Chantra stuns to claim Thailand’s first Grand Prix win

Because of a fully incredible efficiency on the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Group Asia) turns into the primary Thai rider to win a Grand Prix race. Chantra led from the primary nook to the chequered flag and ultimately beat World Championship chief Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Group) by 3.2s, with third place Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) amassing his second podium of the season.

Forward of the race getting underway, it was introduced that there would solely be 16 laps for the intermediate class – 2/3 distance attributable to security, brought on by excessively excessive temperatures. Then, extra drama, as mild rain began to fall on the nice and cozy up lap. The race bought underway although and it was Chantra who pinched the holeshot from the second row, polesitter Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Group) was P2 earlier than Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Group) slipped by at Flip 2.

The rain was nonetheless lingering – and it was seen on the digicam lens’. Chantra held onto the lead from Lowes and Dixon, with Vietti ultimately getting the higher of Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Ahead Racing) because the Italians battled it out on the finish of the opening lap. Canet was a beneficiary of the Vietti/Corsi combat, the Spaniard was P4 and in contact with Lowes and Dixon.

On Lap 6, after simply passing compatriot Lowes for second place, Dixon tucked the entrance at Flip 10. Chantra had opened a spot as much as over a second, and after Dixon’s crash, Canet was now second forward of Lowes. Vietti then handed Lowes for P3, and with 9 laps to go, two seconds cut up the highest three. Vietti made an aesthetic transfer on Canet stick at Flip 12 and his hole to bridge was 2.1s with eight laps remaining.

The response from Chantra? The quickest lap of the race. 2.2s was now his lead over Vietti, and on the subsequent lap, it was as much as 2.3s. This was sensational from Chantra. 2.6s was the brand new hole with 5 laps to go, it seemed like Vietti and co. had no reply for the Thai star. With two laps to go, the hole was three seconds and all Chantra needed to do was carry it residence.

And that’s precisely what he did. Chantra crossed the road to assert an impressive victory by over three seconds, turning into the primary Thai rider to win in Grand Prix racing. Vietti was capable of maintain off Canet to select up P2, the latter takes residence P3 because the duo make it back-to-back podiums to start out the season.

In the long run, Lowes was a lonely finisher in P4 as Augusto Fernandez (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) held off the recovering Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Group Asia) for P5 and P6, Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Velocity Up) was P7, with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Group) P8. Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) claimed P9 after his Lengthy Lap Penalty, the Spaniard was embroiled in an ideal battle with 10^th place Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Group).

Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Group) ended P11, an excellent journey from the American after failing to make it out of Q1 on Saturday, he had compatriot Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) lower than a tenth behind him in P12. Jorge Navarro (Flexbox HP40), Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Group) had been the ultimate high 15 finishers.

There wouldn’t have been many individuals anticipating that form of masterclass from Chantra, however what a day for him, his group, and Thailand. Vietti extends his title result in 9 factors over Canet heading to Argentina. 

Prime 10:
1. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Group Asia)
2. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Group) + 3.230
3. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) + 4.366
4. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Group) + 7.918
5. Augusto Fernandez (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) + 12.228
6. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Group Asia) + 12.384
7. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Velocity Up) + 12.696
8. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Group) + 14.547
9. Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) + 17.786
10. Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Group) + 18.327