Marc Marquez will once again be the favourite to clinch the MotoGP crown when the revamped 2020 season begins this Saturday. Since 2013, the Catalan has only missed one title, thanks to his 56 victories and 95 podiums. In 2019, the Repsol Honda star scored the most points in premier class history and finished outside of the top two just once in Austin. But 2020 could well be a game-changer, especially given the somewhat special circumstances that it will be held in. With such a condensed calendar, one mistake could prove pivotal meaning the main contenders to Marquez's throne will fancy their chances.

First, there's Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT). No one expected the Frenchman to have the impact he had on MotoGP in his debut year. Named top independent rider and Rookie of the Year, the 21-year-old demonstrated his class with six pole positions and seven podium finishes. He took the fight to Marquez, most notably at Misano and Buriram, but the Spaniard always had his number.