Story Of Rookies: Kenny Roberts and Marc Marquez

Nineteen-seventy-eight and 2013. To those somewhat ‘obsessed’ with a certain red cape and boots wearing comic-book superhero, these are the years in which the first and most recent full-length motion pictures based on Superman were released. Both were hits and both came at a time when the character’s public consciousness had been somewhat muted.

For MotoGP fans - some of whom have noticed the Superman logo prominently displayed at trackside advertising hoardings – these are the years when two of the most special talent the sport has ever seen won their first titles. Both Kenny Roberts (1978) and Marc Marquez were rookies in the top class of motorcycle Grand Prix racing when they won their first titles and were responsible for a set of firsts.

Roberts was the first American champion, the first to beat the ‘aliens’, as the European riders who have dominated MotoGP’s history have been referred to.

Marquez was certainly not the first Spaniard to win the MotoGP crown as the chequered flag fell in Valencia.

Motorcycle crazy Spain has something of a monopoly on freakishly talented riders these days by the looks of it. That includes the man who took the top spot on the podium at the season ending race, Jorge Lorenzo.

The top three at the end of the race were Spanish riders but where Marquez stands out, is that he was just 20-years-old when he was crowned the new king of two-wheels.

It’s not an achievement to be taken lightly. The man who people couldn’t help but compare Marquez to – Valentino Rossi – was 22-years-old when he won his first premier class title.

Marquez’s future at Honda, the manufacturer that prides itself on building machines that any rider can win races on, looks secure for at least another four years.

The only obstacle that could stand in Marquez’s way is the ‘Man of Steel’, Jorge Lorenzo. The 26-year-old (not exactly a veteran himself!) earned the moniker after a gritty ride to fifth place at the Assen TT following a horrific crash at Catalunya.

Riding with a plate and eight screws, Lorenzo was drained from the effort at the end but those points came in handy for pushing Marquez till the closing stages of the season’s final round.

Just four points separated the Yamaha number one from Honda’s latest superstar in the final standings. More than enough reason to hope for an equally close and thrilling title battle in the years to come.