Tatchakorn Buasri gets fifth position in the JuniorGP of Valencia
Circuit Ricardo TormoThe Thai rider crashes out of the second race while fighting at the front. Fadillah Arbi Aditama earns his first point of the season.
The Asia Talent Team riders took part in two races at the second round of the JuniorGP season, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. Tatchakorn Buasri had a fifth and a DNF after starting eighth, while teammate Fadillah Arbi Aditama, who started 18th and 20th, finished sixteenth and fifteenth.
In the first race, Buasri was part of a packed front group. The Thai rider moved up to second with two laps remaining, but went wide after an overtaking attempt, finally placing a satisfying fifth. Arbi, who started 18th on the grid after two penalties for other riders, managed to climb two positions, and was less than 1 tenth off fifteenth place.
In the afternoon, with much hotter conditions, lap times were slower. Buasri, fighting at the front, suffered a crash with two laps to go, causing him to retire due to a heavy knock to his left hand. Arbi managed to move up five positions in the race, finishing fifteenth and obtaining his first point of this season.
Buasri is fourth in the overall standings, with 36 points, while Arbi Aditama is twenty-second.
The JuniorGP will hold the third round of the season in three weeks' time, on June 12th, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with a further two races.
In the first race I made a very good start, but at Turn 2 I was pushed off track by another rider. I tried to keep my pace and I was able to overtake some riders, finally finishing close to fifteenth. In Race 2, the start was not so bad. I tried to stay with the second group, but somebody hit me and made me go wide again. Finally, I fought back to fortunately get my first point this year. I am feeling more and more comfortable with the bike, so for the next race I hope to be able to take another step forward.
This weekend has been a little bit difficult for me. My qualifying was not the best, but in the first race I finished fifth, so I am happy with this result -taking into account that Valencia is not one my favourite tracks. In Race 2, I tried to keep my pace up despite the conditions. Unfortunately, with two laps remaining, I tried to push to get onto the podium, but on the last corner I had a highside. After visiting the medical centre, I only have a small fracture, so I will be ready for Barcelona, a track that I like, and will fight for the podium again
