PortugueseGP Completed for the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

Autódromo Internacional do Algarve

The IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders finished the second race of the 2024 season at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

PortugueseGP Completed for the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

Somkiat Chantra achieved a 10th position in not a comfortable race for the Thai rider. He spent the whole race in an intermediate zone but never quite made it to the top. For his part, rookie Mario Aji, after a more than good start to the race, was fighting to get close to the top 20 and despite finishing in 23rd position, the feelings are good considering that he could not attend the preseason test and had less experience on this circuit than other riders.

Hiroshi Aoyama

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

Today it was a difficult day for the riders, but both Somkiat and Mario showed resilience and made progress during the race. Chantra's ability to recover from a difficult start and secure a top 10 finish demonstrates his skill and determination. However, it's noted that maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race will be a focus for improvement in future races.

Mario started from 27th and finished 23rd, he fought with Guevara and Sasaki and in this rookies battle he managed to be in front of them, this highlights his growing confidence and adaptability on the bike. This is a positive sign for his development as a rider.

I think both riders could do better, but I also recognize this week was not an easy GP in terms of climate conditions with the dust from day one on track, and this affects the ability of the riders to adapt to the track. Portugal is done, and now it’s time to start to think ahead of the AmericasGP. I would like to thank to sponsors, supporters and everybody that rooted for us. Also, our stuff did a really hard effort so I’m proud of the whole team attitude, see you in two weeks in America.

Somkiat Chantra ³⁵

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

Today we’re here in Portimão and we finished on P10. I think at the beginning it was quite difficult for me, I tried to stay in the front group, but I did some mistakes and that it makes me lose the gap with the riders ahead of me.

After lost some places I recomposed myself and I tried to keep my pace, then I was more consistent and I finished in 10th position, it’s not the best result, but I’m satisfied after how the things went today. My body is still not at 100% and I hope to be totally recovered for the next Grand Prix, I’m going to give my best to improve in America and offer to all of you a great race in Austin, thank you for your support.

Mario Aji ³⁴

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

Today was a positive day in Algarve, we were trying things that we never did it before in the past and some of them worked. We’re still trying some things to have the perfect setting of the bike, but for sure the feeling it’s way better than in Qatar. Also, the characteristics of this circuit, more stop and go, fast corners… It helped a lot to me to learn more about how to ride in this category, which is positive.

The team was happy that I made another step in my evolution. Bit by bit we’re understanding how to manage the bike and the tires properly. It’s been a tough week, but I will not stop to work hard to learn and grow in this category, so I’m looking forward to going to the next level in America. We made progression in every race, we’re on the good way, I would like to thank to the team for their hard work and to all the supporters and sponsors for always believe in me, see you in Austin.