MotoGP: Five things to watch for in Qatar | CNN

Who’s king of the road in MotoGP? Five things to watch out for

By Jonathan Hawkins, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 12:23 PM EDT, Fri March 27, 2015
Can anyone stop Marc Marquez speeding to a third successive MotoGP title in 2015?
Can anyone stop Marc Marquez speeding to a third successive MotoGP title in 2015?
Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images
A former world champion, 27-year-old Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo is expected to be Marquez's closest rival this year.
A former world champion, 27-year-old Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo is expected to be Marquez's closest rival this year.
Movistar Yamaha
Marc Marquez became the youngest MotoGP world champion in 2013 winning the world's premier motorcycle racing series when he was just 20 years old.
Marc Marquez became the youngest MotoGP world champion in 2013 winning the world's premier motorcycle racing series when he was just 20 years old.
HRC
Aleix Espargaro got Suzuki off to a great start in their MotoGP comeback -- the Spaniard finished third fastest in the first practice at Losail.
Aleix Espargaro got Suzuki off to a great start in their MotoGP comeback -- the Spaniard finished third fastest in the first practice at Losail.
MotoGP.com
Andrea Iannone is a new racer for Ducati and reportedly likes racing at night -- Qatar's MotoGP will be held in the evening due to scorching daytime temperatures.
Andrea Iannone is a new racer for Ducati and reportedly likes racing at night -- Qatar's MotoGP will be held in the evening due to scorching daytime temperatures.
Ducati Corse
Ducati Team Principal Gigi Dall'Igna (center), led the team's turnaround with the help of Open Class benefits -- allowing teams more choice of fuel, engines and tires.
Ducati Team Principal Gigi Dall'Igna (center), led the team's turnaround with the help of Open Class benefits -- allowing teams more choice of fuel, engines and tires.
Ducati Corse
Britain's Cal Crutchlow could challenge the podium places having moved from Tech3 Yamaha to Ducati and on to LCR Honda in as many seasons.<br />
Britain's Cal Crutchlow could challenge the podium places having moved from Tech3 Yamaha to Ducati and on to LCR Honda in as many seasons.
MotoGP.com
Italian Livio Suppo -- a former Ducati team boss -- now works with MotoGP favorite Marquez in his role as Honda team principal.
Italian Livio Suppo -- a former Ducati team boss -- now works with MotoGP favorite Marquez in his role as Honda team principal.
HRC
Multiple MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi could also be a contender, although he's struggled in preseason testing.
Multiple MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi could also be a contender, although he's struggled in preseason testing.
Movistar Yamaha
Qatar MotoGP: The contenders
CNN  — 

In the run up to MotoGP’s sizzling season opener in Qatar, here’s a run down of some of the favorites, wild cards and teams to watch out for – blink and you’ll miss them.

Favorite

It has to be Marquez. At just 22 years of age the double world champion has enjoyed a strong and trouble free preseason.

It will be tougher this year though, especially with Movistar Yamaha’s re-focused Jorge Lorenzo around and Ducati getting back into the mix.

“Marc is Marc,” says Repsol Honda’s Team Principal Livio Suppo, “He’s very difficult to beat, but every rider must believe he can do it, otherwise he should change jobs.”

Team to watch

Ducati’s blistering pace in testing should place them within reach of Honda and Yamaha, and both Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone are talented riders.

The Italian team topped the Qatar test standings without even using softer tires, so look well set to dominate qualifying, if not necessarily the race.

Team Principal Gigi Dall’Igna has specific targets in mind: “Our aim this season is to achieve at least one victory during the year. We know it’s going to be tough but we are not frightened by the challenge” he told CNN.

“We must beat two giants like Honda and Yamaha and then finish ahead of four of the fastest riders in the world. Sometimes you can reach your aims, sometimes you can’t, but we must be realistic and give ourselves these challenging objectives if we want to succeed.”

Wild card

Honda’s Livio Suppo believes young Australian Jack Miller is a future star, “It will take time I believe, but he has the potential to do well,” he told CNN.

The Brit Pack

British riders Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and Scott Redding all have podium potential, but look out for their private battle to be the top Briton. All have something to prove this year, and all are hungry, uncompromising riders.

New teams

The return of factory outfits Suzuki and Aprilia is a huge boost for MotoGP. Suzuki look well set for points, and 20 year old rookie Maverick Viñales (named after Tom Cruise’s Top Gun character) has talent to burn, but Aprilia will be viewing 2015 as a test year.

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