Furusato secures outstanding P5 in Sachsenring and ends first half of the season on a high momentum
SachsenringIdemitsu Honda Team Asia concluded the first half of the 2026 Moto2 World Championship with an outstanding result at the Liqui Moly Grand Prix of Germany, where Taiyo Furusato claimed an impressive fifth-place finish after a superb race at the Sachsenring.
Starting from seventh on the grid, the Japanese rookie immediately established himself inside the leading group and maintained a strong, consistent pace throughout the 25-lap race. Managing his tyres perfectly, Furusato gradually reduced the gap to the riders ahead before joining the battle for fourth position in the closing laps.
After an exciting final-lap fight that was decided by just a few metres at the finish line, Furusato crossed the line in fifth place, securing his best Moto2 result to date and confirming the remarkable progress he has made during his rookie campaign. The result represents another major step forward for the Japanese rider, further strengthening the momentum and confidence that both he and the team have built over recent rounds before the three-week summer break.
On the other side of the garage, Mario Suryo Aji enjoyed an encouraging return to racing after his injury. Starting from tenth, the Indonesian rider remained in contention for the points despite losing some ground during the opening laps. As he began recovering positions and increasing his pace, an unfortunate crash brought his race to an early end.
Despite the disappointment, Aji was able to rejoin the race after the team repaired the bike, allowing him to complete additional laps and continue rebuilding his confidence ahead of the second half of the season. With Furusato's Moto2 career-best finish and Aji's positive comeback weekend, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia heads into the summer break with renewed optimism before returning to action at Silverstone for Round 12 of the championship.
Today we had good weather conditions and both riders made strong starts to the race. From the beginning they were fighting in competitive positions, and both showed good pace.
Taiyo spent a large part of the race around eighth position. It took him some time to overtake the riders ahead, but once he did, he immediately closed the gap to the leading group. In the final five laps he was one of the fastest riders on the circuit and managed to finish fifth, which is an excellent result for a rookie in Moto2.
Mario was also fighting close to the points positions, but unfortunately he crashed at Turn 3 after pushing a little too hard on the front. Fortunately he was okay, and after repairing the bike he was able to return to the track, although the race result was already compromised.
It is a pity because he had shown good speed throughout the weekend after returning from injury. Managing the race is something he will continue learning, and we know he has the speed and the talent to achieve strong results. Thank you to all our sponsors and team members for their hard work. We will continue improving and come back stronger at the next Grand Prix in Silverstone.
Today we had good weather conditions and both riders made strong starts to the race. From the beginning they were fighting in competitive positions, and both showed good pace.
Taiyo spent a large part of the race around eighth position. It took him some time to overtake the riders ahead, but once he did, he immediately closed the gap to the leading group. In the final five laps he was one of the fastest riders on the circuit and managed to finish fifth, which is an excellent result for a rookie in Moto2.
Mario was also fighting close to the points positions, but unfortunately he crashed at Turn 3 after pushing a little too hard on the front. Fortunately he was okay, and after repairing the bike he was able to return to the track, although the race result was already compromised.
It is a pity because he had shown good speed throughout the weekend after returning from injury. Managing the race is something he will continue learning, and we know he has the speed and the talent to achieve strong results. Thank you to all our sponsors and team members for their hard work. We will continue improving and come back stronger at the next Grand Prix in Silverstone.
I'm very happy with today's result. It feels like a perfect way to celebrate my birthday, and it's my best result so far in Moto2, so I couldn't ask for much more. The race was very different from Moto3. Everything was much calmer, and the key was to stay smooth, manage the tyres and keep looking for grip without being too aggressive. Together with the team we prepared the race really well, and that allowed me to stay competitive until the end.
In the final laps I caught the riders ahead and even fought for fourth place. I tried to make one last overtake in the final corner, but it wasn't quite enough. Still, fifth place is a great result, and I'm really happy because all the hard work from the last few weekends is starting to pay off. I'd like to thank the team for everything they've done. We'll enjoy this result, recover during the summer break and come back ready to keep fighting.
I'm very happy with today's result. It feels like a perfect way to celebrate my birthday, and it's my best result so far in Moto2, so I couldn't ask for much more. The race was very different from Moto3. Everything was much calmer, and the key was to stay smooth, manage the tyres and keep looking for grip without being too aggressive. Together with the team we prepared the race really well, and that allowed me to stay competitive until the end.
In the final laps I caught the riders ahead and even fought for fourth place. I tried to make one last overtake in the final corner, but it wasn't quite enough. Still, fifth place is a great result, and I'm really happy because all the hard work from the last few weekends is starting to pay off. I'd like to thank the team for everything they've done. We'll enjoy this result, recover during the summer break and come back ready to keep fighting.
First of all, it's really good to be back racing. Of course, this isn't the way I wanted to finish my comeback weekend, but I'm relieved because the most important thing is that the speed is still there.
We've shown throughout the weekend that we can be competitive, and now we know exactly what we need to improve. It's disappointing to end the race with a crash, but I'll take the positives from these first days back on the Moto2 bike.
I'd like to thank the whole team for all their hard work and support during my recovery and throughout this weekend. Now it's time to reset, enjoy the summer break and arrive at Silverstone with a clear mind, ready to come back even stronger.
First of all, it's really good to be back racing. Of course, this isn't the way I wanted to finish my comeback weekend, but I'm relieved because the most important thing is that the speed is still there.
We've shown throughout the weekend that we can be competitive, and now we know exactly what we need to improve. It's disappointing to end the race with a crash, but I'll take the positives from these first days back on the Moto2 bike.
I'd like to thank the whole team for all their hard work and support during my recovery and throughout this weekend. Now it's time to reset, enjoy the summer break and arrive at Silverstone with a clear mind, ready to come back even stronger.
