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The 2016 world championship is coming to a close and midnight on Sunday will mark the start of 2017, a few weeks prior to the actual calendar. From Tuesday, riders will be on their new bikes and there is great interest in seeing Lorenzo on the Ducati, Iannone on the Suzuki, Vinales on the Yamaha, and then the KTMs and all the other newcomers and team changes.
First, though, there's the final Grand Prix and it would be a mistake to consider it just an opener to the most highly anticipated tests of the season. All three titles have been awarded, but there are other reasons to watch.
We've found at least 7.
THE ROSSI AND MARQUEZ REMATCH - Valentino (and the Yamaha too) have not won a race since Barcelona. Too long a fast for the Rossi-M1 pair, even though this is not one of the Doctor's best tracks. On the other side is Marquez, who after winning the title and the race at Motegi, has finished the last two races in the gravel.
A 'LAST' RACE FOR THOSE ON THE MOVE - Lorenzo, Iannone and Vinales will wave goodbye to the bikes with which they made their MotoGP debut. Jorge after 9 years, Andrea after 4 and Maverick after 2. All will want to say the best possible farewell and for a rider this means winning.
THE PRAMAC DERBY - The battle between Petrucci and Redding has been one of the most exciting of the final phase of the championship. The internal championship comes with a precious prize: a flaming GP17 for next season. The race began at Brno and will conclude on Sunday. Danilo is close to securing the win, with a 16-point lead over Scott. The pair are also battling to see who will finish in front in the standings, in this case the Brit has a one-point lead over the Italian.
THE TENTH WINNER - We might be in a dream world, but at the start of the season no-one would have guessed that we'd see nine different winners in MotoGP. This may become double figures at Valencia. It's very difficult, but not impossible.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN BASTIANINI AND BAGNAIA - Let's move to Moto3, where Enea and Francesco are fighting for the runner's up sport in the championship. Bastianini needs to manage his 21-point lead but nothing is a given in the cadets class. Navarro too, 23 points behind, is also mathematically in the running.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - again in Moto3. The battle is a tight one, with three riders within 6 points, two Italians and a Spaniard. With one race left to run, Bulega has 129 points, Mir is 5 behind and Di Giannantonio 6. Sparks will surely fly.
THE SHOW - Aside from the standings, the internal fights and the interesting facts, the best reason for watching the race on Sunday (either on TV or in the grandstand) is the show itself. This season has, after all, brought spectacular racing across all of the classes. What better way to stock up on adrenaline before the winter hibernation begins.
