Back in 2006, there was a documentary called “El Ataque de los Niños” (The Attack of the Children). The documentary focused on a new generation of kids that were coming through the ranks into MotoGP; Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner. Those three “Children“, had cleaned up the smaller classes of the MotoGP championship on their way to the Premier category, MotoGP.
At that time, the king of the MotoGP, and for a few years thereafter, was the flamboyant Valentino Rossi. When the “Children” entered the premier class, Rossi was about 27 years old. By this point, Rossi was already a legend. He’d already won the Championships in the lower classes (just as the “Children” had), and had amassed 5 consecutive MotoGP Championships already.
Very quickly, the “Children” made their presence felt. Stoner set pole at his second-ever MotoGP race on a customer Honda and Dani Pedrosa won two races in his debut season. Rossi ended up losing the Championship on the final round to American Nicky Hayden, but after 2006, things were changing.
By 2007 Casey Stoner was on a factory Ducati and on the Red Italian V4, he dominated the MotoGP championship. He was so dominant, he won 10 out of 18 races that year. Rossi came back and beat Stoner for the 2008 and 2009 titles, but the latter was his final taste of Championship victory.
The 2019 season, so far, is very reminiscent of that 2006 season. We got some new blood in the form of French prodigy Fabio Quartararo. Fabio grew up racing in the Spanish Championship (CEV). He was the youngest-ever winner of the Moto3 class and they made a special arrangement to allow young Fabio to race in the World Championship before the official age of 16.
The current king of the MotoGP is without a doubt, Marc Marquez. Like the old king, Marc won championships in the lower classes. He entered the MotoGP category in 2013 and won it on his first try. He’s gone on to win 5 championships since 2013 (he lost the 2015 Championship to Jorge Lorenzo).
This year, guess who set the fastest lap of the race at their debut event? Mr. Quartararo. And who set pole on their 4th event? The same Frenchman. And at the last event in Le Mans? 🙂
Today, Marc set pole at the Italian GP in Mugello. Do want to guess who was second? Yes. Fabio. Now, I am not suggesting that Fabio is at the same level as Marc. Marc is most definitely special. He’s Rossi-level special. But just as 2006 was the year the “Children” served Rossi notice, 2019 is the year for Marc to begin counting down. Oh, and did I mention that Marc is 26 years old?
