Buasri finishes sixth in Portimao
Autódromo Internacional AlgarveArbi Aditama earns points for the second time this season, placing 13th.
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve hosted the fifth round of the FIM JuniorGP season this weekend, in which Asia Talent Team riders Tatchakorn Buasri and Arbi Aditama finished 6th and 13th, respectively.
Buasri, who started from 8th position, got off the line well, but a battle with other riders took him away from the front group. After making a mistake and dropping to 14th in the middle of the race, the Thai rider improved on the final laps, finally recovering to finish in seventh, that finally was given sixth due to another rider’s penalty. He earned points that keep him in the fight for the Top 5 of the overall standings
Teammate Arbi Aditama made a perfect start from 23rd place, which brought him closer to the Top 10 on the first lap. However, he was unable to keep up with the pace of those at the front. The Indonesian rider would remain consistent, climb nine places and cross the finish line 14th, but was finally 13th after the race review.
Buasri remains seventh in the overall standings, with 65 points. Arbi Aditama is 25th with 4 points.
The next FIM JuniorGP event will be held at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, coinciding with the MotoGP World Championship, on September 3rd.
The weekend has been positive. I started very well on Thursday and Friday, adjusting the bike very well to Portimao. In qualifying on Saturday I could have done a bit better, but the third row of the grid is not bad at all if you make a good start. In the race I was unable to catch up with the front group on the first few laps, and from then on I started to fight with other riders, finally finishing seventh. Although the result could have been better, this position keeps me in the fight for the Top 5 in the championship. Now it's time to rest up and come back stronger.
The weekend has improved as it went on. It's a difficult circuit, and on Saturday, despite having a good race pace, I didn't set a good lap. Today I made a perfect start, moving up many positions. On the first few laps I was close to the group, and feeling very confident with my pace. Then I was overtaken and I made a mistake, but I'm happy with the positions I've made back up, and that we scored points again this season. Now I will have a break in Indonesia to be with my family and come back stronger.
