With 9 Races to go, lets take a look at some of the Title challengers for this year's shortened Calendar...
This season has been a Roller-Coaster ride for Riders and Fans likewise, with 4 different race winners in 5 races so far and Fabio Quartararo, Miguel Olivera, Brad Binder and KTM winning their First ever Top spots in MotoGP, it seems like no one can predict what future has in store for the Championship this year.
Lets take a look at current standings and see who are the favorites this season as per their current performances.
1. Fabio Quartararo
Fabio Quartararo got off to a perfect start by claiming his and Petronas Yamaha’s first two MotoGP victories at Jerez. But a downward trend of 7th, 8th and 13th places since has eroded his title advantage to just 3 points.
Clearly capable of more race wins if the Yamaha package is performing as he needs, the upcoming Misano double header could prove pivotal in terms of his chances of a historic satellite team title.
Quartararo fought Marquez for victory one year ago and has high hopes that the twisty high-grip Italian circuit will again suit the Yamaha.
But while a return to the front in Misano would revitalise Quartararo's championship challenge, another bad weekend would almost certainly cost him the title lead and cast doubt on his chances at other 'friendly' circuits.
2. Andrea Dovizioso
As title runner-up to Marc Marquez for the past three seasons, on paper Dovi becomes the man-to-beat for this year’s crown.
In a season of unpredictability, Dovi's renowned consistency would normally also be paying dividends.
Like Quartararo, Dovi has scored points in every race so far. But, much to the Italian's frustration, his usual high speed across different circuits and weather conditions - has deserted him so far this year.
That was illustrated by a podium in the opening Jerez race, then 6th at the same track just a week later. Likewise, victory in the first Austrian race was followed by 5th place the next weekend.
The new Michelin rear tyre construction continues to taunt Dovizioso and Ducati, whose title chances may well depend on how soon they can crack the puzzle.
While younger riders have time on their side, at 34 - and with his future up in the air after announcing he will be leaving Ducati - it's probably now or never for Dovizioso and a MotoGP title.
3. Jack Miller
Instead he's 14 points behind Quartararo, but the double Austrian podium certainly invigorated his championship challenge and few will be surprised if he becomes the first satellite Ducati rider to win a MotoGP race, ahead of next year's move to the Factory team.
Like all manufacturers, Ducati will surely focus extra attention on its top rider entering the crucial final championship stages. Miller will be eager to prove he offers Ducati their best chance of the crown since countryman Casey Stoner in 2007.
4. Brad Binder
Having become the first rookie since Marc Marquez to win a MotoGP race, and given KTM's dramatic leap in form, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Brad Binder might even go on to emulate Marquez in becoming MotoGP champion at his first attempt.
But first Binder needs to sort out qualifying.
Binder's average grid position so far has been just 11th (best of 7th, worst of 17th) but his average for raced finished works out at 7th place. Remove the first Jerez result, where he ran off track and re-joined in last, and his average race finish is close to 3rd.
The Jerez mistakes have left Binder 21 points from the top, but he was also unlucky in the sense that his stunning debut victory came at the only circuit so far that has hosted just one race.
If there had been another event at Brno the following weekend, as occurred at Jerez and the Red Bull Ring, few would have bet against the South African fighting for back-to-back wins and therefore being even higher in the points' standings.
5. Maverik Vinales
Wins: 0 Podiums: 2 Points deficit: 22
After solid runner-up finishes at Jerez, Maverick Vinales has experienced the opposite problem to Binder; the Spaniard being lightning fast in practice and qualifying, yet struggling in the races.
The Monster Yamaha star has qualified on the front row on three out of five occasions, and started no lower than fifth, but - since Jerez - Vinales has scored just 8 out of a possible 75 points.
The good news is that he wasn't injured in the Austrian brake failure and remains in touch with Quartararo and the title lead despite the DNF. But like Quartararo, Vinales is putting pressure on Yamaha to solve the recent performance difficulties before it's too late.
Meanwhile, having already lost one of his five engines for the season, Vinales will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Austrian accident hasn't destroyed another…
6. Takaaki Nakagami
Takaaki Nakagami has been performing heroics on a year-old LCR Honda, justifying and rewarding HRC's increased support of the Japanese since Marc Marquez's injury.
Nakagami felt he was not only on course for a debut MotoGP podium until the Styrian Grand Prix was red-flagged, but also perhaps a first race victory.
More opportunities to climb the rostrum will surely follow and, if they can be added to Nakagami's consistency so far, there's no reason why he cannot hold on to a career-best top six in the standings.
Nakagami joins Quartararo and Dovizioso as the only riders to have scored points in all five races so far this season.
7. Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi may only be seventh in the world championship, and the third-best Yamaha, but he has finished as the top M1 rider in the last two races.
Admittedly, that only meant fifth and ninth places, but might it be a further sign that Rossi's new set-up direction - which brought instant podium success in the second Jerez event - will also pay off in the long term?
As Franco Morbidelli said: "The only Yamaha guy that seems to maintain a good average so far this season is Vale."
Amidst the up-and-down fortunes experienced by all the current frontrunners, the 41-year-old's unrivalled experience must also be a benefit. And, without the engine failure at Jerez, Rossi would certainly be less than the current 25 points from the top.
But the Italian's chances of adding to his Andalucia podium and rising up the championship table will depend heavily on sorting out his qualifying form, having been left 10th, 12th and 14th in the events since Jerez.
Unfortunately, if you have an accident, it will make sure that the damage is not long-lasting. Therefore, you must select the right MotoGP racing suit by following the below tips:
ReplyDelete