Anyway, I must start with someone. So lets talk about the Sebastien Charpentier's second World Supersport champion title. It's the perfect example of this crazy season. Sebastien started the season by three third places then he falled while the Czech Republic tests and broke his basin wich will force him to rest. His next race with his CBR was Assen in the Netherlands where, at the end of a really painfull race, he finished four. But luck wasn't back. In germany, at the Lausitz track, he broke one of his fingers on a tire wall. He gave up this race... But Sebastien is tenacious and courageaous. On the Imola race track (Italy), success and victory are back. But his challenger Kevin Curtains (Australia) still had 18 points over him the day before the french Race at Magny Cours. At this time, nobody can believe Sebastien will win the championship. Impossible doesn't exists for Sebastien Charpentier... The unthinkable occurs over the 8th lap, when, under pressure, Kevin Curtains falls. Sebastien just needed to finish first to be the World Champion. The last laps will be thrilling, but Sebastien will win, and the Supsersport world champion crown belongs to him. He is the very first who managed to be the Supersport world champion two successive years. An incredible performance!
In Superbike, no real suspense since the Imola race but the battle was hard between Toseland (Honda CBR), Haga (Yamaha R1), Corser (Suzuki GSXR) and Troy Bayliss (Ducati 999, Champion 2006). A great show! Bayliss was chosen by Ducati to race the last motoGP race in Valencia because Gibernau was wounded (and also for his knew well the motorcycle he rided during two seasons). We must admit that this choice was judicious. Bayllis was good during the tests, and he was a domintor once the race statred. Bayliss kept the pole position form the first to the last lap, nobody seeming to be able to contend him the victory or threaten him anyway. He was alwas in front of his team-mate Loris Capirossi, to whom it gave more concern in one race than Gibernau in a whole season. This unexpected victory was the climax of a completely insane championship!
It began like it finished, by a Ducati victory in Spain but with... Capirossi. This first race preceded a difficult year for Valentino Rossi because who finished only 14th! Engine and tires issues will make him loose a lot of points: He got « only » five victories. In same time Nicky Hayden will show an excellent regularity, he won't make any fault and should have undoubtedly finished all the races without the ... « intervention » of his team-mate Pedrosa who will make him fall at the Estoril race. Consequently, everybody tought Rossi was going to be the world champion again when he started the Portugal race with 8 points in advance. But the unimaginable occured at the fourth lap of the Valencia race, when Hayden going all out « just behind » Bayliss, put a lot of pressure on Rossi, who lost his M1: his fan club was at least « confused »... Rossi under pressure? Unthinkable, inconceivable, inenvisageable! And yet, with cold blood, Hayden from there will know he won his first MotoGP world championship. A great show! Let's imagine Gibrenau didn't went wrong (if you mind me to tell it this way) in Catalonia, and so didn't ruined Capirossi, Melandri and Pedrosa hopes!
In the other mechanical sports, this year was also animated with the fantastic F1 battle between Schumacher and Alonso, or the insane image of Sebastien Loeb, wounded, getting the world champion crown from his sofa.
2007 will be undoubtly a good year because of the 800cc MotorGP rule which will contribute to increase the outsiders chances to win.
Let's close this editorial with a GOOD NEW: Next year, Motards-Online will review the whole 2007 MotoGP (800, 250, 125), WSBK and SuperSport seasons! Aurélien integrates the M.O. TEAM to do this job: giving you fresh news, reviews, and results.
We wish to thanks you all for your confidence and your fidelity.
FastFreddy
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