Japan's only TT winner Mitsuo Ito passes away

Japan’s first and only winner of the Isle of Man TT races, Mitsuo Ito, has passed away aged 82.

Confirmed through the Ecstar Suzuki MotoGP social media pages, Ito spent the entirety of his racing career with Suzuki and took victory in the 1963 50cc TT as one of two wins in the world championship class, alongside two seconds and six third places.

Alongside 50cc machines, the Japanese rider also enjoyed success in the 125 class, taking three podiums across his career.

We’re sad to learn that Mitsuo Ito has passed away. Ito-san was the first and only Japanese rider to win an Isle of Man TT race, and he spent the entirety of his 2-wheel career with us at Suzuki. In 2018 he was inducted into the MFJ Hall of Fame. Our thoughts with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Aoqe9CSeXM

— Team SUZUKI ECSTAR (@suzukimotogp) July 3, 2019

In recognition of his achievements, Ito was inducted into the Motorcycle Federation of Japan’s first-ever Motorcycle Sport Hall of Fame, in a ceremony that took place on December 15, 2018.

Starting in 1959, after a career spanning a decade, Itoh retired from competitive racing to focus on development work, as well as training new riders, including Kevin Schwantz, who later became 1993 500cc world champion.

MCN joins the wider motorcycling community in offering our deepest sympathies to Ito’s friends and family at this time.

More from MCN

• 70 years of MotoGP history 
• 2019 Isle of Man TT race reports
• Agostini set for Classic TT parade lap