Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1125433
IN THE WIND P54 Asia fighting back in GP racing T he return of fast Japanese rid- ers after a decade or more in abeyance was slightly interrupted in Italy, with one of the new bri- gade missing injured, alongside another of the rising tide from Southeast Asia. Moto3 rookie Ai Ogura, with one top ten among three debut- season finishes in the points, was out after suffering hand injuries in a Le Mans race crash; while in Moto2 Thai rider Somkiat Chantra joined Malaysian Khairul Idham Pawi on the absentee list. Chantra suffered a left foot fracture at Le Mans; Pawi's bad hand injuries came the race before at Jerez. The Japanese revival, which has also brought new faces from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, is largely the consequence of the Honda-backed Shell Asia Talent Cup, equivalent of the Red Bull Rookies series in Europe. Although former Moto2 race winner Takaaki Nakagami, cur- rently going strong on the LCR Honda, is the only representative in MotoGP, there are four riders in Moto2, with Japan's Tetsuta Na- gashima the highest-placed after a career-best seventh in Spain. In Moto3, Kaito Toba took his first win in the opening round in Qatar; while Tatsuki Suzuki's several spells leading races were finally rewarded with second at Jerez. Three more Japanese full-timers and for this race an additional wild card swelled the ranks in the smallest class. With Mattia Pasini continuing to replace Pawi, Chantra's place in Italy was taken by first-timer Teppei Nagoe from Japan; while Indonesian Gerry Salim took over Ogura's Moto3 Honda. Michael Scott Injuries are hurting the new Asian charge— like those for Ain Ogura here—but the continent is now truly back in the fight in GP racing. PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE TM Takes On Moto3 T he Honda-KTM duopoly in Moto3 may be com- ing under threat, with an impressive debut from Italian manufacturer TM, and wildcard entry Kevin Zannone, in only his third GP. The 18-year-old Italian, currently making hay in the national CIV championship, ended up second- fastest on the first day, just 0.039 of a second behind the top time set by Tatsuki Suzuki's Honda, but crashed out of the race. TM are best known for off-road bikes, but have made strides in developing the four-stroke Moto3 bike since the same rider finished last, a lap down, on its single debut at a wet Misano last year. He had, however, quali- fied 18th for that race. Michael Scott Famous for beautiful dirt machines, TM is now making waves in the Moto3 championship. PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE