The 2022 FIM MiniGP World Series Final began at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, on Wednesday, and MotoAmerica riders Nathan Gouker and Ryder Davis showed well in the first day’s practice and qualifying sessions aboard their Ohvale GP-0 160cc machines.
Gouker, Davis, and the rest of the 33 riders who gathered from around the world to participate in the event were divided into three groups–A, B, and C–and each group had four Free Practice sessions. The eight fastest riders went directly to Q3, the middle 11 directly to Q2, and the bottom 13 directly to Q1.
In Q1, the top four riders then moved through to Q2, and then, the top four from Q2 into Q3. The top 15, who are made up of the 12 riders from Q3 plus the top three of those who didn’t move through from Q2, are guaranteed a grid position in Thursday’s Race 1.
Those who didn’t move directly through on Wednesday will have another chance to join the grid via Qualifying Race 1 on Thursday morning, with the top two finishers joining Race 1 and Race 2.
At the conclusion of the four Free Practice sessions for the three groups of riders, Gouker and Ryder were 9th and 12th, respectively, on combined times, which transferred them directly to Q2. In Q2, Gouker was second-fastest in the session, and Davis was sixth-fastest, so both Americans will participate in Thursday’s Qualifying Race 2.
You can watch Gouker and Ryder race LIVE on Thursday on MotoGP.com and across social media on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
About the FIM MiniGP World Series
The FIM MiniGP World Series is the first global initiative in motorsport aimed at creating grassroots equality. Providing a standard set of technical and sporting regulations, and with the support of global partners to keep costs as low as possible, the competition aims to provide the best possible start for young riders across the world to begin their careers in motorcycle racing, as well as providing further opportunities on the Road to MotoGP™.
