Tetsuta Nagashima scores first points in Moto2 World Championship

16/10/2016

Ajo Motorsport Academy rider takes excellent fourteenth place at Japanese Grand Prix.

Tetsuta Nagashima scored his first points in the Moto2 World Championship at his home Grand Prix, in a race that saw as many as nine crashes. The Ajo Motorsport Academy rider rode at a good pace, fought until the end and made a pass on the final lap that allowed him to score his first two points in the series, on his second wildcard appearance of 2016.

Nagashima gained four places off the line and was able to open a small gap to his pursuers, keeping close to the riders ahead of him. As the laps went by, the Japanese rider moved closer to the points and was able to maintain his pace, avoiding mistakes and making a pass on the final lap that earned him fourteenth position.

Having concluded his second wildcard appearance of the Moto2 World Championship, Tetsuta Nagashima will now return his focus to taking the runner-up spot in the European Championship.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“Tetsuta [Nagashima] had a very good race. He has been very consistent throughout the weekend and these two points are an excellent result in a class at such a high level as Moto2, with the experience he has in the FIM CEV. With some better first laps, maybe he would have been fighting to finish two or three positions higher, but I’m very happy with the result.”

 

Results (Race)
1. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 42:45.854
2. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) +0.386
3. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) +5.863
4. Takaaki Nakagami (Kalex) +6.090
5. Sandro Cortese (Kalex) +16.246
14. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Motorsport Academy) +35.348

 

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2016
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 222 points
2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 201 points
3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 201 points
4. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 162 points
5. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) 157 points
31. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Motorsport Academy) 2 points

 

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“I am very happy because it is the first time I have placed amongst the points in the Moto2 World Championship. In 2014 I couldn’t manage it and this year, besides improving my riding a lot, I have managed to score my first points. Throughout the race the bike was very good, and so I could push hard and be strong. I have the feeling that I could have gone even faster but for many laps I couldn’t pass Isaac Viñales and get more pace. Still, I did the best I could, I am very happy and I want to thank the team very much for the opportunity they have given me.”

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