Japan is undoubtedly one of the largest motorcycle countries on the globe.. Countless numbers of pilots born on the archipelago have won in all categories, including speed. The time has come to draw up a small ranking in order to rehash good memories and above all pay homage to a culture and personalities apart.
The first part containing the honorable mentions as well as places 10 and 9 can be found right here.
This episode follows the second part, published yesterday.
N ° 6: Shinichi Itoh
No. 5 marks a real break between the top and the rest of the ranking. Indeed, five drivers stand out quite significantly compared to the Aoki brothers (placed in eighth and seventh positions). Itoh is one of those (very) great pilots. If his name is known to the majority, few know that he is the main architect of the Honda Repsol dynasty during the 1990s. In truth, Shinichi could even claim first place in this current ranking if the other categories were taken into account. account. The native of Kakuda is a multiple winner of the Suzuka 8 Hours and has done well in Superbike. Complete driver you said?
The career is long and began in 1988 with a stint in 500cc on Honda. His name will forever be associated with the winged brand, which he greatly helped to develop in the early 1990s. The pundits were quick to notice the young Shinichi's analytical skills, and assigned him the crucial role of test pilot .
Honda finds itself in a dead end: impossible to confine such a driver at home and not have him race on the world circuits. Never mind ! There will be three Repsol Hondas entered. So Itoh did team with Mick Doohan and others every weekend. Unfortunately, he never managed to secure a victory despite his six career podiums. Itoh is one of the most respected drivers at Honda and the brand once again placed its trust in him by offering him an honorary stint at the Japanese Grand Prix… 2011, i.e. 23 years after his first appearance in the world championship. Legendary.
Itoh at Suzuka in 1993. Photo: Rikita
N ° 5: Daijiro Kato
The tone changes at the mention of this name. A surname that is now infamous, associated with a retired number. But number 74 is not forgotten. Born on July 4, 1976, Daijiro was one of those natural talents, fast no matter the machine or conditions. After having won everything on the national level, he launched an attack on Suzuka in 1996, via a wild card. The Japanese Grand Prix was an opportunity to discover a plethora of young drivers who had made the trip and only competed in this round during the year. Sometimes the results were impressive and led to full-time contracts.
Kato was from this school, and placed third in his very first 250cc race. A year later, he did it again and did better: he won the race. In 1998, same song:
another wildcard victory, with pole please.
This led to his signing with Gresini in 2000, a team he would never leave. Despite another victory at Suzuka, he could not do better than third overall. On the other hand, 2001 was his year. 11 victories in 16 rounds, 9 fastest laps in the race and 6 poles later, the Japanese is titled world champion.
His rise in MotoGP, a brand new category, is orchestrated by Gresini. He displayed sensational speed and reached the second step of the podium in only his third race. A magnificent year punctuated, it is true, by numerous abandonments.
2003 was to be the year of confirmation. Destiny decided otherwise. Kato was killed during the race, on the same Suzuka circuit where he was born. A terrible accident which put the question of safety back at the center of debate.
MotoGP never really recovered from his death. In addition to taking a life, fate had just taken away a crazy talent who could reach the heights.
It is on these sad terms that this section ends. Tomorrow places 4 and 3 in this ranking will be revealed.
Cover photo: Rikita
