Bad luck for Asia Talent Team riders in The Algarve
Autódromo Internacional AlgarveMario Suryo Aji, Takuma Matsuyama and Tatchakorn Buasri are unable to complete the fourth round of the season due to crashes.
The Algarve International Circuit hosted the fourth round of the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship, in which the Asia Talent Team riders left empty-handed after being involved in respective incidents. At the halfway point of the season, Mario Suryo Aji is eighth in the general classification, with Takuma Matsuyama in tenth position and Tatachakorn Buasri 25th.
After a difficult time in practice, Buasri started 15th on the grid, with Aji 18th and Matsuyama in 21st. Off the startline, Buasri recovered two positions, but on the fourth lap he was hit by a rival and crashed. Just a few seconds later, Aji’s fightback was halted after hitting a medical protection barrier in the middle of the track, brought out after a crash for another rider. At that point, with Matsuyama in 20th place, the red flag was brought out and the race restarted.
Aji, with a badly damaged bike, was unable to take the second start. Buasri, still hurting from his crash, made a mistake on the second lap and fell once again, remounting but eventually retiring from the race. Matsuyama's push for points came to an end when he was taken out by a fellow rider on the brakes.
The next action for the Asia Talent Team riders will be on July 25th at the MotorLand Aragón circuit in Spain.
Today I was very confident and motivated to have a good race. In three laps I moved up a lot of places and reached the front group, together with the championship leader. I felt very strong, but I was unlucky again when I encountered the medical protection at a blind spot on the track. I can consider myself lucky that I didn't suffer any injuries. It is a complicated situation, because, once again, my retirement was not due to any mistake of my own. I'm sure I could have fought for a spot on the podium, so now I will have to be stronger at the next race, apply what I have learned here and continue with the good feeling that I have on the bike.
It has been a difficult weekend, because I had a big crash on the first day and it was difficult for me to push to the fullest and set good times. My body hurt a bit and I couldn't qualify well yesterday. I started from 21st and was fighting with other riders, feeling very good on the bike. But then another rider hit me and I fell. I'm sure we will do better at the next race.
On the first start I was able to stick with the front group and, when I was riding in thirteenth, a rider hit me when he was trying to overtake me at Turn 3. I was able to get back to the box, fix the bike and take the second start. However, I crashed on the second lap; I braked too hard at Turn 5, the bike lifted up and I couldn't control the rear wheel. I tried to continue, but the bike was too damaged and I had to retire.
