Purists of the bearded variety continue to whine on about the ever-increasing role electronics, laptops and data have to play in the pursuit of tin trophies in racing. They aren’t going to like it in 2018 as this year, more than any other, data will be the king. Development of the premier-class racebikes is now so close that in testing, the top ten and sometimes 15 were covered by just one second. It is closer than it has ever been and a far cry from the ‘golden era’ of two-strokes when Mighty Mick was winning by a week or more. Races this season could be won and lost by fractions. Dorna may need to add a decimal place to its timing setup to differentiate qualifying times. But the...
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