Tadayuki Okada
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Tadayuki 'Taddy' Okada (born February 13, 1967) is a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was runner-up in the 1994 250cc and in the 1997 500cc World Championship.
[edit] Early career
Okada won the All-Japan 250cc championship in 3 successive years from 1989 to 1991 for Honda, who took him to the 250cc World Championship in 1993. He was runner-up in the series in 1994, and fourth in 1995.
[edit] 500cc and beyond
Okada stepped up to 500cc in 1996, helping develop Honda's V-Twin bike and finished the season in 7th overall. In 1997, he had three wins and finished second to Mick Doohan. He missed several races in 1998 due to a wrist injury but bounced back in 1999 to finish third in the championship, with wins at Assen, Brno and Phillip Island [1]. Going into the final round of the season he was second in points, but lost out to final-race winner Kenny Roberts Jr. After a largely unsuccessful 2000 he switched to World Superbikes for 2001, without winning a race although taking three podium finishes and 8th overall, [2]choosing to reire at the end of the year.
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