The Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup is back in action this weekend as the Mobility Resort Motegi hosts two more races – with plenty of home glory on the line
Round 1 of the 2023 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup season delivered two classics right out the gate. After rookie Riichi Takahira won his first ever race on Saturday, one of the favourites for the crown – Indonesian Veda Pratama – hit back on Sunday, and after a win and a second place each it’s 45 points apiece as we head for the Mobility Resort Motegi.
There, there’ll be another piece in the puzzle to contend with too: Shinya Ezawa. The 2022 runner up missed Round 1 at Sepang as he raced in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup instead, so he returns to competition straight into his home round. He’s also – if he wants this crown – starting a title charge at a 45-point deficit to the top. Can he stamp some authority on his return? He won at Motegi in 2022.
For Pratama the mission is spoil the party, for Takahira it’s create another one and this time on home turf. That will also be a goal for Zen Mitani after the rookie took two podiums in Round 1, and compatriots Amon Odaki and rookie Ryota Ogiwara will also be gunning for glory. The likes of Thai rider Jakkreephat Phuettisan and Qatar’s Hamad al-Sahouti, meanwhile, will also be targeting a move forward… so can they get in that battle this time round?
Round 1 crowned a new winner now arriving on home turf, another Japanese rookie also took two podiums, and the highest finisher from last season, Ezawa, has a point to prove at Motegi. Can Pratama pull out that lead in Round 2? We’ll find out this weekend as the ATC goes racing in Japan!
