Katsuyuki Nakasuga: "As Long as I'm Needed, I Will Never Give Up."

In 2025, when the Yamaha Factory Racing Team made its highly anticipated return to the Suzuka 8 Hours after a six-year hiatus, Katsuyuki Nakasuga was part of the lineup. But back then, he was harboring a secret--one that was not revealed to the public at the time.

It happened during a pre-race test in early July, about a month before the main event. "When I crashed, I ended up with hairline fractures in three of my left ribs and one in my lower back. Honestly, crashing when everyone else was out there handling the exact same track conditions just meant I wasn't prepared enough. I had about a month to heal, but you can't fully recover from that in four weeks, can you? Looking back, I definitely went into the race weekend far from 100 percent."

He went on to reflect on the 2025 race itself. "With the factory team making a comeback after six years, and me being older now, I'll be honest--it was a lot tougher than it was six years ago, especially with the injuries. On a personal level, I wasn't entirely satisfied with my performance, but I do think I gave it absolutely everything and did my job. I'm glad I didn't give up until the very end." His words carried a clear edge of frustration, but they also offered a glimpse of Nakasuga's pride in having left everything on the track.

For the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours, he teamed up with two riders competing at the world level, Jack Miller (MotoGP) and Andrea Locatelli (WorldSBK), just as he had in the past.

"Loca was riding an almost identical R1 in World Superbike, so he adapted pretty quickly. I think it was a lot tougher for Jack. But Jack has incredible talent, and by the end, he was handling the R1 like it was an extension of his own body. It really reminded me how skilled world-level riders are. On top of that, they aren't like the stubborn, self-centered riders of the past who only cared about their own spotlight; these guys understand what it takes to win as a team. That's why everyone--myself included--was able to check their ego, take everything in stride, and ride for a single goal. We had a great balance among the three of us."

What truly defines Nakasuga's mindset became clear in his next thought. "Racing alongside them pushes me to realize how much more I can do," Nakasuga says. "It makes me think, 'Wow, there's still so much room for me to grow.' We both share this fierce passion for racing, and it reminded me exactly of how a rider should approach the sport. The fact that I still have room to evolve hasn't changed, and I'm always looking to learn from them. This isn't my peak. The moment I decide I've reached the top, the decline begins. If I don't keep pushing forward with a strong belief that I can improve, I'll stagnate and get left behind by the sport. That's why, while the number one goal at the 8 Hours is always the win, it's also a vital stage for my own growth as a rider." This insatiable hunger for growth--and his genuine willingness to absorb knowledge from faster riders regardless of their age or experience--is precisely why Nakasuga has dominated for so many years.

Continuing, he revealed a surprising detail from last year. Behind closed doors, Nakasuga had approached Yamaha with a pointed, high-stakes question--one that would ultimately play a major part in the next factory assault.

"For a factory team, competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours means one thing: we have to win. There is no alternative," Nakasuga states flatly. "But with me turning 45 this year, I went to Yamaha and asked them directly if I was still the right choice. If victory is the only goal, you need riders who can maintain a relentless, unyielding pace through their second and third stints without faltering. Because this is a team built exclusively to win--a team obligated to win--I wanted the company to seriously consider whether I was the right asset for the job. If they decided I wasn't, I was completely prepared to step aside."

"Yamaha didn't hesitate," he reveals. "They gave me an immediate response: 'Nakasuga, you're the only one for the job, and we want to entrust this mission to you.' Hearing that, I replied, 'I understand,' and made up my mind right then and there. When you're competing at this level, you need to be pushed out of your comfort zone--otherwise, there's no point in being a professional rider. To hear a manufacturer say you're the only one for the job is a privilege very few riders get to experience. It reminded me what it truly means to carry a factory's colors. I was really happy."

Heading into this year's Suzuka 8 Hours, Nakasuga is deeply motivated. But for him, peak performance isn't just an individual pursuit--his primary focus is on shaping an environment where the entire team can thrive.

"My priority is to build a solid bike," he explains. "Since my teammates weren't here for the pre-season tests, my first job is to make sure the R1 is in a condition where they can ride comfortably right from the start. If I can do that, they'll be able to perform to their full potential, the whole weekend will flow at a good pace, and I think that's the fastest route to victory. At the same time, it's important to lay down times that hold up against the competition. Putting down those fast laps sends a message and boosts morale so they think, 'Okay, we can do this.'" As the team veteran and anchor, Nakasuga is balancing a dual mission this year: reinforcing the team's foundation while asserting his own presence as a top-tier rider.

The team is heading into its second season with a much stronger foundation, particularly on the human side of the garage. "Knowing that we had a second year secured made a massive difference for team communication," he says. "We were able to set our mechanic assignments early this time, even with a slightly different roster, which gave everyone the time they needed to practice. Our pit stops are definitely faster now. I feel like we've erased last year's deficit in pit lane, so we're in a great position to put up a fight."

Now, his 14th Suzuka 8 Hours--17th if you count his early years as a reserve rider--is finally here. When asked what the 8 Hours means to him, Nakasuga smiles. "To be honest, during the stint I'm always thinking, 'Why on earth am I riding in this brutal heat for an hour?'" he laughs. "On top of that, you have to ride a bike setup that isn't entirely tailored to you. At the end of the day, the 8 Hours really is a battle to see who can take the most punishment!" he laughs again. It's a classic, tongue-in-cheek response from a veteran who jokes about the misery of the race, yet understands its prestige and weight better than anyone else on the grid.

"Even if people don't follow the All-Japan championship, they know about the Suzuka 8 Hours. It's just that big. Performing well here changes a rider's status overnight--it's the one race everyone wants to win at least once in their career. Winning in front of more than 30,000 fans is an incredible feeling, but it's the journey that makes it. Because you've pushed through the most brutal moments, carrying the hopes of the entire team and the fans with you, the sense of accomplishment at the checkered flag is really like nothing else."

When asked for a final word ahead of his last Suzuka 8 Hours, Nakasuga concluded with his trademark mantra: "I'll prepare thoroughly and fight until the very end." Then, with a flash of his signature competitive grit, he added, "It's not like I don't give it my all just because it's my last race."

He leaves nothing on the table, no matter the stakes. That unyielding attitude is exactly what defines Katsuyuki Nakasuga.