COMING OF AGE…
Roll back 23 years from now, to 1993 to be precise, and a triple world champion had a frown on his face after the first few races of the 500GP season. That man was the legendary Wayne Rainey, and the frown was there because he had realised that his arch-rival, Kevin Schwantz, had completely changed his game plan. Wayne was winning races, but so was Kevin. The big difference was that Kevin had adjusted his mindset over the winter break. This particular season when Kevin wasn’t winning races he was finishing – and finishing well. As opposed to his previous ‘podium or hospital’ routine, this was an entirely new proposition for Rainey to deal with as Kevin would ordinarily find himself upside down in a gravel trap every few races. Kevin’s sheer speed, combined with newfound maturity shaped 1993 up to be one the best ever years of competition, until Rainey’s untimely accident prematurely ended both his career, and the title chase.
Smart team work, allied to ridiculous talent, saw Marquez smoke the field in Germany...