First off, 'fast Franco'...
Steve Day: “At the moment, Moto2™ seems in danger of being a one-man show all year. I think Franco Morbidelli just looks ridiculous. Watching him in all the sessions, he’s just not making any mistakes. I can’t think of one he’s made since the season started. He looks really smooth, he’s set up his race pace and he’s a completely different rider to last year. He’s going to take some serious stopping and I could see him going on a run of five or six wins."
What do you make of the challengers?
Steve Day: "The good thing for Tom Lüthi is that he doesn’t usually make good starts to seasons, and he’s just gone to Argentina and America and picked up podiums where ordinarily maybe he wouldn’t. So there’s hope for him because he’s really good in Le Mans, at Assen and later in the year. So he could arguably do it. But in terms of outright wins, I think Morbidelli will take some stopping.
"I think Alex Marquez has some wins in him. Until the moment he had in Argentina, I thought it was the best I’ve seen him ride in Moto2™. I think he’s making a few mistakes because he’s fighting his teammate, otherwise he would have had two podiums. He’s pushing a little bit beyond his limits but his race pace suggests he can fight for top three in the Championship without any shadow of a doubt.
"Takaaki Nakagami might have something. Argentina was terrible, he had a bad Saturday and as a result had to do a lot of work on the first lap and crashed, but he did well to get back on the podium in Austin because he hasn’t gone well there before. He’s too hit and miss, but that said I think it’s the best start to the season he’s had. Miguel Oliveira also has to have a mention after Argentina, I thought he was really strong. I think he did the right thing in Austin to finish and get points – I imagine Aki Ajo is dancing at the moment."
Is there any other standout performer for you so far?
Steve Day: "Xavi Vierge is doing such a good job on the Tech 3 machine. I think he’s destined to ride something big next year and will challenge. Considering he’s not got much data because there’s no one else on that bike, and he says he’s lacking traction compared to those around him, he’s just riding at his limit on every lap and I think he’s doing well. Coming into Europe it’s all a bit of an unknown, but they’re all going to have to up their game to catch Franco."