The first track action for the 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup provides a glimpse of the season ahead
The two-day test for the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup has now concluded at Lusail, and it’s a familiar name on top as Ryota Ogiwara laid down a benchmark in the first track action of the season. Compatriot Zen Mitani was next up as two experienced riders locked out the top, but third went to rookie Seiryu Ikegami as the Japanese newcomer impressed from the off.
Riichi Takahira makes it a Japanese 1-2-3-4, before another rookie, Kiattisak Singhapong, puts Thailand in the top five and hits the ground running in the ATC. Malaysia’s Farish Hafiy takes P6, with another newcomer make their presence felt immediately in seventh: Kiandra Ramadhipa from Indonesia. Sarthak Chavan from India, Australian rider Levi Russo and Kitsada Tanachot from Thailand, the latter racing in the first round, complete a top ten peppered with new names amongst the familiar faces.
It’s not all about the timesheets in testing, however, with the newcomers getting their very first taste of the ATC and the returning riders taking some time to get back in the groove. Will the pecking order stay the same in Round 1? Change again later in the season? Or do we have a first glimpse of what we can expect in 2024? Check out the results HERE!
Now there are just a couple of weeks until competition begins, so get ready for Round 1 alongside MotoGP™ at the season opening Qatar GP from the 8th to the 10th of March!
