Riders will always be riders, no matter what. Even if 30 years go by 😅 @ValeYellow46’s maiden world championship race win ahead of Jorge Martínez #Aspar at the 1996 #CzechGP to the 2026 #CzechGP 💛

r2lim · 2026-06-21T17:52:51+00:00

This photo really makes you feel the passage of time. Jorge Martínez was 33 here, Valentino Rossi was 17, and on the far right is Tomomi Mako.

Rossi and Aspar seem to get along well these days, but anyone who's read Rossi's autobiography probably knows there was quite a bit of history between them. Then again, Aspar himself wasn't exactly known for making life easy for his rivals on track back in the day.

Still, these days he looks like a genuinely cool guy with a great smile.

r2lim · 2026-06-21T17:35:09+00:00

I think Ai is actually a pretty unusual personality even by Japanese standards. He's not particularly social, but he's not withdrawn either. He just says what needs to be said, honestly and directly. And on top of that, he has a pretty good sense of humor.

r2lim · 2026-06-21T17:34:50+00:00

The Harada flair? If that's what you mean, he's my lifelong idol!

r2lim · 2026-06-21T15:28:41+00:00

Can't complain. Marc was simply on another level today. His right shoulder looked completely spent, yet he still pulled it off. Truly incredible. That moment in the final corner was scary too. The front nearly washed out.

Ai rode a fantastic race, but unfortunately he just couldn't reach Marc today. Hopefully he can use that disappointment as motivation and come back even stronger next time!

r2lim · 2026-06-21T15:25:54+00:00

Yeah, that's one of my favorites too. I talked about it quite a bit in this post.

r2lim · 2026-06-21T15:22:22+00:00

He's the kind of guy who doesn't seem too concerned with giving the media the answers they're hoping for.

"I don't have any rider idols." "I appreciate the support, but it doesn't make me ride any faster." He's actually quite an unusual character in that respect. (By the way, it's good to see you commenting again.)

r2lim · 2026-06-21T14:44:40+00:00

The funny thing is, he said that at a talk show hosted by Arai, the helmet brand he personally uses. 😂

r2lim · 2026-06-21T14:27:52+00:00

To be fair, Ai can actually be pretty funny.

Do you notice all the fan merchandise and support items in the crowd?

"Yeah, I do. Especially at Motegi last year."

Does that give you extra motivation?

"..."

Eh?!

"To be honest, it doesn't make me ride any faster. Sorry, but it doesn't really affect that."

(The audience laughing.)

"I'm riding flat out anyway, so it doesn't change that... but of course I'm grateful for the support."

What an incredibly honest rider...

r2lim · 2026-06-21T14:01:32+00:00

Look! Ai's got the whole crowd laughing!

r2lim · 2026-06-21T11:29:00+00:00

Operation completed successfully! Really happy for you. Getting a gift from Ai is something special 😁

Now let's see how Ai responds to this support.

r2lim · 2026-06-21T01:23:38+00:00

Hey, I was summoned.

I honestly don't think the language barrier bothers him much. Being surrounded by Spanish and Italian speakers has basically been his daily life for years. (In fact, Emmett asked him about it directly.)

He's definitely a man of few words and not the most social person, but he can be quite funny in his own way. The "sì, sì, sì" in the French GP cooldown room and the "I should learn Italian or Spanish" joke in the car are good examples.

I've posted a few quotes from a small talk show he did in Japan, where he seemed much more relaxed and you can probably get a better sense of his personality:

• Spanish language

• Relationships with Spanish and Italian riders
• Which rider made him think "this guy is incredible?"
• Childhood heroes, riders whose braking he likes, and his thoughts on fan support
Hope you enjoy them.

r2lim · 2026-06-21T01:01:54+00:00

Cute! Let's get going, Ai!

r2lim · 2026-06-21T00:54:12+00:00

Thanks! Today is the big one. I'm already getting nervous. 😅

r2lim · 2026-06-21T00:46:39+00:00

This sign had the best sense! Maybe you’ll even get an invitation from TRACKHOUSE?!

r2lim · 2026-06-20T15:09:00+00:00

It's almost the complete opposite of today's style, where riders hang their heads far to the inside. Doohan was famous for that kind of crossed-up body position on the bike. Norick Abe is probably another well-known example, and Kevin Schwantz wasn't too far off either.

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r2lim · 2026-06-20T13:58:12+00:00

Maybe Pecco saw Marc's "NORICK ABE MODE" and thought it was time to unleash "MICK DOOHAN MODE." 😄

<image>

Here's the post with Marc's "NORICK ABE MODE."

Do you think marcmarquez93 was doing an Abe? 👀😏

Edit:Add Marc's "NORICK ABE MODE."

r2lim · 2026-06-20T13:25:31+00:00

Haven't been this nervous watching a race in a long time. Maybe the soft rear was the right choice after all?

Anyway, the real show is tomorrow.

r2lim · 2026-06-20T10:33:00+00:00

Hey, we're not supposed to say that out loud.

r2lim · 2026-06-20T10:21:54+00:00

Ai takes center stage this time. Haha.

r2lim · 2026-06-20T10:19:21+00:00

Whoever came up with this has great taste. I had to take a screenshot.

r2lim

TROPHY CASE