I think MD would jump a the chance of having teh number 1 spot.He likes being on his own and doing his own crazy stuff lol.There can be ots of valuable seconds lost if you end up in a battle with other riders.
I always thought that James Hillier was under extreme pressure when he had the number 1 spot in 2013 and thought it was just to much for him and he seemed to do better when McGuiness or Dubnlop passed him and he had them to follow.
It must always be in the back of your mind what your going to come across on the track when your away first i certainly wouldn`t favour it.