2017 FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
P100
FEATURE
Estrella Galicia team. SaxoPrint
Peugeot's former rider John
McPhee is another to switch
to Honda in the newly formed
British Talent Team. There are 13
other Hondas, the most numer-
ous on the 31-strong grid.
Antonelli has moved the other
way to join KTM, with nine oth-
ers on the victorious Austrian
machines.
The balance is made up with a
reduced number of Mahindras,
two of the six again badged as
Peugeots, and the strength of
the Indian manufacturer's hand
somewhat reduced, with Loren-
zo Dalla Porta (Aspar Mahindra)
the most experienced rider.
Then those 2016 rookies, with
a year behind them. On KTM
another Rossi protégé, Nicolo
Bulega, fastest at recent Jerez
tests. SKY VR46 teammate An-
drea Migno is another front run-
ner. Dutch kid Bo Bendsneyder
likewise, in a second year with
the Ajo Red Bull KTM team.
Hondas for the other top
sophomores: Fabio di Giannan-
tonio joined by ex-Mahindra rider
Jorge Martin in the Gresini team;
Joan Mir on the second Leopard
Honda; Aron Canet the second
EG Honda.
Livio Loi is the other Leopard
Honda rider, and is unpredict-
able but sometimes blindingly
fast, the experienced Philipp
Oettl is back on the Schedl KTM
after showing growing strength
last year.
Moto3 was often the best
race of the day over the past two
seasons. It looks likely to main-
tain that reputation. CN
Antonelli has proven fast at times
but prone to throwing his bike at the
wall. He needs to stop that if he's to
be a title challenger.
