Highside

Currently the only Japanese rider in MotoGP, Hiroshi Aoyama went down in history as the last 250cc World Champion after his consistent and superb run in the 2009 season. One of the most quiet riders on the grid, Aoyama’s shy nature also makes him one of the more unnoticed MotoGP riders, though his superb level of consistent riding has earned him great respect.

Aoyama, like most of the current crop of MotoGP riders, started racing at a very young age. He competed in MiniMoto at the age of 4, racing against the man who would eventually become his chief rival, Yuki Takahashi. Aoyama experienced his first success while riding in the Japanese Road Racing Championship, where he took the 250cc title in 2003. The following year, he would make his debut on the international stage.

Hiroshi Aoyama impressed viewers immediately upon his entry in the 250cc class, taking two podiums and finishing in 6th place in 2004. The next year would see him finish in 4th place following a season in which he took his first victory at his home race, Motegi. Aoyama would continue to race in the 250cc class for the next four years, bringing KTM their first victory in the class, before switching back to Honda in 2009. It was on board the Team Scot Honda that Aoyama would win the 250cc crown, on a bike that was three years behind in development.

Aoyama’s performance in 2009 was highly admirable, if not dominant. He would stand on the podium seven times that season, four of which were from race wins. Most impressive, though, was that he finished every race of the season in the points–Aoyama never crashed out of a race, nor did he ever finish below 15th. Aoyama’s title win at the age of 28 made him the oldest 250cc World Champion in nearly two decades, and the first Japanese rider to win a title since Daijiro Kato won the 250cc crown in 2001.

Aoyama would move into MotoGP in 2010 on board a Honda furnished by the Interwetten team. He finished his debut race in Qatar in 10th place, ahead of every other 2010 rookie save for the American Ben Spies. Hiroshi has again shown great consistency onboard his MotoGP bike, and is undoubtedly looking forward to making more progress in the 2010 season.

Hiroshi Aoyama during pre-season testing at the Sepang circuit.