Tag Archives: Harrison Voight

Harrison Voight Interview | Where he’s been and where he is heading…

Harrison Voight Interview

With Mark Bracks


Australian road racing has faced challenging times in the past couple of years, but thankfully there has been some racing on a state and national level that has kept the kindling of what was a flickering fire, alight.

Harrison Voight – Image by RBMotoLens

One aspect of the recent dramas that has not diminished is the dreams and aspirations of young riders as they strive to make a reality of what fills their days at every waking hour. And more than likely, while they sleep.

Down Under has a proud history of rider representation on the world stage and 2022 will see the greatest participation of aspiring world champions than has been seen in a number of years. Testament to the dedication and commitment of everyone concerned in ensuring the avenues to world championship success have remained open, no matter what the limitations and protocols of the new world we live in.

Harrison Voight

At the moment, eight riders are heading off for their first overseas sojourn, while there are others returning to ply their trade to build on what they have achieved.

Check out the list of who’s racing where this year.

  • MotoGP – Jack Miller, Remy Gardner. Moto3: Joel Kelso.
  • WSBK – WSSP: Oli Bayliss, Ben Currie. WSSP300: Harry Khouri.
  • BSB – BSB: Jason O’Halloran, Josh Brookes, SSTK 1000; Billy McConnell, Davo Johnson (plus the pure road racing), Brayden Elliot, Levi Day. SSP600: Seth Crump, Jacob Hatch (17yo) Tom Toparis.
  • CEV -Harrison Voight, Jacob Roulstone, Varis Fleming. Moto2 class: Senna Agius.
  • RBRC – Harrison Voight,  Jacob Roulstone.
  • ATC – Carter Thompson, Marianos Nikolis, Cameron Swain.
  • Moto America – SSP600: Luke Power. SSP300: Joe Mariniello.
  • European Talent Cup – Angus Grenfell, Carter Thompson.
  • CIV – Archie Thompson.

In the lead up to the season, mcnews.com.au will look at some of the riders – in no particular order – as they prepare to head off on their individual adventures and quests for success.

Harrison Voight took a PB of eighth in Race 2 at Sachsenring over the weekend, in the Red Bull Rookies Cup
Harrison Voight #29 in Red Bull Rookies

First up
Harrison Voight

Lives: Gold Coast (Queensland)

For 2022 Harry will continue with the SIC58 Squadra Corse Team in the CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship and also return for another tilt at the Red Bull Rookies Cup (RBRC).

Hopefully, it will be a year of more rewards compared to the character building set-backs he went through in a year that could be best described as a season characterised by recovery, toughness and resilience.

Harry’s year unravelled at the fourth round of the CEV at Portimao, Portugal. In the opening laps, he high-sided over the infamous crest of the roller coaster circuit, unsighted from following riders he was run over, breaking his femur and fibula, with a compound fracture of the tibia for good measure. Proper job that…

Harrison Voight
Harrison Voight in the CEV in 2020

Harry had started out road racing after a pretty successful career on dirt.  While still competing in dirt track titles and bagging trophies, he added road racing to the CV commencing with the GP Juniors Australia competition in 2017, winning the 85 cc two-stroke class.

In 2018 dirt was still a major focus as he won the Australian Long Track and Dirt Track championships as well as taking out the FIM Supermoto Junior Lites Championship at Newcastle. The icing on the cake that year was finishing second in the AMA Grand Nationals Junior Half Mile TT Short Track Championship at the legendary Springfield Mile in Illinois, where he scored a win and two second places.

In 2019 he was invited to compete in the Asia Talent Cup where he finished 13th overall, his best result a fourth in the third round at Sepang, Malaysia.

As we know Covid had a devastating impact on 2020, with only one round of the ATC held at the local circuit in Qatar where he claimed third place. Additionally Harry was fortunate to be able to keep racing in the European Talent Cup and scored a brace of third place finishes

ATC Harrison Voight QATAR ATC Action
Harrison Voight – 2020 ATC Round 1 Qatar

For 2021 he was accepted into the Red Bull Rookies Cup and signed to the SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda team with fellow Aussie, Senna Agius for the CEV Championships.

The year started very well for Voight, with a 12th place in the opening CEV race, but then soon turned to crap. At the next round, he had a coming together with another rider, crashed and broke his collarbone that forced his withdrawal for a few weeks from both competitions.

Harry made his return from that collarbone injury for the fourth round of the RBRC at Sachsenring (Germany) and finished eighth in the second race. His best result of the year, so a great confidence boost.

He then headed to Portimao for the fourth round of the CEV title. Which of course was the scene of the aforementioned terrible accident that saw his leg so badly broken.  It was an horrific incident and if the impact had been 30 cm higher, up around the vital organs, who knows where the 15-year-old would be.

Harry was now out of both titles, but through massive hard work and determination made a remarkably rapid recovery from what were such serious injuries.

Harrison Voight, started as a dirt tracker but soon also made a name for himself on the tarmac – Image Craig Mayne

He competed in the final round of the CEV at Valencia after a medical clearance with strict instructions not to go too crazy. Easier said than done for a teenager, but Harry listened and scored 20th and 17th places to finish the year before returning home, to then go through quarantine and compete on a not-so-new race bike at the final round of the ASBK Supersport 600 at The Bend Motorsport Park.

At the moment he is at home on the Gold Coast, but it hasn’t all been about relaxing and having fun.


Mark Bracks: You did extremely well to get back on track at the end of the year at Valencia after getting a medical clearance.

Harrison Voight: “Race one at the last round wasn’t ideal but the second race I was a bit more in there. I was only 19-seconds off. My best from the first race of the season was only 12-seconds so it wasn’t a crazy amount of time.”

Harrison Voight
Harrison Voight at The Bend with ASBK – Image by RBMotoLens

Bracks: So are you fully recovered after everything that happened last year?

Voight: “I just got my collarbone plated the week before Christmas so I’ve just been working on that as well. When I got taken out at Valencia earlier last year it healed in a trianglular shape and every time I knocked it, when I had a pretty decent crash it just re-fractured every time. Even when I crashed at the Bend I hit it and it was so sore. I went to get a CT scan and found out I had to get it plated. The movement is fine. It’s coming good. But, I’ve still got screws and rods in my leg which will stay there for awhile.”

Bracks: What are your aims this year after a confronting year last year?

Voight: “I don’t know yet. I’d like to get the season started and see where we are at, because every year the competition keeps getting better and better, but I think we can do ok.”

Bracks: What is your main focus; CEV or Red Bull Rookies?

Voight: “My focus is pretty much even.  Maybe a little bit more towards Red Bull but they’re pretty equal. I want to do very well in both to set me up for the future.”

Harrison Voight #29

Bracks: So when do you head off?

Voight: “I’ll be leaving end of March. During the season I am based about 45-minutes out of Barcelona.  I’ve had a little bit of down time and about to start ramp up training again. A bit of gym work but nothing crazy. I’d love to get back on a bike again. We are doing the ASBK test at the end of the month, and maybe I’ll do the first round but we are still undecided on that.”


If the “Ying” and “Yang” can find a balance for Harry after such a traumatic 2021, let’s hope he can do what Joel Kelso did in CEV and follow in his wheel tracks. He’s proven to have the talent as well as the determination to recover from the setbacks and prove that he is faster than ever.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Joel Kelso wins at Portimao | Harrison Voight injured

2021 FIM CEV Repsol – Round 4 Portimao


The FIM CEV Respol rolled into Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and was greeted by perfect conditions, with close racing and fierce action. Fresh from his maiden pole position, Joel Kelso (AGR Team) clinched his first FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship win in one of the closest finishes ever in the Moto3 class.

Joel Kelso claimed Pole and the race win in Portimao

Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro Talent Team-Ciatti) extended his unbeaten run in the Moto2 European Championship with a supreme double victory, while Xabi Zurutuza (Cuna de Campeones) took his second win in a row to take control of the Hawkers European Talent Cup.


FIM Moto3 JWC

The FIM Moto3 JWC race was shortened to a 10 lap sprint after a crash involving Harrison Voight (SIC58 Squadra Corse) brought out the red flags.

Moto3 Start

The Australian suffered trauma in both legs but was confirmed to be conscious following the incident. The restart came down a final lap duel with Joel Kelso recovering from an error at Turn 4 to snatch victory from Daniel Holgado (Aspar Junior Team) by just 0.005 seconds.

Daniel Holgado

Marcos Uriarte (Laglisse Academy) opened his account for the season in style, claiming his first podium in third, and the day’s results have seen Holgado extend his championship lead over Ivan Ortola (Team MTA) who fell to 12th after a late mistake.

Joel Kelso

Australian Senna Aguis finished 19th, while Harrison Voight obviously missed the restarted race.

Holgado now leads the standings on 133-points, with Ivan Ortola and David Munoz on 64. Joel Kelso is 11th on 38-points, with Voight 28th on four points and Agius 29th on one.

Joel Kelso topped the podium from Holgado and Uriarte

Source: MCNews.com.au

Furusato & Munoz share the Rookies Cup wins at Mugello

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 3 – Mugello, Italy


Race 1

Japanese 15-year-old Taiyo Furusato only rode a KTM for the first time on Friday and had never seen Mugello before, however he took an incredible debut Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory regardless. He came out best from a 17 rider battle that started in spitting rain and ended with a cavalry charge to the line where he narrowly clung on to win.

Race 1 kicks off lead by Noah Dettwiler

Diogo Moreira crossed the line second ahead of David Muñoz but had exceeded track limits on the final circuit so was demoted one position. 15-year-old Spaniard Muñoz claimed the second step on the podium ahead of the 17-year-old Brazilian as a result.

That battle wasn’t follow-the-leader, it was major position changes throughout the race. Noah Dettwiler, the 16-year-old Swiss, climbed from the back of the pack to lead a Rookies race for the first time.

Track limits proved an issue for some riders…

Pole man Marcos Uriarte meanwhile dropped to the back of the pack and the 16-year-old Spaniard ended up finishing 12th. Collin Veijer was brilliant at the front in the tricky early laps but the the 16-year-old Dutchman was 11th at the flag.

It was amazing battles all the way but Furusato’s victory stood out. The fact that he took the lead on lap four was sensation enough, riding the RC 250 R for the first time, but he didn’t look on the edge either. He smoothly held the advantage for a few laps before the slipstreaming pack demoted him.

Taiyo Furusato narrowly wins from Diogo Moreira

It was as though he took time to reassess because when he hit the front again in the final laps he was even more certain and composed, he eked out enough of an advantage so that he could not be passed on the slipstream run to the line.

After winning the first four Asia Talent Cup races of the season he has now added a sensational Rookies Cup debut win.

New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan finished 23rd.

Taiyo Furusato

“I’m so so happy, as you say, first race, first victory, first time at Mugello and on the KTM, all first, but I could win the race. In the race I could improve and everything felt perfect for me. Yesterday was the first time I had ridden a KTM but I found it’s positive points and the negative points, Today I could use the positive points and work with those.”

Taiyo Furusato claims his first ever Red Bull Rookies win

David Muñoz

“The race was very very good because yesterday was difficult for me. The feeling with the bike was not so good. Today it’s much better the feeling with the bike is good and I’m very happy with it. The track was OK, even with a little rain I had good feeling. Now we can focus on tomorrow and another good race.”

Moreira

“The race was very good. In the last laps I tried to push very hard because in the first laps I felt the rain and I was careful. Then I tried lap by lap to fight back, tried to get positions each lap. Finally, on the last lap, I got to second and tried to win the race but I touched the green, that’s the race. But I’m happy for the race and tomorrow we have a second one and let’s see. I think the weather will be better, and I will try to win the race.”

Daniel Holgado

“Today was an incredible race but more difficult than I expected. I did a good job through the race and the result is not bad but I am glad that we have another opportunity tomorrow. Tomorrow I will give more and get a better result. I have to say sorry to my fellow Rookie Mario Aji for the last corner.”


Race 2

David Muñoz snatched both the race win and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points lead with a slipstream lunge in the final metres at Mugello in the second and final Red Bull Rookies Cup race of the weekend.

Race 2 saw Daniel Holgado grab an early lead

Previous points leader and fellow Spaniard Daniel Holgado had a handy advantage out of the last corner but the 16-year-old was swamped right before the line and crossed it fourth

Six KTM 250 Rs seemed to occupy just a couple of square metres as they flashed across the line. Colombian 15-year-old David Alonso was second ahead of Spanish 16-year-old Iván Ortolá.

Pole man Marcos Uriarte was chased by Matteo Bertelle – who had looked a likely winner as he led on the penultimate lap, however they finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Just 0.173 separated the top six

The results show that just 0.173 seconds covered the top six. It had been a 17 KTM pack at the front until Race 1 winner Taiyo Furusato had a big moment half way round the last lap and split the group.

He recovered to finish 14th and it was Dutch 16-year-old Collin Veijer who led that group home in seventh, small consolation for having been a strong front runner again as he was in Race 1.

Improving in Race 2, Cormac Buchanan finished 18th.

Long on talent but very short on words, 15-year-old David Muñoz as usual almost looked a touch surprised to be interviewed as the victor in the winners enclosure.

David Muñoz

“It’s been an incredible weekend for me, 2nd position yesterday and victory today, so amazing, I have no words. It’s good to be leading the championship but I must just focus on the next races and think about that, it’s the only way to do it.”

David Muñoz took the win narrowly at the finish line after a hard fought battle

David Alonso

“It was a positive weekend because it is a new track for me and little by little I got the confidence and found the good lines to do a good performance. This was a crazy race so I think that 2nd position is really good also because in the last races I wasn’t on the podium. So now we are back here again and this is so great for my confidence. I enjoyed this race a lot and now I am looking forward to Germany, another new track to enjoy.”

Ivan Ortolá

“It was a very hard weekend, in the first practice on Friday it was very difficult because it was my first time at this track and it’s a difficult track. But finally in the Qualifying I found a good feeling with the bike and I could take second position on the grid. The first race was very difficult because of the weather conditions, I made only the 10th position but it was a very very strong, very hard race. This race was very hard psychologically because you can be in the first position coming into the straight but at the end of the straight 10th or 11th. So I’m very happy because we made this podium, it is very important for the championship and I want to dedicate this race to Jason.”

Daniel Holgado now holds the standings lead on 71-points from David Alonso on 67, with Diogo Moreira third overall on 64-points. David Munoz is fourth on 58, while Alex Milan completed the top five.

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Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Holgado claims Red Bull Rookies lead in Jerez | Voight runs 17-12

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain


The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup took to Jerez over the weekend for their second round, alongside the Gran Premio Red Bull De Espana, where Daniel Holgado wrestled the lead from David Alonso across two hard fought races, with David Munoz also claiming a race win.

Qualifying

Double victor in Portimão, Colombian 15-year-old David Alonso carried his great form to Jerez and after being fast all day found that little extra late in Qualifying to put himself on Pole.

David Alonso

Spaniard Daniel Holgado turned 16 on Tuesday and took second just ahead of Brazilian Diogo Moreira who celebrated his 17th birthday last week.

The trio looked to be the class of the field through Friday but were joined in the final session by Italian 16-year-old Filippo Farioli, fourth fastest.

Australian Harrison Voight qualified 16th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan was 25th.


Race 1

When the first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race kicked off, it was a ten man battle for the lead on the KTM RC250 Rs. The intensity built over a shortened 10 lap race, following a red flag due to technical issues with the starting equipment.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off at Jerez

Holgado was in great form and despite being under pressure and being passed several times. The 16-year-old Spaniard seemed to have the answers as countrymen 14-year-old David Muñoz and 16-year-old Ortolá snapped at his heels.

Brazilian 17-year old Moreira was equally determined, while 15-year-old Colombian Alonso seemed content just to be in a good, top-six position ready for a play in the final laps.

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – Round 2 – Jerez, Spain

As usual at Jerez it did come down to the final corner and the ten riders all elbowing and lunging for the lead with David Muñoz doing the best job and Holgado going from first to fourth.

David Muñoz

“I’m very happy for this race and victory, Jerez is my home race. I am ready to try and do the same thing again tomorrow, I know it will be very difficult again but I am very focussed. Today it was a very hard and difficult race, everyone was pushing so hard but I believed I could win it. The bike was great, very happy with that and no need to change anything for Sunday.”

Australian Harrison Voight finished 17th, while Cormac Buchanan was 22nd.


Race 2

A dramatic Jerez round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup ended with victory for Daniel Holgado. He fought off all-comers at the final corner to cross the line first, several of whom had long lap penalties, meaning ultimately second went to Diogo Moreira ahead of Alex Millan.

Daniel Holgado

Points leader David Alonso was one of those with the penalty and that dropped him to eighth and cost him enough points to give Holgado the Cup lead, by four-points.

It had been a great KTM RC 250 R battle from the start and again a lead group of 10 traded places at every turn. Holgado did most of the leading just as he did on Saturday only to lose out on the last lap.

This time he managed to break away slightly in the second half of the race chased by Moreira. But in giving chase Moreira had exceeded track limits too many times.

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain

Moreira took his long lap penalty with six laps to go but incredibly fought back and made a lunge for the lead on the final lap. That didn’t work but he was in the lead group at the line and took second when Alonso and David Muñoz failed to take their late penalties and were given three-second penalties post race.

Daniel Holgado – P1

“This race was incredible for me. Difficult but I am happy for me and my team. Today the difference was the last corner, yesterday it was very difficult for me but today, much better. The bike was great today, we made a very good set-up and it was fun to ride. The track conditions were difficult with the temperature but I could manage the situation, I enjoyed the race and am ready for the next in Mugello. I believe that I can win there again.”

Daniel Holgado

Diogo Moreira – P2

“The race was very good, I enjoyed it a lot. When I saw I had a long lap penalty I knew I had to do it as soon as possible. After I did it I knew I had to get with the group again for the last laps. On the last lap I tried to win the race but I didn’t, that’s racing and I’m happy. Jerez is my favourite circuit, from FP1 I was fast and I enjoyed it from the start. All weekend I tried to make my laps alone so that I would have the best chance to win the race and I tried to escape the group but I am still happy with the weekend. Mugello I have never ridden before, I need to try and win the race.”

Harrison Voight had a better second race of the weekend, improving to 12th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan took his best Rookies Cup result yet with P18 in Race 2.

Harrison Voight – P12

“A weekend where I experienced the highs and lows of this sport. I’m aware of what needs to be fixed and I’m determined to come back stronger after Valencia. Thanks to everyone who’s made this possible and I’m looking forward to next week with the team SIC 58 Squadra CORSE.”

Cormac Buchanan – P18

“Absolutely rapt to earn my best finish to date in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup here at the legendary Circuito de Jerez. It sure was a drama-filled race but i managed to keep it shiny side up and tight enough to stay off the green stuff! Full credit to Dad Stacey Buchanan and my mechanic Aleix for making some beneficial changes to the set up and the whole Rookies Cup crew for having our backs. We’ve had a blast here in Spain but time to start another phase of this adventure. Massive thanks to those who make this a reality for me.”


Daniel Holgado now holds the overall lead on 71-points, with David Alonso second on 67 and Diogo Moreira third on 64-points, with only seven points separating the top three. David Munoz and Alex Millan complete the top five overall.

David Alonso holds second overall in the standings

Harrison Voight now holds seven championship points, with Cormac Buchanan working his way towards a points-earning result.

Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Harrison Voight claims inaugural Asia Talent Cup podium

2020 Asia Talent Cup

Round 1 – MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar

Images courtesy of ATC


Gold Coast teenager Harrison Voight has claimed his maiden Asia Talent Cup (ATC) podium, finishing third in Race 2 of the series opener at Losail International Circuit as part of the MotoGP of Qatar.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Qatar Race Podium

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Qatar Race Podium

Harrison Voight (right) on the Race 2 Podium in Qatar

13-year-old Voight recorded his best ever qualifying result at the season opener, which marks his second season competing in the Asia Talent Cup. The Australian, who was the youngest rider in the field in 2019, qualified second for the two 14 lap races over the weekend.

A mistake in Race 1 saw Voight come off at Turn 6, re-joining the race at the rear of the field, and still finishing the race, salvaging valuable championship points.

ATC Harrison Voight QATAR ATC Action

ATC Harrison Voight QATAR ATC Action

Harrison Voight #18

Shaking off the nerves from Saturday’s incident, Voight endured a tough battle to the flag on Sunday, dropping back to fifth mid race. A five-way battle ensured over the closing laps of the race, Voight moved into the lead at turn one on the final lap eventually taking third.

Harrison Voight

“It was a good feeling to finally get a podium in the ATC. The racing was tough and it all came down two the last two laps. Thankfully I have had some experience at this track so when I rolled out all I had to worry about was the setting up of the bike. The competition this year is a lot harder than last year as the Japanese riders are very fast and the pace is faster. Hopefully we can achieve more podiums and even a win this year. My goal is to finish the year in the top 3. I am very thankful to Dorna and the ATC for giving me this opportunity.”

ATC Qatar Harrison Voight

ATC Qatar Harrison Voight

Harrison Voight

The Gold Coast rider currently sits fifth in the championship standings with the next event to be held at The Bend in South Australia on 8-10 May 2020, alongside ASBK.

Voight started out racing flat track at the Mike Hatcher Junior Motorcycle Club at Arundel at the age of 8 and continues to race at the club in between his international commitments. In addition to the Asia Talent Cup, Voight will also contest the European Talent Cup as part of the Sic58 Squadra Course team.

ATC Harrison Voight QATAR ATC Action

ATC Harrison Voight QATAR ATC Action

Harrison Voight

2020 Asia Talent Cup Standings

Pos. Rider Nat. Points
1 Kanta Hamada JPN 45
2 Syarifuddin Azman MAL 41
3 Taiyo Furusato JPN 33
4 Gun Mie JPN 24
5 Harrison Voight AUS 20
6 Shoki Igarashi JPN 20
7 Max Gibbons AUS 16
8 Sharul Sharil MAL 16
9 Rei Wakamatsu JPN 16
10 Masaya Hongo JPN 13
11 Mikail Salih IND 12
12 Carter Thompson AUS 12

Source: MCNews.com.au

Voight third in opening Asia Talent Cup test for 2020

2020 Asia Talent Cup Sepang Test

Two days of testing for the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup has now concluded at Sepang International Circuit with 14-year-old Japanese rider Taiyo Furusato beginning 2020 on top, the rookie seriously impressing on his debut. More experienced compatriot Kanta Hamada was second overall, just 0.061 back, with Australian 13-year-old Harrison Voight completing the top three.

On Day 1, it was Syarifuddin Azman who was fastest in the near-perfect conditions. The Malaysian left it until late in the day – the eighth 20-minute session of track time – but topped the timesheets by 0.172 from Harrison Voight. Those two are veterans, but rookie Taiyo Furusato was already up into P3 on Tuesday and impressing, ahead of fellow Japanese rider Gun Mie. The experienced Herjun Firdaus from Indonesia completed the top five.

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Firdaus Azman

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Firdaus Azman

Firdaus #10 Azman #13

On Day 2, the conditions were slightly cooler and cloudier but the rain stayed away once again, allowing the grid to get in another six 20-minute sessions – followed by a race simulation and race start. By the end of play Furusato was again a headline act as the Japanese rookie’s 2:16.863 sees him top the combined timesheets, with Hamada running him close to make it a 1-2 for Japan. Harrison Voight was third overall, but 0.379 from the top.

Gun Mie was fourth, Azman ended the test fifth overall and Firdaus sixth. Shoki Igarashi took seventh, with rookies Sharul Sharil, Fadillah Aditama and Herlian Dandi completing the top ten.

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Igarashi Aditama

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Igarashi Aditama

Igarashi #14 Aditama #3

Thurakij Buapa of Thailand was P11 overall, with Indian rookie Mikail Salih only half a tenth behind and taking 12th. Azyran Wahyumaniadi, Watcharin Tubtimon and Thanakorn Lakharn lock out the fastest fifteen ahead of returning Rei Wakamatsu.

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Carter Thompson

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Carter Thompson

Carter Thompson #6

Australian rookie Carter Thompson, at 12 years of age the youngest rider in the field, was within two-tenths of what would be a points-scoring position in a race. Due to his small size Thompson needs to carry an extra 10 kg of weight on his ATC machine to help with parity.

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Carter Thompson

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Carter Thompson

Carter Thompson

There were incidents and crashes for many on the grid during the test, but all riders were ok and back out with two exceptions. Unfortunately Australian 14-year-old Max Gibbons suffered a compressed vertebra as a result of a Day 1 fall and didn’t ride on Wednesday. Alfred Sablaya of the Philippines crashed and injured his hand on Day 2, with surgery planned.

The IATC will be back in action in a few weeks in Qatar as they gear up for Round 1 at Losail International Circuit, racing alongside MotoGP from the 6th to the 8th March.

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Hamada Furusato Azman

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Hamada Furusato Azman

Hamada #8 Furusato #15 Azman #13

Asia Talent Cup Sepang Test Times

  1. Taiyo Furusato JPN 2m16.863
  2. Kanta Hamada JPN 2m16.924
  3. Harrison Voight AUS 2m17.242
  4. Gun Mie JPN 2m17.349
  5. Syarifuddin Azman MAS 2m17.355
  6. Harjun Firdaus INA 2m17.644
  7. Shoki Igarashi JPN JPN 2m17.721
  8. Sharul Sharil MAL 2m17.926
  9. Fadillah Aditama INA 2m18.086
  10. Herlian Dandi INA 2m18.423
  11. Thurakij Buapa THA 2m18.623
  12. Mikail Salih IND 2m18.670
  13. Azryan Wahyumaniadi INA 2m18.773
  14. Watcharin Tubtimon THA 2m18.853
  15. Thanakorn Lakharn THA 2m18.867
  16. Rei Wakamatsu JPN 2m18.934
  17. Carter Thompson AUS 2m19.063
  18. Harris Herman MAL 2m20.813
  19. Kantapat Yabkanthai THA 2m20.899
  20. Max Gibbons AUS 2m21.666
  21. Alfred Sablaya PHL 2m24.305

2020 Asia Talent Cup Entry List

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Riders

Asia Talent Cup SepangTest Riders

2020 Asia Talent Cup Riders

Asia Talent Cup Logo

Asia Talent Cup Logo

Selected Number Rider Nat Age
S 2 Rei Wakamatsu JPN 13
S 3 Fadillah Arbi Aditama INA 14
S 5 Gun Mie JPN 13
S 6 Carter William James Thompson AUS 12
S 7 Mohamed Mikal Ahamed Salih IND 15
S 8 Kanta Hamada JPN 15
S 9 Thanakorn Lakharn THA 16
2019 10 Herjun Firdaus INA 15
S 11 Herlian Dandi INA 13
S 12 Max Martin Gibbons AUS 14
2019 13 Syarifuddin Azman MAL 17
2019 14 Shoki Igarashi JPN 17
S 15 Taiyo Furusato JPN 14
S 16 Watcharin Tabtim-On THA 16
S 17 Aldi Satya Mahendra INA 13
2019 18 Harrison Voight AUS 13
S 19 Azryan Dheyo Wahyumaniadi INA 14
S 20 Muhammad Sharul Ezwan Bin Mohd Sharil MAL 15
S 22 Alfred Jakob Sablaya PHL 14
S 23 Thurakij Baopa THA 15

2020 Reserve Riders
Selected Rider Nat Age
12 Allain Harriis Bin Herman MAL 15
62 Kantapat Yabkanthal THA 15
77 Keleb Satici TUR 15
86 Masaya Hongo JPN 15
114 Tsubasa Hosoya JPN 16

Source: MCNews.com.au

Matsuyama and Nishimura share the Motegi ATC wins

2019 Asia Talent Cup

Round 5 – Twin Ring Motegi


Takuma Matsuyama and Sho Nishimura have split the wins in the Asia Talent Cup at Motegi over the weekend, with Race 1 winner Matsuyama now leading the standings by 12-points, from Nishimura on 157, with both Japanese riders making the most of their home track advantage.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Matsuyama DSC
Takuma Matsuyama sporting his fractured wrist injury – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Harrison Voight led the Australians in Race 1 with a ninth place finish, while Jacob Roulstone and Luke Power did not finish, with Roulstone retiring and Power crashing. A turn-around in Race 2 saw Voight not finish, with Roulstone top Aussie in tenth, and Luke Power 16th. Voight crashed out on the final lap in Race 2.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Roulstone ZA
Jacob Roulstone – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Race 1

Takuma Matsuyama suffered a fractured wrist on Friday at Motegi, but that didn’t stop the Japanese rider converting pole position into an incredible win on Saturday afternoon. He extends his points lead to 25, now ahead of Afridza Munandar as the Indonesian took second and Sho Nishimura suffered a costly crash out of contention. Syarifuddin Azman completed the podium to keep his run of form rolling in another impressive race.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Start ZA
Race 1 Start – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

It was Matsuyama who kept P1 from pole, the number 11 blasting away from the line and already able to pull out a couple of bike lengths from the off. Azman was in hot pursuit, however, as he managed to put himself in charge of the chase, with the fight for third remaining a freight train early on.

Little by little, however, the chasing pack would reign the two in, as Azman managed to reign in Matsuyama too. Then it became a classic group battle at the front, with the top ten covered by just over a second and a half and the gaps a constant concertina.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Matsuyama Azman ZA
Takuma Matsuyama & Syarifuddin Azman – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

As the final laps appeared in sight though, it was down to a key group of six in the fight for the podium – Matsuyama, Munandar, Azman, Thai rider Tatchakorn Buasri, Shoki Igarashi and Nishimura. Drama hit on the penultimate lap for Nishimura, however, as the number 3 suddenly tagged the rear tyre of Munandar ahead of him and went down. That left Matsuyama with an open goal, and despite his fractured wrist, the number 11 would emerge victorious nonetheless.

Keeping calm and collected at the front, the points leader defended to perfection around the final two corners to keep the lead and blast towards the line ahead – nailing the exit too and no one able to get close as he crossed the line nearly two tenths clear. That gives him a 25-point lead ahead of Munandar as the Indonesian came second, narrowly escaping Azman on the drag to the line.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Matsuyama ZA
Takuma Matsuyama – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Buasri just missed out as he crossed the line in fourth, with Igarashi completing the top five as the last of the lead group, taking some good points after his dramatic antics in Buriram.

Warit Thongnoppakun was sixth and the first of those on the chase although the Thai rider cut the gap to a few tenths, heading Herjun Firdaus over the line. Wildcard Kanta Hamada impressed in P8, ahead of a solid race for Australian Harrison Voight. Wildcard Shota Kiuchi completed the top ten.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Voight ZA
Harrison Voight – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Abdul Mutaqim and Piyawat Patoomyos took P11 and P12, ahead of Nishimura as the title challenger was able to remount and score a smattering of points. Hildhan Kusuma and Shinji Ogo locked out both the scorers and the finishers.

Jacob Roulstone pulled into the pits to retire, Luke Power crashed out and Adenanta Putra stacked it early on – likely taking himself out of the Championship hunt in the process. He also took out an unlucky Rei Wakamatsu, who suffered a broken collarbone.


Race 2

Sho Nishimura is back in business! The Japanese rider has had a tougher time of it since the summer break but he came out swinging in Race 2 at the Twin Ring Motegi to take an authoritative win.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Start ZA
Race 2 Start – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

With key rival Takuma Matsuyama only taking fifth after a last lap wobble, that closes the standings right up as Matsuyama’s lead is now back down to just 12 points. Completing the podium were Thai rider Tatchakorn Buasri and home hero Shoki Igarashi, with both able to just pull ahead of a close drag to the line to take rostrum finishes.

Off the line it was Matsuyama who took the holeshot from pole, although the number 11 had more company in Race 2 as Nishimura made a blinding getaway and was able to almost get alongside his compatriot into Turn 1. Matsuyama held firm, however, and another classic IATC group battle began in earnest.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Nishimura ZA
Sho Nishimura – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Matsuyama led first, Syarifuddin Azman in pursuit, and Buasri was a firm presence at the front mid-race. It was only in the latter laps that Nishimura really started to put the hammer down, the eventual winner crossing the line in the top three in each of the last five laps…

In those last five laps, it was down to a five rider battle, with Harrison Voight just losing touch with the fight for the front. And it remained five, but the last lap would be a dramatic decider for one man at least.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Azman ZA
Syarifuddin Azman – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Matsuyama was right in the fight to take the win, but a sudden moment for the number 11 saw him plummet back from the group, and it looked like it was all over as Buasri vs Nishimura vs Igarashi vs Azman raged on. But the points leader wasn’t for giving up and he dug deep despite his injury, able to tag back on to the quartet by the time the final few corners were in sight. Would he be able to move forward?

By then, Nishimura had struck for the lead with a truly stunning move around the outside of Buasri; the Japanese rider inch perfect to take over in P1. And from there, he defended to perfection too – closing the door around the final two corners and able to stay ahead on the blast to the line. In the scuffle just behind, it was Matsuyama who just got shuffled back out of contention, crossing the line in fifth as the three men ahead of him went toe-to-toe towards the line.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Nishimura ZA
Sho Nishimura – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Buasri was the man who won the slipstream contest, taking second just ahead of Igarashi. Azman, after three consecutive podiums, just missed out in fourth.

Behind Matsuyama’s Iron Man ride to fifth despite his wrist, it was an impressive performance from wildcard Shota Kiuchi to take P6, with Harrison Voight taking a tumble on the final lap and out of the race.

Then came the second group, headed by title challenger Afridza Munandar in P7 as a gaggle of riders all crossed the line within a second. They were Munandar, Adenanta Putra, Warit Thongnoppakun, Jacob Roulstone, wildcard Kanta Hamada, Herjun Firdaus and Piyawat Patoomyos – all the way down to P13. Hildhan Kusuma and Shinji Ogo completed the points.

ATC Motegi Rd Race Roulstone ZA
Jacob Roulstone – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

That’s it from a race weekend of two halves at Motegi – or certainly of two riders. After another stunning showdown, there’s now only a single round remaining as Sepang International Circuit hosts the final two races in a couple of weeks – and it’s only 12 points in it. Everything will once again get decided in Malaysia, so don’t miss it and keep up to date with the Selection Event for next season that takes place just before the finale, too!

ATC Motegi Rd Race Power ZA
Luke Power – 2019 Asia Talent Cup – Round 5 Motegi

Source: MCNews.com.au

Matsuyama claims ATC lead with 1-1 in Thailand

2019 Asia Talent Cup

Round 4 – Chang International Circuit – Buriram


After a long summer break the Asia Talent Cup returned in Buriram, Thailand for Round 4 of the championship, with two races held over the weekend, marking the beginning of the second-half of the season. Engines fired up for the first time since July at the Thai venue before the Cup heads to Motegi on the way to the season finale at Sepang… with everything to race for!

ATC Rnd Thailand Sho Nishimura Race ZA
Favourite coming into Round 4 Sho Nishimura  – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Sho Nishimura arrived as the man in charge in the standings, with the Japanese youngster on 115-points at the top – 18 clear of his nearest challenger, Indonesian Afridza Munandar. Then there was another gap of 14 points back to Adenanta Putra and Takuma Matsuyama.

ATC Rnd Thailand Race ZA
Race 1 – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

A crash in Race 1 for Nishimura ensured that lead was immediately under threat, with Putra receiving a ride-through penalty, allowing Matsuyama to take a clear Race 1 win, with drama ending the podium charge of three riders in the final corner.

Matsuyama went on repeat his performance in Race 2, this time under pressure from Syarifuddin Azman and Afridza Munandar, who would complete the podium and it all coming down to the last corner. The result leaves Takuma Matsuyama with a four-point lead over Sho Nishimura, with Munandar a further 16-points in arears.

ATC Rnd Thailand Race Finish DSC
Matsuyama took the Race 2 win from Azman and Munandar – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Aussie Jacob Roulstone put in a strong effort to claim 6-5 results, while Harrison Voight was a DNF in Race 1 and penalised for Race 2 having to start from pitlane, but still ending the race in the points, in 15th.


Race 1

Takuma Matsuyama took a commanding win in Race 1 of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup at Buriram, pulling clear of the chasing pack – and the drama – to cross the line over three seconds clear for his first win of the season. Herjun Firdaus and Syarifuddin Azman completed the rostrum for their first podiums too, with final corner drama taking three riders out the podium fight…

ATC Rnd Thailand Race Start ZA
Race 1 Start – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

The front row got fairly equal starts to blast down to Turn 1 in unison, but drama just off the front grabbed everyone’s attention as points leader Sho Nishimura lost it and skittled out, taking a couple of riders with him. And there would be plenty more drama later, but Matsuyama was already far clear of it and from there on out, the Japanese rider only stretched his advantage.

The fight for second raged throughout the race, however. Firdaus, Azman, Tatchakorn Buasri, polesitter Afridza Munandar, Shoki Igarashi, Adenanta Putra and Idil Bin Mahadi all battled it out, with the first to drop from the group proving Putra as he was given a ride through for a jump start. And then there were six…

ATC Rnd Thailand Herjun Fidaus Race ZA
Herjun Firdaus – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

As the laps ticked down, it seemed Buasri and Munandar had the form but it wasn’t to be. As Matsuyama crossed the line in the clear, the fight for second approached the final corner and Igarashi then tried to force his way through – and lost the front, taking several riders with him. That left Firdaus and Azman coming through to complete the podium. Igarashi was given a back of the grid start for Race 2 as a result.

ATC Rnd Thailand Herjun Fidaus Race ZA
Herjun Firdaus – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

The man who crossed the line fourth, Bin Mahadi, also received a penalty – a time penalty the equivalent to a ride through – and is classified eighth, bumping home hero Piyawat Patoomyos up to P4, just ahead of compatriot wildcard Buapa Thurakij. Jacob Roulstone and Ryosuke Bando were next up ahead of Bin Mahadi, with Putra fighting back to ninth and Warit Thongnoppakun to tenth after he suffered contact.

ATC Rnd Thailand Afridza Munandar Race ZAKadir Erbay took 11th ahead of Nishimura, with Rei Wakamatsu having fought back to ahead of the points leader but then demoted a place for overtaking under yellows at the final corner. A penalty from Race 1 also saw Harrison Voight start from pitlane for causing a collision with Thongnoppakun.

ATC Rnd Thailand Race Podium DSC
Race 1 podium 1) Takuma Matsuyama, 2) Herjun Firdaus, 3) Syarifuddin Azman – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Race 2

It was home hero Tatchakorn Buasri who stormed to the holeshot off the front row in Race 2, the Thai rider taking over as he did in Race 1 and Munandar, especially, one to lose out. Matusyama slotted into second and flashbacks from Saturday must have immediately started for many on the grid, but number 11 wasn’t bolting off on Sunday.

ATC Rnd Thailand Race Start ZA
Race 2 Start – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Instead, the race was a classic freight train with the lead swapping and changing, and a lot less drama than the attrition of Race 1. Matsuyama spent plenty time at the head of the race, but the Japanese rider just didn’t seem quite able to pull the pin – although his key rival, Sho Nishimura wasn’t having the easiest race of it as he got beaten up in the group, pushed down outside the top five.

Eventually, however, Matsuyama got his chance as the squabble for second allowed him to make a break for it with eight laps to go. Was this it? The gap went up to over half a second and kept on climbing…

ATC Rnd Thailand Tatchakorn Buasri Syarifuddin Azman Race ZA
Tatchakorn Buasri & Syarifuddin Azman – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

With four laps to go though, Azman was on a charge. Breaking free from the group battle, he was able to close the leader down – and brought some company. It was therefore a quartet heading over the line for the final lap, with Matsuyama facing Azman, Buasri and Munandar down for the win and of course, it went down to the final corner.

Buasri was a little too far back but both Azman and Munandar attacked Matsuyama, one either side, but the Japanese rider held firm and kept the perfect line around the corner, exiting ahead and slicing away and over the line to do the double. Azman took second and Munandar third, with Buasri heading wide as he also tried to get involved. The home hero was forced to settle for fourth.

ATC Rnd Thailand Takuma Matsuyama Race ZA
Takuma Matsuyama – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Aussie Jacob Roulstone got the better of former leader Nishimura in the end, the Australian putting in another stellar performance on Saturday to complete the top five, as behind Nishimura, but by just a tenth, came Adenanta Putra.

Jacob Roulstone

“Really proud of myself this weekend at round 4 of Asia Talent Cup. It’s been tough to get to this point but today it feels great. Free practices went well with both sessions at 10th and qualifying a bit disappointing at 15th. Race 1 was full of drama but I was holding 10th place when 3 went down at the front on the last corner allowing me to claim 7th. A further rider was penalized so I managed 6th! But race 2 I worked hard for it and battled up the front right to the end and grabbed 5th place. My best ride and result all season. Thank you Mum for being here, Steve Nagle for all his help, Colin Stoner for his support, dad and Ashley back home and all the people who have supported me and said hi over the weekend. Also Thank you to Joan my mechanic and all the Asia Talent Cup team.”

ATC Rnd Thailand Jacob Roulstone Race ZA
Jacob Roulstone – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

Thai riders Warit Thongnoppakun and Piyawat Patoomyos took P8 and P9 on home soil on Sunday, with Shoki Igarashi completing the top ten to bounce back from his back of the grid penalty. Herjun Firdaus couldn’t repeat his Race 1 form, taking P11 ahead of Idil Bin Mahadi, Ryosuke Bando, Rei Wakamatsu and Australian Harrison Voight, who took the final point despite his penalty of starting from pitlane.

ATC Rnd Thailand Race Podium DSC
Race 2 podium 1) Takuma Matsuyama, 2) Syarifuddin Azman, 3) Afridza Munandar – 2019 Asia Talent Cup Round 4, Thailand

That’s it from Buriram, and now it’s next stop Motegi…home turf for a good portion of the grid, and the two men at the top of the standings. Last year it was all about Matsuyama, can Nishimura flip the form book in 2019? Find out in two weeks.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Nishimura & Munandar share Sepang Round 3 ATC wins

Asia Talent Cup 2019

Sepang International Circuit – Round 3

Round 3 of the Asia Talent Cup saw Sho Nishimura claim the Race 1 win from Afridza Munandar and Takuma Matsuyama, with young Aussies Harrison Voight 13th, Luke Power 16th and Jacob Roulstone 18th.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sat Munandara ZA
Afridza Munandar – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

In Race 2 it was Afridza Munandar who claimed the race win from Adenanta Putra and Warit Thongnoppakun. Harrison Voight took fourth, with Jacob Roulstone inside the top 10 in ninth, and Luke Power 11th.

Asia Talent Cup Race 1

Sho Nishimura has extended his lead in the standings after a dramatic Race 1 at Sepang International Circuit, with the first showdown of the weekend cut short by a Red Flag after a mutliple-rider incident with five laps to go. Indonesian Afridza Munandar and Japanese rider Takuma Matsuyama, who remains second in the Championship, completed the podium.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sat Race Start ZA
Race 1 Start – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

It was Shoki Igarashi who took the holeshot from third on the grid, slotting into the lead ahead of Matsuyama as polesitter Nishimura lost out slightly off the line. But it wouldn’t stay that way for long as the number 11 machine of Matsuyama soon attacked and took the lead, initially then pushing to try and break away but Nishimura able to pull him back in. And so it became a group of four fighting at the front, with Munandar up in the mix.

Warit Thongnoppakun was on the chase, however, with the Thai rider managing to chip away at the gap and join the foursome in the lead. Could he get into a podium position and take his second rostrum finish? As it transpired, he wouldn’t get the chance as some serious drama was about to hit the second group.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sat Nishimura ZA
Sho Nishimura – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

A multiple-rider crash saw Hildhan Kusuma, Adenanta Putra, Tatchakorn Buasri and Abdul Mutaqim all go down, and soon after the Red Flag was shown, bringing the race to an early end. That meant that last time over the line decided the winner – and it had been close. By an infinitesimal 0.060 the win goes to Nishimura, with the Japanese rider just ahead of Munandar, and Matsuyama completes the podium. Thongnoppakun and Igarashi complete the top five.

Because the results are taken from the last time over the line, it’s Putra classified sixth, ahead of home hero Syarifuddin Azman as the Malaysian put in a top performance on home turf. Herjun Firdaus takes P8, with Hildhan Kusuma and Piyawat Patoomyos completing the top ten.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Matsuyama ZA
Takuma Matsuyama – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

Buasri and Mutaqim were 11th and 12th and the last two in a tight freight train of seven riders within a few tenths before the key incident. Riders were all ‘ok’ after the crash, although Buasri and Mutaqim were sent for further checks.

Australian Harrison Voight took P13 and some points after a top qualifying, with Ryosuke Bando and second Malaysian Idil Mahadi completing the scorers.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sat Podium ZA
Race 1 Podium – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

Asia Talent Cup Race 1 Results

  1. Sho Nishimura 18’42.072
  2. Afridza Munandar +0.060
  3. Takuma Matsuyama +0.289
  4. Warit Thongnoppakun +0.544
  5. Shoki Igarashi +0.962
  6. Adenanta Putra +5.506
  7. Syarifuddin Azman +5.552
  8. Herjun Firdaus +5.789
  9. Hildhan Kusuma +5.928
  10. Piyawat Patoomyos +6.159
  11. Tatchakorn Buasri +6.247
  12. Abdul Mutaqim +6.376
  13. Harrison Voight +8.161
  14. Ryosuke Bando +15.990
  15. Muhammad Idil Fitri Bin Mahadi +19.981
  16. Luke Power +23.609
  17. Rei Wakamatsu +23.858
  18. Jacob Roulstone +23.828
  19. Kadir Erbay +51.360

Asia Talent Cup Race 2

Afridza Munandar took a commending second win of the season at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, staying clear of a chaotic fight at the front in the final laps to take home 25 points and take over second in the standings. Compatriot Adenanta Putra followed him home, with Thai rider Warit Thongnoppakun taking his second rostrum of the finish in third after escaping some final corner drama.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Race Start ZA
Race 2 Start – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

Sho Nishimura took the holeshot from pole, but Takuma Matsuyama was quick to attack back and the two headed up a five-rider fight at the front, with Thongnoppakun, Shoki Igarashi and Adenanta Putra in the mix. There was a small gap back to Tatchakorn Buasri on the chase, and eventual winner Afridza Munandar was soon challenging too.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Munandar ZA
Afridza Munandar – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

With Matsuyama streaking away at the front, it was Munandar who sliced through to start reeling the number 11 in with a show of intent and he did just that; the freight train at the front then appearing again and 12 riders within 1.8 seconds.

With eight laps to go, big drama hit for Matsuyama. Running off and then making contact with another rider on track, the number 11 fell from the front fight and the initial pacesetter was out. That left Munandar in the lead at the front of the group, with Nishimura in second and home hero Syarifuddin Azman having sliced through into third.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sat Race ZA
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

As the group kept chopping and changing and the laps ticked down, however, it was Thongnoppakun who managed to escape the melee to stay with Munandar and the duo began to pull away. Heading onto the final lap, the Indonesian had half a second in his pocket and that would prove a crucial gap.

Although those behind managed to close in, no one could attack Munandar into the final corner – and the final corner was where the attack happened. Azman, gunning for a home podium, tried a move on Nishimura but the Malaysian tagged the back of the Japanese rider, taking them both down and out of podium contention.

Munandar crossed the line in clear air, Thongnoppakun was able to avoid the drama and, despite losing time, made his way back on track to gun it to the line – but he was beaten to it as Adenanta Putra pipped him to the post, the podium decided in dramatic fashion.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Voight ZA
Harrison Voight – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

Harrison Voight took his best finish yet in fourth after a good weekend for the Australian, ahead of Hildhan Kusuma who completed the top five. Tatchakorn Buasri took P6 ahead of Piyawat Patoomyos, with Abdul Mutaqim crossing the line in eighth.

Jacob Roulstone headed the next group and beat home hero Idil Mahadi to ninth, with Luke Power, Rei Wakamatsu, Kadir Erbay and wildcard Shinji Ogo completing the finishers. Igarashi and Herjun Firdaus suffered DNFs.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Roulstone DSC
Jacob Roulstone – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

It’s a long wait for the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup until the next round alongside MotoGP at Buriram now, but it’s still Sho Nishimura who leads the way despite Day 2 at Sepang not going his way. Who will be strongest when the field return to the fray? Find out in October.

Asia Talent Cup Rnd Sepang Sun Podium ZA
Race 2 Podium – Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Round 3 Sepang

Asia Talent Cup Race 2 Results

  1. Afridza Munandar 30’21.574
  2. Adenanta Putra +2.475
  3. Warit Thongnoppakun +2.535
  4. Harrison Voight +3.679
  5. Hildhan Kusuma +3.839
  6. Tatchakorn Buasri +11.839
  7. Piyawat Patoomyos +12.031
  8. Abdul Mutaqim +24.380
  9. Jacob Roulstone +29.721
  10. Muhammad Idil Fitri Bin Mahadi +30.119
  11. Luke Power +30.242
  12. Rei Wakamatsu +43.530
  13. Kadir Erbay +1’05.237

Asia Talent Cup Standings

  1. Sho Nishimura 115
  2. Afridza Munandar 97
  3. Adenanta Putra 83
  4. Takuma Matsuyama 83
  5. Warit Thongnoppakun 73
  6. Tatchakorn Buasri 72
  7. Piyawat Patoomyos 41
  8. Herjun Firdaus 40
  9. Shoki Igarashi 37
  10. Abdul Mutaqim 33
  11. Harrison Voight 31
  12. Hildhan Kusuma 28
  13. Muhammad Idil Fitri Bin Mahadi 22
  14. Syarifuddin Azman 22
  15. Luke Power 17
  16. Jacob Roulstone 16
  17. Ryosuke Bando 13
  18. Rei Wakamatsu 8
  19. Kadir Erbay 5

Source: MCNews.com.au

Aussie kids getting up to speed at Asia Talent Cup Testing

Voight, Power and Roulstone kick off Asia Talent Cup season with Sepang Test

The Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup returns once again in 2019, marking the sixth season of the Road to MotoGP feeder program selecting promising young riders from the Asia-Pacific region to take part. Seven riders return this year, while 14 rookies fill the ranks and Harrison Voight, Luke Power and Jacob Roulstone represent Australia.

The competitors, aged 12 to 19, have been handpicked at an annual IATC Selection Event at Sepang International Circuit and represent Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey.

Asia Talent Cup Sepang Test
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Sepang Test

They’ll be competing on Honda NSF250R Moto3 machinery to see who has what it takes to become the IATC Champion and once again, they’ll benefit from the vast experience of Asia Talent Cup Director Alberto Puig and his team of experts as they aim to both win and learn.

Kicking off the season was the first test of the year at the Sepang International Circuit, which hosted the grid over two days directly following the MotoGP test with Harrison Voight and Jacob Roulstone completing testing in the top 15, while Luke Power suffered a Day 1 crash, before being cleared to head back out on track on Day 2.

Asia Talent Cup Sepang Test Track Info
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Sepang Circuit Testing Information

Dry track conditions greeted the riders, with some veterans and a host of rookies able to get in some good track time ahead of the season opener alongside the Grand Prix of Qatar.

Some news came in before conclusion of the test that sees Kopchai Sae-Liw withdraw from the 2019 Cup, and Danial Sharil – after a big crash at the end of last season – remains sidelined through injury although the Malaysian is expected to return to competition once fit.

Of the riders who completed the test – which included a race simulation on Day 2 – one name shone above the rest by the end of action, Indonesian Adenanta Putra.

Putting in an impressive performance, Putra topped the overall combined times by nearly half a second from his nearest competitor, Japanese rider Sho Nishimura, and was consistently one of the quickest.

Nishimura also impressed to take P2 overall, but he was only 0.016 ahead of compatriot Takuma Matsuyama as the gap tightened behind Putra. Tatchakorn Buasri was fourth quickest and a further two tenths in arrears as veterans dominated the top, but the first rookie impressively locked out the top five – Herjun Firdaus.

The Indonesian newcomer had compatriot and veteran Afridza Munandar for close company, however, with less than half a tenth separating the countrymen.

Warit Thongnoppakun was the first name in another trio close on the timesheets, six tenths off Munandar but with rookie compatriot, Thai rider Piyawat Patoomyos, just 0.018 off and Japanese rookie Shoki Igarashi only another 0.068 in arrears. Reserve rider and wild card Shota Kiuchi completed the top ten.

Harrison Voight of Australia, Ryosuke Bando of Japan, Indonesians Abdul Mutaqim and Hildhan Kusuma and Australian Jacob Roulstone completed the top fifteen, with the pace of the majority of the field showing impressive improvements as those further down the order cut the gap to the front and the frontrunners continued to push.

Australian Luke Power crashed on Day 1 and was deemed unfit for the rest of that day’s action before being reviewed on the morning of Day 2 and heading out to continue his testing, whereas wildcard Harith Zamri of Malaysia crashed on Day 2 and was declared unfit, heading to hospital with a suspected fracture.

That’s it from Sepang after the 2019 competitors had their first taste of the season to come, tune in to the first round of the year from Losail International Circuit in Qatar as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup open the season competing alongside MotoGP from the 8th to 10th March.

Asia Talent Cup Riders
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Rider List

Asia Talent Cup 2019

After a test at Sepang in February, the 2019 Cup commences at Losail International Circuit in Qatar as the series kicks off racing alongside the MotoGP season opener in March. It’s a quick turnaround for Round 2 as the IATC heads for Buriram in Thailand the following weekend, this time alongside WorldSBK, with the season then hitting the mid-point at Sepang in June alongside the Malaysian Superbike Championship.

Asia Talent Cup Sepang Test Atmos
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Sepang Test

Then it’s back to the MotoGP paddock as the IATC complete their season alongside the Grands Prix in Thailand, Japan and Malaysia in October and November, with 10 of the 12
races once again taking place on the same stages as MotoGP and World Superbike. The season finale at Sepang is bound to be another showstopper, with the Cup often going down to the final round, the final lap – and even the final corner

Asia Talent Cup Honda NSFR
Asia Talent Cup 2019 – Honda NSF250R

2019 Asia Talent Cup Calendar

  • 08-10 March – Qatar, Losail (MotoGP)
  • 15-17 March – Thailand, Chang (WSBK)
  • 14-16 July – Malaysia, Sepang (MSC)
  • 04-06 October – Thailand, Chang (MotoGP)
  • 18-20 October – Japan, Motegi (MotoGP)
  • 01-03 November – Malaysia, Sepang (MotoGP)

Source: MCNews.com.au