25 September 2022 – Mobility Resort Motegi – Japan
A very profitable Japanese Grand Prix for Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing, as Ayumu crosses the finish line in third place, and John reaches the seventh position. This result allows us to position at just two points from the third place in the Team ranking.
It’s nothing new to see Ayumu fighting for the victory. In fact, in the last six races Ayumu made two zeros, while in the other four races he reached the podium, obtaining on two occasions the victory. Considerable prize, proving the great competitiveness of our Japanese driver. Let’s remember that for Ayumu this was his home race and his, is the first podium of a Japanese driver in the Japanese Grand Prix, since 2009. Our rider started very well from the third position on the grid and, after taking measurements with the track, on the fourth lap he took the first position. With a frenzied pace he held the lead of the race up to five laps from the end, achieving in the fifth lap, the third fastest lap of the race, with a time of 1’57.462. In the last two laps he suffered two overtakings, after which he crossed the line in third position. With the sixteen points of this podium, Ayumu consolidates his fourth position in the championship.
Solid race also for John who, starting from the twelfth position on the grid, on the finish line of the first lap managed to keep that position. John fought in the first group of pursuers, consisting of three other drivers. During the race John defended himself with great strength, making many overtakings. After passing fifth on the penultimate lap. John crossed the finish line in seventh place. He scored the sixth fastest lap of the race, with a time of 1’57.636, made on the fourth lap.
Here are the words of Ayumu, John and our Team Owner Max Biaggi.
AYUMU SASAKI : “I feel good to be on the podium in my home race. Obviously I wanted a little bit more, as I vas leading almost all the race, up to five laps from the end. I was constantly on the front, but when Guevara passed me I lost a little bit of rhythm, and then when Masia also passed me and he crashed, I have accumulated a small gap. In the last few laps I couldn’t close the gap. I had the same pace as Ian, but we had a small gap, and it was difficult to catch. I felt a little bit of a tire drop in the rear, so it was a difficult race, but finally I could lead many laps in my home GP. I could see a lot of fans out there, so I am happy to finish on the podium and hopefully we can bounce back for the win in Thailand.”
JOHN MCPHEE : “Today I was able to fight good in the race. This has been the weak point for me in the last half of the season, as I have been feeling very fast, but not able to pass in the race. Today we take this small joy. I think unfortunately for me in the last lap I was in the lap with maybe the three hardest brakers in this category, so even to be able to pass them on the brake was good. I just didn’t have anything left in the last lap to be able to be a little bit closer to the front. I think that with the way I am riding and the overall speed in the race, is a good step in the right direction for these next races.”
MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “A good result achieved today by Ayumu. Of course, until a few laps from the end I hoped that Ayumu could get the victory. There was something missing to get on the top step of the podium and from these considerations we must start again, to work and try to improve since the next Thai Grand Prix. John has reached the seventh position, but I hope that before the end of the year he can make a further step, that allows him to fight for the podium.”
Results Motul Grand Prix of Japan 2022 – Race
1. Izan GUEVARA (GASGAS) 39’26.526, 2. Dennis FOGGIA (Honda) + 0.593, 3. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) + 1.741,
7. John MCPHEE (Husqvarna) + 9.815.
World Championship Classification Moto3 2022 – After Race 16
1. Izan GUEVARA (GASGAS) 254 pts; 2. Sergio GARCIA (GASGAS) 209 pts; 3. Dennis FOGGIA (Honda) 191 pts;
4. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) 174 pts; 17. John MCPHEE (Husqvarna) 62 pts.
