Britain faces a dearth of MotoGP-potential as 2020 reaches its halfway stage. But that's not exactly a new thing. The reality is, ever since production-based racing established itself as a more affordable means to lucrative career opportunity for British riders in the 1980s, the number of truly quality riders from this troubled island nation making it into the premier class has fallen away dramatically.
Given the UK used to absolutely own the grand prix paddock back in the 1950s, '60s and '70s thanks to the likes of Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Barry Sheene - to name but a very few - it's a tough reality to get to grips with.
Between 1981 and 2016, not once did the union flag fly above a winning rider in the premier class. Cal Crutchlow ended a 35-year wait when he guided his LCR Honda to a stunning wet-weather victory at the 2016 Czech Grand Prix and in that time only once did a British rider win the world title in any class.