Mitani magic, Pratama’s best efforts and a Ramadhipa podium make up a sensational beginning to 2025 for the Junior Talent Team
With only one FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship race for the Junior Talent Team (JTT) to get stuck into at the Circuito do Estoril in JuniorGP™, they did everything to make it count. It was reigning Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) Champion Zen Mitani who excelled in the season opener, securing P8 both in the race and in the standings with a mature ride. His former IATC rival Kiattisak Singhapong wasn’t far behind in P12, while Lucas Brown progressed an impressive 11 places to finish 17th after a tricky qualifying in mercurial conditions. Spare a thought however, for Veda Pratama, who was scintillating on his JuniorGP™ debut weekend, but despite battling to P4 was unable to complete the race.
In the European Talent Cup there were two races to enjoy with contrasting outcomes for the two JTT riders. Kiandra Ramadhipa produced a sensational performance in Race 1 to claim a debut podium, while Alfonso Daquigan was unable to advance in a race dictated by the conditions, finishing P20.
Their fortunes were reversed in Race 2 however, with Ramadhipa crashing out from P3 with 14 laps to go, much to his frustration. Daquigan though was able to deliver as the track continued to dry out, ploughing through the field to finish P12.
Preparations are already underway as the Junior Talent Team get ready for Jerez, the next stop on the JTT’s 2025 journey. We’ll see you there!
