Retrospective: You forgot this world champion! 7/7

After the 2022 season, there were 128 : this is the number of different world champions who have marked the history of motorcycle Grands Prix, all categories combined. This number may seem enormous, although it does not take into account sidecars, which are too often forgotten. However, a good number of surnames are familiar. Being a world champion, regardless of engine size, is the achievement of a lifetime. Moreover, the majority of elected officials, over the 74-year history of the organization, have also performed at the highest level, or at least, left a sufficiently important mark for us to remember them. But this is not the case for everyone. Together, let's return to the forgotten, those who left only their world coronation.

During the previous episode, we returned to the respective titles of Manuel “Champi” Herreros and Alessandro Gramigni. Today we're going to look at a much more recent wasted career. We are sure that the majority of you have not forgotten this incredible talent. As a result, the name “forgotten champion” is somewhat usurped, but we could not miss it. In fact, it was he who motivated the creation of this retrospective.

Because yes, Danny Kent had everything going for him. Born in 1993, the Englishman quickly took the path of motorcycles and particularly competition. In 2001, he joined the Welsh minimoto championship, and already won his first races there. Still on this path, he progressed to become British minimoto champion in 2005. He was very early spotted by the best teams in the world, in particular Red Bull who wanted to establish themselves permanently in Grands Prix. In addition to the CEV, he is invited to participate in the Red Bull MotoGP Academy.

Once the academy was restructured at the end of 2008, he was transferred to Red Bull Rookies Cup, which was in its second season. Immediately, Danny was quick to get on the podium. In 2010, he even failed in second place overall behind Jacob Gagne but in front of other prestigious surnames like Brad Binder ou Nicolò Antonelli. So far, so good.

 

 

It was also during this season that he made his debut in the 125cc world championship. In 2011, he won the holy grail and signed with Red Bull Ajo Motorsport, at the time equipped with Aprilia. He hit the ground running straight away, and had a very decent rookie season. In 2012, it was an explosion. Moto3 has just been born, and on factory KTMs, Danny Kent is formidable. Moreover, his teammate Sandra Cortese, titled at the end of the year, is not that far away.

At Motegi, Kent took his first world championship victory, but not in the way Ajo would have liked. Indeed, throughout the race, Kent harassed Cortese until attempting a sensational overtake at the end of the back straight, in the final moments. Disconcerted, the German gets stuck with Tonnuci under the tunnel and falls. Furious, he rails against his teammate and the unfortunate situation. Danny Kent finished 4th in the championship, but his move to Moto2 is already in place, and it's Tech3 who takes care of it.

The experience turns into a nightmare. Danny was unable to take the heavy 600cc cars, and only scored six times in the points in 2013. Fortunately for him, Ajo and his Husqvarna team drafted him into Moto3. He found good form there, which offered him a stint with Leopard Racing for 2015. At the time, beautiful people littered the grid. At the house of Honda Gresini, we notice Enea Bastianini, while Kent shares the box with Efrén Vázquez. Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder et Romano Fenati are all dangerous men in general. And yet. From the start, Danny Kent imposes a frantic pace. Halfway through the season, the suspense is almost zero. Kent comes out of a controlled German Grand Prix, and has a large lead over his pursuers.

 

But a phenomenon takes hold. Oliveira progresses, and begins a crazy comeback from Misano. The Portuguese is unstoppable, but even worse: Danny Kent feels crumbly, sensitive to pressure. The Briton kept falling and was no longer able to get onto the podium. Oliveira is in a special situation: He must win on each of his outings, or almost, to stay alive in the next round. And he delivers. Under the influence of “sudden death”, he won in Australia, then at Sepang. The outcome will wait for Valencia.

With the ball in the lead, Miguel goes all out and wins his third consecutive race. Kent, distraught, finished 9th but won. Indeed, that was enough. The Leopard driver does not go far from the penalty area, because only six points separate the two thieves at the finish. Logically, a move to Moto2 is being organized. The classic procedure. Leopard keeps it and advances it internally.

Clearly, Kent can't do it in Moto2. Paradoxically, he is even worse than in 2013. Leopard separates from him, and he is forced to find a new handlebar, at Kiefer Racing. But it's even worse. Between injuries and lack of performance, his 2017 is in tatters. He was even recalled by KTM Ajo in Moto3, as a wildcard then as a replacement for Antonelli. But nothing works. The Englishman is no longer there, and is suffering too much.

 

However, an opportunity came from Speed ​​Up in Moto2 presents itself for 2018. Alongside a Fabio Quartararo in leg, Kent does not exist and is having one of the worst campaigns we have had the opportunity to see. Two points entries and eight retirements (!) in just 13 races. Because yes, Danny is simply ejected from the structure mid-season, without having the opportunity to say goodbye to the paddock. In question, his poor results and bad behavior according to the team director Luca Boscosco.

At only 25 years old, the world adventure was – definitively – over. As if professional concerns were not enough, he was sentenced in 2021 to four months in prison for illegally carrying a bladed weapon in an altercation in public. Now in British Superbike, he is trying as best he can to get into the top 10, and above all, not to get further injured.

Strange fate than that of Danny Kent. The first British Grand Prix world champion since Barry Sheene in 1977 could make history, but the celebrations of his coronation in Valencia are now behind him. What a shame, and what a waste.

This retrospective is therefore over! Tell us what you thought about it in the comments!

Cover photo: alberto-g-rovi