Race
Moto2 2026
Round 17
Furusato Scores Points in Chaotic Mandalika Race as Aji finishes P20 his home GP
Pertamina Mandalika International CircuitIdemitsu Honda Team Asia concluded the 17th round of the 2026 Moto2 World Championship at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit with Taiyo Furusato securing P14 and two valuable championship points after a demanding and interrupted race. The Japanese rookie had been running as high as P8 before a red flag brought the original race to a halt following a major incident. After the restart, Furusato fought through an intense battle to finish inside the points, continuing his progression in his rookie Moto2 season.
On the other side of the garage, Mario Suryo Aji finished P20 after a difficult second part of the race. The Indonesian rider had been in a promising position before the interruption, running around the points zone, but a mistake after the restart cost him several places. Despite trying to recover and regain his rhythm, the close battles made it difficult for Aji to return to contention. Although the final results were not what the team had hoped for, both riders completed the race safely and gained further experience in challenging circumstances.
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia now heads to Australia for the next round at Phillip Island. The fast, flowing circuit offers a new opportunity for both riders to build on the lessons learned in Indonesia, with Furusato looking to continue his progress and Aji determined to bounce back after a difficult home race.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It was a complicated race because of the red flag following a major incident. The first race was stopped, and we had to prepare for the restart. Both Taiyo and Mario made good starts again, and in the early stages of the second race they were fighting in the group.
Mario was not quite able to show his full pace in the first part of the restarted race, and he began losing positions. He eventually started to recover his speed, but by then he had received a long-lap penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits. That made his race even more difficult, and unfortunately he could not fight for the result we wanted
Taiyo showed a pace similar to what he demonstrated in practice and qualifying. However, the battles were very aggressive, and he was pushed wide several times, which affected his rhythm in the second half of the race. It was a pity because I believe he could have fought further towards the front, but finishing P14 and scoring points is still important for his progression.
We are not completely satisfied with the results, but the most important thing is that both riders finished safely. Taiyo is a rookie in this category, and he is continuing to learn and improve. We appreciate all the support from the Indonesian fans and our sponsors throughout this special weekend. Now we will reset and prepare for Phillip Island.
It was a complicated race because of the red flag following a major incident. The first race was stopped, and we had to prepare for the restart. Both Taiyo and Mario made good starts again, and in the early stages of the second race they were fighting in the group.
Mario was not quite able to show his full pace in the first part of the restarted race, and he began losing positions. He eventually started to recover his speed, but by then he had received a long-lap penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits. That made his race even more difficult, and unfortunately he could not fight for the result we wanted
Taiyo showed a pace similar to what he demonstrated in practice and qualifying. However, the battles were very aggressive, and he was pushed wide several times, which affected his rhythm in the second half of the race. It was a pity because I believe he could have fought further towards the front, but finishing P14 and scoring points is still important for his progression.
We are not completely satisfied with the results, but the most important thing is that both riders finished safely. Taiyo is a rookie in this category, and he is continuing to learn and improve. We appreciate all the support from the Indonesian fans and our sponsors throughout this special weekend. Now we will reset and prepare for Phillip Island.
Taiyo Furusato
72
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Overall, it was an okay weekend, although the race could definitely have been better. Before the red flag, I was running in P8, and I think we could have had a good race if everything had continued normally. The restart was not bad either, and the pace was quite good because I could follow the riders ahead.
After around six laps, the battles became very aggressive, and I was pushed wide several times. That affected my rhythm and made it difficult to keep fighting further towards the front. In the end, I finished P14, so at least we scored some points, which is important.
I’m a little disappointed because I think we had the potential to achieve more, but we are continuing to make progress and learning with every race. Now we go to Phillip Island, which will be another opportunity to improve. I want to keep building my confidence, work hard with the team and try to take another step forward next weekend.
Overall, it was an okay weekend, although the race could definitely have been better. Before the red flag, I was running in P8, and I think we could have had a good race if everything had continued normally. The restart was not bad either, and the pace was quite good because I could follow the riders ahead.
After around six laps, the battles became very aggressive, and I was pushed wide several times. That affected my rhythm and made it difficult to keep fighting further towards the front. In the end, I finished P14, so at least we scored some points, which is important.
I’m a little disappointed because I think we had the potential to achieve more, but we are continuing to make progress and learning with every race. Now we go to Phillip Island, which will be another opportunity to improve. I want to keep building my confidence, work hard with the team and try to take another step forward next weekend.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It’s a shame because before the red flag, I was in a good position and had a chance to fight for points. After the restart, I made a small mistake and lost several positions. I tried to overtake other riders and recover my rhythm, but everything was very tight, and it was difficult to make up the ground I had lost.
We need to improve our starting position because that would make the race much easier and give us a better opportunity to fight towards the front. It’s disappointing to finish like this, especially at my home Grand Prix, but now we have a week to refocus and recover both physically and mentally before the next race.
I want to thank my team and all the Indonesian fans who came to support us here in Mandalika. Their support means a lot to me. Phillip Island is one of my favourite circuits because of its fast, flowing layout, so I’m looking forward to going there. It’s a shame that this will be the circuit’s final Grand Prix, and I want to make the most of the weekend and give my best.
It’s a shame because before the red flag, I was in a good position and had a chance to fight for points. After the restart, I made a small mistake and lost several positions. I tried to overtake other riders and recover my rhythm, but everything was very tight, and it was difficult to make up the ground I had lost.
We need to improve our starting position because that would make the race much easier and give us a better opportunity to fight towards the front. It’s disappointing to finish like this, especially at my home Grand Prix, but now we have a week to refocus and recover both physically and mentally before the next race.
I want to thank my team and all the Indonesian fans who came to support us here in Mandalika. Their support means a lot to me. Phillip Island is one of my favourite circuits because of its fast, flowing layout, so I’m looking forward to going there. It’s a shame that this will be the circuit’s final Grand Prix, and I want to make the most of the weekend and give my best.
