The masters are at work. Future legends are driving and riding right before our very eyes and we are witnessing greatness.
Legend #1 is Valentino Rossi. He broke his leg on June 5th, ending a quest for an 8th world championship as he was expected to be out 3 or 4 months. Remarkably, a month later he was back on a GP bike while still needing crutches to walk !! Then, just 43 days after breaking his leg, he finished 4th at his returning GP at the German GP. He followed this up with a podium at the US GP finishing 3rd, 5th in the Czech GP, 4th at Indianapolis, 3rd at Misano, 6th at Aragon, 3rd in Japan, and a win last weekend in Malaysia after being in 11th place at the race start. Incredible. He is third in the points standing. Jorge Lorenzo has clinched the world championship and rode a great season himself, but the Doctor has shown why he is already a legend. Next season he moves from Yamaha to Ducati. Not that it matters what bike he is on…..
Legend #2 is Sebastian Loeb. He has just clinched his 7th consecutive WRC title. That’s se-ven, con-sec-u-tive ti-tles !! And he has done it with a few rounds of competition to go…..again. And he has beaten a couple of great drivers…again. I have mentioned before that I think he may be the greatest racing driver ever, and he is certainly the best rally driver ever. Just check this poll from crash.net , no one is even close. Once again, he has won on all kinds of surfaces, and in dominating fashion at times. His nearest rival is the other Sebastian (Ogier) who would be stellar in any other time, and perhaps will yet get a chance to shine. But not while Seb is in this kind of form. Last year I said not to bet against a 7th for Loeb, and now I say the same for an 8th.
LOEB is also a cool non stuck up guy. Will talk to anyone as long as u speak french….