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Tom Lüthi did not meet expectations in the 2020 season. Image: www.imago-images.de
Tom Lüthi or the end of all common excuses
After the weakest season since the 2006 World Cup, Tom Lüthi is not at the end of his career. But it is the end of all excuses. With the fourth consecutive zero (16th) he is roughly where he started his career 18 years ago after the Portuguese GP.
A position determination with statistics. So there are no controversies. On July 21, 2002 Tom Lüthi (34) made his debut at the German GP with a 26th place in practice. 18 years later, in terms of performance, his performance is roughly where it all began. The Portuguese GP begins in 24th place.
After all: in the race (16th) he is better than at Sachsenring (33rd) and the embarrassment of a defeat against Dominique Aegerter (20th) is spared him at the season finale. But for the fourth time in a row he is without World Cup points. For the first time since 2002. And the final eleventh classification is the weakest classification of the Moto2 World Cup. Until now, he always came in at least sixth place. 2020 is also his first Moto2 season without a podium.
Between 2002 and 2020 there is a miraculous rebirth of our motorcycle racing. Tom Lüthi’s world championship title in 2005 is also the initial spark for the careers of Dominique Aegerter, Randy Krummenacher and Jesko Raffin, all of whom made it to the GP circus. And now we are almost back to the place where this wonderful time began 18 years ago.
After his world championship title, Tom Lüthi was voted Sportsman of the Year. IN THE PHOTO: PHOTOPRESS
2020 under a bad star
The failure in the premier class “MotoGP” in 2018 is an embarrassment for Tom Lüthi (there are no points in the World Championship), but it is not a break in his career. After all, he made it to the top and managed to return to the Moto2 World Championship in 2019. Only these days, at the end of the 2020 motorcycle year, the question arises for the first time: Was the season too much? Is this wonderful race over now?
No, 2020 was not too much of a year. But 2020 was too much for Tom Lüthi. It ranks well below its true value. There are good excuses. Their head coach, Michael Thier, was as desperately overwhelmed this season as team boss Jürgen Lingg in dealing with the looming crisis. And the special circumstances made the talented but sensitive Tom Lüthi even more difficult than many competitors.
Symbolic of a failed season: Lüthi falls during training in Barcelona. Image: www.imago-images.de
The tight schedule with five GP doubles (two races a week on the same track) made physical recovery difficult, but even more difficult, psychological: it was extremely difficult for the drivers to get rid of constant stress. Especially because of the lack of freedom of movement due to virus restrictions. It led to the fact that teams were “doomed” to constantly stay together in a confined space. Gaining distance was almost impossible. Success could spark a positive dynamic. However, the failure created a negative dynamic that could no longer be stopped.
Emmentaler frankly admits: “It was an extremely difficult season and we did not achieve our goals at all. Respectfully. Working together as a team has become increasingly difficult and communication has also suffered. “
A change as a great opportunity
So we have good explanations (or excuses) for failure. But as of today they no longer count. The first tests with your new employer are already in the program on Thursday. Eduardo Perales’ team is testing with Tom Lüthi in Jerez.
Going to this Spanish team with a two-year contract (for the 2021 and 2022 seasons) is your last chance. And the end of all excuses. Because there is no more. Eduardo Perales has no technical fans or lack of experience. The Spanish team is considered the most underrated in the paddock and there is nowhere else sensitive Tom Lüthi can get better support.
Tom Lüthi has already shown several times that he can win races, as in Australia in 2016. Bild: EPA / AAP
Marco Rodrigo, Jesko Raffin’s coach among others, has been working with Eduardo Perales for years and knows the entire paddock like the back of his hand. He says: “Tom Lüthi couldn’t have found a better team. Everything here revolves around the driver and the team leader, as a former racing driver, knows exactly what is going on. Cut through the fire for its conductors. The technical support is absolutely top notch. “
Tom Lüthi replaces Australian Remy Gardner (22) in Eduardo Perales, who moves to KTM, and can take over as his chief technician. Remy Gardner just set the fastest time in practice at the Portuguese GP and won his first Moto2 GP. That is the benchmark.
2021 will be the year of truth and the year of no excuses for Tom Lüthi. His manager Daniel Epp says: “We will answer all the criticism next season on the circuit.” This is not a full-bodied ad. This is simply the only option left to the driver. With performances like last season, his career will come to an end in fall 2021, regardless of the two-year contract.
Question marks for more Dupasquier and Raffin
The same applies to Jason Dupasquier (19). The contract with his team expires at the end of next season. In 2020 he did not finish in the championship on points (top 15) not once. If he continues like this in 2021, his career will also come to an end.
Jesko Raffin (24) has lost his place in the GP circus dramatically. A viral illness (not Corona) ruined his season. Only now he’s in top shape again. But it is too late to show his enormous talent again. He doesn’t give up. But the chances of continuing his career at the highest level are not good.
More on the situation at Jesko Raffin:
His coach Marco Rodrigo says: “I am still in contact with all the teams in question. There are no vacancies for us now. “It’s about being prepared when a door opens somewhere. In this business, a door can be opened every day.
Good year for Aegerter
Only Dominique Aegerter (30) did better than expected. At the MotoE World Cup he made headlines and got the media coverage he needs for his sponsors (3rd place / 1 win). In 2020, more was broadcast and written about him than about Tom Lüthi.
It cannot be ruled out that this will also be the case in 2021. The Rohrbacher will once again drive the MotoE World Cup on the grand GP stage. And if there are no overlapping dates, he will compete in the Supersport World Championship for a renowned Japanese Yamaha team (Ten Kate Racing). The second biggest class on the superbike scene takes place practically behind closed doors. But that way you keep your foot in the business, earn a little money, and stay in shape. “We were very comfortable in the negotiations, it is possible that we will reach an agreement”, says Dominique Aegerter.
More about Dominique Aegerter:
Furthermore, he is now the most requested replacement rider in the Moto2 World Championship. If someone fails somewhere due to injury, Dominique Aegerter can step in immediately. This season he has shown in “fire operations” that he can be seamlessly integrated into a team and that he is capable of achieving good results. In four outings for Jarno Janssen’s team, he has collected two championship points.
2021 will be another spectacular and extremely interesting season for Swiss motorcycle racing. If Tom Lüthi does not increase, it will be the last in years and from 2022 it will be the same as before 2002.
