Oblong

I can't see anyone challenging Nicki for the title this year. I think the gulf in quality is too huge to close. I can't see Leigh being as competitive as last year, and I don't see Crump returning to his title-winning form. I think the closest challenger will be Gollob, if he can keep his form of the end of last year going. Hans will end up in around the same place. Andreas will be solid top 8 but with fluctuating form. My top 8: Nicki Gollob Hans Adams Crump Andreas Scotty / Lindgren / Bjarne ]-fight over last 2 places

I think that more recently all 3 of these riders have hinted they'll be back for another crack next year, so this is an unlikely scenario. I think that if one of them goes, Tomicek gets a place as he came 4th in the qualifier. If any more of them retire i suppose that IMG would get an extra pick or two. As i said though, i don't see any of them stopping. And if any of them do, i certainly doubt it will be more than 1 of them.