The next Valencia Grand Prix will be the last of the 2018 MotoGP season. It will also be the final opportunity for Valentino Rossi et Dani Pedrosa not to complete their exercise empty-handed. The two champions remain in fact for the moment without the slightest victory. A shortage that the Doctor had already experienced during his Ducati period. But for Pedrosa, it would be a first. All the more regrettable as he would end his career next Sunday.
In passing, we understand a little more Vale's disappointment at Sepang. A season without a victory is a red suit experience. But this has never happened before with a Yamaha. During the twelve years spent on an M1, the man from Tavullia always had the opportunity to climb to the top step of a podium. The specter of an association with his two dry years on the Desmosedici, started in 2011, looms on the horizon. And for good reason: his last victory on this track dates back to 2004 and his last podium in 2014…
To Dani Pedrosa, Valencia was a success last year which must therefore be repeated to maintain this regularity of at least one achievement per season displayed during a 16-year career. The man with three titles, 54 victories and 153 podiums delivered his worst performance in the World Championship.
Last year, it was a certain Jorge Lorenzo who had finished his year empty-handed. He then ended eleven consecutive seasons with at least one victory under his belt, from 2006 to 2016. Just like for the Doctor, it was the discovery of the Ducati that hurt.
By the way, Marc Marquez has nine consecutive seasons with at least one achievement to his credit. Valentino Rossi achieved fifteen with at least one victory, from 1996 to 2010.
