MotoGP
Moto3 2014: Who to look out for
Redbull.com previews the major names expected to shine next year in the Moto3 World Championship.
Moto3 riders en masse in Australia
© Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
Qatar may seem like a long way off but March 23 will come around quick enough, and Christmas won't necessarily be a period of extended rest for the Moto3 riders who'll roll out under the Losail floodlights in a few months' time.
They'll be putting in plenty of training during winter to be fit and ready for the start of the pre-season testing schedule in 2014, so what better time than now to look at some of the names expected to push at the front of the grid next year...
Alex Rins
Moto3 victories: 6 Moto3 podiums: 15 Moto3 Championship finish in 2013: 2nd
Undoubtedly the title favourite for 2014, Rins was runner-up this year after a stunning second campaign in the World Championship. He switches from a KTM to a Honda next season, and after a year's experience of scrapping with champion Maverick Viñales and Luis Salom – both now off to Moto2 – will be extremely well equipped to deal with the demands of a season-long push for the title.
Alex Márquez
Moto3 victories: 1 Moto3 podiums: 5 Moto3 Championship finish in 2013: 4th
Team-mate to Rins and younger brother of MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez, Alex Márquez is looking every bit as talented as his older sibling. He proved his ability in 2013 when, in his first full season in the World Championship he scored a race win and a handful of podiums on his way to fourth overall. With that know-how under his belt, Márquez will be pushing for a big step forward in 2014.
Danny Kent
Moto3 victories: 2 Moto3 podiums: 3 Moto3 Championship finish in 2013: N/A (4th in 2012)
After a year in Moto2, Kent returns to Moto3 as one of the most experienced riders and his sole goal will be to fight for the title. Kent ended the 2012 season strong with a brace of victories in the final four rounds, and his return to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team that he enjoyed that success with should point to a strong package in 2014 on the Husqvarna.
Jack Miller
Moto3 victories: 0 Moto3 podiums: 0 Moto3 Championship finish in 2013: 7th
2013 was a big year for Miller, whose progress enjoyed a large stride forward. His displays encouraged a top deal for 2014 with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, and his pace on the KTM in post-season was a good indication of what to expect. Still in search of a first Moto3 podium, the wait shouldn't be long and a push for the title will be the aim.
Romano Fenati
Moto3 victories: 1 Moto3 podiums: 4 Moto3 Championship finish in 2013: 10th
After blasting onto the scene in 2012, the 2013 season was something of a disappointment for Fenati, but 2014 promises more. Second in his first-ever GP and then a winner in only his second, he'll look to repeat that kind of form in search of a relaunch to the front next season. He'll be doing it in the team backed by Valentino Rossi...
Rookie Watch
Karel Hanika will be one of the new faces on the scene in 2014, and the Czech talent is tipped for big things. Check out Karel Hanika's profile.