Up-and-coming Japanese star Haruki Noguchi has died at the age of 22 after being involved in an accident during the Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia, just a week after standing on the podium at the Suzuka 8 Hours

The youngster was competing in the second ASB1000 race of the weekend at the Indonesian circuit when he was involved in a serious accident.

Though treated at the Circuit Medical Centre before being transferred to the local West Nusa Tenggara General Hospital, doctors were unable to save his life and he died from his injuries three days later.

"The 17th of August 2023, out of respect for Haruki Noguchi's family and team who have asked for some private time to mourn their loss," read a statement from FIM Asia Road Racing.

"It is with great sadness that we report the death of Haruki Noguchi after three days of intensive care at the West Nusa Tenggara General Hospital.

"In Round 4 of the 2023 FIM Asia Road Championship which was held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, Haruki suffered a critical injury following an incident at Turn 10, Lap 4 of the 1000cc Asia Superbike racing category.

"The 22-year-old racer immediately received medical attention at the circuit's Medical Center before being transferred to a local hospital. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Haruki sadly died of his injuries on August 16, 2023 at 17:40."

A tragedy for the Japanese motorsport community, Noguchi was considered an up-and-coming star with a bright future. A title-winner in the Japan Road Racing ST600 Championship in 2021, Noguchi went on to finish runner-up in the 2022 Asia Road Racing Championship Superbike 1000 class.

However, the crowning moment of his tragically short career would occur little more than a week before his untimely death when he joined team-mate Naomichi Uramoto and Teppei Nagoe in clinching a superb second place finish in the 2023 Suzuka 8 Hours as part of the SDG Racing Honda team.

A statement from his parents added: “Haruki started riding a motorcycle at the age of five and has given us a lot of excitement and joy. We would like to express our gratitude to many friends, teams and everyone who supported Haruki.”