Kohta Nozane became Yamaha’s first Japanese rider in the FIM Superbike World Championship since Noriyuki Haga when he joined the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team for the 2021 season.
After being crowned the All Japan Championship J-GP2 champion in 2013, Nozane stepped up to the JSB1000 class the following season. He made strong progress each season, finishing eighth in his maiden campaign, before going seventh (2015), fifth (2016 & 2017), fourth (2018) and third in 2019. In his final JSB1000 season, Nozane was untouchable, winning all but one race on his way to the title.
Alongside his national experience, the 25-year-old has also contested the FIM Endurance World Championship with the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team and boasts a MotoGP outing with Yamaha in the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi.
In his maiden WorldSBK campaign, Nozane had to adapt to new circuit, new tyres, and a new bike, but he showed promise, ending the season with his best finish - 7th in Indonesia.
With a years' experience behind him, Nozane heads into his second campaign with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team targeting top six finishes.
Personal Details:
Date of birth: 29-10-1995
Place of birth: Chiba, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Height: 172cm
Weight: 62kg
Hobbies: Radio control cars
Career Summary:
2022: GRT GYTR Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2021: 14th - FIM Superbike World Championship, GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2020: Champion - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2019: 3rd - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2018: 4th - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2017: 5th - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2016: 5th - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2015: 7th - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2014: 8th - All Japan Championship JSB1000
2013: Champion - All Japan Championship J-GP2
2012: 3rd - All Japan Championship J-GP2
2011: 7th - All Japan Championship J-GP2
2010: 9th - All Japan Championship J-GP3
2009: Champion - Tsukuba Championship GP125 / 2nd - East Japan Challenge Cup
2008: 4th - Tsukuba Championship GP125 / 4th - Tsukuba Championship S80