Marc Marquez, Maverick Vinales among the men favoured to win a wide open 2017 MotoGP championship

ON the eve of the 2017 season, IAN ROYALL looks at the mix of young and old candidates leading the chase for the MotoGP crown.

Marc Marquez is gunning for back-to-back MotoGP titles this season — a win would give him a fourth championship victory. Picture: Getty Images

THE 2016 MotoGP season was one out of the box. A record nine different winners emerged from the 18 rounds, including debut wins for Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Iannone, Maverick Vinales and Australian Jack Miller.

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Valentino Rossi predicted earlier in the week that this year could be similar with a handful of riders vying for race wins and ultimately the title.

Here’s five leading contenders.

MARC MARQUEZ (Honda, ESP, 24)

Reigning champion with undeniable talent on a fast bike. What more could you want? Marquez has been relatively quiet in pre-season testing but come race time, expect him to be the man to beat.

Marc Marquez is gunning for back-to-back MotoGP titles this season — a win would give him a fourth championship victory. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

MAVERICK VINALES (Yamaha, ESP, 22)

Rising star who delivered Suzuki their first MotoGP win in nine years with the chequered flag at Silverstone. Now at Yamaha, Vinales has been quick in testing and in the first practice at Qatar. The promise of many Marquez-Vinales duels in years to come is a mouth-watering prospect.

Has pole position for the Qatar MotoGP.

Can Maverick Vinales topple Marquez? Picture: AFP

VALENTINO ROSSI (Yamaha, ITA, 38)

The evergreen Rossi turned 38 last month, yes 38, but still has the appetite to go racing. Second in the championship for the past three years, he is still fiercely competitive. Consistency and experience will see him on the podium plenty of times in 2017.

Old stager Valentino Rossi will be hoping to pop plenty of bottles of champagne this season. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

JORGE LORENZO (Ducati, ESP, 29)

The move to Ducati after three world titles with Yamaha has been one of the big stories in the off-season. The Italian team is also experimenting with the front aerodynamics of the bike. Might take a few races to hit his stride but should get more competitive with each outing.

Will it be new Ducati man Jorge Lorenzo in 2017? He’s done it three times before, with Yamaha Picture: AFP

CAL CRUTCHLOW (Honda, GBR, 31)

The Brit often punches above his weight with some Honda factory support. Recorded his first victory in a wet 2016 Czech GP and then his second at Phillip Island in October. Expect more podiums.

Cal Crutchlow won the Australian leg of the MotoGP season last year at Phillip Island. Is he the dark horse in 2017? Picture: AFP

Originally published as Marc Marquez, Maverick Vinales among the men favoured to win a wide open 2017 MotoGP championship