The curtain has fallen on the 2014 MotoGP season and already the teams and riders have begun their preparation for the new year, with the post-season test at Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.
I’d like to take a brief look back on a year that’s seen history made in the premier class, and recognise some of the highlights.
To do that, I will name winners in five award categories.
Unfortunately all the silverware was given out at the official FIM gala night after the racing concluded in Valencia on Sunday, but here hopefully words can do these racers justice.
Most improved rider
One rider stood out this season in premier class as having really improved from 2013. He finished fourth last year in the championship upon his return to the Factory Yamaha squad, with one race victory to his name, and this year he’s finished second with two impressive wins at his home race at Misano, and Phillip Island, along with 11 podiums.
Of course it is Valentino Rossi. No one had expected that he’d be the rider to be putting the pressure on the now dual-world champion Marc Marquez throughout the season, however indeed he was.
The Italian’s choice to ditch his long-time crew chief Jerry Burgess too was vindicated in his strong results, which has earned him another two years on his M1 Yamaha.
Disappointment(s) of the year
This one can be split between two riders, and it’s disheartening two big names in Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa were the biggest disappointments of the year.
Lorenzo started the year poorly, appearing on the podium only three times and having a number of uncharacteristic rides, like in Qatar where he retired and then Austin where he jumped the start.
Lorenzo in his Spartan warrior form didn’t make a proper appearance until the second half of the season, where he was on the podium for every race but Valencia and won two at Aragon and Motegi.
Pedrosa made a decent start to the season, but was overshadowed by Marquez from the outset. The former two-time 250cc champion only mustered one race win, which came at the Czech round of the championship.
Overall, both riders seemed out of sorts when compared to Rossi’s resurgence. But the Spanish pair will be back stronger next season, having also renewed their contracts with their respective outfits.
Rising star
The premier class this season may have largely been dominated by the two leading factory teams of Honda and Yamaha, but one of the Open-Class riders has impressed this year – Forward Yamaha rider Aleix Espargaró.
The 25-year-old finished seventh overall in the championship standings, however was the top Open-Class rider for the year.
His cause was helped due to strong pace at mostly every race meeting and this was vindicated with his maiden pole position at the Dutch time trial in Assen.
A second-place finish at the chaotic Aragon race was also the first podium for the young Spanish rider, who although finishing behind his younger brother Pol in standings, should be set to do well on board the factory Suzuki bike next year.
Team of the year
This one without a doubt goes to the Repsol Honda team, who won all but four races during the 2014 season. Once again the Factory Honda squad bettered their long-time rivals Yamaha to the best of the silverware, though the blue team had a gutsy fightback just before the end of the season with four race wins in a row.
Honda may have an eye on Marquez’s younger brother Alex, who became Moto3 champion this year, to perhaps ride with his older brother.
In terms of Pedrosa, he will be hoping that a change of crew chief for next year can bring him the same fortune as it’s done to nine-times champion Rossi.
Rider of the year
He won the opening nine races of the season. He eclipsed Aussie legend Mick Doohan’s record of 12 premier class victories in a single season, with 13 of his own. He is the only rider to have claimed 13 pole positions during a single season in the premier class, and he is the youngest rider to win back-to-back championships in MotoGP.
Yes, Marc Marquez been impressive. But impressive may just be an understatement as to what this 21-year-old has achieved this season and the plethora of records he has annihilated.
And while during a few races Marquez looked out of touch, he still the rider to beat going into the 2015 season, throwing down the gauntlet to the likes of Pedrosa, Lorenzo and the recently revived Rossi.
Looking forward
The 2015 season in a sense has already commenced, with the weeklong post-season test in Valencia having started.
It will be exciting to see some new teams in Suzuki and Aprilia back on the MotoGP grid, as well as some new faces too, including Aussie Jack Miller, who will be riding an Open-spec Honda for the LCR team as teammate to Cal Crutchlow.
There will be some moves involving current riders too, with Crutchlow as already mentioned making the switch from Ducati over to the LCR team.
German rider Stefan Bradl, who previously occupied the sole LCR Honda, will now be riding a Forward Yamaha.
Scott Redding will be reunited with his Moto2 championship winning team Marc VDS, who will enter MotoGP with an Open-spec Honda. Andrea Iannone will complete an all-Italian duo at the factory Ducati squad.
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