MotoGP 2018 Championship Picks
Last year, I only got Rookie of the Year right, I probably won’t even get that right this year, but let’s try this again.
The feeder series are generating better talent, which means the overall quality of Moto3 riders has been going up, which leads to better riders in Moto2, and that means all the rookies coming into MotoGP this year are absolutely fantastic.
I’m going to spare myself some agony and pick between last year’s Moto2 Champion and the rider doing the best in winter testing. Franco Morbidelli’s ride to the championship last year was imperious. Few could match him. However, Takaaki Nakagami is the fastest rookie so far. He’s adapting to the power and vastly different architecture of the MotoGP bike better than the other rookies. In part, this is due to the help he’s getting from his teammate, Cal Crutchlow. Morbidelli’s teammate is another rookie, so he doesn’t have anyone to show him the ropes.
My Pick: Takaaki Nakagami
What do you mean you want some analysis? Fine.
There are only three riders who stand a chance, and they are Johan Zarco, Cal Crutchlow, and Jack Miller.
Yes. Jack “Jackass” Miller. He’s been crushing it on the Ducati during winter testing. He’s regularly turning in ‘top six’ performances. On the downside, Miller runs hot and cold. I don’t think he’s got the consistency to be top independent.
Crutchlow is good. He’s got the consistency that Miller lacks. However, he’s on the very temperamental Honda. Only Marc Marquez has been able to tame that bike.
Zarco is fast, consistent, and on a bike he loves. In fact, he’s so good…
Marc Marquez has picked Zarco as one of the title contenders. The other contenders are:
Let’s start with Zarco. There hasn’t been an independent rider champion in more than four decades. As stated above, he’s good. He’s also getting more out of the Yamaha than the two factory Yamaha riders.
Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales, the two factory Yamaha riders, have not been impressing in winter testing. Apparently, they are having issues with the Yamaha. However, neither can be counted out as they are talented riders. Another talented rider that is having issues with their bike, but can’t be counted down is Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo. Honda’s Dani Pedrosa is also in that same boat. Great rider, issues with the bike.
That leaves Marrquez. As much as it pains me …
These championships are even more talent packed than the premier class, so I’m not even going to try.
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