Once again Kaito Toba battled for victory....

2016-05-08 08:49
After a solid Qualifying session where all the Asia Talent Team riders were inside the top 20, there were big expectations for the riders. Kaito Toba made a great start from second on the grid and was immediately locked in a battle for victory with pole man Lorenzo Dalla Porta. As he did in Valencia, Toba tucked in behind the Italian and quickly opened up a significant lead over the chasing group.

The pair were split by under half a second for most of the race, Toba finally attacking the Italian into the second last corner. But unfortunately Dalla Porta was later on the brakes and Toba was forced to settle for second. It was still a great result as Toba proved yet again that he can battle with the best.

Perhaps even more incredible than Toba’s ride was Nakarin Atiratphuvapat’s charge from 13th. In just his second Junior World Championship race the Thai rider managed a respectable seventh place. He was quickly with the group battle for fifth and left his attacks till the last lap, slicing through those ahead. Not only was this his first top ten, but also his first points.

Just behind Atiratphuvapat was Kazuki Masaki who entered the race confident after leading Warm Up. From 16th on the grid he charged ahead to eighth, again finishing in the top ten.

Ayumu Sasaki had a difficult race, from seventh on the grid as he dropped down to tenth at the end of the race. The Japanese rider had trouble setting up his bike, spending the Qualifying sessions working to understand the track. This made it four Asia Talent Team riders inside the top ten, continuing their run of brilliant results.

In 17th and on the cusp of points, Andi Farid continued to learn the ropes and avoided misfortune as in Valencia. Each week all five riders grow and it won’t be long before they’re all consistently in the points.

With his second place, Toba sits third in the overall standings with 51 point, a single point behind Dalla Porta and just 7 behind Marcos Ramirez who leads the championship. Masaki is eighth with 21 points, two ahead of teammate Sasaki who slid down to 10th. Atiratphuvapat’s first points promote him to 14th overall.

Round 3 of the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship will take place in Motorland on the 29th May.


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