Mitani grabs fourth 2024 win in dramatic Race 1 thriller
For the fourth time in five races Zen Mitani charged to victory in 2024 as we witnessed a phenomenal Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup race play out at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. The title chase leader beat compatriot and rookie Seiryu Ikegami by 0.4s, as Farish Hafiy completed the podium following an incident involving Kiandra Ramadhipa and Ryota Ogiwara coming out of the final corner, which saw the former handed a six-second penalty for irresponsible riding.
Ogiwara got the perfect launch from pole position as Mitani was shuffled back to P4 in the opening couple of corners after a slightly sluggish getaway from the middle of the front row. Quickly, a lead group of five formed at the front, including Ogiwara, Mitani, Hafiy, Ikegami and Ramadhipa, as the lead changed corner by corner in a fascinating fight between the quintet.
In the second half of the race, Kiattisak Singhapong began to reel in the leaders at a rapid rate of knots. From three seconds down, the Thai rider made it a six-rider scrap for the win in the closing stages – and it all came down to the final couple of corners.
Mitani placed himself perfectly on the final lap to hold the lead into Turn 16, with Ikegami not quite close enough to make a lunge on the #2. The Japanese riders took P1 and P2, as drama unfolded in the fight for P3. A messy Turn 17 played out as four riders attempted to gain advantage and the best piece of asphalt on the run to the line. Having taken the inside line, Ramadhipa’s exit was compromised. Ogiwara’s wide, sweeping line enabled the the Japanese rider to get a great run out of the final corner, before Ramadihpa cut across the #16’s path, leading to Ogiwara crashing at the chequered flag. Thankfully the latter was up on his feet immediately, with the move seeing Ramahipa receive a six-second penalty for irresponsible riding, which saw Hafiy promoted to third.
Fourth went the way of Ogiwara who picks up 13 points despite the late crash, as Singhapong rounded out the top five. Ramadhipa’s penalty saw the Indonesian drop from P3 to P6, one place ahead of the recovering Riichi Takahira after the Japanese rider produced a great ride to come from P18 on the grid – following a penalty – to P7. Rintaro Takemoto, Alfonsi Daquigan and Levi Russo were the final three riders to pick up a top 10 finish in Race 1.
0.016s in it: Ogiwara wins Race 2 stunner in Indonesia
What a motorcycle race! Finishes don’t get much better than that as Ryota Ogiwara claimed a debut Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup victory following an outstanding fight for the win during Race 2 at the Indonesian GP. The #16 beat Zen Mitani and Riichi Takahira on the run to the line by 0.016s and 0.017s respectively in a photo finish, as we’re treated to another fantastic race in 2024.
Just as it was in Race 1, the holeshot belonged to Ogiwara as an all-Japanese front four got to the front in the early stages, with Mitani, Takahira and Seiryu Ikegami getting good starts. After a handful of laps, Farish Hafiy joined the party and not too long after, Kiattisak Singhapong reeled in the leaders like he did in Race 1 too.
Plenty of overtakes were occurring as the top six jostled for positions, and that soon became seven with the impressive Alfonsi Daquigan clawing his way up to the podium fight before the Philippines star crashed out at the final corner in the closing stages.
A mistake from Hafiy at Turn 10 with three laps to go saw the Malaysian run wide and out of podium contention, so that meant it was five riders in the hunt for victory on the final lap. Takahira led the way from Ogiwara and Mitani, as it all came down to Turns 16 and 17 – again. Ogiwara found his way to the front but Mitani – who was P4 with three corners to go – pounced up to P2 at Turn 16. Then, the #2 tried to go for a race-winning overtake at Turn 17. Mitani was up the inside of Ogiwara, who didn’t back down, as the duo and Takahira dived behind the bubble and had a mini drag race to the line. Ogiwara won by a slender 0.016s, with a photo finish confirming Mitani beat Takahira to P2 by 0.001s.
Ikegami missed out on a podium by less than a tenth in P4, with Singhapong 0.184s away from the win in P5. Hafiry had to settle for P6, as there was a good battle further down inside the top 10 with seventh place Sarthak Chavan finishing just ahead of Levi Russo and Rintaro Takamoto. Wildcard rider Davino Britani unfortunately crashed out of that group at the final corner, which allowed Tanachat Pratumtong to pick up P10.
So that’s it from Mandalika for another year! Round 3 didn’t disappoint as we look forward to getting to Japan for Round 4 in less than a week’s time.