Few would argue with Crafar's call, with the key word being "when"; over seven MotoGP campaigns, the Spaniard has reached highs few can contemplate, winning races with metronomic speed and an aversion to errors. But just when it looks like a title is at his mercy, a curveball comes his way – a wet race, an inability to find grip in the early laps, a lack of confidence sliding on rubber discarded by riders on the Moto2 undercard.

On circuits he adores – like Phillip Island – Vinales can look unstoppable. Maximising those good days while mitigating the damage done by his down ones remains a work in progress.