Haruchika Aoki

Haruchika Aoki, born on 28 March 1976 in Gumma, is a Japanese former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and a two-time FIM 125cc world champion. He is the youngest of three Aoki brothers who have competed in motorcycle Grand Prix races. Aoki began his Grand Prix career in 1993 with Honda and won consecutive 125cc world championships in 1995 and 1996 before moving up to the 250cc class in 1997. After two years there he moved to the 500cc class in 1999, rode a Ducati in the Superbike World Championship in 2000, and returned to Grand Prix racing in 2001 on a V-twin two-stroke Honda NSR500V, finishing that season as the top privateer. He retired after the 2002 season, later took part in the Japanese Auto Race series, and returned to road racing in 2016 in the MFJ All-Japan Road Race JP250 Championship on a Yamaha YZF-R25.