Moto2 Japan Race: Somkiat Chantra as boss, the championship already folded?

It's time for the Moto2 race in Japan! After more than 35 minutes of intense effort, it was Somkiat Chantra who won this Grand Prix. Looking at the first sessions, we thought that the suspense would be short-lived, and rightly so: Somkiat Chantra, the Idemitsu Honda Team Asia driver, finished first in all sessions, even setting the track record in Q2! Amazing. Even if Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) remained the man to kill given his surge in the championship, the rest of the grid should not be underestimated. Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) was struggling recently, but recovered in India, so there was every reason to hope. Arón Canet (Pons WeGow Los40), still not a winner in the intermediate category, came close on several occasions. Not even to mention the brave Jake Dixon (GasGas Aspar Team), the tough guy in Moto2, with an attitude all his own but oh so formidable once the lights go out. Speaking of bleeding drivers, Alonso López (Speed ​​Up Racing) had to complete two long laps, which greatly compromised his chances of victory.

Even if you already know the result, come relive this race with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

 

Motegi Moto2™	2022	2023
FP1	1'50.493 Augusto Fernández	1'50.477 Somkiat Chantra
FP2	2'04.479 Fermín Aldeguer	1'50.396 Somkiat Chantra
FP3	CANCELLATIONDUE TO RAIN	1'49.978 Somkiat Chantra
Q1	2'05.543 Arón Canet	1'50.089 Alonso Lopez
Q2	2'04.939 Arón Canet	1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra
Warm up	1'51.100 Arón Canet	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Course	Ogura, A. Fernández, López (See here)	Chantra, Ogura, Acosta
All time lap record	1'49.961 Johann Zarco (2016)	1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra

 

Even if the weather isn't great, the asphalt is always dry in Motegi. Let's go !

 

 

At once, Somkiat Chantra takes the advantage while Peter Acosta gets heckled outside the first double right! Here he is seventh, while Tony Arbolino is only twelfth. Jake Dixon is also the author of a good flight. Alonso lopez is on fire but will have to go through the long lap twice.

 

 

Chantra already has a two-second lead, while Peter Acosta try to come back as quickly as possible. Clearly, the Thai is on another planet this weekend. Ai Ogura, also moved when the lights went out, returned to second position. Pedro Acosta is third. Filip Salač (QJMotor Gresini Racing) almost falling with Jake dixon ! Be careful not to overdo it.

At the same time, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing) is the first to fall. Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) falls in turn a few seconds later. Alonso lopez is just impressive; despite two long lapses, he is back in the top 8!

 

 

Local Kohta Nozane (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) falls in turn, while Fermín Aldeguer (Speed ​​Up Racing), winner at Silverstone, shoots straight. Clearly, the race already seems to be decided but you never know. Somkiat Chantra has a considerable lead over his teammate Ai Ogura, which itself has a second and a half on Acosta.

Around Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing) to find the gravel path. Funny day for Italtrans. Just after, Sergio García (Pons WeGow Los40) limit.

 

 

Tony Arbolino is in total decline. It's terrible, and he's surely letting all his title hopes slip away. In one run, Somkiat Chantra lost half his lead but that was probably due to a small mistake, Ai Ogura doesn't come up again.

 

 

Peter Acosta doesn't give up, however, and continues to put pressure on Ai Ogura, from a distance however.

After a relatively flat race, Somkiat Chantra wins after leading from the first corner. Ai Ogura is second on his lands, and Peter Acosta completes the podium. He made an excellent operation in the general classification and took a first option for the world title, with 50 points ahead of Tony Arbolino.

 

 

Moto2 Japanese Grand Prix 2023 result:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Team Asia