Qualifying
Moto2 2024
Round 2

Good feeling ahead of tomorrow's race in Portimao

pt Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Good feeling ahead of tomorrow's race in Portimao

The IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders demonstrated their skill during qualifying at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Chantra showcased impressive speed, securing the fastest time in Q1 and earning a starting position of 9th on the grid for tomorrow's race. Additionally, rookie Aji showed progress in both style and pace on the bike, securing a starting position of 27th for tomorrow's race. Overall, it was a solid qualifying day for the team, and they're well-positioned to perform strongly in the second GP of the season in Portugal.


Hiroshi Aoyama
Hiroshi Aoyama
Following the Moto2 qualifying session, we witnessed notable improvements from Chantra. His outstanding performance in Q1 earned him a well-deserved spot in Q2, showcasing his strength on the track. Unfortunately, he did a mistake in sector 2 during attack lap of Q2 and couldn’t achieve his expectations, but we’re sure that he has the path to be at least into the top 5. He already made some changes that show some improvement, so we expect that these good feelings transform into results and tomorrow he can take some important points here in Portugal.

Mario demonstrated significant progress during the morning session, showing improvement in both riding style and pace. However, during qualifying, he faced challenges as his performance didn't quite match the morning's session when riding alone, resulting in a loss of lap time. Nonetheless, this experience is an integral part of the learning process, especially in adapting to the Moto2 category. Overall, both riders had a commendable qualifying day, and we look forward to seeing them further elevate their performance during tomorrow's race. 

Somkiat Chantra
Somkiat Chantra 35
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia
Hello everyone! Today was a packed day with Practice 2 and two qualifying sessions. However, I must admit that this week has been quite challenging for me. Before arriving in Portugal, I was feeling a bit weird with my stomach, and it has been a struggle to regain my strength. My body has felt weak, and I haven't been able to perform at my optimal level. 

Despite not feeling at my peak physically, I've been putting in maximum effort throughout the day. I still sense that I'm not performing at 100% of my physical potential. However, despite this setback, I'm pleased to report that we had a productive day overall. Looking ahead, my focus is on having a strong race tomorrow and securing some valuable points for both myself and the team. 

Mario Aji
Mario Aji 34
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia
Overall, today was another satisfactory day for us. While we didn't achieve the ideal qualifying lap time we aimed for, we managed to make significant improvements during the last practice session, which is a positive sign. Our focus isn't on securing the best grid position at the moment; rather, it's on continuing the learning process. As a rookie, adaptation to the category is key, and we acknowledge that there's still work to be done in that regard.

I'm pleased to note that with each time I get on the bike, my confidence grows steadily, which is a significant development. This increasing confidence is something I find particularly encouraging, and it motivates me to strive for a consistent and productive race tomorrow. While the outcome remains to be seen, I'm approaching tomorrow's race with optimism. Overall, it's been a positive day for me, and I'm grateful for the support. Let's keep up the momentum and see what we can achieve. Thank you all for your encouragement and backing. 


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