Ready, set, go!
Wednesday 7 October 2020 23:30, UK
Your favourite tungsten troopers rev their engines and return to the oche for the World Grand Prix - but who will win the race?
Sky Sports have oiled our wheels and dusted off our helmets to consider what might happen at the Dublin event, which begins on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD at 7pm.
Michael van Gerwen will begin the World Grand Prix at the start of the grid after being confirmed as the tournament's No 1 seed - but the slightest hesitation could see Gary Anderson speed past him to continue his own stellar year.
Van Gerwen knows what it takes to jet through this event without defeat, having captured the 2014 trophy with a final victory over James Wade. So while he begins this year's defence in pole position, he will smell the fumes as 'The Flying Scotsman' attempts to overtake.
Anderson beat Van Gerwen in the World Championship semi-final in January before capturing that title, and although the Dutchman topped the Premier League Darts table, he was again ousted in the tournament finale by his Scottish rival.
But Van Gerwen is the reigning champion and, in July, won a morale-boosting World Matchplay.
Is there any darts tournament that Phil 'The Power' Taylor hasn't dominated? He has blistered to 11 World Grand Prix titles, but every motor needs to be rejuvenated sometimes.
This is the only tournament that requires players to start with a double, which Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle calls "unnatural" but dramatic. Does that format suit Taylor's game?
Mardle insists that Taylor's double-hitting, rather than his flawless scoring, is the only weakness in the 16-time world champion's artillery. His shakiness when aiming for doubles, so often his strength, means Taylor's engine might need rejigging before this Grand Prix.
There were marbles sprinkled onto the track in the shape of some dangerous, unseeded players that could cause damage on the opening bend.
Raymond van Barneveld, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting were among the banana skins who were outside the top-eight players in the world so didn't warrant a seeding. Adrian Lewis, the fifth seed, might wonder why the darting gods are punishing him after he drew Barney in the opening round.
Van Gerwen finds himself opposite threatening up-and-comer Keegan Brown while wily veteran Simon Whitlock and Gerwyn Price, who made a name for himself at the World Matchplay, are also unseeded sharks in the water.
Factoring in the short format, expect shocks!
Robert Thornton is a brilliant double-hitter, which makes overachieving possible in the Grand Prix format, as he regularly places his first dart at the top of double 20 to avoid scrambling around the board.
Young Brown is unfortunate that he must beat Van Gerwen to advance beyond the first match, while there is another eye-catching opening tie between the ever-improving Michael Smith and Price. Australia's bearded magician Whitlock is steadily returning to top form and the pantomime villain Mensur Suljovic is always a threat.
The big-hitters such as Van Gerwen and Taylor will not be comfortable when they look behind to see a chasing pack of hungry and capable contenders.
Often it can be hard to look past the mighty trinity of Van Gerwen, Taylor and Anderson but, in a tournament where the quick format encourages shocks, they won't be alone in challenging for the top prize.
James Wade, the sixth seed, was the runner-up last year and Chisnall, unseeded this year, lost the 2013 final. Mervyn King earned second-place in 2012 while the likes of Justin Pipe, Bunting and Brendan Dolan have made semi-finals.
The World Grand Prix is a slippery track so don't rule out a surprise as the chequered flag comes down…
Watch the first night of the World Grand Prix on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD at 7pm.
