It is tragic that I have to start my column talking about the loss of a great friend and a valued member of the motorsport community for the second time in a row - I had planned to wait until this run of races was over before speaking about my friend Norick Abe but sometimes your feelings can’t wait and Norick wasn’t the kind of guy to hang around.

One thing a lot of people don’t know about Norick is that his father races speedway on tarmac in Japan. When Norick told him he wanted to be a road racer, he immediately sent him to California, to the very track where myself, Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey and so many other great riders had learnt their trade: the Lodi Cycle Bowl, known to us locals as the ‘Dust Bowl’. At just 14 years of age, there he was – this young Japanese kid learning to ride amongst the cattle and the chickens of Lodi.

Somehow he failed to pick up a word of English during that time but he sure learnt how to ride, and how we knew it when we saw him again three years later as a wildcard at Suzuka. The fact he crashed out with a few corners to go is irrelevant because that long flowing black hair and his amazing speed and style left an indelible mark in the memory of any Grand Prix fan.

The way he rode that Honda was so different to any other rider. Like when Kenny first started to slide the rear, or when I rode with one foot off the peg, or seeing Mick Doohan crawling all over the fuel tank, Norick’s style was something that made everybody sit up and take notice and when he was on the pace you could forget about beating him.

When he first came to Europe he became my neighbour in Sitges and I used to take him up to Kenny’s riding school at the Catalunya circuit - myself and Kurtis would have him giggling all the way up there in the car. I remember accidentally scaring some guy so bad when I went past him at 180km/h in a Fiat Coupé Turbo that he spun 360º in the outside lane of the motorway! The pair of them were in tears laughing.

When Norick’s father sent a translator over from Japan, Norick didn’t waste much time getting to know her. Eventually they would get married and have kids but at the time it was a big secret and we all used to give him hell for it. That was one thing I learnt from Norick: if you think your kids are doing something behind your back, they probably are!

The motorcycling community is like a family and it breaks my heart that we have lost another member – especially in Japan, which has had other similar tragedies recently. But like the 3,000 people who turned out to his funeral, I would prefer to celebrate his life and remember the good times. Thanks for the memories Norick, rest in peace my friend.

Despite our sadness at Norick’s loss, the trip to Phillip Island is always one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the year for the MotoGP paddock and it was extra special this season, with the homecoming of Casey Stoner as the new World Champion. With Chris Vermeulen and Ant West also on good form this year there was an incredible crowd and a great atmosphere at the island. They certainly had plenty to celebrate, with Stoner doing what he has done so many times this season by simply blowing the opposition into the weeds.

The championship might be decided but there is still a lot of pride (not to mention bonus money!) at stake over the final two rounds of the season. Guys like Nicky Hayden, John Hopkins and Marco Melandri are desperate to win a race before the year is out and after the winter testing at Sepang, it should be a good track for them to shine. Nobody has had more success there than Valentino and he will be determined to win and make sure of that runner-up spot in the championship. People might say second place is for the first loser and I have been given plenty of stick over the years for being runner-up four times but believe me, it is important. Just how much depends how many zeros it is worth on Valentino’s contract!