Round 4 sees the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup head for home turf for the points leader
It’s now four victories in the opening six races for Zen Mitani in 2024 after the Japanese rider won Race 1 back in Indonesia, before adding a 20-point haul in Race 2 to arrive on home soil in a more commanding position than he was before. 50 points is the gap at the halfway point, so can the chasers halt Mitani’s momentum in Motegi?
The chief of those is fellow Japanese rider Riichi Takahira. The #9 moved up to P2 in the standings after earning P3 in a Race 2 battle that was settled by a photo finish. 0.001s split second place Mitani and third place Takahira, as both finished under 0.020s from winner Ryota Ogiwara.
After the dramatic finish in Race 1, Ogiwara bounced back perfectly on Sunday to claim a first ATC win as the Japanese star closes in on Kiandra Ramadhipa in the Cup. The Indonesian was penalised six seconds in Race 1 and then didn’t finish in the points in Race 2 to signal a disappointing weekend on home turf, but the #7 has a chance to respond on his closest rivals’ patch this weekend.
Seiryu Ikegami now has two podiums to his name in 2024 and will be desperate to add at least a third in Motegi, as he and fellow Japanese rookie Rintaro Takemoto arrive on home soil inside the overall top nine after strong starts to their ATC careers.
Two more races are coming up at the Mobility Resort Motegi, a venue Mitani already has podium success at. Will those 50 points shrink come Sunday?
