ARRC newcomer Aiki Iyoshi has gotten himself into the lead of the Asia Production 250cc with a convincing Race 2 win at The Bend Motorsport Park.
All eyes were on the AP250 class, especially Andy Muhammad Fadly, who will be racing with a 500rpm cut after Race 1. However, the Indonesian rider highsided at the apex of Turn 1 on the opening lap and was unable to complete the second race.
Unfazed by the absence of his team mate, Aiki successfully challenged early race leader Muklada Sarapuech and got himself into the lead on Lap 5. Aiki maintained his position to the end of the race with 19’19.635s.
Muklada, who was having a tough time controlling a machine with heavy chattering problem in Race 2, gamely tried to narrow the gap against Aiki but was forced to settle for second place with 19’20.826s, 1.191s behind her Kawasaki rival.
Muklada’s team mate, Tatchakorn Buasri, presented a double podium to the AP Honda Racing Thailand team in third with 19’21.930s.
Aiki is the new AP250 leader with 68 points while Andy Muhammad Fadly dropped to second overall. Muklada is third with 61 points followed by Lucky Hendriansya fourth with 44 points and Awhin Sanjaya fifth with 38 points.
The 30-point gap between Aiki and Awhin means that Aiki will be the next rider to carry the 500-rpm cut in the AP250 class. This will certainly change the game in the following round in Muklada’s home track, the Chang International Circuit.