Next year will be great- and with the reduction in engine capacity, I am sure we will get some surprise new contenders on the pace. I have seen comments from those who have tested the 800cc bikes that corner speeds will be much higher than the current machines- who will this favour? The little guys who were great on 250s?
You would assume that HRC will be ahead of the rest in terms of machine development with their massive resources, so Nicky will get a great chance to win it again next year, preferably with style.
If he does not, he may disappear from people's minds as a champ. Anyone remember Alex Criville or Kenny Roberts Jr title wins? Are they considered the best rider of their times- or good riders that got lucky 'cos the real daddy had bad luck, was absent or injured?
Guy