Matsuyama places tenth in Aragon
MotorLand AragónThe Asia Talent Team rider finishes in the front group, from which Mario Suryo Aji crashed out on the final lap. Tatchakorn Buasri crashes on the opening lap.
The fifth round of the Asia Talent Team season took place this weekend in MotorLand Aragón, with Takuma Matsuyama placing inside the Top 10. Mario Suryo Aji had also been riding in those spots, but would crash on the final lap. Tatchakorn Buasri crashed out on the first lap.
The Asia Talent Team started from fifth (Matsuyama), eleventh (Aji) and twelfth (Buasri), respectively. Off the line, Matsuyama held his spot, whilst Aji overtook four other riders. Buasri would fall when accelerating too early exiting a corner, losing the rear of his bike.
On the third lap, Aji ran a long lap penalty that he had been sanctioned with during practice, dropping him down to eleventh. He made his way back to seventh place and led the second group, gradually gaining ground on the leaders. A 12-rider group was formed, including Matsuyama and Aji, until the latter lost front grip when entering Turn 1 of the last lap and crashed out. Matsuyama came in tenth.
Matsuyama is ninth in the overall standings, Aji eleventh, and Buasri twenty-fifth. The next round of the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship takes place on August 22nd at the Circuit of Jerez - Ángel Nieto.
Sadly, the race weekend was marred by a tragic accident involving Hugo Millán in the European Talent Cup race. The Asia Talent Team wish to convey our sincerest condolences to the rider's family, friends and team.
I made a good start, managing to maintain my position in the Top 5. On the first few laps the pace was very high and it was difficult for me to keep contact with the front group. I managed to hold on, although it was quite a difficult race, because I couldn't easily overtake other riders. Now we have to see how to solve the problems we had today, to go into the next race in Jerez with a positive mindset. I want to send my condolences to the family and friends of Hugo Millán at this difficult time.
I made my best start of the season, gaining several positions on the opening corners. I served the long lap penalty from practice and I lost contact with the front group. In just a few laps, I managed to catch up with the riders at the front again, but it wasn't easy, because I was coming from behind and I had very little grip by then after all the effort to fight my way back through. On the last lap, I made a mistake by braking too late and I lost front tyre grip, crashing out. However, I'm happy with the race and we will try to correct these errors at the next round. I am very sorry for the passing of Hugo Millan, and send my best wishes to his entire family and his team.
I'm not happy with today, because I made a mistake on the first lap. I had a good opportunity after having achieved a good position in qualifying, and I wanted to stay in the front group. But I forced things too much on the first corners, lost the grip of the rear tyre and was thrown off. In general, I can take away the positives of the weekend, which is that on Thursday we started well, on Friday we took a step forward, and on Saturday we also progressed, doing very well in qualifying. I am very sorry about the death of Hugo Millán and I send all my support and best wishes to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.
