For the fourth time in five races Zen Mitani charged to victory in 2024 as we witnessed a phenomenal Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup race play out at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. The title chase leader beat compatriot and rookie Seiryu Ikegami by 0.4s, as Farish Hafiy completed the podium following an incident involving Kiandra Ramadhipa and Ryota Ogiwara coming out of the final corner, which saw the former handed a six-second penalty for irresponsible riding.

Ogiwara got the perfect launch from pole position as Mitani was shuffled back to P4 in the opening couple of corners after a slightly sluggish getaway from the middle of the front row. Quickly, a lead group of five formed at the front, including Ogiwara, Mitani, Hafiy, Ikegami and Ramadhipa, as the lead changed corner by corner in a fascinating fight between the quintet.

In the second half of the race, Kiattisak Singhapong began to reel in the leaders at a rapid rate of knots. From three seconds down, the Thai rider made it a six-rider scrap for the win in the closing stages – and it all came down to the final couple of corners.

Mitani placed himself perfectly on the final lap to hold the lead into Turn 16, with Ikegami not quite close enough to make a lunge on the #2. The Japanese riders took P1 and P2, as drama unfolded in the fight for P3. A messy Turn 17 played out as four riders attempted to gain advantage and the best piece of asphalt on the run to the line. Having taken the inside line, Ramadhipa’s exit was compromised. Ogiwara’s wide, sweeping line enabled the the Japanese rider to get a great run out of the final corner, before Ramadhipa cut across the #16’s path, leading to Ogiwara crashing at the chequered flag. Thankfully the latter was up on his feet immediately, with the move seeing Ramadhipa receive a six-second penalty for irresponsible riding, which saw Hafiy promoted to third.

Fourth went the way of Ogiwara who picks up 13 points despite the late crash, as Singhapong rounded out the top five. Ramadhipa’s penalty saw the Indonesian drop from P3 to P6, one place ahead of the recovering Riichi Takahira after the Japanese rider produced a great ride to come from P18 on the grid – following a penalty – to P7. Rintaro Takemoto, Alfonsi Daquigan and Levi Russo were the final three riders to pick up a top 10 finish in Race 1.

Race 2 gets underway at 09:45 local time (UTC +8) on Sunday in Indonesia, and you can watch how that unfolds on YouTube.