One word says it all.
Emotional.
This single word perfectly captures how Soichiro Minamimoto felt during Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit.
Soichiro crashed twice during the qualifying session, which required him to switch to a new bike and start from scratch with the settings. Despite these challenges, his struggles proved worthwhile as he ultimately claimed victory in Race 2.
Soichiro shared, “It was incredibly emotional for me to realize that, despite my crash on Saturday, I was able to secure a win thanks to my amazing team. Experiencing two crashes during qualifying was quite disheartening, but the team never lost hope. They worked tirelessly to repair my bike, allowing me to stay focused on achieving a strong result. I felt like our late friend Haruki Noguchi was watching over us, so I made sure to share the news of our victory with him.”
“Honestly, when I saw the destroyed bike, I was on the verge of giving up. However, the team’s relentless effort to get it back in shape gave me the motivation I needed to push forward,” said Soichiro.
Victory in Race 2 marked Soichiro’s first win and podium in his debut appearance in the ASB1000 category, making this achievement even more special.
“It felt like I had finally achieved something significant. Yamaha has been struggling in the ASB1000 category, so this is the most fulfilling win I’ve ever experienced. Securing a win in this category is crucial for both my career and our team’s future. It provides a significant boost that will positively impact our performance in upcoming races.”
Reflecting on his previous season, where he claimed the overall championship after winning Race 1 and securing P2 in Race 2 in the SS600 category while feeling unwell, Soichiro finds that his current situation affirms his earlier statement, “I race better when I’m sick.” He said, “I think this statement is becoming more valid now because I experienced the same symptoms as I did during the final race last year, though I’m not entirely sure why.”
Looking ahead to Round 5 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Soichiro shared, “Sepang Circuit is a difficult track, and I’m not particularly strong there. I expect it to be a tough race, but I will do my best and aim for the podium.”