‘British chances? Not a sausage…’

This isn’t the place to pore over the merits or otherwise of Brexit. Except when we talk about racing. Bike racing’s Brexit happened decades ago. And the split is deeper than ever. How so?

The season is barely a week away, and it is set to be a thriller. Any chance of a British winner in the premier class? Not a sausage – even a proper British sausage. With no starters, not even a finisher… unless Yamaha tester Cal Crutchlow has a wild-card.

Things are a mite brighter in the middle class, where Sam Lowes is a confirmed race winner. But, at 31, Sam is on the wrong side of the learning curve, second-oldest on the grid (Simone Corsi is 34). And in trouble already, out of the Portimao test early after falls there and at Jerez triggered the return of tendonitis. Sam’s a great rider, but prone to push too hard until it goes wrong.

Jake Dixon? Gets another chance with a good (Spanish) team after his Petronas squad

‘Age is against both Lowes and McPhee’

dissolved, with the title-ready Aspar outfit. But results over three years have been – well, mixed, at best.

And Moto3? John McPhee was similarly rescued from the Petronas departure. He’s fast and feisty, but again the years are against him. At 27 he’s the oldest in a class where kids run rampant, and all the experience in the world can’t save you from the madness. As young beginners Josh Whatley and Scott Ogden are about to find out. Hopefully not the hard way.

How about that UK stronghold – World Superbikes? Jonathan Rea is not to be underestimated. But he’s not champion any more, and time waits for no man. Worth a punt all the same. And a hedger on Alex Lowes, though Redding’s move to BMW looks a bit chancy. But with Haslam back to BSB, Chaz Davies on the sofa and Tom Sykes a floating voter, numbers have halved.

Blame BSB. It’s a brilliant series, no question, but sad to say it’s also something of a graveyard of talent. At least that’s true, if you consider World Champions greater than local heroes.

So fingers crossed that 20-year-old Roy Skinner doesn’t get trapped, like so many others before him.