Jacarepagua 1999

1st Norick Abe

2nd Max Biaggi +0.161 s

3rd Kenny Roberts Jr +0.257 s

Three weeks after that closest-ever podium at Phillip Island they were at it again, this time at Jacarepagua, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Renowned for years as the wildest GP of them all off the racetrack, this one was just as wild on the track. Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha YZR500) was in the thick of it with Kenny Roberts Jr (Suzuki RGV500) and Norick Abe (D’Antin Yamaha YZR500). Roberts led until a stone entered his RGV500 engine, chipping a reed valve and costing him several hundred RPM.

The final laps were hectic as Biaggi and Abe went at each other like madmen, bumping and barging, both their leathers covered in tyre marks by the end. The final lap was a classic: Biaggi dived past leader Abe, pushing them both wide. Roberts, clinging on desperately just behind, swept through to retake the lead, only to get murdered on the back straight.

Abe was back in the lead again as they attacked the final turn, where Biaggi made a wild run round the outside. Once again the Yamahas touched, Biaggi skating on to the kerb where he lost drive. Abe won by inches, a quarter of a second covering the lot.