Two races round out the season for the JTT, with some more top points finishes for the class of 2020
The Junior Talent Team was back in action on Sunday for two more races to round out the 2020 FIM CEV Repsol season, taking home some more solid points finishes. The best came from Takuma Matsuyama in Race 2 as the Japanese rider came sixth, showing more of his impressive form at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo to fight at the front throughout and miss out on the top five by just 0.001. After a crash out of contention in Race 1, it was an impressive bounce back.
In that Race 1, it was Mario Aji who proved the JTT star of the show to take a well-fought seventh, once again winning a close fight at the line. This time it was by just 0.033 as ‘Super Mario’ headed a second group of six, showing off some serious racecraft. His was a day of two halves too, however, as he led the second group for much of Race 2 as well before then crashing out. The number 34 was nevertheless able to close down the gap to the podium fight and get in real contention before the late mistake.
Scott Ogden had a tougher first race as he tumbled out in a multi-rider incident, but the Brit found some redemption in Race 2. Bouncing back in style, the number 31 took his best FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship result yet in eighth place to end the season on a high and take a tidy stack of eight more points after scrapping it out in the front group.
Max Cook bounced back from his Saturday DNF as the second JTT rider home in Race 1. The Brit took P14 and got his elbows out in a gaggle of riders battling for the final few points, second in the group of five and by just 0.036. In Race 2 there was more to come though as Cook moved further forward to build on his solid morning’s work, taking 12th and some more points to add to his tally – making him the top JTT rider in the standings this year.
Tatchakorn Buasri had a tougher day on Sunday, the Thai rider not able to replicate his Saturday charge. In Race 1 he took P19 and missed out on points, before a crash out in Race 2. His Saturday top ten will be a good memory and springboard as he goes into winter looking to recharge though.
That’s a wrap on the 2020 FIM CEV Repsol for the Junior Talent Team, with plenty of achievements to celebrate after another impressive year of competition. Watch this space for news on the future as eyes turn to 2021. And finally, the season must sign off with a word for Billy Van Eerde, who missed the finale due to injury: get well soon, Billy!
