My hero : Luca Cadalora

Luca, my first true motorcycle hero. He already was a 125cc world champion but it were his 250 days that really caught my eye. At that time, I had reached the knowledgeable age of 16 and was considered to be able to think for myself. The #3  Rothmans Honda NSR250 and the distinctive white helmet with a gentle green line on both sides and two larger red lines on the front and top, crushed the opposition.

Riding for Erv Kanemoto, Luca ran away with the championship in 1991 and 1992. He won 15 races during these two seasons and beating the likes of Helmut Bradl, Carlos Cardus, Loris Reggiani, Frankie Chili and one certain young rider from Rome, Massimiliano Biaggi. His charisma on and off the track made him a very popular rider and the prospect of him taking on the Ozzies and all conquering Americans on a 500cc was something to look foward to in years to come. He was the only European rider that was considered to be able to take the fight to the guys with a dirt track background.

His time in 250's was definitely the most successful period of his career winning 22 races out of his 34 career wins and two championships. He finished runner up twice in the 500cc class and in 1994 he was the last winner of a 500cc Grand Prix being held in Laguna Seca, the only non-American to ever win the 500cc US GP in Monterey.
What made him so special for me ? His character, fine riding style and the prospect of "a box of chocolates"... You never knew what you were going to get from Luca.