WSBK: Championship predictions

With the start of the 2018 World Superbike Championship only two weeks away, its about time to start making some predictions for the coming season.

After Rea's dominance last year and despite the rule changes for 2018, the factory Kawasaki rider starts the season as strong favourite to again lift the title this time around. Expect an even stronger challenge from team mate Tom Sykes as he strives to win back the championship he last lifted in 2013.

It is the end of season third place which is more difficult to predict. Will Chaz Davies combine his undoubted speed with better consistency or will his more experienced team mate outshine him this time around? Expect more of a challenge from the Yamahas this year with Lowes and Van der Mark likely to be pretty close to each other all season and consistently fighting for podium finishes. Leon Camier starts the season as an outside chance for podiums and a top three championship finish after impressing in pre-season testing. He will need greater support from Honda this year if he is to be in the mix with the top three established factory teams.