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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Top 10 Riders Of 2012
Where do the MotoGP elite stack up following the 2012 season? SPEED.com ranks the men of MotoGP…
(Photo: Yamaha Racing)
The following ranking is a gut-based ordering that meshes actual '12 performance, outright ability, and potential for the future. Consider it a snapshot in time with considerable shuffling expected once the Bridgestones start turning again in 2013.
10. Alvaro Bautista
Alvaro Bautista had the unenviable task of stepping in for the late Marco Simoncelli at Fausto Gresini's Honda-powered squad. While some expected an immediate step up in results after preciously teasing impressive speed on the unfancied Suzuki GSV-R, the Spaniard's performance wasn't overly inspiring, at least not until a late-season double-podium push cemented his future in MotoGP. Bautista also picked up a pole along the way and ultimately finished fifth in the standings, but his season will probably be best remembered for his mistake that took Jorge Lorenzo out on the opening corner at Assen and added a bit of early-season spice to the title fight. His strong second-half form suggests he could quickly move up the rankings in '13.
9. Stefan Bradl
2011 Moto2 champ Stefan Bradl had a fine rookie season in MotoGP and repeatedly proved he belonged with the big boys in the premier class. The German pushed for podiums on occasion and was justifiably rewarded with HRC support for 2013.
8. Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden's decade-long MotoGP podium streak was halted in 2012, but most will forgive the Kentuckian and instead blame Ducati, who struggled to build a bike that didn't embarrass the legendary Valentino Rossi. In fact, the 2006 MotoGP champ's relative performance versus Rossi's was actually rather encouraging. And while he never benefited as hoped from the Italian's highly-touted developmental skills, perhaps Hayden will fare better in 2013 when he'll be presented with a window of opportunity to take more of an active role in guiding development himself.
7. Ben Spies
It's painful to rank Ben Spies so low, but it's still three spots higher than where he finished in the championship standings despite having access to the same equipment that won the '12 crown. Spies' relatively lowly ranking reflects his nightmarish 2012 season and he'll have to climb back up the mountain now that he's regrouping as part of the Ducati Junior team. In a world where every rider maximizes their skills and encounters no luck (poor or fortuitous), the Texan ranks in the top five, perhaps even the top three.
6. Cal Crutchlow
Cal Crutchlow might not have been blessed with the same sort of natural ability as a Rossi, Lorenzo, or Spies, but he works his tail off and backs down from no one. Crutchlow took full advantage of the opportunity presented by the 1000cc rules reset of 2012, which meant satellite bikes were about as evenly matched to full works machinery as they'll likely ever to be. He showed himself to be a terrific qualifier, notching up seven front-row performances, and also claimed a pair of late-season podiums.
10. Alvaro Bautista
Alvaro Bautista had the unenviable task of stepping in for the late Marco Simoncelli at Fausto Gresini's Honda-powered squad. While some expected an immediate step up in results after preciously teasing impressive speed on the unfancied Suzuki GSV-R, the Spaniard's performance wasn't overly inspiring, at least not until a late-season double-podium push cemented his future in MotoGP. Bautista also picked up a pole along the way and ultimately finished fifth in the standings, but his season will probably be best remembered for his mistake that took Jorge Lorenzo out on the opening corner at Assen and added a bit of early-season spice to the title fight. His strong second-half form suggests he could quickly move up the rankings in '13.
9. Stefan Bradl
2011 Moto2 champ Stefan Bradl had a fine rookie season in MotoGP and repeatedly proved he belonged with the big boys in the premier class. The German pushed for podiums on occasion and was justifiably rewarded with HRC support for 2013.
8. Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden's decade-long MotoGP podium streak was halted in 2012, but most will forgive the Kentuckian and instead blame Ducati, who struggled to build a bike that didn't embarrass the legendary Valentino Rossi. In fact, the 2006 MotoGP champ's relative performance versus Rossi's was actually rather encouraging. And while he never benefited as hoped from the Italian's highly-touted developmental skills, perhaps Hayden will fare better in 2013 when he'll be presented with a window of opportunity to take more of an active role in guiding development himself.
7. Ben Spies
It's painful to rank Ben Spies so low, but it's still three spots higher than where he finished in the championship standings despite having access to the same equipment that won the '12 crown. Spies' relatively lowly ranking reflects his nightmarish 2012 season and he'll have to climb back up the mountain now that he's regrouping as part of the Ducati Junior team. In a world where every rider maximizes their skills and encounters no luck (poor or fortuitous), the Texan ranks in the top five, perhaps even the top three.
6. Cal Crutchlow
Cal Crutchlow might not have been blessed with the same sort of natural ability as a Rossi, Lorenzo, or Spies, but he works his tail off and backs down from no one. Crutchlow took full advantage of the opportunity presented by the 1000cc rules reset of 2012, which meant satellite bikes were about as evenly matched to full works machinery as they'll likely ever to be. He showed himself to be a terrific qualifier, notching up seven front-row performances, and also claimed a pair of late-season podiums.
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