Kunii and Atiratphuvapat Overcome Challenges in Moto2 at Aragón

Both Yuki Kunii and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia faced significant challenges during Round 8 of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship at MotorLand Aragón, Spain, held on June 8, 2025. The race, characterized by extremely hot and sunny conditions, marked Nakarin's debut in the Moto2 category, adding to the pressure for both riders.

In the race, Yuki Kunii started from the 26th position and finished in 22nd place. Despite the result falling short of the team's expectations, Kunii demonstrated steady progress by maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race. "I struggled a lot with my pace at the start and began losing positions," Kunii stated. "However, I was able to keep a consistent rhythm later on, and that's a positive takeaway from today."

Conversely, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat completed the race in 24th place, an expected result given that it was his first experience with the Moto2 bike and race conditions. He shared, "The Moto2 bike is very different from what I’m used to, so I need to improve my understanding of how to ride it effectively. Completing the full race distance was a crucial achievement for me."

Hiroshi Aoyama, the team manager, acknowledged the difficulties faced by both riders. "Yuki had a decent feeling with the bike but lacked the pace needed to stay competitive. For Nakarin, transitioning from other categories to Moto2 is not easy, especially on a new bike and circuit. However, finishing the race is a vital step in his development."

The performance of both riders at Aragón has broad implications for their future in the championship. Kunii's consistent lap times indicate a potential for improvement, while Atiratphuvapat's experience will be invaluable as he adjusts to the demands of the Moto2 category. Looking ahead, the team aims to refine their strategies and enhance their performance at the upcoming race in Mugello, Italy.

The IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia faces a pivotal moment as they prepare for the next race. "We must improve those small margins if we want to consistently fight for points,” Aoyama emphasized. Both riders expressed determination to learn from their experiences and return stronger for the next round.

In summary, while the results at MotorLand Aragón were not what IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia had hoped for, the race provided both Kunii and Atiratphuvapat with crucial experience that will aid their development in the highly competitive Moto2 championship. Their focus now shifts towards the technical challenges of the Mugello circuit, where they hope to translate their lessons learned into improved performance.