HOW MANY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS?
While we’re all mucking in on the mince pies and mulled wine, it’s fair to say that there’s a group of individuals who won’t be indulging hard this Christmas – they’ll be spending their time hitting the gym, smashing the salads, and most importantly, prepping for 2020. Trust me, it’s all I’m seeing plastered over their social medias, but then again, who can blame ‘em? I mean, there’s been some serious announcements over the past few months, which means that with the 2019 champ vacating to the world stage, the 2020 shark pit is open for business. But, who do I think will end up at the sharp end come next year?
I think the smart money heads towards the Italian side of proceedings, with Brookes and Bridewell having the advantage of a year under their belts – while Iddon will be looking to lap up the opportunity of a lifetime. Those V4Rs have turned out to be absolutely incredible in BSB guise, so expect them to be up the sharp end once again, and we might even see a fourth if Gino Rea can find a return to form we’ve seen in his past. He’s stepping on to a Ducati with the Bike Devil Insurance squad, who, although don’t have the experience, will be getting some much-needed help from Moto Rapido to make things run smoother. Nice.
But then again, nothing was smoother for us this year than BMW’s S1000RR, so with a rejuvenated line-up, who’s telling what they could be capable of? We know how quick Brad Ray is when everything’s on his side, and if T-Mac can continue his incredible form of performance from the end of last year, they really are going to hit the ground running – especially as he knows the team after racing with them for many years. There’s still work to be done on the bike so don’t by any means think that the start of the season is a true taste of things to come, but I think they really can come out fighting for next year.
And talk about coming out fighting, I’m really happy to see Farmer back on the grid, with a tidy spot in the Hawk Racing camp for 2020. He’s showed real potential over the years and has always been fairly under the radar, but it looked like he was going to really come out of his shell in 2019, before that horrendous crash midway through the season that put him out. If he’s fully fighting fit, expect him to be a serious underdog, and with a competitive nipper like Kyle Ryde alongside him, it’s only going to make him hungrier. And talking of hungry, who can forget the Irwin duo? Following on what seems to be an HRC fashion, the Irish lads are really going to be looking to make amends for what was a rollercoaster season for them both – on what looks to be one of the most exciting bikes of 2020.
The list goes on, but thankfully the time ticks down. With only a few more seats to fill before testing arrives, it really is anyone’s guess. But for me? I’d put a punt on a Bologna bullet. I’m just not saying which one…