How MotoGP's title favourite crumbled
From post-season testing a year ago to the early rounds of this campaign, Maverick Vinales looked a strong bet for a rookie Yamaha title. Then the red-hot favourite faded spectacularly. Why?
While last weekend's pulsating Australian Grand Prix was perhaps the moment where Marc Marquez realistically made sure of his fourth MotoGP title in five seasons, it also marked the official end to Maverick Vinales' hopes of scooping a first premier class crown.
Ironically, Phillip Island was one of Vinales' better showings aboard the Yamaha for quite some time, marking his first podium finish since Silverstone and his first stint in the lead of a race since Mugello back in June.
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