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MotoGP
2018 FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON REVIEW
from failing to get to grips with the unified software of 2016. An-
other issue was a too-light crankshaft in their "frozen" engine, the
abrupt throttle response triggering wheelspin. And, according to
Rossi (after an almost unprecedented factory apology in Austria),
not devoting sufficient manpower and financial backing. Heads are
likely to roll, but by year's end the situation had improved, mainly
electronically. It's remarkable to note that if Valentino hadn't fallen
off in the last two races (while lying first and then second), he
might even have finished second
overall. What a guy.
As Yamaha slumped, Suzuki
soared. They'd made the same
too-light-crank error last year, and
regained the concessions that al-
lowed not just more engines (nine
against seven) and extra testing,
but also free engine development.
In his second year, Alex Rins made
the most of a bike with such sweet
handling that the relative lack of
top speed was not so important.
Two second places in the last two
races finished the season impres-
sively, gaining fifth overall. Team-
mate Andrea Iannone claimed
four podiums (including second in
Australia) to Rins's five, but it was
too late to preserve his job, and
he was replaced by rising Spanish
star Joan Mir.
Dorna's dumbed-down one-
size-fits-all rules came together to
Maverick Vinales finally
got the monkey off his
and Yamaha's back by
taking a dominant win
at Phillip Island to break
the company's 25-race
losing streak.
Pol Espargaro had a
breaking and bruising
second year with KTM,
but was rewarded with a
podium at the wet final
race in Valencia.
