As I surveyed the results of testing at Valencia this week, I couldn’t help but wonder who might emerge as a star in WSB this year. With Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus moving to MotoGP, and most of the major manufacturers pulling their factory teams, it leaves an opportunity for many relative unknowns to make their mark in a world championship series.
When I say unknown, of course, I understand that these riders are all very good, and most are well known in regional racing series. Few of them are known throughout the world, however, and this is where WSB can be interesting this year.
Of course, many of the top riders did not practice this week at Valencia, including Regis Laconi and James Toseland, but even those riders lack the star status of a Neil Hodgson, Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogarty or other riders who have contested the WSB series in the past decade, or so. There is simply no star this year, and no obvious favorite for the championship. Does this make WSB more or less interesting? Personally, I am beginning to suspect that WSB will be just as popular this year, despite the single-make tire rule and the absence of many of the major teams.
