22-year-old Japanese superbike racer Haruki Noguchi dies in Asia Road Championship

Despite undergoing three days of intensive medical treatment, the 22-year-old rider passed away on Wednesday evening.

Haruki Noguchi

Japanese Superbike racer Haruki Noguchi has tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained in a crash during a race in the Asia Road Racing Championship held in Indonesia. Organizers confirmed the unfortunate news on Thursday. Despite undergoing three days of intensive medical treatment at a hospital in Mataram, located on the island of Lombok, the 22-year-old rider passed away on Wednesday evening.

READ | Exclusive! Superbike racer Sandesh Prasannakumar speaks for the first time about his acting debut

"It is with great sadness that we report the demise of Haruki Noguchi after three days of intensive treatment at the Public Hospital of Nusa Tenggara Barat," the International Motorcycling Federation Asia said in a statement.

Haruki Noguchi, a competitor for SDG Honda Racing, suffered a crash during the fourth lap of the Asia Superbike 1000cc race at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in West Nusa Tenggara province on Sunday, which resulted in the cancellation of the race.

"We conveyed our deepest condolences for the passing of Haruki Noguchi... we pray that the family he left behind will be granted strength and resilience during this grieving period," the Mandalika Grand Prix Association wrote on its Instagram account on Thursday.

Having made his debut in the All Japan Road Racing Championships in 2017, Haruki Noguchi was a rising star in the Superbike realm. He had been regarded as a strong contender for the Asia Road Championship title this year.

"Haruki started riding a motorcycle at the age of five and has given us a lot of excitement and joy," his parents said in a statement published by the official global motorsport fan site for Honda Racing.

"We would like to express our gratitude to many friends, teams, and everyone who supported Haruki."

Last year, six-time world champion Marc Marquez also experienced a significant crash during the Indonesian Grand Prix's final warm-up, leading to his withdrawal from the event and a hospital visit for evaluation.

As for the Mandalika International Street Circuit, it was inaugurated in 2022 and was a recently established venue for international racing events.

Share