Folger has announced via his social media accounts that he will not be racing in the 2018 MotoGP championship due to Gilbert’s syndrome something he has suffered from since 2011, which was also the reason he missed the final four rounds of last season’s championship.
What does this mean for Folger?
He was one of the bright sparks of last season when he took a second place at his home Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, consistently finishing in the top ten all season, and settling in very well aboard the Tech3 machine. The contract he signed back in 2015, with Tech3, finishes at the end of the 2018 season but he could still keep his ride at Tech3 due to his consistent points finishes last season. The major highlight of last season for Folger being the Sachsenring Grand Prix been his best finish ins a season where he consistently managed to score a good amount of points.
Who could Tech3 bring in to pilot the M1?
There is a wealth of options for Tech3 to choose from, as their bike is one of the most competitive machines on the grid and is more than capable to finish in the top ten,
and top five at tracks that suit the Yamaha. There aren’t many riders out there who would be a suitable fit for such a task who aren’t at a team but there is a wealth of riders who could be aboard the Tech 3 machine.
Hector Barbera
Unlikely to make the move from Moto2 back to MotoGP but it isn’t something that is inconceivable he has GP experience, but he did struggle to leave a mark in the MotoGP. If he was given a chance to ride a competitive bike he may be able to leave a bigger mark in the MotoGP. At the age of 31 though he has a wealth of experience in Grand Prix racing but he could be on the decline in the MotoGP as he moves to the other side of his prime.
Likeliness = 3/10
Miguel Olivera
The KTM Moto2 rider will be hotly tipped to win the title this season. If he does manage such a success he could have the pick of teams coming into the 2019 season, but will KTM allow him to leave his contract early especially if they have him lined up to fill one of the seats on the factory KTM in the MotoGP. If he does leave will it be too early for him to move up to the top class or would he benefit from staying in the Moto2 series and try and wrap up the championship showing he has the ability to win a world title at the highest level.
Likeliness = 5/10
Jonny Rea
The three-time World Superbike champion will be looking to make it a fourth this season and has to come into the season as an odds on favourite but could he be lured away from Kawasaki when he knows he has something good there? It is doubtful but the draw of racing against the best riders in the world on a competitive bike is a massive draw. He could be well down on pay as it is rumoured that Tech3 aren’t a money spending giant and a three-time World Superbike champion should demand a comparatively high fee. He does have MotoGP experience though due to his days on the Honda which could be a huge positive for Tech3.
Likeliness = 6/10
Michael Van der Mark
The World Superbike rider that I think could have the best chance of filling the ride. The Dutchman has impressed early on in his World Superbike career and could be tipped as a world champion one day in the World Superbikes, if he was to stay in the class. With him already being on the Yamaha he would stand a good chance of making the move up to the MotoGP aboard the M1. But it isn’t fashionable to promote a rider from the World Superbikes into the MotoGP anymore or not as much as it used to be. The World Superbikes did turn into a retirement home at one point for veterans of the MotoGP with both Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi winning the title. I really hope that Van der Mark is given the chance in the MotoGP as he may come back better equipped to tackle Jonny Rea in the 2019 season if he doesn’t secure a permanent ride in the MotoGP. At the end of last season he replaced Folger for the final two rounds finishing 16th and 17th which isn’t bad for a MotoGP rookie.
Likeliness = 8/10
Ben Spies
A little bit of a wildcard but if I was to have a bet on who may be the rider to fulfil the role and who is available straight away with no contract arguments as well as a world champion pedigree and a former rider under, Tech3 boss, Herve Poncharal. Look no further than Ben Spies. It would be great to see him back in the series, but will he turn heads and challenge for podiums maybe so but more than likely he would be racing for points finishes and basically just be there. I want someone who will excite me like the Ben Spies of 2009 when he stole the World Superbike title away from Haga but unfortunately due to injuries and the fact he hasn’t ridden a MotoGP machine for a number of years it could all be down to Spies and whether he wants to return to a sport that he was forced to retire from due to injury.
Likeliness = 9/10
Nobody
The one thing I don’t want to happen is that Tech3 don’t try to find a replacement for Folger and instead draft in Yamaha test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga to wildcard in a few races and help out with development at a race level. This would mean Zarco would undoubtedly receive more help from the Tech3 team while the other side of the garage would be focused on development for the Factory M1 Yamaha.
Likeliness 10/10
I really hope that a young upcoming prospect is given a chance in the MotoGP which could let fans assess who could be the best of the new breed of racers who are set to take over when eventually the “Aliens” retire. In addition, it allows for the said rider to experience the difference between their current series and develop an understanding for the bike in the MotoGP.
Motorcycle Sport 