Qualifying
Moto2 2023
Round 16
Unawarded effort for Somkiat and Ai
Phillip Island
The windy conditions at Phillip Island today have complicated the bike's set-up, and despite giving their best, both Chantra and Ogura will start from delayed positions tomorrow as they wait to find out what the weather will be like. The forecast of rain and strong wind could jeopardise the race.
Hiroshi Aoyama
Today, the wind was stronger, affecting our riders a lot. They struggled to improve their lap time. They improved, but it wasn't enough compared to their rivals. So, their grid position for tomorrow's race isn't what we expected. The main problem is that the pace wasn't so good. All these parameters suggest that tomorrow's race will be a difficult one. We should try to improve and gain as many positions as possible in the race.
Today, the wind was stronger, affecting our riders a lot. They struggled to improve their lap time. They improved, but it wasn't enough compared to their rivals. So, their grid position for tomorrow's race isn't what we expected. The main problem is that the pace wasn't so good. All these parameters suggest that tomorrow's race will be a difficult one. We should try to improve and gain as many positions as possible in the race.
Somkiat Chantra
35
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia In P3, I crashed just at the beginning because of the wind. My mechanics repaired the bike, trying to fix it for the qualifying session. There, the first laps were good, but I made a mistake in turn 10, and after that, the rear tire started to slide a lot. We will see what we can do tomorrow.
In P3, I crashed just at the beginning because of the wind. My mechanics repaired the bike, trying to fix it for the qualifying session. There, the first laps were good, but I made a mistake in turn 10, and after that, the rear tire started to slide a lot. We will see what we can do tomorrow.
Ai Ogura
79
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia I was in a good position during the first laps of the Q1, but I made a mistake, losing this chance to make a good lap and finishing 6th out of the Q2. In some parts of the circuit, I slowly improved, but not that much to fight with the top riders now. Tomorrow we must see the conditions, it seems it will be wet. I want to do my best. If it's dry, we will work the same way we're doing; if it is wet, everything will be new.
I was in a good position during the first laps of the Q1, but I made a mistake, losing this chance to make a good lap and finishing 6th out of the Q2. In some parts of the circuit, I slowly improved, but not that much to fight with the top riders now. Tomorrow we must see the conditions, it seems it will be wet. I want to do my best. If it's dry, we will work the same way we're doing; if it is wet, everything will be new.
