Mitani cruises to debut win ahead of Race 1 podium fight thriller
The first race of the season doesn’t get much better than that if your name is Zen Mitani as the Japanese sophomore stole the show in Qatar to claim a debut win by a commanding seven seconds. In a breathtaking fight for the podium, Riichi Takahira grabbed P2 as rookie Seiryu Ikemgami earned a brilliant P3. The 10th anniversary season of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup certainly kicked off with a bang!
Mitani pocketed pole position a few hours prior but it was a rapidly launching Ryota Ogiwara who grasped the holeshot with both hands, as the Japanese duo immediately got the hammer down. The gap grew to four seconds before Ogiwara – the race leader – crashed at the fast Turn 12 to hand Mitani a lonely lead. Thankfully, Ogiwara was straight back up on his feet, but it was a disappointing early exit from the race.
From there, it was all about the fight for P2 and P3. Mitani’s advantage was extending lap by lap but a fascinating battle was unfolding between Farish Hafiy, Takahira, Ikegami, Kiandra Ramadhipa, Kiattisak Singhapong, Rintaro Takemoto and Levi Russo. Seven riders all with a shout of a podium finish.
Coming on the last lap, Hafiy led the group but on the exit of Turn 13, the Malaysian made a small mistake. It was enough to see him drop out of the podium positions though and with two corners to go, Takahira now held the P2 baton. Would anyone pick the Japanese rider’s pocket? Not quite. As Mitani cruised over the line to earn those glorious 25 points, Takahira won the race for P2 as Ikegami just held off Ramadhipa for a debut podium.
The latter – Ikegami’s fellow rookie – was just 0.010s shy of a podium in Qatar, as Singhapong settled for P5. Hafiy was strong throughout but it was P6 in the end for the #19, as Takemoto crossed the line in P7 just 0.6s away from P2. Russo, Sarthak Chavan and Alfonsi Daquigan completed the top 10 in Race 1 of the season.
Magnificent Mitani doubles up with Race 2 win in Sepang
Title chase leader Zen Mitani proved he’ll be a tricky rider to beat in 2024 as the Japanese star claims both victories at the Sepang International Circuit. The #2 broke clear in the final stages to win by two seconds, as Kiandra Ramadhipa and home hero Farish Hafiy complete the podium on Sunday.
Mitani grabbed the holeshot from pole position, with Hafiy and Seiryu Ikegami slotting into P2 and P3 on the opening lap. In the early laps, nine riders were locked together, with Hafiy having a turn of holding the P1 baton for a couple of laps.
Mitani hit the front again with seven laps to go, but at this stage, the likes of Hafiy and Ryota Ogiwara were biting back, as the latter then led with six to go. However, when Mitani returned to the summit with four laps to go, the crucial break was made.
A 0.4s lead with three laps left then grew as the battle behind raged, with eight riders all in with a shout of a podium finish. A fantastic fight played out for the rostrum, and it all came down to the final corner. Ramadhipa and Hafiy were the riders who managed to place themselves best to take P2 and P3, with Riichi Takahira in P4 missing out by just 0.094s.
Takahira’s compatriots Ogiwara and Ikegami came across the line in P5 and P6, with Kiattisak Singhapong, Rintaro Takemoto and Tanachat Pratumtong taking P7, P8 and P9 in that close-knit group. Burapa Wanmoon rounded out Race 2’s top 10.
It was worth the wait! Round 2 didn’t disappoint as we look forward to getting back on track in Indonesia when the ATC paddock links up with MotoGP™ for Round 3.