19 Facts About Makoto Tamada

Makoto Tamada is one of the few riders to win races in both MotoGP and Superbike World Championship.

Makoto Tamada then spent 4 years in the main Japanese 250cc series, finishing 4th on a private bike in 1998.

Makoto Tamada finished in the championship top 5 for the next 4 years, but came to international fame as a wild card in the Superbike World Championship round at Sugo, upsetting the regulars to win both races in 2001, and a further race in 2002, being the only rider other than Colin Edwards or Troy Bayliss to have won a race during the 2002 season.

Makoto Tamada joined Sito Pons' Camel Honda a year later.

Makoto Tamada was the only Honda rider to use Bridgestone tyres, which appear to suit his style.

Makoto Tamada was generally outpaced by his rookie teammate and finished the season 18th.

Makoto Tamada was left with no options in MotoGP so for 2008 he turned his focus on the Superbike World Championship.

Makoto Tamada joins the Italian factory supported Kawasaki team, PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse, where he will pilot the all-new 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R along with Frenchman Regis Laconi who rode for them in both 2006 and 2007.

In 2010 Makoto Tamada returned to WSBK in a one-off outing for the Reitwagen BMW team at Portimao in Portugal.

Makoto Tamada retired from the first race and finished 19th in the second race.

On July 31,2011, Makoto Tamada competed in the Suzuka 8 Hour race for the Musashi RT Harc-Pro team.

Makoto Tamada rode alongside former 500cc racer Tadayuki Okada and Takumi Takahashi.

Makoto Tamada will replace Spaniard Ruben Xaus who is sitting out the race due to a back injury.

Makoto Tamada was appointed official trainer of the inaugural Asia Dream Cup season by Honda in 2012.

Makoto Tamada was appointed to train the young riders to one day become a World Championship rider.

Makoto Tamada is replacing in Ryuichi Kiyonari, who won the title in 2012 and has gone back to BSB in 2013.

Makoto Tamada, stating that it took him more time to get used to a 600cc machine at the beginning of the season, actually made it fast.

Makoto Tamada got his first podium finish at Race 2 of Round 1 in Sepang.

Makoto Tamada then got his first win at Race 1 at Round 3, and went on winning Race 2.