The longest-ever MotoGP season – 19 races, thanks to the addition of Thailand – started in the dark in Qatar, and will finish in the November chill in Valencia. The Australian GP, number 17, is as usual sandwiched between Japan and Malaysia, in the middle of three consecutive flyaways.
The year has been a rollercoaster ride for all except Marquez, whose hand was strengthened from the off when Honda produced not just more power, but in a more usable form, and in a better-balanced chassis. From the start, the Spaniard explained: “With better acceleration I don’t have to try to make up time on braking and corner entry.” Not that the Repsol Honda star accomplished these phases much slower … just with less risk. He confined his crashing to “finding the limit”, usually in free practice.
Marc had won seven of the first 14 races before going to Japan to play match point. There should have been 15, had the British Grand Prix at Silverstone not been a total and disgraceful washout.
His closest rival, by then, was last year’s title challenger Andrea Dovizioso, winner of the first race at Qatar. But then came an unexpected exchange of roles between the dazzler and the professor. Dovi kept throwing it down the road – at Jerez in a three-bike tangle with Pedrosa and Ducati teammate Jorge Lorenzo, then at Le Mans and Catalunya with completely unforced errors. Thus any real chance at rivalling Marquez had gone, after just seven races.
The biggest turnaround was in Thailand, at the other end of the season. Last year, Dovi beat Marquez three times in last-corner fights. This time the result went to Marquez.
Ducati has gained strength through design, however; and at fast-corner tracks Dovi has praised its new abilities. This is good news for Phillip Island, where last year he finished a downbeat 13th, his worst of a year with six wins.
The Desmosedici’s improvement has come hand in hand with Lorenzo’s. Patiently the multi-champ has changed the bike to suit him, and his style to suit the bike, abandoning the runaway fast-corner-speed technique that made him often uncatchable on the Yamaha. Instead he’s learned to conserve his tyres and attack the corners differently, using the Duke’s massive brute force and acceleration.
Jorge has equalled Dovi’s three wins, but his luck turned at Round 14 in Aragon, where he’d set a third successive pole. Clashing with Marquez, he broke his right foot with a first-corner high-side; then added a left arm fracture at the next race in Thailand, where a mechanical failure threw him off at speed.
Thus he won’t be at his best in the secondary battle for third overall. Before Japan, against the odds, this was led by the Movistar Yamahas … in spite of the factory clocking up, at Aragon, the longest winless spell (23 races) since they joined the premier class in 1973.
Rossi is significantly the better of the pair and probably untouchable for third overall, with one second place (Sachsenring) and four thirds mixed up with a worst of eighth at Aragon; but both he and Maverick Vinales (one second, three thirds, a worst of 12th) have been complaining with increasing intensity about a lack of improvement, triggering an almost unprecedented public apology by Yamaha in Austria. Things suddenly and (alas) inexplicably changed in Thailand, two races ago, with both well in the hunt.
Before the Japanese round, just 23 points spanned from Vinales in fourth to Monster Yamaha’s Johann Zarco in eighth; and just seven from fifth-placed Lorenzo to the Frenchman. In between, Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and factory-level GP18-equipped Alma Pramac Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci, are locked in combat to be top independent rider.
The Ecstar Suzukis have been gaining strength, with the older Andrea Iannone marginally ahead of teammate Alex Rins as they fill out the top 10; and either will be a threat at the rhythmic Australian GP track.
Look out also for Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, struggling in his last year to preserve a record of at least one GP win every year since 2002; and Aleix Espargaro, whose Aprilia has also picked up some late pace at faster circuits.
And especially for Jack Miller, who came through a mid-season slump to return to regular top 10 on the Pramac Ducati GP17, and frequent runs with the fast guys.
Apex predators
Marc Marquez
Repsol Honda
One day, one supposes, somebody will come along to supplant Marquez. Doesn’t look like it’ll be any time soon. His talent, his skills, his Honda – even his luck – make him invincible.
Andrea Dovizioso
Ducati
MotoGP’s most thoughtful and careful star turned 32 in March, and this will be his 292nd consecutive start. He hasn’t missed a race since starting in 125cc category in 2002. He also keeps getting faster.
Valentino Rossi
Movistar Yamaha
This year’s Yamaha may have lost its way, and Rossi’s results only occasionally stellar. But as we’ve learned over his 380 starts and nine titles in three classes, the number 46 can never be ruled out.
Maverick Vinales
Movistar Yamaha
Tipped for greatness, Vinales has had a tough year, with team friction, bike issues and a tendency to start badly and find speed too late. Still, another who must be feared.
Hungry heroes
Cal Crutchlow
LCR Castrol Honda
Cal’s press-on style has seen him fall several times, but also netted him a win in Argentina. With factory backing and a past Island win in his portfolio, he’ll be pressing on again in Oz.
Jack Miller
Alma Pramac Ducati
Jack took to the Ducati like a toff to a tailored suit. After three years on a sub-prime Honda, a factory bike – albeit last year’s model – gave him the chance to show his depth of talent. Racing at home will be another big boost.
Alex Rins
ECSTAR Suzuki
In his second year, on an improved bike, last year’s injury victim has shown rapidly growing strength. Rins had been increasingly adventurous and aggressive in the later races, and the track will suit the Suzuki.
Danilo Petrucci
Alma Pramac Ducati
Italy’s jokiest racer has a full factory bike this year, and joins the factory team next. All the same, 2018 hasn’t been great. But he’s totted up good points, with a second in France and only one non-score.
Last chance chargers
Dani Pedrosa
Repsol Honda
Too light to tango, Dani pays the price of Michelins that some struggle to get warm enough. After announcing his retirement he’s running out of time to preserve his record of at least one win every year for the past 17. But he’ll try.
Johann Zarco
Monster Yamaha
Last year’s shooting star, Zarco hasn’t exactly fizzled out in 2018, but he’s been struggling with Yamaha’s problems just like the factory guys. Next year he joins KTM, so this is his last chance with the M1.
Andrea Iannone
ECSTAR Suzuki
Dropped by Ducati for 2017, ‘The Maniac’ has now lost his Suzuki ride. Aprilia next year, so he’s been making the most of the GSX-RR with three podiums. Seagulls beware.
Alvaro Bautista
Angel Nieto Ducati
The former 125cc world champ got bumped in the busy mid-season musical chairs, and is off to Superbikes next year, in spite of some strong rides on a GP17. Nine times in the top 10 this year so far.
