1999
With the same team in 1999 (now renamed the Liegeois Playlife Racing Team) Azuma began a serious title bid, winning 5 of the first 8 races, securing 2 pole positions (interestingly the only poles of his career) and leading the 125cc Championship. Disaster awaited at Rd 10 in Brno however. During qualifying a small deer ran onto the track right into the path of Azuma’s accelerating motorcycle. In the ensuing crash, Azuma was not seriously injured and raced the next day eventually finishing 12th. However, it was to be a turning point in the year, and perhaps his career. The remaining six rounds saw erratic and relatively poor results from Azuma, while his title rivals Marco Melandri and Emilio Alzamora gained on him in the Championship. Melandri scored 5 race wins in the latter half of the season, and Champion-to-be Alzamora’s consistent podium finishes would eventually relegate Azuma to 3rd in the Championship. This was to be his highest Championship finish.
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