Retro: They were there before the Marquez brothers

In motorcycle sports, pairs of brothers are not that rare, but in Germany, the Marquez have reached a milestone. Marc and Alex reached the podium, a first since the brothers Nobuatsu and Takuma Aoki during the 1997 Imola Grand Prix. Behind this Japanese surname hides a great story, and what's more, a relatively little-known one. So, a look back at these incredible siblings is necessary.

 

I) Nobuatsu, the most experienced

 

Born in 1971, he is the oldest of the three, but also the one with the longest career. He made his first appearance in Grands Prix at the Japanese round in 1990.. He was not ridiculous as a wild card, but had to wait until 1993 to be offered a full-time ride in 250cc, with Kanemoto-Honda – sorry. Within the Japanese team, he won his first victory after only the second race, in Australia. While he shows great promise, this is his only career success; but rest assured, he still has many good years ahead of him.

In the soft underbelly of the peloton, he managed to land a 500cc ride for the 1997 season, with Rheos-Elf Honda. Against all expectations, the rookie revealed himself in the premier category, and scored several podiums. His exemplary consistency (always in the top five when he finishes the race, i.e. 13 times out of 15) allows him to finish 3rd overall, behind an intractable Mick Doohan and his compatriot Tadayuki Okada. Even though the lack of victory is reflected in the points total, it is still remarkable.

 

 

Is he the one who will dethrone a Doohan on a mission? Suzuki smelled Nobuatsu's immense potential, and hired him as an official driver from 1998. But he failed to regain his status as outsider of the year acquired during the previous season. The RGV500 is much less efficient; he falls back in the ranking. In fact, his career never recovered from this failed stint with the Hamamatsu firm.

After deserting the paddocks in 2001, he is back for the advent of MotoGP, under the awning of Proton-KR. Kenny Roberts' structure is still a step below. He competed on the KR5 for one last full season in 2004. However, he signed again with Suzuki to develop the GSV-R, and we saw him on its handlebars for a few wild cards from 2005 to 2007. Notable fact: he won the 8 Suzuka 2009 Hours for Suzuki, accompanied by Kazuki Tokudome and Daisaku Sakai.

 

II) Takuma, the most resilient

 

Certainly the least known of the “ Fireball brothers », Takuma nonetheless remains an exceptional pilot. Born in 1974, he took part in the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix, also as a wild card. Linked to Honda, he did not compete in a full season before 1997, but still achieved some feats, including a Superbike victory at the Sugo track in 1996.

In '97, he followed in the footsteps of his big brother and he too became a regular candidate for the podium. No victory, but a nice 5th place overall. Unfortunately, an accident in 1998 paralyzed his lower limbs: that was the end of motorcycle sport. With Honda, he is developing technologies to help people like him, so that they can also move around. His will is stronger than his handicap. He pursues his passion on four wheels, whether at the Dakar, but also at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2021, where, in the team led by Frédéric Sausset (quadri-amputee), he took the start of the race in the special category, at the wheel of an LMP2 Oreca modified for its drivers. An example for all of us.

 

 

III) Haruchika, the strongest

 

For once, the youngest is the best of the three. Born in 1976 and spotted very early by the winged firm, he took part in the 125cc world championship in 1993, at just 17 years old. Over his first two campaigns, the young Haruchika learned, before exploding at the end of 1994. As an outsider, he crushed the competition during the 1995 season, with five victories in the first six races. Moreover, the round contested at Suzuka has a particular flavor. Haruchika won in 125cc, and just after, Nobuatsu finished second in 250cc. To top it all off, Takuma, as a wild card, achieved the feat of finishing third in 500cc! An unusual fact that will be difficult to reproduce. If his end of the year is more sluggish, he manages to manage his lead and offers himself a world champion title far ahead of Kazuto Sakata.

In an era totally dominated by the Japanese, he put his title on the line again on Honda. This time the competition is tougher but Haruchika holds on. With only two victories but seven other podiums, he won his second consecutive coronation in the small category ahead of Masaki Tokudome.

The rest is less joyful. Switched to 250cc, he cannot acclimatize to quarter-liters. Despite only one podium in two years, he still moved up to 500cc for two seasons; campaigns marked by injuries. Haru' left the world at the end of 2001. Ultimately, his career lasted "only" eight seasons, but that was enough to mark his era.

Did you know the story of the Aoki siblings? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport