Ogura takes first win for the Asia Talent Team

2017-09-17 12:02
Ai Ogura took his first win in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez, doing the honours for the Asia Talent Team’s first victory of the year in a dramatic Race 2. With three of the lead group going down in the famous final corner, Ogura stayed out of trouble to head over the line clear at the front in style. It made up for some disappointment for the Japanese rider in Race 1, after a problem on the grid saw him forced off the front row and instead fighting through the pack – nevertheless scoring points in the first outing of the day, too.

Kazuki Masaki was another solid performer once again to back up some fantastic form for both riders at Estoril, and moved up from P13 on the grid to take third and complete the podium in the first race of the day. The Japanese rider also showed great pace in Race 2, before suffering a DNF and some disappointment late on.

Somkiat Chantra had a great return to the fold as he came back from injury, moving up from a tough qualifying outside the top twenty to take points in both races – P13 in Race 1 and then a stunning seventh in Race 2. Andi Farid also scored in Jerez, with P15 in Race 2 and some big progress from the first race of the day, when he was 21st.

Alberto Puig, Talent Promotion Director: “This weekend wasn’t so bad, we had Masaki on the podium in the first race but Ogura had a problem with the engine so couldn’t start from the front row but then in the second race he had a good race together with Masaki and they were both in the front group. Then there was an incident with Masaki and he crashed but someone hit him and those things you can’t avoid. But Ogura was strong through the last and last corner, and he managed to win the race – which is very good for us.”

As always all of the action can be followed on FIM CEV Repsol YouTube channel.

Dorna Sports, who already runs the successful Asia Talent Cup to support young talented riders, has taken its commitment to the next level by creating the Asia Talent Team in order to ensure the career progression of the most talented riders participating in the Asian competition during the 2015 season. The Asia Talent Team is run by Dorna as a part of its Talent Promotion Department activities.

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