Race
Moto2 2025
Round 18
Tough Endurance Race for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Riders in Mandalika
Pertamina Mandalika International CircuitUnder the blazing Indonesian sun, the 18th round of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship proved to be one of the toughest challenges of the season. Both IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders showed determination and endurance to bring their bikes home safely in extremely demanding conditions. Home hero Mario Aji started from P25 and fought steadily throughout the race, staying close to the points zone before crossing the line in 20th position after a physically exhausting performance.
On the other side of the garage, Yuki Kunii started from P26 and delivered a consistent and improving race pace. After a difficult first half, he found better rhythm and managed to recover positions to finish in 19th place. Although the results were not what the team hoped for, both riders completing the race inside the top 20 marks a step forward, and the focus now shifts toward improving further in the final four races of the season.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It was an extremely hot and challenging race today in Mandalika. Both riders managed to finish the race and gain some positions, which is important under these conditions. Mario showed good potential, but from mid-race onward he started to lose energy and couldn’t maintain his pace. Physically, he must keep improving, but his determination was clear.
Yuki’s race was also not easy. He was involved in a small incident early on that pushed him to the back, but he didn’t give up — he recovered well and showed good pace until the end. Of course, this is not the result we were expecting, but both riders gave everything. I’d like to thank all the Indonesian fans for their warm support during this home Grand Prix. We will keep working to improve and aim for better results in the next races.
It was an extremely hot and challenging race today in Mandalika. Both riders managed to finish the race and gain some positions, which is important under these conditions. Mario showed good potential, but from mid-race onward he started to lose energy and couldn’t maintain his pace. Physically, he must keep improving, but his determination was clear.
Yuki’s race was also not easy. He was involved in a small incident early on that pushed him to the back, but he didn’t give up — he recovered well and showed good pace until the end. Of course, this is not the result we were expecting, but both riders gave everything. I’d like to thank all the Indonesian fans for their warm support during this home Grand Prix. We will keep working to improve and aim for better results in the next races.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It was a very demanding race from start to finish. I didn’t have the best feeling in the opening laps, but I kept pushing, stayed focused, and finally found a better rhythm in the second half. That allowed me to recover some positions and finish 19th.
The conditions were extremely hot, but the energy from the Indonesian fans really helped me to keep fighting until the end. Their support means a lot to us riders, and I’m really thankful for that. Now we move forward, take the positives, and aim for a stronger race in Phillip Island.
It was a very demanding race from start to finish. I didn’t have the best feeling in the opening laps, but I kept pushing, stayed focused, and finally found a better rhythm in the second half. That allowed me to recover some positions and finish 19th.
The conditions were extremely hot, but the energy from the Indonesian fans really helped me to keep fighting until the end. Their support means a lot to us riders, and I’m really thankful for that. Now we move forward, take the positives, and aim for a stronger race in Phillip Island.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia That was probably the hardest race of my career. It’s a shame because I couldn’t maximize the bike’s potential today. Compared to Japan, the feeling was much better, but after around ten laps, my physical condition dropped a lot under this extreme heat. I did my best to manage it and bring the bike home, but it was really tough.
The positive thing is that the pace and the potential were there, so now I need to work hard to be stronger in Australia. I want to thank my team for their incredible effort and all the Indonesian fans for their amazing support this weekend. I will keep my head up, fix what needs to be improved, and come back stronger in Phillip Island.
That was probably the hardest race of my career. It’s a shame because I couldn’t maximize the bike’s potential today. Compared to Japan, the feeling was much better, but after around ten laps, my physical condition dropped a lot under this extreme heat. I did my best to manage it and bring the bike home, but it was really tough.
The positive thing is that the pace and the potential were there, so now I need to work hard to be stronger in Australia. I want to thank my team for their incredible effort and all the Indonesian fans for their amazing support this weekend. I will keep my head up, fix what needs to be improved, and come back stronger in Phillip Island.
