Retrospective: Luca Cadalora, in the wrong place, at the wrong time

Luca Cadalora is one of the most talented pilots of the end of the last century . Today, a look back at his story, which clearly demonstrates that when the context works against you, it's difficult to do anything. There is only one step between a great career and a frustrating career.

After trying his hand at pole vaulting, young Luca, born in 1963, quickly moved on to two wheels. Great hope in the early 1980s, he was surrounded by his father and Walter Villa, legend and family friend. he entered the world championship for the 1984 season on a. Rare thing, he is immediately fast and already plays up front. He scored his first podium in Germany, just three races after his debut. The year 1985 is more complicated. Despite a pole position during the opening round, injuries affected his final ranking.

He is spotted by Garelli, the firm of the moment in 125cc, reigning world champion with Fausto Gresini. The pair of Italians have a lot to do, but young Luca must already be thinking about beating his teammate above all else. And as surprising as it may seem, he succeeds. Gresini, capable of unparalleled consistency, simply cannot contain the pure speed of the Modenese. A series of five consecutive poles with four victories literally knocks out the great Fausto. To everyone's surprise, Cadalora became world champion after having competed in 25 races in his career, and saw his total points increase from four points to one hundred and twenty-two in two seasons! Clearly, we are in the presence of a crack.

 

Agostini, aware of his potential, recruited him for his official Yamaha 250cc team.. The transition from 125cc to quarter liter is often decisive, and once again, it responds. Although he competed for victory with races won in 1988 and 1989, he was never favorite for the title. Moreover, during the 1989 British Grand Prix, he replaced Freddie spencer in 500cc with Yamaha Agostini for one race, which he finished 8th.

Still in 250cc, he was closer to the coronation in 1990. Unfortunately, John Kocinski et Carlos Cardús evolve in another dimension. Clearly, this title is slow to appear. In 1991, a new opportunity presented itself: moving to the “rival” Erv Kanemoto and his formidable Honda team. The NSR250s run with the fire of God. While we wonder if Cadalora will be able to adapt to the new machines, he doesn't ask so many questions. The Italian begins the year with three consecutive successes, still blessed with crazy speed. On a field largely dominated by Honda, alone Helmut Bradl keeps up the pace, but breaks down at the end of the season. With five victories to three, Luca won his second world title.

From then on, Luca Cadalora chose to defend his title in 1992, a risky decision. But he is even stronger. Loris Reggiani and Pierfrancesco Chili, on Aprilia, are unable to do anything against him. Faced with so much talent, the entire 500cc grid is eager to bring the prodigy up. You should know that winning the 125cc then 250cc title – or equivalents Moto3/Moto2 – is a feat, which only four pilots have repeated in the 21st century, namely Pedrosa, Poggiali and the Márquez brothers.

There is a handlebar that is impossible to refuse. The one offered by Kenny roberts, to join the sensation Wayne Rainey in the most prestigious of categories. Now an official Yamaha rider, Luca cannot disappoint. However, everything starts badly, with an injury from the start. His mind is stronger than that. At the end of the season, he became a regular candidate for the podium, and even won two victories! In 5th place in the ranking, he is certainly one of the big favorites for the following season, especially since Rainey sadly ended his career during the Italian Grand Prix. Moreover, for the anecdote, it was he who won this race which has become legendary for the wrong reasons.

 

Now alongside Daryl Beattie, Cadalora must face the new king of discipline, in the person of Mick doohan. However, at the time, it seemed obvious that Luca had the talent to do it. In 1994, even if the Australian was untouchable, the Yamaha official managed to stay at a good distance with a few poles, and even two new successes. Keep in mind that this is only his second season at the highest level, and already he was runner-up.

But the training Honda Repsol is simply too strong. Yamaha declined somewhat, and Beattie allowed himself to overtake them in 1995, this time on Suzuki. Doohan, as usual, does not wait for the opposition to impose himself. In good memory of time, Cadalora decides to join Kanemoto. The Honda NSR500 used by the team is efficient, but alone, it can once again do nothing against the Repsol hegemony. Yet he still took his usual two victories as well as two other podiums.

Then, the return to Yamaha via the structure Promotor indirectly ended his career. Indeed, the new team could not assume the financial consequences of such a commitment, and WCM – Red Bull had to intervene to save the furniture. His campaign is not so terrible, but his aura was behind him, at already 34 years old. Then, we never saw him again for a full season.

First as a replacement for Bayle at Yamaha–Roberts, he then developed the mUZ, before ending his career employed by the American legend, piloting a modenas during the year 2000. The descent was brutal, to say the least, but it is a reflection of its emergence.

Finally, what went wrong with Cadalora? He had everything to become a legend. Despite his 34 victories, three world titles and successes on two different brands in 500cc (a not so common achievement), it is difficult to consider him as such. Perhaps he spent too much time in 250cc, just to get this title that he was missing. Six seasons in the intermediate category is not nothing and it is undoubtedly too much.

What do you think ? Despite this, do you consider Luca Cadalora to be a great pilot? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: Rikita