250 Career
Riding a Yamaha TZ250, he won four races including his home race and won the 1993 250cc World Championship in his first attempt defeating Honda's Loris Capirossi. A wrist injury affected his performance in the 1994 season, finishing 7th overall with only a single podium finish. In 1995 Harada was Max Biaggi's main competitor for the 250 title. He won one race and finished 2nd eight times. In 1996 his bike was underpowered and he only reached the podium four times. He was on the verge of retiring when Aprilia offered him a bike for the 1997 season. Although his 235 points were the most he scored in a season, he finished the season in third place behind Biaggi and Ralf Waldmann.
1998 was a pivotal year for Harada. He battled his Aprilia team-mate, Capirossi for the championship with Harada leading for most of the season when the two riders were involved in a controversial incident at the final race of the year in Argentina. Harada had the world championship within sight, leading the race into the final corner of the final lap when Harada's bike was rammed from behind by Capirossi's machine, sending the Japanese rider off the track. Valentino Rossi passed both riders for the victory while Capirossi claimed second place and the world championship. Harada would finish the season in third place behind Capirossi and Rossi. It was small consolation for Harada when Aprilia showed its displeasure with Capirossi's conduct by releasing him after the season.
Read more about this topic: Tetsuya Harada
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