Danial Sharil made it a race weekend to remember at Buriram as the Malaysian did the double and took victory in Race 2. That moves him even closer to the top in the title fight into a secure P3 overall, with the second contest of the weekend proving a bit more costly in the standings for key protagonists Bill van Eerde and Haruki Noguchi after a final corner fight. It was instead Sho Nishimura and home hero Tachakorn Buarsi who completed the podium, capitalising well in the last corner melee.
Sharil took the holeshot from the second row, with the Malaysian heading what was a big group at the front once again, but this time from the off. Bill van Eerde also repeated his stunner of a start from Saturday and was knocking on the door to the top five early doors.
It truly was a battle royal in the group, with Sharil and Noguchi the only riders who briefly looked like they may be able to make a break. The chasing pack soon reeled them in though, and the squabbling ricocheted through the top ten.
By the final lap it was anyone’s game but Afridza Munandar thought it was his as he celebrated a little early before getting his head down again for another four kilometers of mayhem. Coming into the final corner for the last time it was Sharil who was steadfast once again, and the Malaysian was able to steer clear of the drama behind to take his second win.
That drama came courtesy of Noguchi as the Japanese rider lunged up the inside of points leader van Eerde, but he headed wide and the Australian was forced out with him. Heading through the run off and losing drive to those behind them, it was Nishimura and Buarsi who slipped through to follow Sharil over the line and complete the podium. That made it more home glory for Thailand after an impressive showing from former Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion Somkiat Chantra in his Moto3™️ wildcard.
Lucky Hendriansya took fourth after a solid race, with Mario Aji bouncing back from a tough end to Race 1 to take fifth - and gain some points in the Championship. Then came Noguchi and van Eerde in that order, with Munandar pushed down to P8. Kopchai Sae-liw put in a solid home race for ninth, with Adenanta Putra completing the top ten after running wide late on.
That’s it for Round 4 and now we head for the Twin Ring Motegi, with Noguchi trailing van Eerde by seven points as we touch down on home turf for the Japanese rider. Anything can happen and it certainly will as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup returns in two weeks for the penultimate round of 2018.