Rider: Maverick Viñales Team: Ecstar Suzuki GSX1000-RR Winner: British GP

VIÑALES IS THE MOST talented rider to join the premier class since Marquez. The former Moto3 world champion was an instant hit in Moto2 and was quickly up to speed when he joined Suzuki in 2015. It was only a matter of time before he won a race.

His runaway Silverstone win had him consistently edging away from Marquez and rivals, who were falling over each other in the battle for second. Silverstone is a fast and bumpy track that requires a motorcycle that steers well and handles well — the Suzuki’s strong points. The factory also had one of Öhlins’ best suspension technicians on hand that weekend, which undoubtedly helped Viñales’ performance.

Viñales rode a superb season, scoring three more podiums, while team-mate Aleix Espargaro scored a best of one fourth-place finish. (Always judge a rider by his team-mate’s performances.)

Viñales’s 2017 chances Yamaha should be able to offer him a better-performing bike over the full season, which will make him a title contender.