22 September 2022 – Mobility Resort Motegi – Japan

The next will be the first of four stages that will be held in Asia and the Oceania. It is a real pleasure to return to these places, after we missed these stops for two years, because of the pandemic. After the race in Japan, races will be held in Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, before the grand final in November, on the Iberian circuit of Valencia.

In the previous weekend we collected great results, in fact we had both riders in the top ten.

In particular Ayumu was very fast in every session and after starting from the second box, he crossed the finish line in second position. In this way Ayumu has redeemed the disappointment for the fall in which he stumbled in Misano and gained fundamental points for his world ranking. This year our Japanese driver matured a lot and achieved great results. In fact, he scored 2 wins, 2 seconds and two third places. As for the Team’s statistics, the record of victories won by A. Canet in 2019, the first year of participation in the Max Racing Team’s World Championship, has not yet been broken. The championship is not over, and we will do everything to improve this results, starting this weekend, which will take place in the homeland of Ayumu.

John unfortunately had several technical problems the previous weekend, which limited him. In fact in free practice, he had problems with the brakes, while in the race, the gear did not enter correctly twice, significantly limiting his result. In fact, in the early stages of the race John was in fourth position and, even if detached from the top three, he had all the cards in order to be able to battle until the last, for that position. John this year was not lucky at all, considering the serious injury, which kept him away from racing for a long time, but in the last four races he always went to points. John has already achieved a good feeling with his Husqvarna, so on these next tracks, his great experience, will help him to collect great results.

Motegi, one of the world’s historical circuits, is part of a large sports complex, where you can find other tracks and various structures. The track on which the World Motorcycle Championship takes place is 4801 m long, with 6 left turns and 8 right. Its straight is 762 m.

We report below the statements of Ayumu, John and our team Owner Max Biaggi.

AYUMU SASAKI : “I am very excited to finally ride in Japan after three years. I am just so excited! After the race in Aragon the expectations are high, and I just want to ride in my home circuit. Let’s see what the weather will be like, because it looks a little bit tricky during the weekend, but hopefully it is going to be dry. I just can’t wait to ride, see all my family and all the Japanese fans.”

JOHN MCPHEE : “I’m really excited to get back to Motegi after two years away. The Japanese fans are certainly up there with the best in the world so it’ll be great to race here again in front of them. I’ve enjoyed success here in the past so I’ll keep working hard to have a great weekend.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “After a two-year break, we return to racing in Japan. I hope this will mark the end of a very difficult period for the whole world. Last weekend there was no way to rejoice at the great results achieved on track by Ayumu and also by John. What I’ve never seen in 30 years of racing has been revealed in front of my eyes. I immediately condemned the gesture unconditionally and since Monday I have taken steps to punish those responsible for this act. With great effort in these years, with the support of Husqvarna Motorcycles, of Sterilgarda Alimenti, of all the other sponsors and together with every member of the Team, we have built great results on track. The passion, dedication and sacrifice, that each of the subjects just mentioned has put in these four years, requires us to implement drastic actions, to protect the image of everyone, to protect the ethics of sport and those of the Max Racing Team.”

Statistics

The last race, held on this circuit in 2019, was won by L. Dalla Porta, who preceded A. Arenas and C. Vietti. L. Dalla Porta got the fastest lap of the race, in 1’57.790 and at an average of 146.7 Km/h. N. Antonelli got the pole, with the time of 2’09.293 and the average of 133.6 Km/h.

The ninth place obtained in 2018 by Ayumu, represents his best result on this circuit. For John we have instead as best result in Motegi a fourth place in 2014.

Schedule – Local Time (GMT +9)

Here are the times to follow the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing. Remember that the schedule of Friday was changed for logistical reasons.

Thursday 22 September
17:00 – Press Conference

Friday 23 September
13:15 – 13:55 – FP1 Moto3

Saturday 24 September
09:00 – 09:40 – FP2 Moto3
12:35 – 12:50 – Q1 Moto3
13:00 – 13:15 – Q2 Moto3

Sunday 25 September
10:00 – 10:10 – WUP Moto3
12:00 – RACE Moto3