Norifumi \'Norick\' Abe shot to fame after an incredible wild card ride at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix, which saw the 19 year old rookie battle for the lead until 3 corners from the finish. His performance earned him a ride with Yamaha Team Roberts, with whom he took his first GP victory at Suzuka in 1996, becoming a national hero as the first ever home winner of the Japanese GP. A year later he moved to Yamaha Team Rainey but struggled with injuries. In 2002 he joined the d\'Antin Yamaha team, adding two more victories to his career total at Rio and Suzuka. A year as a test rider was followed by his return to MotoGP for a final full season in 2004 with the Tech 3 team. Abe was tragically killed on October 7th, 2007, in a collision with a truck near his home in Tokyo.
Rider Stats
Videos
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10 years on: The paddock remembers Norick Abe
Ten years following the untimely loss of Norick Abe, the MotoGP™ paddock remembers the fearless Japanese rider
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MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
2000 Japanese GP Abe interview after the race
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MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
1999 Rio GP Abe interview after the race
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MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
1996 Japanese GP Abe interview after the race
Rider Bio
Bike
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Date of birth
07/09/1975
Place of birth
Tokyo
Height
175 cm
Weight
63 kg
Rider Story
Videos
-
10 years on: The paddock remembers Norick Abe
Ten years following the untimely loss of Norick Abe, the MotoGP™ paddock remembers the fearless Japanese rider
-
MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
2000 Japanese GP Abe interview after the race
-
MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
1999 Rio GP Abe interview after the race
-
MotoGP™ VIDEOPASS
1996 Japanese GP Abe interview after the race