The #14 pushes the points leader all the way in the desert, but the winning run continues for Ogiwara
Ryota Ogiwara remains undefeated in 2025 after another stunning Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup win at Lusail, making it four in a row for the points leader. Seiryu Ikegami was once again forced to settle for second but pushed his compatriot all the way to take a fourth P2 in four races. After a big group battle to complete the podium, Shingo Iidaka makes it a Japanese 1-2-3 once more, as he did on Saturday.
Ogiwara nabbed the holeshot from pole as he and Ikegami started building a gap from the off, setting up a duel to remember. Ogiwara led the way until Ikegami attacked into Turn 1 with six to go, defending his lead for a couple of laps before the #16 hit back at Turn 4 with four laps to go.
Onto the final lap Ogiwara led the way by half a second, but the #14 closed in nearly immediately on the brakes – then shadowing the bike ahead round the lap and trying to set up a move into the final corner. He tried to find space up the inside but Ogiwara left no gap to be exploited, and the points leader adds another 25 points to his incredible haul so far in 2025.
As ever, the group battle behind went to the line in Race 2, with the podium decided by hundredths. Iidaka was just able to nab P3 and make it double podiums in Qatar, denying Thai rider Noprutpong Bunprawes and his compatriot Teerin Fleming. Indonesian Badly Ayutullah, Filipino rider Alfonsi Daquigan and Haruki Matsuyama from Japan complete that battle for the podium down to P8. Another battle behind saw Australian Bodie Paige come out on top for ninth, with Palestinian Mahdi Salem completing the top ten.
The ATC returns to action in August at Petronas Sepang International Circuit for a special standalone round – stay turned for that before they’re back alongside MotoGP later this season!
