After two days of preseason testing at Sepang, the time is finally upon us to go racing in 2020. Round 1 takes place at Losail International Circuit in Qatar from the 6th to 8th of March alongside MotoGP™, creating an important stage for IATC competitors to show what they’ve got.
In testing, the timesheets were topped by impressive rookie Taiyo Furusato, with the Japanese rider coming out swinging in 2020 and besting the more veteran runners. But that was Sepang and Losail is a very different venue, so he’ll be one to watch – and likely have some big competition. Compatriot Kanta Hamada, who has a little more experience, was within half a tenth too, so he’ll feel optimistic as the racing begins in earnest – for points as well as pride.
Australian Harrison Voight is another who had some good speed in testing and has some experience under his belt, having shown real progress throughout 2019, and another we can expect to see in the mix is Syarifuddin Azman, who was fastest on Day 1 at Sepang. Indonesian Herjun Firdaus and Japanese rider Shoki Igarashi also flew the flag for experience, and have battled at the front before…
The grid – hailing from Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, India and Turkey – are ready for battle in Round 1. Tune in for the first two races of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup season from Losail International Circuit on the 6th to 8th March, with Race 1 at 16:10 LT on Saturday and Race 2 at 15:00 on Sunday.