Suzuki factory test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi raced his Wins GSX-R1000 to his first podium of the season at the third round of the All Japan Superbike series at Tsukuba. After smashing the lap record to record pole position, Akiyoshi and Yoshimura Suzuki's Atsushi Watanabe trailed Yamaha's Norick Abe into the opening corner before Akiyoshi took the lead before the end of the opening lap. The race was red flagged twice due to fallen riders in the track and on the final restart, Abe led again with the Suzuki men further back in the pack.