This legendary racer's life was forever frozen at twenty-four. Racing is such a sport where every second counts; no one knows what the next moment will bring.
Ever since, every Rossi replica helmet features Simon's racing number, 58.
This event became a lifelong pain for Rossi.
After that race, Simon was inducted into the GP Hall of Fame, and his number was permanently retired.
And in that year,
On the eighth lap, both cars showed signs of wear on their sides, a result of the intense battling. Both wanted to gain position, making collisions inevitable.
Fortunately, the front wings were still intact; otherwise, the race would have been over. Given their skill levels, any minor issue with either car would have meant immediate defeat.
Lin Yan was currently in first place, with Rossi trailing behind.
An extremely low cornering lean angle forcibly compensated for the car's weakness in turns. Lin Yan knew his master too well; it was like a special cheat code.
In the next corner, Rossi overtook. Lin Yan, entering slowly and exiting quickly, steadied his mind and used the racing line to reclaim the position.
In these final three laps, Lin Yan, by perfectly understanding his master, completely outmaneuvered Rossi.
At this point, Rossi's stamina had also reached its limit. His movements in the final laps became stiff. There was no suspense left in this race.
"Good kid, impressive!"
After crossing the finish line, Rossi sincerely praised Lin Yan.
The new generation pushes the old. Rossi had considered being surpassed by younger racers, but being outdone by a Chinese kid caught him by surprise.
Had their Western dominance of the sport lasted too long? Was the era of the East finally arriving?
It was hard to say, but it was possible.
Taking the towel from Su Mojin and wiping his sweat, Lin Yan humbly replied,
"It was just luck."
"Haha, what luck? Don't think I don't know, you've studied me thoroughly, and you've even learned my Rossi leg technique."
The shock Lin Yan gave him by winning was far less than the shock his riding style delivered. This kid was practically a mini-version of himself.
If Rossi hadn't been certain he had never taught a Chinese person, he would have suspected Lin Yan was his long-lost disciple.