Valencia hosts its first visit of the season for the Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship
After a single, and shortened, first showdown of the season at Estoril, it’s time to head for the classic Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia for Round 2 – and there are two races. That’s twice as many chances to attack for the podium and the victory, with the Junior Talent Team raring for another bite at the cherry.
The opener at Estoril was a solid round, but the team wants more. Tatchakorn Buasri, who arrives from P8 in Portugal, was in the top five in Valencia on visit one last year, so that’s a minimum goal on the team’s return. The Thai rider is ready to push for the podium once again.
Eddie O’Shea will also want a step forward. With more time to get back towards full fitness and a top ten already in his pocket from Estoril, the Brit can now raise his targets once again and aim to home in on that fight right at the front. After a huge step forward from 2021 to 2022, 2023 is his chance to make even more progress now he’s back on the bike.
For Arbi Aditama, Round 2 is a return to the venue where he’s taken his best finish yet, which came in the final race of 2022. The Indonesian started this season with a point-scoring finish but won’t want single digits next time out – having also finished behind stand-in rider Shinya Ezawa. Ezawa, meanwhile, will be back with the team this weekend as Danial Shahril continues his recovery. The Japanese rider will target more points after an impressive debut, and aims to stay with his teammates in the battle closer to the front.
Five laps decided the finishes in Estoril, now 34 more are on the table in Valencia as the circuit hosts two 17-lap races. The first sees the lights go out at 11:00 (GMT +2), before Race 2 at 14:00. Don’t miss it!
