Race
Moto2 2025
Round 8
Effort Without Reward for Kunii and Atiratphuvapat at MotorLand Aragón
MotorLand AragónIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders Yuki Kunii and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat have completed Round 8 of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship at MotorLand Aragón, Spain. On a extremel hot and sunny Sunday, both riders gave their all in a race that marked an important milestone—Nakarin’s debut in the Moto2 category.
For Yuki Kunii, it was a day of perseverance and steady progress. After starting from the 26th position, he worked hard throughout the race, trying to keep the pace and showing improved consistency. He crossed the finish line in 22nd place, a performance that underlines the steps forward he has made in terms of pace and race management, but still far away of the team target.
Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, meanwhile, faced the difficult task of adapting to the Moto2 bike and race conditions in his very first race in the class. While he struggled to stay with the group ahead, he was able to complete the race—a crucial achievement at this early stage. Every lap offered valuable experience and data, and completing the full race distance was an important step in his development.
Now, both riders turn their attention to the legendary Mugello circuit for Round 9. With more time on the bike and a clearer understanding of where to improve, the team hopes to take another step forward and achieve better results on Italian soil.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It was a tough weekend for us. Yuki Kunii had a decent feeling with the bike and tried to maintain his rhythm throughout the race, but unfortunately, his pace wasn’t quite enough. He lacked just a few tenths per lap to stay with the group, and ultimately, he finished in P22—a result that is clearly below our expectations. We need to improve those small margins if we want to consistently fight for points.
For Nakarin, this was his first-ever Moto2 race. It’s not easy to transition from other categories to Moto2, especially on a bike and at a circuit that are both new to him. He finished P24, but more importantly, he gained valuable experience. It’s clear that he needs more mileage and time to adapt, and we’re confident he’ll continue progressing.
Looking ahead, we hope to see Yuki make a step forward and be in the fight for points. Thank you to all of our team, our sponsors, and our supporters. We will keep pushing and working hard for the next race.
It was a tough weekend for us. Yuki Kunii had a decent feeling with the bike and tried to maintain his rhythm throughout the race, but unfortunately, his pace wasn’t quite enough. He lacked just a few tenths per lap to stay with the group, and ultimately, he finished in P22—a result that is clearly below our expectations. We need to improve those small margins if we want to consistently fight for points.
For Nakarin, this was his first-ever Moto2 race. It’s not easy to transition from other categories to Moto2, especially on a bike and at a circuit that are both new to him. He finished P24, but more importantly, he gained valuable experience. It’s clear that he needs more mileage and time to adapt, and we’re confident he’ll continue progressing.
Looking ahead, we hope to see Yuki make a step forward and be in the fight for points. Thank you to all of our team, our sponsors, and our supporters. We will keep pushing and working hard for the next race.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today we finished the race, and overall, it was a difficult weekend for me. At the start of the race, I struggled a lot with my pace and immediately began losing positions in the group. That made the beginning quite tough.
However, from the middle of the race to the end, the feeling on the bike started to improve, and I was able to keep a consistent rhythm. My lap times were more or less the same from start to finish, and that’s something positive I can take from today.
I also tried several things with my riding during the race, and in that sense, I’m happy because I learned more about how to handle the bike. But of course, the final result was not what I wanted, and I’m disappointed with that. I’ve been struggling all weekend to make a fast lap time, and I was about half a second off the pace compared to the top riders.
Still, I’ve learned a lot this weekend—about myself, my riding style, and how to adapt better to the bike. Now we have a short break before the next race, and I’ll use this time to reflect and prepare. I’ll keep working hard and aim to come back stronger in Mugello. Thank you to my team and everyone supporting me.
Today we finished the race, and overall, it was a difficult weekend for me. At the start of the race, I struggled a lot with my pace and immediately began losing positions in the group. That made the beginning quite tough.
However, from the middle of the race to the end, the feeling on the bike started to improve, and I was able to keep a consistent rhythm. My lap times were more or less the same from start to finish, and that’s something positive I can take from today.
I also tried several things with my riding during the race, and in that sense, I’m happy because I learned more about how to handle the bike. But of course, the final result was not what I wanted, and I’m disappointed with that. I’ve been struggling all weekend to make a fast lap time, and I was about half a second off the pace compared to the top riders.
Still, I’ve learned a lot this weekend—about myself, my riding style, and how to adapt better to the bike. Now we have a short break before the next race, and I’ll use this time to reflect and prepare. I’ll keep working hard and aim to come back stronger in Mugello. Thank you to my team and everyone supporting me.
Nakarin ATIRATPHUVAPAT
41
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia This first Moto2 race was a very big challenge for me. The experience was quite tough, especially at the beginning. Everything was new — the bike, the category, the race pace — so I had to spend a lot of time adapting and learning how to manage each aspect.
The Moto2 bike is very different from what I’m used to, so I need to improve my understanding of how to ride it effectively. I still need to learn more about managing the tyres, understanding the electronics, and how to keep a consistent pace over race distance. But overall, I’m happy that I could finish the race and complete the full distance without any big mistakes. That was important for me and the team.
The race felt long, but I was able to stay focused and gain valuable experience every lap. Step by step, I feel I'm improving, and now I know which areas I need to work on the most.
Thank you to the team for trusting me and giving me this opportunity. I will continue to learn, work hard, and be better prepared for the next chance.
This first Moto2 race was a very big challenge for me. The experience was quite tough, especially at the beginning. Everything was new — the bike, the category, the race pace — so I had to spend a lot of time adapting and learning how to manage each aspect.
The Moto2 bike is very different from what I’m used to, so I need to improve my understanding of how to ride it effectively. I still need to learn more about managing the tyres, understanding the electronics, and how to keep a consistent pace over race distance. But overall, I’m happy that I could finish the race and complete the full distance without any big mistakes. That was important for me and the team.
The race felt long, but I was able to stay focused and gain valuable experience every lap. Step by step, I feel I'm improving, and now I know which areas I need to work on the most.
Thank you to the team for trusting me and giving me this opportunity. I will continue to learn, work hard, and be better prepared for the next chance.
