A first-time winner in Seiryu Ikegami and an all-Japanese top three fight for the win in both races meant Motegi was another weekend to remember in the IDEMITSU Asia Talent Cup. Now though, attention turns to Thailand and Zen Mitani as the Cup leader eyes clinching the 2024 crown during the penultimate round.
71 points is the lead Mitani brings to Buriram, and with four races to go, a 75-point advantage after Race 1 would be enough to hand Mitani the title thanks to his superior number of race wins this season. His chief chaser, Riichi Takahira, was left to rue a crash in qualifying that cost the Japanese star a shot at a podium finish in Japan. A return to the podium and more importantly, beating Mitani, will be on Takahira’s Buriram wish list. A rapid and rather large turnaround is needed in Thailand.
Ryota Ogiwara’s P2 and P3 finishes in Japan saw the #16 climb to third overall, but having finished just behind Mitani in both races last time out, the deficit now sits at 80 to Mitani. Ikegami’s two podiums – including a maiden win – see the rookie now sit P4, 85 points back. Can all three close the deficit this weekend and take the title chase to Malaysia?
The home fans – and there’ll be plenty of them – will be cheering on Kiattisak Singhapong as the Thai rider goes in search of a first rostrum of the season on familiar soil. Tanachat Pratumtong and Kitsada Tanachot are the other home heroes who will be searching for good results in Buriram, as we look forward to seeing whether our 2024 Champion will be crowned on Saturday or Sunday in front of a bumper crowd.
