Looking at the superimposed image above now, notice the helmet positions and how much lower to the ground Redding’s is. (In this case, you can click on the image for a larger version.)

Lean angle is very similar, perhaps Redding is leaned over a degree more. His right shoulder is an inch, perhaps more, closer to the ground, but it’s the position of his head that really stands out compared to Marquez.

Conversely, Jack Miller keeps his head relatively upright.

Compared to Marquez, Miller’s body position is farther from the ground, even though the bike lean angle is pretty close. Notice not only the head position, but the right shoulder is several inches higher. His right knee is also tucked in closer to the bike.

Comparing Miller with Redding, the differences in body position are even more pronounced. The cynic might propose that this difference in riding style is accounted for by Miller skipping the Moto2 experience of which Redding had several seasons. Is Miller riding his Honda like a Moto3 bike, while Redding is riding his like a Moto2 bike?

Nicky Hayden also has no Moto2 experience, having come to MotoGP from AMA Superbikes in 2003, so it’s no surprise that his riding style is the most ‘traditional’ in that he hangs off the bike the least. He also spent five years on the pre-GP15 Ducati, which may be influencing how he rides the Honda. Hayden’s right wrist is in line with his forearm. While you’re trying to remember which wrist has caused Hayden so much trouble since Valencia 2011, it is indeed the right. Enter speculation mode: Perhaps Hayden would lean farther off the bike as the other Honda riders do IF his right wrist allowed it. Or perhaps not – maybe this is the position he prefers and that his wrist is lined up with his forearm is just a coincidence.

Whatever the explanation, Hayden’s elbow is nowhere near the ground, and we can barely see his left knee poking up behind his left elbow, as we can with Marquez and especially Redding, given that the latter is hanging off the bike even more than the former.

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