Furusato and Aji Target Points from Fourth Row at Phillip Island Final Race
Phillip IslandIdemitsu Honda Team Asia completed qualifying for the 18th round of the 2026 Moto2 World Championship at Phillip Island, with Taiyo Furusato and Mario Suryo Aji securing promising starting positions for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. In a day marked by changing weather conditions, both riders showed competitive pace and narrowly missed out on better grid positions, with Furusato qualifying P11 in 1’30.344 and Aji P12 in 1’30.418. Following qualifying, Furusato will start from the fourth row, while Aji will line up from the fourth row as well.
The day began with wet conditions, giving both riders an opportunity to gain further experience on the circuit in the rain. Aji suffered a crash during the morning session but was able to continue his preparations. As conditions improved in the afternoon, both riders adapted well to the dry track, showing encouraging speed in qualifying. The gaps between competitors were extremely tight, with just two tenths of a second separating the Honda Team Asia riders from a higher position.
Although both riders believe there was room for improvement, their qualifying performances provide a solid foundation for the race. With the weather forecast remaining uncertain, the team will prepare for both wet and dry conditions and aim to convert its competitive pace into valuable championship points at Phillip Island's final Grand Prix.
Qualifying day brought very different conditions compared with yesterday. The morning was wet, so both riders went out on rain tyres to gain more experience of the circuit in those conditions and understand how the track could behave if we have a wet race.
Taiyo rode well, and Mario was also making progress, although he suffered a crash during the morning session. Fortunately, he is okay. In the afternoon, the conditions changed to dry, but the wind direction and temperature were also different, so the riders had to adapt again. Both managed to find a competitive feeling with the bike and push for a good lap time.
The gaps were extremely tight, with only around two tenths of a second separating them from a better grid position. Of course, there was room to improve, but both riders have shown good pace and positive progress throughout the weekend. Now we need to refocus on the race, prepare for both possible weather conditions and make the most of our starting positions. Our target is to fight strongly and bring home a good result.
Qualifying day brought very different conditions compared with yesterday. The morning was wet, so both riders went out on rain tyres to gain more experience of the circuit in those conditions and understand how the track could behave if we have a wet race.
Taiyo rode well, and Mario was also making progress, although he suffered a crash during the morning session. Fortunately, he is okay. In the afternoon, the conditions changed to dry, but the wind direction and temperature were also different, so the riders had to adapt again. Both managed to find a competitive feeling with the bike and push for a good lap time.
The gaps were extremely tight, with only around two tenths of a second separating them from a better grid position. Of course, there was room to improve, but both riders have shown good pace and positive progress throughout the weekend. Now we need to refocus on the race, prepare for both possible weather conditions and make the most of our starting positions. Our target is to fight strongly and bring home a good result.
The feeling was not bad in either the wet or the dry conditions today. We made some good steps forward over the weekend, and I'm happy with the progress we have achieved so far.
In qualifying, I think I could have done a slightly better lap, but the gaps were very close, and even a small improvement could have changed several positions. P11 is not exactly where I wanted to be, but we are competitive, and I feel we have a good base for tomorrow.
We need to prepare for both wet and dry conditions because the weather at Phillip Island can change quickly. I want to make a good start, stay with the group and fight for the best possible result. I'm happy with the direction we are taking, and now we need to keep working and try to turn that progress into points in the race.
The feeling was not bad in either the wet or the dry conditions today. We made some good steps forward over the weekend, and I'm happy with the progress we have achieved so far.
In qualifying, I think I could have done a slightly better lap, but the gaps were very close, and even a small improvement could have changed several positions. P11 is not exactly where I wanted to be, but we are competitive, and I feel we have a good base for tomorrow.
We need to prepare for both wet and dry conditions because the weather at Phillip Island can change quickly. I want to make a good start, stay with the group and fight for the best possible result. I'm happy with the direction we are taking, and now we need to keep working and try to turn that progress into points in the race.
P12 is not a bad starting position for tomorrow, and the feeling with the bike is good. Of course, the crash was strange and disappointing, especially because I felt we were making progress, but I want to focus on the positives and learn from what happened.
We need to look at the data, understand where I can improve and make sure we are ready for the race. The pace is there, and the gaps are very small, so a few tenths could make a big difference. Starting from P12 gives us an opportunity to fight, and I want to make the most of it.
Tomorrow, I will give everything to recover positions and fight for points. The weather could change, but we have experience in both wet and dry conditions now, so we need to stay focused and adapt. I'm ready to fight back with the team and try to achieve a strong result.
P12 is not a bad starting position for tomorrow, and the feeling with the bike is good. Of course, the crash was strange and disappointing, especially because I felt we were making progress, but I want to focus on the positives and learn from what happened.
We need to look at the data, understand where I can improve and make sure we are ready for the race. The pace is there, and the gaps are very small, so a few tenths could make a big difference. Starting from P12 gives us an opportunity to fight, and I want to make the most of it.
Tomorrow, I will give everything to recover positions and fight for points. The weather could change, but we have experience in both wet and dry conditions now, so we need to stay focused and adapt. I'm ready to fight back with the team and try to achieve a strong result.
