VOL. 55 ISSUE 10 MARCH 13, 2018 P49
recruited the so-far disappointing
Scott Redding, and has furnished
them with a new engine. Aprilia
has plenty to prove.
So too KTM, after a very
strong debut 2017. Pol Espar-
garo and Bradley Smith are
staying on, with test rider Mika
Kallio promised the odd wildcard
outing. If the Austrian bikes—with
their heretical steel-tube frames
and WP suspension—continue
to improve at the same rate, they
could attract stronger
riders for next season.
Racing starts in Qatar
on March 18 and spans
the globe (including a
new round at Buriram)
before finishing as is
now traditional at Valen-
cia on November 18.
Place your bets.
My money is going on
Marquez. But with the
Michelin control tires
again adding a variable,
it could be more open
than it might appear at
first.
Michael Scott
(Above) If he stays fit, Alex Rins is
a podium contender on the factory
Suzuki. (Below) Jack Miller has
been on fire in the preseason tests.
Can he convert that speed to race
winning success?
sistently fast. The Frenchman
underlined his strength by post-
ing the top time at the final tests
at Qatar.
Alex Rins's first year at Suzuki
was spoiled by several injuries:
his second started in flying style
when he placed fifth at Buriram
(Thailand) tests, and eighth at
Qatar. The factory has reverted
to "concession" status after poor
results last year, meaning extra
tests and free engine develop-
ment. The GSX-RR chassis
already boasts sweet handling,
and the Japanese poor relation
could pack some surprises. At
the same time, hot property Rins
might inspire his erratic team-
mate Andrea Iannone to greater
feats in his own second year.
The Italian was fastest on day
two at Qatar.
Aprilia and KTM remain as con-
cession teams, with a different
status. The Italian squad retained
hard charger Aleix Espargaro and
