Every once in a while there is a buzz in the paddock, people hear murmurs and chit chat in the garages that someone has seen the next great champion, someone who will take the sport to the next level, who will be the next golden boy of the crowd and who will leave his opponents crushed and defeated. Obviously like all rumours, most of the time they prove to be inaccurate and untrue, but every now and again someone will step up to the hype and prove that people’s belief in them is well founded.
Over the last few seasons the premier class of Motorbike racing has all been a bit too nice. What it has been missing is a thrilling and gripping rivalry, something that can add that special ingredient that adds a little extra spice to the event. It happens in football when Arsenal play Manchester United, or in Rugby when London Wasp’s play Bath. A good rivalry is something that has really been missing from MotoGP for a while now. A good rivalry can turn a good race into a great race.