Of the following former and current Motogp legends, which won their first two premiere class
championships (500cc and above), in their rookie and sophomore seasons?
Valentino Rossi
Casey Stoner
Mick Doohan
Kevin Schwantz
Fast Freddie Spencer
King Kenny Roberts
Eddie Lawson
Wayne Rainey
If you said Valentino
Rossi, you would be wrong. In fact,
even the mythic Mick Doohan, was
unable to accomplish this paradoxically brilliant feat. Who then, amongst these
names that still ring hallowed through the halls of motorcycle racing history,
was able to tame this seeming contradiction of the terms “rookie” and “champion”? None
other than the King himself: Kenny Roberts Sr.*
 |
| motorcyclemuseum.org |
During his rookie
season in the FIM 500cc class World
Championship in 1978, Kenny took
the road-racing world by storm by beating out another giant, Barry Sheene, in the last race of the season to establish himself as the
first US Champion in the history of GP racing. Kenny would then go on to
win his second championship the following season.
Fast-forward 35 years
later and another rider, another PHENOM,
now chases the King for his crown.
 |
| Marquez 2013; c. johndavidflores |
Marc Marquez, the brilliant young prodigy from Spain, today joined Kenny Sr. as one of only a handful**, ever to win their first GP championships in their rookie and sophomore seasons.
Some will argue that a good portion of Marquez success lies in the superiority of his team and hardware, (tires
are a wash since they all use the same manufacturer). But is it the bike or the rider that is the cause and effect of the surreal success of this young 20-something?
 |
| Pedrosa 2013; c. johndavidflores |
As a long time fan of the sport, my opinion is that it is
more flesh than carbon that is source of the young man’s continued dominance. I
base this on the sole fact that he is competing against some of the most dangerous riders ever to ride on slicks,
all legends in their own right: Rossi,
Lorenzo, Pedrosa, all world class riders, and all have skin in the game. These
are proud men who must be stunned at the audacity and precociousness of the young
King.
Well, maybe all except one: Rossi.
 |
| Rossi 2013; c. johndavidflores |
When Rossi came to town, much like Marquez, he turned the Motogp world on its head.
He was the greatest thing the sport had ever seen. Not since
Agostini, had a young rider
exemplified such natural talent and ability.
But in the wake of that greatness now surges a new face, not unlike the young Italian Rossi’s at the beginning of the century: full of confidence and determination to prove that they not only belong, but have come to win, and win often. King Kenny no doubt looks at the accomplishments of both, and nods his approval.
But in the wake of that greatness now surges a new face, not unlike the young Italian Rossi’s at the beginning of the century: full of confidence and determination to prove that they not only belong, but have come to win, and win often. King Kenny no doubt looks at the accomplishments of both, and nods his approval.
*,** Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, all won
their first two championships in their rookie and sophomore seasons.
