Get to Know World Sportbike rider Taiyo Aksu

Posted June 8, 2026

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Australian talent Taiyo Aksu had a fast rise to the new Sportbike Championship. On two wheels since the age of seven, Aksu switched from off-road to circuit racing in 2021 and wasted little time making an impression. Strong results in Australia, including race wins and a near-miss in both the Yamaha R3 Cup and Supersport championships, were followed by a season in the All-Japan Championship as he continued to build experience at a high level. His move to Europe in 2024 with ARCO Motorsport marked another step forward, with a ninth-place overall finish in Superstock 600, including a best result of sixth. In 2025, he had a strong showing, finishing in Jerez with a double podium. This season, he moves into the 2026 FIM Sportbike World Championship with AG Motorsport Italia.

We sat down with Taiyo before the season started to tell his story and his expectations for the season ahead.

What was your first memory of motorsport, and what got you into it?

“First memory I’d say was getting my first-ever dirt bike. That’s probably my first real memory of starting motorsport. It would’ve been 2013. Christmas. Santa brought me a bike. We were away camping for Christmas as a family, and when we got home, Dad told me to go to the garage. There was something covered in white sheets. I pulled it off, and it was this little Peewee 50. From there, that was it. From the word go.

Dad got me out in the backyard, and he couldn’t get me off it. He literally had to drag me off the bike. I just loved it straight away. That’s probably the first memory where it really clicked.”

You started in off-roading?

“Yeah. It’s pretty common with most Australian riders. We start with flat track or motocross first, mainly because we don’t have the facilities here as they do in Europe for road racing. So, I started in flat track, and originally it was just a hobby. I didn’t really take racing seriously at all. I’d race maybe once or twice every few months, if I was lucky.

I was quite good, I guess. Some people saw something in me. But even then, after maybe five or six years, I was really on and off bikes. Not properly committed. Eventually, we gave road racing a go. Even then, the first few years were still on-and-off. We didn’t think of it as a career choice or anything like that. I loved racing, and I knew it was my passion, but we didn’t think beyond that until maybe 2021, when I started in ASBK.

Obviously, 2021 was affected by COVID. Then, in 2022, I did the Australian Supersport 300 Championship and R3 Cup. That was my first proper full year racing road bikes. I finished on the podium a lot and ended up third overall against guys with much more experience than me. That sparked something.

People started saying, “Why don’t you go to Japan?” So, we went to Japan and did a year over there. It was almost my second year properly racing, and already I was overseas, straight into the deep end. We did well, and my parents saw how much effort I was putting in. They decided it was time to take the leap to Europe.

Arco MotoR University took a chance on me. In hindsight, that was probably a big risk for them. Some random kid with two years of road racing experience thrown straight into the Spanish Championship, which isn’t exactly low-level. We did two years there. In 2025, we were fighting for the championship. Now this year it’s the world stage. Four or five years of taking it seriously, and suddenly I’m here. It’s pretty surreal.”

I can’t imagine the transition – from Australia to Japan and then Europe. How much of that was a shock to the system?

“Not only the racing, but moving away from my family was huge. The level in Europe is high, but it’s also the way of riding. The bikes are different. The tracks are different. Everything’s different. That was hard to wrap my head around in the beginning.

Japan wasn’t as scary because I speak Japanese. I’m half Japanese, so it was manageable. I also had people helping me out there. I got a job. I always joke about it, but I was working full-time as a car detailer and part-time as a motorcycle racer. Six days a week, 8:30 till 5:30. Then training and racing on top of that.

The jump to Spain was massive. By then, I understood that every year could be my last. We honestly can’t afford to keep doing this long term. My family sacrificed everything. When I went to Europe, it felt like a make-or-break moment. Even though my career should only have been starting, I didn’t have the luxury of “I’ll get it right next year.” I had to make a name for myself, or I was done.

At the end of my second year, when the championship started slipping away, I was on my computer looking at university courses. I was serious about it. That mentality is different. If I don’t do it this year, I’m finished because we can’t afford another one.

A lot of riders have more resources financially. This sport is 80% finances. Whoever can pay often gets the seat. For me, it’s my mum, dad, and little brother sacrificing everything. So, I’m racing for them as much as I’m racing for myself. That hunger is different. There’s no “it’s alright, I’ll try next race.” It has to be now.”

How would you describe your racing style?

“I’d like to say I’m smooth and clean, but if you ask other people, they might disagree. I’m probably aggressive. Hotheaded, I’d say. I don’t like being pushed around. On track, especially. If you’re willing to give me an elbow, I’ll give it back twice as hard.

I’ve been told I brake really hard. I’m strong on the brakes. From flat track, I’m comfortable with the bike sliding completely sideways. I’m happy with that feeling.

If I had to combine two riders, maybe Toprak [Razgatlıoğlu] on the brakes and Casey Stoner on the gas. Big names, I know. But ultimately, I want people to say, “I ride like Taiyo Aksu.” That’s the goal.”

Is there anyone you really look up to?

“Of course. Toprak’s braking is something no one had seen before. Mentally, riders like Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi – especially in 2015, when Rossi was copping so much flak from the Spanish fans and still kept coming back fighting. Mental strength in this sport is everything. You can be as fast as anyone, but without the mentality, you won’t win.”

Do you rewatch your races?

“All the time. Ask my team. The whole drive home, I’m watching race footage and analysing everything. Not just what I did, but what everyone else did. Where they’re strong, where they’re weak, where I’m lacking. Even how they look before the race. It’s all mental.

If you go through my phone, it’s just videos of me racing. You’d think I’m a narcissist. But it’s about finding that edge.”

What’s your favourite motorsport memory so far?

“My proudest result was my first race win in 2025 after a rough run of issues. But my best memory isn’t necessarily my best result.

Morgan Park, 2022. My first win in Supersport 300. It was just Dad and me running the bike out of a trailer. No big team. So many late nights preparing. When I won, I hit the kill switch during celebrations and rolled into the gravel trap. It was funny. Then I came back in and saw Dad crying for the first time. That’s something I’ll never forget.

Actually, Queensland Raceway that same season. It was the 2nd round of the 2022 season, and we were fighting the case. 10 minutes before our race, I’m still in the meeting trying to get my penalty revoked. They called 10 minutes before the race. I then figure it’s not even worth it. I ran back to the pits, got changed, got on the bike, and started from the back of the grid. In six laps, I was with the front group, fighting for the win, and finished third. My mum was there too. There’s a photo of me hugging Dad, and Dad’s eyes are watering; I’m in tears. That’s probably my favourite memory.”

What’s your favourite track?

“To race – Suzuka. So much history. Going through the Esses for the first time was surreal. I remember thinking, ‘I’m riding Suzuka. This is insane.’

To ride for fun? Mir Circuit in Spain. Tiny little car track. Probably a 50‑second lap. Completely random, but it’s so fun. I love it.”

You’re stepping into Sportbike this year. What tracks are you looking forward to?

“Most in the Czech Republic. I’ve never been there. Portimão too. The roller coaster section looks unreal. I might try a little bunny hop in the first session.”

What are you like away from the track?

“During the season, it’s just training. Multiple sessions a day. I can’t work in Spain because of visa restrictions. In the off‑season, I work at a motorcycle accessory store near home or help my dad in his business. Holidays aren’t really a thing for me.

If I get free time, I love the beach. Hanging with my friends. I live on the Gold Coast – best beaches in the world, in my opinion. Fishing. PlayStation. Racing games, obviously. MotoGP, Supercross. Waiting for a proper new Superbike game.”

What’s your team dynamic like?

“It’s mostly just me. My parents can’t travel much. Flights and accommodation are expensive, and someone has to work to pay for this. So, I make sure I build strong relationships with my team. In Spain, with Arco MotoR University, they became my family. I’ve built a routine around being alone, and honestly, I like it.”

How are you preparing for this season?

“Training as much as I can – running, swimming, gym work, working with my coach, Mario. Mentally preparing, too. I believe I deserve to be at this level. That belief is important.”

Anyone you’re excited to race against?

“There are experienced riders and champions – Jeffrey Buis, Beñat Fernández, Alessandro Di Persio, riders from BSB and IDM. It’ll be interesting to see who adapts quickest to the new Sportbike category. I’m going in with an open mind. We’ll find out at the first test in Portimão. I’m excited.”

What are your goals for this season?

“I’m going there to win. There’s no point in going racing just to score points. I want to win the championship. I want to be the first-ever Sportbike World Champion. I also want to bring a championship home – either Australian or Japanese. Both countries deserve to have a champion in this class.”

Quick-Fire Questions

Would you rather win from pole or win from the back of the grid?

“Back of the grid.”

Would you rather have a time penalty or a grid penalty?

“Grid penalty.”

Would you rather stay in a hotel or a motorhome near the track?

“Motorhome near the track.”

What’s your current hype song?

“I know exactly what my hype song is. ‘Molly’ by Central Cee. It’s a good song. Recently, I’ve also been listening to some tracks my mate Mason sent me. I don’t know if he’ll listen to this or read it or whatever, but he’s a DJ, and he sent me some samples. I’ve been listening to them while I’m running and stuff. He knows what he’s doing, so that’s probably what I’ll be listening to on the grid next year.”

What’s more stressful: five minutes before qualifying or five minutes before the race?

“Five minutes before the race.”

Would you rather have more corner speed or more top speed?

“Realistically, corner speed. But top speed is what wins you races, so I’ll say top speed.”

Do you prefer dry or wet races?

“Wet races are more interesting.”

Do you have a pre-race ritual? If so, what is it?

“Yeah, I have a pre-race ritual. It’s a bit… gory. Usually about half an hour to 45 minutes before the race, I’ll take a shot of really, really strong coffee. It’s not to keep me awake, it’s more to kind of flush myself out because coffee helps my digestion get going. So I drink a coffee and start warming up. While I’m warming up, it starts to go through my body. Then, literally as I finish my warm-up, I run to the bathroom, use the bathroom, run back, get changed about five minutes before the session, enter the box, put on my helmet, say a little prayer, and go.”

Who’s your biggest sports idol?

“David Goggins.”

What’s your favourite cheat meal?

“My mum’s cheesecake that she makes. I love cheesecake.”

What’s your favourite track in Australia?

“Morgan Park Raceway.”

What’s your favourite track overall?

“Jerez.”

What’s the track you feel strongest at?

“Jerez.”

Australian Superbike Championship or Spanish Superbike Championship?

“Spanish.”