Taking his first two wins in the Asia Talent Cup upon its inauguration in 2014, Ayumu Sasaki then took the crown the following year as well as racing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and gaining his first victory there. Racing in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship in Valencia in 2015, the Japanese rider took a podium first time out. His meteoric rise continued in 2016, as he was Red Bull Rookies Champion, and sixth in Moto3™ in the CEV. With one appearance in the World Championship with Gresini Racing Moto3™ to replace injured title-contender Enea Bastianini, Sasaki raced full time on the world stage in 2017 with SIC Racing Team and took the title of Rookie of the Year. The team is re-named Petronas Sprinta Racing for 2018, and Sasaki remained for his sophomore season. He took two front row starts and some top tens despite some struggles with fitness. 2019 saw Sasaki take a debut pole position but a debut podium still eluded him, despite fighting inside the top five at some points throughout the year. For 2020, the Japanese rider switched teams and manufactuters, riding for Red Bull KTM Tech 3. After a frustrating start to the year, including two great rides at the Red Bull Ring that ended without reward, 'Crazy Boy' finally tasted podium success at the Aragon GP with a second place finish. Sasaki opened up 2021 with several top six finishes but injuries sustained from a heavy crash at the Catalan GP saw interrupted his progress. Following his injury return, the number 71 claimed P3 in Aragon, helping him to a 9th place Championship finish. A move to Sterilgarda Max Racing Team came in 2022, and the Japanese rider had an excellent year, with two victories and seven further podiums seeing him claim P4 in the Championship. Remaining on Husqvarna machinery, the #71 was considered a favorite for the title in 2023 and lived up to expectations. Consistently on the podium throughout the year, the Japanese rider ultimately finished second despite a victory in Valencia and will compete in Moto2™ in 2024 under the colors of Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team.
Rider Stats
Rider Bio
Bike
Husqvarna
Date of birth
04/10/2000
Place of birth
Yokosuka
Height
164 cm
Weight
60 kg
Rider Story
News
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Masia: World Champion in Qatar if...
Find out just what the Spaniard needs to do to wrap up the Moto3™ title in Lusail this weekend
By motogp.com -
Ogura, Sasaki and Suzuki hand Japan a day to remember
The Austrian GP was the first time since Rio 2001 that we saw two Japanese riders win on the same day
By motogp.com -
Sasaki snatches Assen Moto3™ pole
It’s a second career pole for a rider chasing his first Grand Prix win
By motogp.com -
Nagashima, Guevara, Sasaki receive Long Lap penalties
The two Japanese riders and reigning Junior World Champion have been handed race Long Lap penalties for riding slowly on the racing line
By motogp.com -
Sterilgarda Max Racing Team sign McPhee & Sasaki for 2022
The British and Japanese riders will make up an all-new line-up on the Husqvarna Moto3™ machines next season
By motogp.com -
Sasaki recovers from early crash to lead Q2 charge
The Japanese rider was the fastest man on track by the close of FP3, leading Jaume Masia and Filip Salac
By motogp.com -
Sasaki and Öncü to remain with Red Bull KTM Tech3 in 2021
Both riders extend their contracts for the upcoming year in order to continue their great improvements already shown so far
By motogp.com -
Red Bull KTM Tech 3 sign Sasaki for 2020 Moto3™ season
Japanese rider will join the newly formed lightweight class outfit as he bids for more success next year
By motogp.com
Videos
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Sasaki, Alonso and Ortola
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic race to bring the curtain down on the lightweight class season
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Veijer, Sasaki and Masia
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic conclusion to the lightweight class race at the GP of Malaysia
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Super Sasaki pulls off stunning save
The Moto3™ title contender had both feet in the air before somehow managing to get back into the seat during Practice 2 in Malaysia
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Major Moto3™ title drama as Sasaki collides with Muñoz
Both riders crashed out of the lightweight class event in Thailand while Dani Holgado was also caught up in the incident
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Moto3™ recap: Öncü romps to another pole position
The Turk will launch from the head of the grid but is joined by heavy hitters Diogo Moreira and Ayumu Sasaki on the front row
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LAST LAP: Öncü and Sasaki go wheel-to-wheel for victory
The Australian GP played host to a lightweight class thriller in the wet conditions, which saw victory decided very late on
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Oncu, Sasaki and Joel Kelso
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic conclusion to the lightweight class race at the Australian GP
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Ayumu Sasaki is your Liqui Moly top qualifier in Australia
The Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP rider was the best of the best in Moto3™ qualifying at Phillip Island
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