Furusato Misses Points After Strong Fight In Assen As Roulstone Continues Moto2 Progression
TT Circuit AssenThe Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands ended with mixed emotions for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Moto2 riders Taiyo Furusato and Jacob Roulstone, after a demanding race at the iconic TT Circuit Assen.
Taiyo Furusato crossed the finish line in 14th position after a strong performance where the Japanese rookie fought consistently inside the points-scoring positions throughout the race. However, a last-lap penalty for exceeding track limits after a racing situation dropped him to 18th position in the final classification, preventing him from collecting the points he had been fighting for.
The #72 rider showed strong race pace and maintained his competitive level throughout the 22 laps, confirming the progress made during the Dutch weekend. Despite missing the final reward, Furusato continues to demonstrate that he can fight regularly inside the points zone.
On the other side of the garage, Jacob Roulstone completed another positive learning experience in his Moto2 adaptation process. The Australian rookie finished 22nd after making a good start and gaining several positions during the opening laps. Roulstone continued reducing the gap to the riders ahead and gained valuable experience managing the Moto2 tyres over race distance.
The race took place under dry conditions after overnight rain changed the track characteristics, with 28°C air temperature, 62% humidity and a 38°C track temperature. After the Dutch TT, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia now prepares for the next challenge at the Sachsenring in Germany, where both riders will aim to continue their progression and fight for stronger results.
After the heavy rain during the night, the conditions changed for today’s race. The grip level was lower, and we could see that the race pace was slower compared with last year.
Jacob had a small mistake at the start and lost some positions, but he was able to recover and catch back some places. From the middle of the race, both Taiyo and Jacob started to struggle with the grip, especially on the right side of the tyre, and maintaining the lap time until the end was not easy.
Taiyo was fighting for the points and we believed he could score again today. Unfortunately, on the last lap he made a small mistake and received a penalty for cutting the chicane, which dropped him back to 18th position. Jacob finished 22nd, so this was not the final result we wanted.
However, both riders gave their maximum effort. Considering Jacob has only done a few races as a replacement rider, he is continuing to understand the bike and becoming more competitive. It is a pity that we missed the points today, but we have to keep working. Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, and we will try to come back stronger in the next race.
After the heavy rain during the night, the conditions changed for today’s race. The grip level was lower, and we could see that the race pace was slower compared with last year.
Jacob had a small mistake at the start and lost some positions, but he was able to recover and catch back some places. From the middle of the race, both Taiyo and Jacob started to struggle with the grip, especially on the right side of the tyre, and maintaining the lap time until the end was not easy.
Taiyo was fighting for the points and we believed he could score again today. Unfortunately, on the last lap he made a small mistake and received a penalty for cutting the chicane, which dropped him back to 18th position. Jacob finished 22nd, so this was not the final result we wanted.
However, both riders gave their maximum effort. Considering Jacob has only done a few races as a replacement rider, he is continuing to understand the bike and becoming more competitive. It is a pity that we missed the points today, but we have to keep working. Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, and we will try to come back stronger in the next race.
Today was a difficult result to accept because I feel we did a good race. The team worked very hard throughout the whole weekend and we had a strong feeling with the bike, but unfortunately we couldn’t complete the race in the way we wanted.
I was fighting inside the points positions and I felt competitive throughout the race. It is disappointing to lose the points because of the penalty, but I have to accept it and learn from this situation.
Still, I take the positives from this weekend. We showed good speed and good progress, and I want to continue improving. Now we move to Sachsenring. I really like this track, so I’m looking forward to the next race and taking another step forward.
Today was a difficult result to accept because I feel we did a good race. The team worked very hard throughout the whole weekend and we had a strong feeling with the bike, but unfortunately we couldn’t complete the race in the way we wanted.
I was fighting inside the points positions and I felt competitive throughout the race. It is disappointing to lose the points because of the penalty, but I have to accept it and learn from this situation.
Still, I take the positives from this weekend. We showed good speed and good progress, and I want to continue improving. Now we move to Sachsenring. I really like this track, so I’m looking forward to the next race and taking another step forward.
I’m quite pleased with the weekend overall. Today was probably the closest I have been to the riders ahead during a race, and that is a positive step. I made a decent start and gained several positions during the first laps, which was good. The difficult part was understanding the tyre behaviour at the end of the race when it started to drop.
I still don’t have the amount of laps or experience on this bike to fully understand those situations, but every race is a big learning process. Overall, it was a decent race and another valuable experience. Thanks to the team for the opportunity and for all their support. It has been a big learning curve, and I’m continuing to improve.
I’m quite pleased with the weekend overall. Today was probably the closest I have been to the riders ahead during a race, and that is a positive step. I made a decent start and gained several positions during the first laps, which was good. The difficult part was understanding the tyre behaviour at the end of the race when it started to drop.
I still don’t have the amount of laps or experience on this bike to fully understand those situations, but every race is a big learning process. Overall, it was a decent race and another valuable experience. Thanks to the team for the opportunity and for all their support. It has been a big learning curve, and I’m continuing to improve.
