Having been close on numerous occasions already in 2024, rookie sensation Seiryu Ikegami is now an IDEMITSU Asia Talent Cup winner! The #14 stole victory from Zen Mitani on the run to the line to win by an incredible 0.026s as Ryota Ogiwara finished a very close third in another fantastic victory battle in Japan.

Mitani grabbed the holeshot again but once more, Ogiwara and Ikegami made good starts to make sure the #2 didn’t break clear in the opening couple of laps. Ikegami earned second place from P7 and dragged Ogiwara and himself to Mitani, as the leading trio enjoyed an early four second lead.

Just like Race 1, the lead between the Japanese trio was changing hands on every lap. There was nothing to split Mitani, Ikegami and Ogiwara until with three laps to go, Ikegami made a mistake into Turn 11. It cost the rookie a second, but within a lap, that gap was bridged and heading onto the last lap, it was a three-rider scrap for the win.

Mitani held the advantage on the last lap all the way until Turn 11 when Ikegami tried to pounce. Mitani defended hard and despite Ikegami briefly leading, Mitani led out of Turn 11. Was that job done? Turns 12 and 13 don’t provide realistic opportunities to pass, so now it was all about the drag race to the flag. Mitani led from Ikegami and Ogiwara, but with the help of a great run out of Victory Corner – and a dose of slipstream – Ikegami picked Mitani’s pocket to win for the first time in the ATC.

Eight seconds behind Motegi’s titanic trio was Riichi Takahira who, after starting both races from P16, salvaged a double top five on home turf. It’s not what Takahira would have liked, but a solid effort nonetheless. Right behind the P4 finisher was the magnificent wildcard, Shingo Iidaka. A front row and a P5 on Sunday morning signalled a brilliant weekend for the debutant, who finished just eight seconds away from the podium in Japan.

Farish Hafiy claimed P6 after crashing out of Race 1, as the Malaysian and seventh place Kiattisak Singhapong crossed the line together. Rintaro Takemoto, Levi Russo and Archie Schmidt completed the top 10 in Race 2.

So that’s it from Japan. Mitani leaves home soil with a commanding 71-point lead over Takahira, as we eagerly await a return to action in Thailand where we could see the 2024 Cup winner crowned.