Valentino Rossi is the idol of many active MotoGP riders. Many of them had the chance to compete with the Doctor, who competed in the premier class until the age of 42.
Four riders on the current grid – Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Franco Morbidelli and Luca Marini – are graduates of the Rossi VR46 Academy.
And outside of VR46 stability, Fabio Quattararo says he has always idolized Rossi.When he replaces the Italian at Yamaha’s factory team in 2021, he makes a different impression.
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But while Rossi is one of motorcycle racing’s greatest legends, he was inspired by a rider who won just three races in the premier class.
Norik Abe was the inspiration for Valentino Rossi.
Norifumi ‘Norik’ Abe made his Honda 500cc debut at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix. At the beginning of Mick Doohan’s five title-winning seasons, Abe battled for victory until falling in the final stages.
The explosive display earned him a chance with Kenny Roberts’ Yamaha team and he would spend the rest of his career in various guises for the Iwata manufacturer. Abe competed in the premier class until the end of the 2004 season, scoring a total of 17 podiums.
As Adam Wheeler explains on Paddock pass The podcast used an ‘inexplicable’ riding style that made Abe fascinating to watch earlier this year. Rossi was one of the entrants.
Wheeler said: “We were getting into the Mick Doohan era, and to have this Japanese driver come out of nowhere, suddenly lead the Grand Prix and ride in that really incredible style…
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He was sliding the 500 around like crazy, and inspired some Valentino Rossi. You find images on Google and think, ‘How on earth is he riding a motorcycle like that?’ They think.
“It seemed strangely twisted at the front end, leaning in the opposite direction it should have gone. It was kind of inexplicable, but it seemed to work somehow.”
“Back at Suzuka (1996) he became the first Japanese rider to beat the home doctor. Another two-stroke king, Abe was one of those who put it all on the line and made a GP career.
“A very nice, quiet guy. His demeanor was the opposite of what he was on the bike, his hair sticking out of the back of his helmet, and of course he only rode with both wheels in line or in sync.”
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As he wrote in his autobiography: Rossi Abe is called ‘crazy’ and ‘absolute nutter’. But his ‘fearless’ mentality has made for some ‘scary’ levels.
He surprised Abe Dohan and Kevin Schwantz on the first lap and passed both riders in two corners. The sport remains one of the most impressive wildcards we’ve ever seen.
Tadayuki Okada is the most successful Japanese rider with four wins (between 1997 and 1999) ahead of Abe. Makoto Tamada scored two wins in 2004.
Abe left MotoGP and competed in the World Superbike Championship for two years before passing away in 2007.
