The community of Misano, along with the Gresini Racing team, has chosen the new road that leads to the entrance of the Misano Circuit as the street to bear the name of the late Daijiro Kato.
The Japanese rider, 250cc world champion in 2001, was a resident of Porto Verdi in the Misano area, to be close to the Gresini Racing department while racing in Europe, and the two parties decided that nothing would be more fitting to honour the man who lost his life in the opening round of the 2003
MotoGP campaign.
The commemoration ceremony began with the mayor of Misano, Sandro Tiraferri, Fausto Gresini and Kato's father, Takashi, cutting the ribbon to unveil the nameplate of the new street. The three men then planted a cherry tree that Kato Sr had brought from Japan as a symbol of the firm relationship between Misano, its community and Suzuka, where his son lost his life.
Motosprint, Italy's leading motorcycle magazine, also remembered and honoured Kato by presenting his father with the prestigious 'Casco d'Oro - golden helmet - award.
The world of motorsport was represented at the ceremony by many of Kato's team members, friends, and former rivals.
Colin Edwards, the American rider who joined Gresini Racing for the 2004 season, Max Biaggi, and Kato's close friend Makoto Tamada, attended. Sete Gibernau, Kato's former team-mate, was unable to be at the ceremony, but sent a message to the family in attendance.
"I met and raced with Daijiro on occasions at the Suzuka 8 Hours, and I have a very good memory of him as a rider and as a person," Edwards said, "Unfortunately, after this tragic event, it's hard for his family to move on - but this ceremony has a very special meaning to commemorate the rider, a champion and a friend."
"I really wanted to be here this morning, because it's a very special moment that I want to honour and commemorate," Biaggi admitted, "I'm here as a fan more than a rider."
The Honda Motor Co was represented by the president of Honda Italia, HRC team manager, the general manager of HRC Europe, and Carlo Fiorani from HRC Sport.
