Josh Hill
The NW ripper will take the top step on the podium at A3. There are very few riders who can start up front, get passed, start heading backwards, then regroup and work their way back up to the front...but Hilly can claim it with his solid 2nd place in SD! The A3 track looks super tech, and that is where Hill75 excels! Go get the Gold my brotha!
man, it's going to be tough, but it would be good for the #75 to win 1 before the tour moves East.

...if he gets second every weekend or stays on the podium he can take it...
Watch him win the title without winning a race 
I agree, that is very possible, especially when the #1 is back towards the end of the season, to play spoiler.
In order for James to play spoiler, he'll have to let Josh Hill pass him and possibly block for him. That could eventually be the best story of the season!
1) Will Brooks or the team have the balls to tell Stewart to accept team orders and support Hill.
2) If there are team orders, will James comply?
3) If Chad is running up front, will James still let Hill past?
I'm sure you can figure out more questionable scenarios if you think about it...
I don't think James will do any of the above, even if ordered by the team.
He really needs to get a W soon! The number one plate at the end of the series is all that really matters, but I guarantee he doesn't want to pull a Tim Ferry and win the war without winning a battle..

I have a feeling he is gonna win this title.