Is Sebastien Loeb considering a future on two wheels?
79-time WRC winner Sebastien Loeb has been spotted trying out Ducati’s awesome V4R at the Circuit de l'anneau du rhin in Alsace, France
WORLD Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has been spotted trying out a Ducati Panigale V4R at a French circuit, prompting question that the French ace might be looking at a move to two-wheeled motorsports.
The picture was posted to the WRC, WTCC and Le Mans legend’s Facebook page yesterday and showed him sat astride a road-going Ducati Panigale V4R on what looks to be a trackday. The picture is accompanied by a post stating: ‘Passage on 2 wheels yesterday at the Circuit de l'Anneau du Rhin before ironing on 4 G1 wheels at the #vesoulmecanincshow’
The French star was at the circuit to take part in a four and two-wheeled event celerbrating all things motorsports, with Supermoto, stunt shows, track riding and quad-bike racing all taking part at the French circuit.
Some commenters have questioned whether Loeb is looking to make a move to MotoGP as a rider (he’s a bit old for that though) or a team owner – one person stated ‘And why not create a team in moto gp with a French driver you know who does the same freestyle prowess as you when he wins’.
Sebastien Loeb the motorcycle team manager?
How about a French MotoGP superteam of Loeb as the manager and Zarco as the rider? It's worth noting Sebastien Loeb Racing is a well established outfit that is competing in WTCR and GT championships so expanding out into two wheels isn't as far fetched as it may seem, not least because the Loeb brand is still a very valuable one.
Moreover, he has been left twiddling his thumbs in 2019 following Peugeot's unexpectedly abrupt decision to withdraw from the World Rallycross Championship, which prompted him to sever his long-term ties with PSA in favour of a switch to Hyundai in the World Rally Championship, where he has competed in selected rounds.
As such, it's easy to imagine he hasn't spent all of that free time doing nothing.
More likely Loeb has given a mate at Ducati France a call and asked for a bike to play about on, in return for some social media coverage. It’s a nice thought though!
This isn’t the first time Loeb has swapped sliding around on mud and dirt for another type of motorsport though. In 2008 he hopped in a Red Bull F1 car to spin some laps at a damp and slippery Silverstone. Check out the video above.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
