Katoe

Raven · 3 Jun 2002, 23:46 (Ref:303940)

How do you guys rate Daijiro Kato? He's had a bad couple of races, but he was amazing at Jerez and I think that when he gets enough experience under his belt, he might be the only one out there who could consistently challenge and perhaps beat Rossi.
As much as I like and admire Rossi, I don't want him to have it all his own way. So whats the chance Kato and Rossi will have equal bikes for 2003?

Es Nes · 4 Jun 2002, 02:02 (Ref:304002)

im not sure, but, once he does get the 4 stroke. itll be another learning year for him :\

in all honesty, i believe the west team would be a bigger threat than katoh next year on a 4 stroke. specially since barros is more of a 4 stroke rider and capirossi will be fast almost anything you put him on.

f1manoz · 4 Jun 2002, 03:16 (Ref:304023)

Kato is the best rider to come out Japan thus far, in my opinion. He's super fast and aggressive plus seems to have good technical feedback and knows how to set up a bike.

His past two races have not been good, that's for sure, but he's trying his hardest on a bike not capable of winning.

**gomick** · 4 Jun 2002, 09:57 (Ref:304223)

katoh was just as dominating as valentino was in the 250cc class

motogp - give katoh a year or to.....

asha · 5 Jun 2002, 11:05 (Ref:305152)

Kato was MORE dominating then rossi and the record books show that.
However, it is a tragity that he has to waste a year riding a bike that cannot win. As we shall see, no 2 stroke will win a race this year. And they will be lucky (yes even Lois) to make it into the top 4 at the end of the year (it will be a bloodly amazing effort if a 2-stroke does).

I really feel for those 2 stroke guys, basically they are on a hideing to nothing. And they have so much to lose. They are all capable riders, but i really hope that no one injures themselves riding the wheels of thing trying to finish top 6.
Lets hope they only waste a year!

moto1 · 6 Jun 2002, 03:04 (Ref:305942)

Aren't the Pons team getting four-stroke bikes before the end of the season?
And whats happening with Ryo? Is he riding in Moto GP this season? I thought he'd be helping the team already but Suzuki are taking there time!
I bet he kicks Gibernau's and Roberts arse when he does come in.

moto1 · 6 Jun 2002, 03:21 (Ref:305945)

Who was Kato up against though?
He didn't have the now moto gp line up to race against!
He had Melandri, Harada, Rolfo, Locatelli, Nieto and McWilliams, Ok he did get up there with Hailwoods record but the 99 season Rossi was up against Capirossi, Ukawa, Waldmann, Jacque, Nakano, Perugini, Battaini, Rolfo etc, I think he had it easy compared to other years in the 250,s! remember 98! wow what a season that was.
We'll soon see when he gets a V5 Honda, which will be soon.

Aren't the Pons team getting four-stroke bikes before the end of the season?
And whats happening with Ryo? Is he riding in Moto GP this season? I thought he'd be helping the team already but Suzuki are taking there time!
I bet he kicks Gibernau's and Roberts arse when he does come in.

moto1 · 6 Jun 2002, 03:25 (Ref:305949)

Whats up with this its posting half of my--------------------------------------------

Es Nes · 6 Jun 2002, 05:42 (Ref:305998)

Quote:

Originally posted by moto1
Aren't the Pons team getting four-stroke bikes before the end of the season?
And whats happening with Ryo? Is he riding in Moto GP this season? I thought he'd be helping the team already but Suzuki are taking there time!
I bet he kicks Gibernau's and Roberts arse when he does come in.

me, like every other west pons fan are hoping they get the 4 strokes. for some reason i doubt it will happen though :\

ryo will be racing three rounds in motogp. catalunya, assen, and the british gp. he will also be racing in ajrrs prototype class to devlope the bike and the tyres. so far hes unofically has won the majority of the races. the prototype class doesnt get points.

f1manoz · 6 Jun 2002, 09:21 (Ref:306122)

I heard through the grapevine that no other team is getting a 4-stroke Honda until next year, but it's only rumour. The only team I can see getting their hands on Honda 4-strokes this year is Pons.

As for Kato and his 250cc record, he may have had no real 'names' in the class, but to blitz them like he did is no mean achievement. He dominated completely. And let's not forget Harada is no slouch and Kato made him look rather ordinary.

IMO the battle of 2003 will be Rossi vs Kato on 4-strokes.

asha · 8 Jun 2002, 09:41 (Ref:307956)

Moto1, Kato did finish 3rd (behind Nakano and Jacque) in his first season, and still could have won the championship at the last race of the year at Phillip Island (2000) if Nakano and OJ took each other out. That not just mathical possibliity, because he did finish 3rd, so he would've.
So he beat Ukawa (who came 4th) in his first year too.