Time is running out for MotoGP™ teams to select a gamer for this season’s MotoGP™ eSport Global Series. As the Draft Selection closes on 17th April, teams must choose between 22 riders that qualified for this stage via the three Online Challenges that made up the Pro Draft.
While 16 of those competitors hail from Europe, the other six are from the Rest of the World. By the Friday of this week the eleven first choice finalists in the Global Series of this year’s MotoGP™ eSport Championship will be known.
Following on from the Pro Draft stage of the series, 22 of the world’s fastest gamers were entered into the Draft Selection, which allows the eleven MotoGP teams to select one to represent them in the Global Series.
So let’s look through a number of the fastest gamers from the Rest of the World. Remember only eleven will begin the Global Series with a current MotoGP™ team, while the other eleven will be selected as a team’s ‘Reserve Rider’.
As we’re about to see, there is a mixture of youth, experience and pure gaming talent.
First of all, one of the six contenders has already secured a place in the Global Series. Indonesia’s Moe was confirmed to continue representing Castrol LCR Honda in this year’s crucial eight-race series. Known as Putut Maulana in real life, Moe wore the Castrol LCR Honda colours in last year’s Global Series and has gained a considerable fan base in his native bike-made Indonesia. He was fourth in the Rest of the World Pro Draft Classification.
There was exceptional diversity in this category, with five different nationalities represented in the top six places. Brazil lead the way with FooXz placing joint top of the classification. Inspired by countryman Mereja’s success in some Global Series outings last year, FooXz scored maximum points in each of the three Online Challenges.
Should a MotoGP™ team be looking for an experienced name, MrTftw could be a sure-fire bet for success after matching FooXz’s points haul in the Pro Draft. Having bought the MotoGP™ 19 videogame early last year, the Australian made stellar progress to reach the 2019 Global Series, during which he competed for Avintia Ducati. With a further year of experience, this laid back Aussie could well be a regular top six runner in this year’s eight-race championship.
Another name that shot to prominence the three Online Challenges that made up the Pro Draft was Sanshoqueen. The Indonesian placed third in the Rest of the World rankings, scoring just five points less than FooXz and MrTftw. With countryman Moe having secured a lucrative spot with Castrol LCR Honda, could we see two gamers from the bike-mad Indonesia in the Global Series?
The potential doesn’t end there; Taiwan is represented in the Draft selection, courtesy of 阿仁_14’s stellar performances throughout the Pro Draft saw him place fifth in the qualification.
Likewise we could well see a Moroccan in this year’s Global Series? It’s possible any team playing close attention to the Online Challenges would have noted the excellent potential of sixth placed bushino46.
Rest of the World Pro Draft Classification:
1. FooXz 75 points
2. MrTftw 75 points
3. Sanshoqueen 70 points
4. Moe 65 points
5. 阿仁_14 60 points
6. bushino46 53 points