Race
Moto2 2026
Round 4
Dramatic Sunday in Jerez Ends in Double DNF for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia
Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto
A dramatic Sunday at the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, as both Moto2 riders crashed despite showing strong pace in the opening stages. Under demanding race conditions, Mario Aji was fighting to get close to the top 10 group, while rookie Taiyo Furusato was steadily building his rhythm inside the top 20 with clear progression. Both riders, however, saw their races end early after separate crashes—Aji at Turn 11 and Furusato in the final corner—bringing a disappointing end to what had been a promising weekend build-up.
The positive note is that both riders are ok after their incidents, with no major injuries reported, and the focus now immediately shifts to recovery and preparation for Le Mans. The pace shown across the weekend confirms progress. Despite the result, the team leaves Jerez with data, experience, and clear direction for improvement heading into the next round.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia A very difficult race for us today in Moto2. Both riders started the race in a positive way and were building their rhythm during the first part of the race. Mario was fighting inside the group that was close to the top 10, showing competitive pace and good consistency, while Taiyo was also improving lap by lap and gaining important experience inside the mid-pack battle. Unfortunately, in the middle of the race both riders crashed in separate incidents. Mario was pushing at a very high level and unfortunately made a mistake while trying to stay with the group, and Taiyo also had a crash while continuing his learning process in Moto2. The most important point is that both riders are ok, but of course we are disappointed because we could not finish the race. We will analyze everything calmly and come back stronger in Le Mans.
A very difficult race for us today in Moto2. Both riders started the race in a positive way and were building their rhythm during the first part of the race. Mario was fighting inside the group that was close to the top 10, showing competitive pace and good consistency, while Taiyo was also improving lap by lap and gaining important experience inside the mid-pack battle. Unfortunately, in the middle of the race both riders crashed in separate incidents. Mario was pushing at a very high level and unfortunately made a mistake while trying to stay with the group, and Taiyo also had a crash while continuing his learning process in Moto2. The most important point is that both riders are ok, but of course we are disappointed because we could not finish the race. We will analyze everything calmly and come back stronger in Le Mans.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It’s a shame to finish the race like this because the feeling and the pace were really strong. I was fighting inside the group that was battling for the top positions and I felt competitive enough to stay there, but unfortunately I had a crash in Turn 11 while pushing hard. That’s something I need to accept and understand, even if it’s frustrating because the potential was there today. The positive part is that the bike performance and my feeling on track were good throughout the weekend, and I felt confident in race pace. Now the focus is to reset, recover, and prepare for Le Mans. We have shown we can fight closer to the front, so the target is clear: keep improving, reduce mistakes, and bring the result home next time.
It’s a shame to finish the race like this because the feeling and the pace were really strong. I was fighting inside the group that was battling for the top positions and I felt competitive enough to stay there, but unfortunately I had a crash in Turn 11 while pushing hard. That’s something I need to accept and understand, even if it’s frustrating because the potential was there today. The positive part is that the bike performance and my feeling on track were good throughout the weekend, and I felt confident in race pace. Now the focus is to reset, recover, and prepare for Le Mans. We have shown we can fight closer to the front, so the target is clear: keep improving, reduce mistakes, and bring the result home next time.
Taiyo Furusato
72
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia A tough race today. I made a solid start and I was improving my rhythm inside the top 20 group, trying to build confidence lap by lap and understand more about the race distance in Moto2. The feeling was getting better, and I was focusing on consistency and learning from every lap. Unfortunately, I had a crash in the final corner and I could not finish the race. It is part of the learning process in this category and I need to take the positives from the weekend. I will study everything with the team, understand what I need to improve, and come back stronger in Le Mans ready to fight again.
A tough race today. I made a solid start and I was improving my rhythm inside the top 20 group, trying to build confidence lap by lap and understand more about the race distance in Moto2. The feeling was getting better, and I was focusing on consistency and learning from every lap. Unfortunately, I had a crash in the final corner and I could not finish the race. It is part of the learning process in this category and I need to take the positives from the weekend. I will study everything with the team, understand what I need to improve, and come back stronger in Le Mans ready to fight again.
