Faster & Faster

MotoGP got louder, faster and more dramatic in 2003 and 2004. Ducati arrived, Rossi left Honda for Yamaha, Daijiroh Kato lost his life at his home grand prix, and Sete Gibernau replaced Max Biaggi as Rossi’s strongest challenger. The 2003 season started in Japan at Daijiro Kato's home track Suzuka. It was to be MotoGP's final visit to the track. On a day when he was expected to shine, Kato lost his life in a freak accident. Suzuka was deemed to dangerous for the new era of 990cc, 200mph motorcycle racing. The year began with shock at the Japanese star's death and ended with astonishment when world champion Valentino Rossi quit all-conquering Honda for struggling Yamaha. In between, a spectacular racing season played out -much more exciting than 2002’s clean sweep by Rossi -the emotion at times almost unbearable as Sete Gibernau set out to honor his fallen Japanese teammate and prove his own worth.