Qualifying
Moto2 2025
Round 10
Kunii to start 25th and Atiratphuvapat 28th in tomorrow’s race at Assen
TT Circuit AssenIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia has completed the qualifying day of Round 10 of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship at the historic TT Circuit Assen. The day began with mixed feelings. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat continued his upward trajectory, improving his lap time from yesterday’s last practice and reducing the gap with the riders ahead. Meanwhile, Yuki Kunii focused on riding as many laps as possible to gather data, but was unable to improve on his time from Friday afternoon.
Heading into Qualifying 1, both riders pushed hard to set their best possible lap times. In the end, both managed to improve, and although the final grid positions (P25 for Kunii and P28 for Atiratphuvapat) don’t reflect their efforts, the lap time gaps to the front are narrowing — a positive sign of growing confidence and momentum.
Now, all eyes are on tomorrow’s race. Both riders are motivated to get a strong start and battle their way into the group fighting for points. Assen is known for its unpredictability and close battles, and IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia is ready to make the most of every opportunity.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Qualifying day is done for today. Both sessions were dry, and our riders improved their lap times in the afternoon qualifying. Of course, other riders improved as well, but we were able to close the gap to them, which is a positive step.
The riders felt more comfortable on the bike and were able to push more, which is encouraging. That said, they still need to keep working to find ways to go faster. Nakarin gained valuable experience today by following other riders — he saw different lines and riding styles, which gave him important insight on how to be quicker at this track.
We’ll continue working to improve for tomorrow. The gaps between riders are very small, so we’ll do our best to close them even more and aim to fight further up the field in the race.
Qualifying day is done for today. Both sessions were dry, and our riders improved their lap times in the afternoon qualifying. Of course, other riders improved as well, but we were able to close the gap to them, which is a positive step.
The riders felt more comfortable on the bike and were able to push more, which is encouraging. That said, they still need to keep working to find ways to go faster. Nakarin gained valuable experience today by following other riders — he saw different lines and riding styles, which gave him important insight on how to be quicker at this track.
We’ll continue working to improve for tomorrow. The gaps between riders are very small, so we’ll do our best to close them even more and aim to fight further up the field in the race.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today we finished the qualifying day. The morning session didn’t go as expected — the feeling on the bike was quite different. We had made some changes to the setup, but it wasn’t working as we hoped. So before qualifying, we adjusted it again to better suit the track and improve the feedback.
In qualifying, I felt better, but I made a few mistakes — especially in the key areas where I needed to push. I couldn’t put together a clean lap, particularly in the final sector, so I’m a bit disappointed with the outcome.
Still, there’s clear progress compared to Friday, and I feel more confident with the pace. What’s important now is not repeating past mistakes — especially at the race start. I’ll focus on keeping good rhythm and staying with the group. Step by step, we’re improving. Tomorrow, I’ll give my best.
Today we finished the qualifying day. The morning session didn’t go as expected — the feeling on the bike was quite different. We had made some changes to the setup, but it wasn’t working as we hoped. So before qualifying, we adjusted it again to better suit the track and improve the feedback.
In qualifying, I felt better, but I made a few mistakes — especially in the key areas where I needed to push. I couldn’t put together a clean lap, particularly in the final sector, so I’m a bit disappointed with the outcome.
Still, there’s clear progress compared to Friday, and I feel more confident with the pace. What’s important now is not repeating past mistakes — especially at the race start. I’ll focus on keeping good rhythm and staying with the group. Step by step, we’re improving. Tomorrow, I’ll give my best.
Nakarin ATIRATPHUVAPAT
41
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia This morning in Free Practice 2, I improved a little, but I still had some trouble with my riding style — especially in Turns 6 and 7 in Sector 2, where I’m losing time.
In qualifying, I’m really happy because I improved my lap time by one full second compared to this morning. Right now, I’m not too focused on the position — my priority is to keep improving every time I go out on track, and that’s what we’re doing.
The gap to the front is still about two seconds, but since Aragón and Mugello, my feeling with the bike has really improved. Tomorrow, I’ll give it everything I have. I’m ready to push.
This morning in Free Practice 2, I improved a little, but I still had some trouble with my riding style — especially in Turns 6 and 7 in Sector 2, where I’m losing time.
In qualifying, I’m really happy because I improved my lap time by one full second compared to this morning. Right now, I’m not too focused on the position — my priority is to keep improving every time I go out on track, and that’s what we’re doing.
The gap to the front is still about two seconds, but since Aragón and Mugello, my feeling with the bike has really improved. Tomorrow, I’ll give it everything I have. I’m ready to push.
