The race began with immediate disruption. Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM took the early lead but slid out at Turn 1. This allowed Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM to take charge, followed closely by Gerry Salim of MsGlowForMen Racing Team and Riichi Takahira of Tian yu Asia Racing MFZ. By Lap 2, Irfan made his move to take the lead, overtaking Hiroki, while Andi M. Fadly of Pro Power Antares MT Kawasaki settled into fifth position.

The middle sector of the race saw fierce competition and constantly shifting positions. On Lap 3, Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA set a fast pace of 1’47.367s to move into third behind Gerry. The pace quickened further on Lap 5 when Aldiaz Aqsal Ismaya of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA clocked a 1’47.092s. On Lap 6, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM briefly took the lead before crashing a lap later. Hiroki also suffered a crash, removing another front-runner from contention.

In closing stages, Riichi assumed the lead. Irfan responded on Lap 8 with the fastest lap of the race at 1’46.919s. On final lap, Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM was leading the pack when Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA attempted an inside pass. The two collided and crashed out. With Krittapat, Hiroki, and Rheza all failing to finish, and Candra finishing down in P18, the top four riders in the championship standings lost valuable points.

Irfan claimed victory after crossing the line first at 18’00.799s. Riichi claimed his first career podium finish in second place at 18’01.193s, while Fadhil secured third at 18’01.350s.

Irfan stated, “That was an incredibly tough and physically demanding race right from the very first corner. The wind out on the circuit was exceptionally strong today, which made it extremely difficult to find a consistent rhythm, hit our braking markers, and manage the overall race pace. The conditions were so unpredictable, I had to stay patient and ride a highly tactical race.”

“My primary focus was simply to protect my track position, stay safely within the leading group, and conserve my energy and tyres for a final, decisive attack. I targeted the last lap to make my ultimate move, and to be able to execute that strategy perfectly and bring home the win is just an unbelievable feeling. The tension in those final corners was immense, but I managed to keep my focus intact.”

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my incredible team for giving me a winning bike, as well as my family and everyone who has continually supported me. Finally, standing on the top step of the podium at a home race is a feeling like absolutely no other. To achieve this victory here at Mandalika, hearing the cheers from the passionate Indonesian fans, makes this one of the most special and emotional moments.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (18’00.799s)
2. RIICHI TAKAHIRA – Tian yu Asia Racing MFZ (18’01.193s)
3. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (18’01.350s)
4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – YUZY ASIA TEAM (18’01.748s)
5. MUH. BADLY AYATULLAH M – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (18’01.981s)

Following the qualifying session, Krittapat Keankum claimed pole position with a time of 1’45.328s. He was joined on the front row by Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM with his lap time of 1’45.668s and Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA at 1’45.837s.
As the race began, Hiroki Ono surged forward to take the initial advantage. However, Krittapat Keankum quickly responded, overtaking him to reclaim the top spot before the end of the lap. Behind the leaders, Gerry Salim of MsGlowForMen Racing Team settled into third, followed closely by Riichi Takahira of Tian yu Asia Racing MFZ and Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA.

The race dynamics shifted notably on the third lap. Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM found his rhythm, setting a fast lap of 1’46.996s. He moved up to challenge for the lead and successfully overtook Krittapat. Meanwhile, an unfortunate incident further back in the field saw Zhong Wen Ze of Tian yu Asia Racing MFZ and Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA collide, resulting in both riders crashing out of the competition.

The fight for the lead remained fluid as the laps progressed. On lap 4, Candra pushed past Irfan to take control of the race. Krittapat then fought his way back to the front on lap 5, with Reykat Yusuf Fadilah of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM moving up into third. During this phase, Hiroki Ono experienced a fall but managed to quickly pick up his bike and rejoin the race.

By lap six, Irfan was back in the lead, followed by Reykat and Krittapat. The leading pack stayed tightly grouped. On lap 8, Gerry set a new fastest lap of 1’46.683s to stay well in contention. The penultimate lap saw Reykat overtake Krittapat, while Gerry and Riichi also battled firmly for the front positions.

The tenth and final lap saw Fadhil briefly held the lead as the front-runners constantly traded places through the circuit’s corners. Ultimately, Krittapat Keankum navigated the busy field effectively, making a clean and decisive move to cross the finish line first with a total time of 17’43.380s. Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM finished second at 17’44.445s, while Gerry secured the final podium spot at 17’44.667s.

Krittapat commented, “Going into that final lap, my heart was racing, and I knew I had to give it absolutely everything I had left in the tank to secure the best possible position. I wanted this win so badly for the team, and I ended up pushing the bike just a little bit too hard, riding right on the absolute limit of what the tires could handle. Because of that, the rear started to lose its grip, and I was dealing with a lot of sliding through those critical final few corners. It was definitely a tense, nerve-wracking moment where I thought I might lose it all, but thankfully, I managed to keep the bike under control, hold my breath, and safely bring it home to the finish line. Crossing that line was a feeling of pure relief and joy.”

“Despite that heart-stopping end to the race, I am so incredibly grateful and emotional about this result today. Standing on the top step of the podium is a dream realized. I want to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to my entire team. They worked tirelessly, late into the night and from the early morning sessions, to give me such a highly competitive machine. This achievement is a true reward for all their sweat and hard work in the garage, I couldn’t have done it without them. Finally, I want to send my deepest appreciation and love to all the Thai fans cheering for me back home, as well as to all of our amazing sponsors. Hearing your cheers and knowing you have my back gives me the strength and motivation to keep fighting at the very front of the pack, no matter how tough the race gets. Thank you so much to everyone who believes in us!”
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (17’43.380s)
2. FAHMI BASAM – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (17’44.445s)
3. GERRY SALIM – MsGlowForMen Racing Team (17’44.667s)
4. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (17’44.820s)
5. REYKAT YUSUF FADILAH – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (17’44.935s)

The action began on Friday morning with the Indonesian riders looking to establish an early rhythm and dictate the pace on a track they know intimately. Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA set the initial benchmark in Practice 1, logging a solid 1’46.930s to take the lead. His teammate, Candra H, followed closely behind with a 1’47.004s, indicating the local squad had found a comfortable setup right out of the box. Reykat Yusuf Fadilah, representing YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, completed an all-Indonesian top three. Meanwhile, experienced contenders Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM and Krittapat began their day quietly, evaluating track conditions to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

In Practice 2, Candra H managed to find extra speed through the sweeping sectors, taking over the top position with an improved time of 1’46.714s. However, the international riders were steadily beginning to close the gap. Krittapat moved up into second place with a 1’46.908s lap time. The afternoon session also saw Irfan Ardiansyah put ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM firmly into the mix by securing third, pushing early leader Fadhil Musyavi down to fourth. Fahmi Basam rounded out a tightly contested top five for YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM.

In Practice 3, Krittapat executed a clean flying lap to break the 1’46 barrier, clocking an impressive 1’45.998s. This effort secured him the fastest lap of the day. Hiroki also found significant late pace, jumping to second overall with a 1’46.031s, falling just fractions short of the top spot.

Despite losing the outright lead, Candra H remained consistent, posting a 1’46.363s to secure a vital third overall. Meanwhile, Rheza Danica Ahrens delivered a crucial late lap of 1’46.547s to place his ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM machine in fourth. Fadhil Musyavi’s Practice 3 time of 1’46.571s ensured he completed Friday’s combined top five.

Krittapat shared, “I am taking this weekend step by step, focusing solely on doing my absolute best each time I leave the pit lane. Right now, I am not thinking about the championship points at all. My mind is locked on this circuit and the job in front of me. I really want to thank my entire team for their incredible hard work today. They gave me a fantastic setup and constantly pushed me to reach that top spot on the timesheets.”

“Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1, we are not planning to make any major changes to the bike because the base package is already excellent. Instead, the improvement has to come from me. I just need to adjust and refine my riding style slightly, and if I can do that, I am confident I can produce an even faster lap time.”

“Honestly, Mandalika is a very demanding circuit for me to master. Because the track is located right next to the beach, we have to battle some very strong winds. It makes Sector 2 particularly difficult to tackle alone, as you really feel the drag without a slipstream. It is a tough physical and technical challenge, but I am fully prepared to give everything I have tomorrow.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’45.998s)
2. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (1’46.031s)
3. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (1’46.363s)
4. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’46.547s)
5. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (1’46.571s)

Stepping in as a replacement rider for HONDA RACING VIETNAM, Hiroki has quickly made an impact by securing three victories. By matching the win tally of his leading rivals, his performance has created an interesting new storyline for the season.
Despite his immediate success, Hiroki remains calm and grounded about his results. “Of course, as a racer, I always step onto the track with a strong desire to win. However, coming into this season as a replacement rider, I truly did not expect to achieve three victories this quickly. It has been a wonderful surprise, and it validates the hard work we have put in together.”

While he is closing the gap in the standings, Hiroki refuses to be distracted by title calculations. “Honestly, I am not putting my focus on the championship standings right now. The pressure of points can be distracting. My main priority is simply to fight hard and increase my number of wins. I firmly believe that if I keep pushing for the podium, the final standings will naturally take care of themselves.”

Hiroki travels to Indonesia carrying clear momentum from his recent double victory in Japan. “Motegi was my home race, so naturally, I felt a deep sense of comfort and confidence there. Racing in front of my home crowd was special. While I might not have that exact same home advantage here at Mandalika, I am still carrying a lot of positive energy and belief into this weekend.”

He knows the Indonesian track will test the grid. “On paper, the circuit layout might look easy, but it is actually highly technical. In the AP250 class, mastering slipstreaming will be absolutely essential. I am really looking forward to the challenge. We have a solid plan in place, and my goal is to get through our setup work within the limited practice time to refine our package for Sunday.”

His quick adaptation is largely due to his strong bond with HONDA RACING VIETNAM and his previous ARRC experience. “The competition in AP250 is definitely higher than my past experience in the TVS category, but that makes it more fun. The battles are tight, and I rely heavily on my racecraft to strategize.”

“More importantly, the team places a great deal of trust in me, and I trust them completely. We are getting stronger every session. My highest priority right now is not the championship, but acting as a mentor, providing useful feedback to help develop the young Vietnamese riders, and bringing solid data back to the team.”

The AP250 class at Mobility Resort Motegi saw Japan’s Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM complete a dream weekend with a hard-fought victory in Race 2 of Round 3 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. After claiming Race 1 honours on Saturday, the home favourite secured a memorable double victory in front of his home fans.

The race got underway with Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM making a strong launch from the grid, but he was soon challenged by Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, who moved into the lead. Behind them, Riichi Takahira of Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ settled into third place.

The pace intensified as Hiroki set the early benchmark on Lap 2 with a fastest lap of 2’08.853s. While Gao Ziang of ONE FOR ALL saw his race end prematurely following a crash, the battle at the front continued to grow more competitive.

The race continued with constant position changes among six riders. Hiroki, Riichi, Krittapat, Fahmi, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, and Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM traded places lap after lap, with no rider able to establish a decisive advantage.

On Lap 7, Md Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM crashed out while running with the leading group. Riichi then briefly seized control of the race, only for Hiroki to fight back on Lap 8.

On the final lap, Riichi led Krittapat and Hiroki, while Irfan, Candra, Fahmi, and Rheza Danica Ahrens remained firmly in contention. The battle became increasingly intense, and Teppei Kugawa of SANWA RACING TEAM crashed out amid the frantic closing exchanges.

Hiroki produced a perfectly timed final attack to snatch victory in 21’34.185s. Irfan Ardiansyah charged through to finish second, just 0.105s behind, while Candra H secured third place, 0.119s adrift of the winner.

The victory marked Hiroki’s second win of the weekend and completed a perfect home round for the Japanese rider, much to the delight of the Motegi crowd.

Hiroki commented: “My feelings are very similar to yesterday, but today’s race was even more challenging from my side. The competition was incredibly close, and I knew I had to maintain my position at the front and save something extra for the final few laps. In the last two or three laps, I gave everything I had and pushed beyond my limits. I gave more than 100%, and when I crossed the finish line in first place, it was an unforgettable feeling. To achieve a double victory here at my home round in Japan makes this moment even more special and emotional for me. This result would not have been possible without the incredible effort from the team. Everyone at HONDA RACING VIETNAM worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to give me the best package possible, and I am truly grateful for their dedication and support. I would also like to thank all our sponsors, especially our Japanese sponsors, as well as the Japanese fans who came to the circuit and cheered for me every lap. Racing in front of my home crowd and rewarding them with two victories is something I will never forget. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me all the way.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

1. HIROKI ONO  – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (21’34.185s)
2. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (21’34.290s)
3. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (21’34.304s)
4. RIICHI TAKAHIRA – Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ (21’34.426s)
5. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (21’34.738s)

The race saw fierce multi-rider battles, and it was Hiroki who emerged victorious with a winning time of 21’34.483s, delighting the Japanese crowd after fending off challenges from some of the strongest contenders in the championship.

Starting from the front row, Hiroki wasted no time asserting himself at the front, surging into the lead at the start ahead of fellow Japanese rider Riichi Takahira of Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ and pole-sitter Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM.

However, the race quickly developed into a tactical battle among a tightly packed leading group. By Lap 3, Fahmi launched his attack, overtaking both Hiroki and Riichi to take control of the race. The Indonesian rider looked poised to strengthen his championship campaign, but the lead continued to change hands as riders searched for every possible advantage around the demanding Motegi circuit.

Lap 4 saw Riichi move to the front, giving the home fans two Japanese riders at the sharp end of the field. Hiroki soon responded while Fahmi, Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM remained firmly in contention.

The intensity increased further midway through the race. Fahmi reclaimed the lead on Lap 5 before Irfan briefly took over at the front one lap later, highlighting just how competitive the leading group had become. By Lap 7, Riichi was once again leading ahead of Hiroki and Irfan, while the battle for podium positions remained impossible to predict.

On Lap 8, Fahmi’s challenge came to a sudden end after crashing out of contention. The incident removed one of the race favourites and intensified the battle among the remaining front-runners.

With two laps remaining, Hiroki and Riichi engaged in a captivating duel at the front, the pair repeatedly exchanging positions while carrying the hopes of the home crowd. Behind them, Irfan remained within striking distance, waiting for an opportunity to launch a decisive move.

That opportunity came on the final lap. Hiroki held firm at the front while Irfan executed a crucial pass on Riichi to move into second position. Further behind, the battle for the final podium place erupted as Krittapat surged through in the closing stages to secure third.

At the chequered flag, Hiroki sealed a hard-earned home victory ahead of Irfan, who crossed the line just 0.161s behind. Krittapat completed the podium in third, only 0.418s adrift of the winner.

Hiroki shared, T”he race was incredibly tough because I was battling with some of the strongest riders in the championship from the very first lap. The pace was intense and there was no time to relax, so my strategy was to stay at the front as much as possible and try to control the rhythm of the race. Every lap was a fight, especially with the lead changing hands so many times. To win here at Motegi, in front of the Japanese fans, is a very special feeling for me. I could hear the support from the crowd and it gave me extra motivation to keep pushing until the chequered flag. This victory means a lot because the entire HONDA RACING VIETNAM team worked extremely hard throughout the weekend. We faced many challenges, but everyone kept believing and never gave up. I’m very proud of what we achieved together, and I want to dedicate this win to the team, our supporters, and everyone who has been behind us.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (21’34.483s)
2. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (21’34.644s)
3. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (21’34.901s)
4. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (21’35.093s)
5. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRO HONDA RACING TEAM (21’35.174s)

Takahira responded in Practice 2 with a blistering 2’07.670s, falling just 0.031s short of displacing Candra from the summit. The Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ rider’s performance immediately ignited anticipation for what could become one of the defining rivalries of the Motegi weekend.

The opening session belonged largely to the Indonesian contingent. Alongside Candra, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, and Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA secured places inside the top four, demonstrating the strength of Indonesian riders around the iconic Japanese venue. Fahmi also recorded one of the day’s standout top speeds at 192.513kph, the highest among the Practice 1 frontrunners.

Yet as the sessions unfolded, the chasing pack began to close in. Irdan Ardiansyah delivered a strong performance for ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM to claim third overall with a lap of 2’08.200s, while experienced Japanese rider Hiroki Ono ensured local representation remained strong in fourth overall for HONDA RACING VIETNAM.

The final practice session saw another shift in momentum. Fadhil topped Practice 3 ahead of Fahmi and fellow Japanese contender Ryuji Yokoe of TEAM TECH2 & SANWA RACING TEAM, proving that the battle for supremacy remains wide open despite Candra’s position atop the combined standings.

What makes the AP250 field particularly intriguing heading into qualifying is the sheer depth of contenders. The combined top five were covered by less than eight-tenths of a second, while multiple riders took turns leading individual sessions throughout the day. Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, Ryuji, Musyavi and Fahmi all demonstrated race-winning pace at various points, suggesting that no single rider has yet established complete control.

Candra stated, “Alhamdulillah, I was able to finish as the fastest rider today. This result is the reward for the hard work and dedication of both myself and my mechanics. We made several adjustments to the suspension and fine-tuned the engine setup, and thankfully everything worked very well. The bike felt great, and I was able to achieve a strong lap time. I am feeling confident and positive heading into Qualifying and the race tomorrow. Hopefully, I can continue this momentum and give my very best performance. Amin.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (2’07.639s)
2. RIICHI TAKAHIRA – TIANYU Asia Racing MFZ (2’07.670s)
3. IRDAN ARDIANSYAH – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (2’08.200s)
4. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (2’08.314s)
5. FAHMI BASAM – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (2’08.374s)

From the moment the lights went out, Krittapat looked untouchable. The Thai rider launched brilliantly off the line to grab the holeshot, immediately placing himself ahead of Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM and Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM. Behind them, Panjaruch Chitwirulchat of HONDA RACING THAILAND slotted into fourth, with Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM close behind in fifth as the front group charged into an early battle.

By Lap 2, Krittapat continued to dictate the pace at the front, but pressure mounted from Hiroki and Fahmi while Rheza and Panjaruch remained firmly in contention. Drama struck early when Hiroki was handed a Long Lap Penalty, reshuffling the fight behind the leader.

As the race settled into rhythm, Krittapat refused to blink. Lap 3 saw Rheza begin his charge while Riichi Takahira of Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ fired in the fastest lap of the race at 1’50.922s to move himself into podium contention. Yet, even as positions shifted behind him, Krittapat stayed calm and clinical at the front.

By Lap 5, the race began to tilt decisively in favour of the Thai rider. While the chasing pack involving Teeranai Tubtim, Panjaruch, Riichi and Rheza traded places relentlessly, Krittapat quietly stretched his advantage to 1.572s. A lap later, the gap grew further to 2.108s, with the home hero steadily disappearing into the distance.

The fight for the podium intensified in the closing laps as Panjaruch fought to keep his position while Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM surged from fifth into podium contention. Hiroki, despite his earlier penalty, clawed his way back into the top group, while Muhammad Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA ASIA TEAM also joined the mix.

But at the front, Krittapat was in a race of his own. Entering the final lap, the Thai rider had built a massive 4.723s advantage, leaving the chasing riders to battle among themselves. Roared on by passionate home fans, Krittapat crossed the chequered flag first in a dominant time of 18’41.804s, sealing a memorable home victory. Fellow Thai rider Panjaruch secured second place at 18’46.498s, while Indonesia’s Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA completed the podium in third at 18’48.366s.

Krittapat said, “First of all, I would like to sincerely thank my team for all their hard work and dedication in preparing both me and the bike. Everyone gave their maximum effort, and without them, today’s result would not have been possible. I would also like to express my appreciation to my boss, sponsors, and family for always believing in me and continuing to support me through every challenge. Their encouragement means everything to me.

For today’s race, I’m happy that I was able to give my best and achieve a positive result. Of course, there are still areas where we can improve, and this gives us more motivation to keep working harder. Now, my focus shifts to the next race in Japan, where I hope we can continue improving, stay competitive, and fight for an even stronger result.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (18’41.804s)
2. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND(18’46.498s)
3. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (18’48.366s)
4. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (18’48.536s)
5. TEERANAI TUBTIM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (18:48.536s)

Starting from the front row after qualifying second with a time of 1’51.323s, Hiroki entered Race 1 as one of the contenders, but few could have predicted the emotional story that would unfold under the scorching Buriram skies.

Polesitter Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM wasted no time asserting himself at the front, launching off the line perfectly to grab the holeshot in front of his home fans. Hot on his tail were fellow Thai rider Panjaruch Chitwirulchat of HONDA RACING THAILAND, Hiroki, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, and Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, forming an explosive leading pack from the very beginning.

The race quickly transformed into a fierce tactical battle. By Lap 2, Panjaruch had muscled his way into the lead, while Hiroki remained patient, stalking the frontrunners and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. With positions constantly changing, the front group proved impossible to break apart as every rider searched for an advantage.

Lap after lap, the tension intensified. Panjaruch fired in a blistering 1’51.945s on Lap 4 and later improved further with a scorching 1’51.348s on Lap 9, but outright speed alone was not enough to escape the relentless pressure from the chasing pack.

On Lap 5, the Japanese rider surged into the lead before a flurry of overtakes saw Krittapat and Panjaruch strike back. The battle became increasingly unpredictable as Rheza, Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL, and later Andi M. Fadly of Pro Power Antares MT Kawasaki joined the fight, turning the contest into an all-out war of nerves.

As the race entered its final lap, Hiroki held a slender advantage over Panjaruch, with Teeranai Tubtim of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, Rheza and Krittapat breathing down his neck.

Remaining calm under immense pressure, Hiroki held firm through the final corners to cross the line victorious in 18’48.695s, sealing a dream win in his first appearance as a replacement rider. Behind him, Rheza produced a brilliant late-race charge to snatch second place, just 0.114s behind, while Panjaruch completed the podium in front of the passionate Thai supporters.

Fahmi narrowly missed out on the rostrum in fourth, just 0.119s behind Panjaruch, while Krittapat endured late heartbreak to settle for fifth after leading much of the race.

Hiroki stated, “This was my first experience racing in the AP250 category, and honestly, it was an incredible experience for me. The race was very intense, and I really enjoyed battling closely with the other riders lap after lap. It was not easy at all. The competition was very tough and challenging. To finally finish in P1 makes me extremely happy and emotional because this result means so much to me, especially in my first AP250 race. This victory is not only for myself. I want to dedicate it to my team for all their hard work, belief, and support throughout this journey. I would also like to sincerely thank all the Japanese fans who have been supporting and cheering for me. Their encouragement gives me extra motivation, and I’m very grateful to share this special moment with them.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (18’48.695s)
2. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (18’48.809s)
3. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (18’49.500s)
4. FAHMI BASAM – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (18’49.619s)
5. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (18’49.677s)

While local favourite Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM looked set to dominate after topping both Practice 1 and Practice 2, it was Japan’s Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM who struck late in Practice 3 to emerge fastest overall with a blistering lap time of 1’51.793s.

The AP250 category once again proved why it remains one of the fiercest battlegrounds in Asian motorcycle racing, with lap times separated by mere fractions as riders continuously traded positions across the three sessions.

Krittapat, who arrived in Buriram carrying immense momentum after a perfect double victory in Round 1 at Sepang International Circuit, immediately established himself as the rider to beat on home soil. The Thai ace set the pace in Practice 1 with a late flying lap of 1’52.421s on Lap 10 out of 10 laps, narrowly edging Indonesia’s Irfan Ardiansyah of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM by just 0.066 seconds.

The momentum continued in Practice 2 as Krittapat lowered the benchmark further to 1’52.116s, once again showcasing impressive consistency and composure under pressure. However, the chasing pack was never far behind.

Japan’s Riichi Takahira of Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ came within touching distance after posting 1’52.142s, while Thailand’s Panjaruch Chitwirulchat of HONDA RACING THAILAND reinforced the strength of the home contingent in third with 1’52.169s. Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL and Irfan completed an ultra-competitive top five, all separated by less than four-tenths of a second.

Just when it appeared Krittapat had control of the combined standings, Hiroki Ono delivered a statement performance in Practice 3. The experienced Japanese rider unleashed a stunning 1’51.793s on Lap 10 out of 11 laps, becoming the only rider to break into the 1’51 bracket across the day.

The late surge not only propelled Hiroki to the top of the combined standings, but also sent a strong warning to his rivals ahead of qualifying and the races to come. Behind Hiroki, Krittapat settled for second ahead of Riichi Takahira, Irfan Ardiansyah and Panjaruch Chitwirulchat.

Hiroki shared, “From FP1 until FP3, we kept trying different settings on the bike because I wanted to find the best feeling and improve my confidence on track. At the beginning it was not easy, but session by session we continued making adjustments and working hard together as a team. Finally, in FP3, I started to feel much more comfortable with the bike and everything came together really well. I could push harder with more confidence, and that helped me become the fastest rider today. I feel very happy and grateful because all the effort from the team paid off. But this is only the first step. The competition is still very close, so we need to continue working hard and stay focused for tomorrow’s qualifying. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum and achieve an even better result tomorrow.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (1’51.793s)
2. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’52.116s)
3. RIICHI TAKAHIRA – Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ (1’52.142s)
4. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’52.161s)
5. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’52.169s)