MotoGP News
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Suzuki: Kato was a true racing hero.
Suzuki and Aprilia have paid tribute to Honda rider Daijiro Kato, who passed away on Saturday night (GMT) after battling his Suzuka injuries for almost two weeks.
Gresini 'destroyed' by Kato loss.
Fausto Gresini, Daijiro Kato's only team boss during his full time Grand Prix career from 2000-2003, is on his way to Japan to say his final goodbye to the former 250cc World Champion.
Dorna pay tribute to Kato.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, on behalf of all of Dorna Sports, has led the tributes to Daijiro Kato, who passed away tonight (Saturday) at the Yokkaichi Central Hospital.
Daijiro Kato 1976 - 2003.
Daijiro Kato only commenced his full-time World Championship career in 2000 but was already on his way to becoming Japan's most successful GP rider. By the end of 2001 when he secured the 250 world title, he had scored 17 GP wins to equal Japan's greatest GP winner Tetsuya Harada.
Kato dies from injuries.
After a two week battle against horrendous injuries sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix, former 250cc World Champion Daijiro Kato has passed away at the intensive care unit of Yokkaichi hospital.
De Gea confirmed at WCM.
The FIM has today released the official entry list for round two of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship, the Africa's Grand Prix, which confirms that David de Gea will ride the second Harris WCM machine in Welkom, on April 27.
Rule change for exhaust systems.
The Grand Prix Commissionhas unanimously approved the following modification to the Road Racing World Championship Regulations, regarding exhaust design, for immediate application. The new text is shown in italics : Technical Regulations - Exhausts:
Chaz checks in: Suzuka.
In the first of what will be regular reports on Crash.net , rising Motorcycle Grand Prix star Chaz Davies reviews round one of the 250cc series, the Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka - held last Sunday.
Abe to replace Melandri in Africa.
Fortuna Yamaha has today confirmed that Norick Abe will ride as a replacement for the injured Marco Melandri in the Africa's Grand Prix, at Welkom, on Sunday 27th April.
HRC: Kato accident still a mystery.
Honda Racing Corporation today (Friday) released the following statement regarding Daijiro Kato's accident in last Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The statement explains that Kato remains in a coma and that despite a Police Investigation the cause of the accident remains unknown.
Ukawa regrets 'Kato collision' claim.
Camel Pramac Pons rider Tohru Ukawa has today issued the following statement regarding his fellow countryman Daijiro Kato, following his tragic accident last Sunday in Japan.
Hopper launches website.
John Hopkins has announced the launch of his personal website, designed to keep fans up to date with what's going on with the Suzuki MotoGP rider. At the site, fans will find Hopper's bio in the "#21" section, complete with photos of his early racing career.
Kato keeps fighting, but career over.
Over three days after his horrific accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, Daijiro Kato is showing signs that he can achieve what Dr. Claudio Costa of the Clinica Mobile called 'impossible' - survival.
Kato 'surprising doctors' with some improvement.
Today (Thursday evening), there has been some promising news regarding Daijiro Kato's condition: The Japanese is reported to have passed through the most dangerous period, and is now even surprising those treating him.
Sete: I don't want Kato's bike.
Sete Gibernau, who has handled himself admirably in the aftermath of his team-mates tragic accident at Suzuka, has ruled out using Daijiro Kato's full factory RC211V - and won't even ask for it.
Rossi's sunglasses sponsor extends involvement.
Sunglasses producer Arnette have acquired the Title Sponsor package for the second round of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship to be held in Welkom, South Africa, on April 27th, which will officially be called Arnette Africa's Grand Prix.
'Angry' Checa asks for unity.
In the aftermath of Daijiro Kato's Suzuka accident, Carlos Checa has called for the MotoGP riders to stick together and work more closely in the future.
First Chinese start taken-away.
The first Chinese rider to compete in a motorcycle grand prix made his debut at Suzuka, but was denied what would have been a historic race start..
Gresini to visit scene of Kato accident.
Team Telefonica Movistar Honda manager Fausto Gresini has declared that he will return to the Suzuka circuit on Sunday, to inspect the area where his star rider Daijiro Kato suffered his terrible accident during the Japanese Grand Prix.
de Gea takes second WCM seat?
Twenty-five year old Spaniard David de Gea is believed to have signed for the Harris WCM team to partner Chris Burns for the remainder of the season, starting at the Africas Grand Prix in three weeks time.
Kato remains in a coma.
Daijiro Kato remains in a coma following his accident in the early stages of Sunday's season-opening Japanese Grand Prix.
Rossi wins at Suzuka, Ducati on podium.
Updated: Reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi won the Japanese Grand Prix, which lived up to all pre-season expectation and more as an all-Italian top three battled race long - spectacularly sliding their GP prototypes sideways all around the figure-of-eight circuit.
Race Reactions - Japanese Grand Prix.
Race reactions from the MotoGP riders following today's season opening Japanese Grand Prix. Please note that some quotes were given before the seriousness of Daijiro Kato's condition was known by all riders...
Concern for Kato.
As news of Daijiro Kato's serious condition filtered through to the MotoGP riders, the previous celebratory mood following the season opening Japanese Grand Prix has turned to one of deep concern.