Makoto Tamada
Makoto Tamada is a MotoGP racer from Japan, born November 4, 1976 in Ehime Prefecture. After a junior career in minibikes and Japan's 250cc championship, he entered the All-Japan Superbike series in 1999. He came to international fame as a wild card in the World Superbike series at Sugo, upsetting the regulars to win all 4 races at the track in 2001 and 2002.
This helped earn him a call up to MotoGP in 2003, for Sito Pons' team, with Pramac sponsorship in 2003 and Camel a year later. The first season was a learning year, peaking with a 3rd place at Rio, finishing 11th overall. 2004 was his strongest MotoGP season to date, with wins at Rio and Estoril and 6th overall.
He currently rides for the Konica Minolta team, which was formed in late 2004 with him in mind. Unfortunately a broken wrist sustained early in the season prevented him from reaching the championship top 10, and he has been short of top results in the first half of 2006. At the Sachsenring he ran 3rd early on, and was still in the top 6 when he went out wide to avoid Kenny Roberts Jr crashing, only to be hit by the American's riderless bike. He lists his favourite food as meat, and his favourite hobby as darts.