Jack Miller ends the Qatar test with a dominant show of speed
Brexit is biting. Not the one where the UK leaves Europe. The other one, that nobody voted for… no Britons in MotoGP. With Cal Crutchlow gone, there’s a national vacuum. Unlike World Superbikes, where the opposite holds true.
That’s all very well, unless (like the whole racing world) you believe MotoGP is the senior series, both historically and in practice. Like it or not, it is the ultimate.
There’s little chance of the Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes and co coming over; while Redding, Haslam and Davies have already had their chance and fallen off the back of the bus. For reasons that might not be entirely down to ability.
This is another argument. For now, we need to address the situation. The smaller classes are not bereft. While Moto3 race-winner John McPhee might be a bit distant, Sam Lowes and Jake Dixon are better placed in Moto2.
Lowes (30) is a multiple winner, and had a crack at MotoGP, in 2017, on an Aprilia that did neither him nor teammate Aleix Espargaro any favours. That same year, Bradley Smith was exercising a KTM, with the same problem. No second chances likely.
Dixon (25) is a more realistic future prospect, and was coming on strong before being cut short by injury at the end of last year. Results in 2021 might do the trick.
But until then, can I make some suggestions. With no British MotoGP riders to support, it is time to appoint some honorary Brits.
Where to start?
Valentino once lived in London. Or did he? The Italian tax authorities thought not. And when I once visited his Picadilly flat it had the most temporary-resident feel. Anyway, the Italians and the Spanish will keep hold of their own. The Frenchmen, Quartararo or Zarco? Don’t make me laugh. Morbidelli, the woke halfBrazilian? Well, getting closer, but still…
But of course there are readymade English speakers.
Jack Miller is the first obvious honorary Briton – and handily set fastest time at the Qatar tests. Brad Binder, rookie GP winner, is the second.
I’d like to nominate one more: the multi-lingual highly cultivated and very quick Miguel Oliveira. Portuguese, and thus representing the nation with the oldest military treaty in history with the British. Nothing personal here, but they also happen to be the three most likeable riders on the grid.
‘The right results could do Dixon some favours’