Kunii and Hada Show Progress Amid Challenging Conditions at Sachsenring

In an eventful qualifying day for the 2025 Moto2 World Championship, IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia's riders Yuki Kunii and Taiga Hada faced significant challenges at the Sachsenring in Germany on July 12, 2025. The day marked a drastic shift from previous conditions, transitioning from partly dry to fully wet, affecting both riders' performances as they adapted to the slippery track.

Kunii, who finished Free Practice 2 in 23rd position, displayed considerable improvement during the afternoon qualifying session. He narrowly missed qualifying for Q2, which is a testament to his growing confidence and adaptability in wet conditions. "I’m feeling quite positive. Yesterday I had a good feeling in both dry and mixed conditions, and even though today was wet again, I managed to build on that," Kunii stated post-qualifying. He will start tomorrow's race from 19th on the grid, demonstrating a stronger race pace compared to previous rounds.

Meanwhile, Taiga Hada, participating in his debut weekend with the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia, qualified in 26th place after struggling to find rhythm in the challenging weather. Hada remarked, "It’s still a learning process for me with this team and this bike. I’m trying to absorb as much information as I can from every session and make steady progress."

Hiroshi Aoyama, the team manager, acknowledged the contrasting weather conditions from Friday to Saturday, noting that both riders gained valuable experience. "Yuki managed the conditions well, thanks to his previous wet sessions. Unfortunately, a small mistake on his last flying lap kept him out of Q2, but overall, he rode well," Aoyama said. Regarding Hada, he emphasized the importance of the learning experience despite the difficulties faced.

The implications of these performances extend beyond individual results; they highlight the ongoing development of both riders within a competitive Moto2 environment. The Sachsenring, known for its technical challenges, requires riders to exhibit not only speed but also resilience and adaptability to changing conditions. As the weather remains uncertain for the race day, both Kunii and Hada are preparing for all scenarios, indicating a strategic approach toward race day.

As the Moto2 Championship progresses, the experiences gained at Sachsenring will likely contribute significantly to the riders' growth and future performances. The team's focus remains on consistency and performance, with both riders determined to leverage the lessons learned in wet conditions to enhance their competitive edge in upcoming races.

Overall, the performance of Kunii and Hada reflects a promising trajectory for the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia, with both riders showing the potential to make significant strides in the championship as they continue to adapt to the demanding Moto2 landscape.