As responses stream in from our readers (along with many, annoying virus messages) to yesterday’s poll, it is clear that Anthony Gobert is recognized as one of the most naturally talented riders in the world. Perhaps, as talented as Mr. Rossi.
Although Gobert continues to carry the baggage he created by his erratic, undisciplined behavior earlier in his career, he has genuinely changed. Despite a painful, and slow-to-heal wrist injury partway through last year’s AMA roadrace season, Gobert soldiered through, and was one of the hardest working riders. Next year, Gobert will again ride a Yamaha R7 and a Yamaha R6 while competing in both the AMA Superbike and 600 Supersport Championships – increasingly, a rarity. Most of the top riders in the US focus strictly on Superbike now. It is considered too difficult to race, and set up, both a Superbike and a 600 Supersport machine during the same weekend. With more double-header weekends than ever (meaning, weekends in which two Superbike races occur back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday), racing the Superbike class and the 600 Supersport class at the same time will be a Herculean task.
Yes, Gobert is paying penance now for his past deeds. He was in good physical condition this past season, however, and he clearly has received the attitude adjustment he needed a few years ago.
Let’s not forget that Gobert was cocky and brash as a young racer for good reason. He could win, and often win easily, on inferior machinery – relying on huge, raw talent. An uncanny ability to learn new tracks after just a few laps (he broke more than one existing lap record on his first visit to a track) made the young man feel invincible – a feeling that led to a series of hard lessons.
With his newfound maturity, we all deserve to see Gobert and Rossi head-to-head in MotoGP. It won’t happen next year, but the following year presents an opportunity that history cannot afford to miss.
