderful and very instructive for me. It was really an honor for me to work with him. And what should I say about Valentino? I just want to join the Grazie Vale. What he achieved and did for our sport,deserves the highest respect and gratitude. "
Schrötter is now on vacation.
The 2022 season begins on March 6th with the night race in Qatar.
With 21 races, it will be the longest in the history of the motorcycle world championship.
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Thanks to the team: Marcel Schrötter's helmet for the Moto2 season 2021.
© Glänzel
