Chayakorn Saeong made a strong start to Round 2 on the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship by taking a convincing win from pole position ahead of Round 1 double winner Kakeru Okunuki and Sakchai Khongduangdee. It was the first visit to Thailand International Circuit for all the non-Thai riders, so track knowledge meant that familiarity handed local riders the advantage in Friday free practice and Saturday morning qualifying. Of the visitors, it was only Round 1 double winner Kakeru Okunuki who was able to match the pace of the fastest locals. Chayakorn’s pole time was 1:29.412, 0.173 quicker than next best TanakitPratumtong and Kakeru, who completed the front row a further three tenths back. Theppitak Kraiyafai led row two from Supakarn Phasuraphonkul and Anak Waichalard.
Chayakorn converted pole in the holeshot, leading into Turn 1 and setting an immediate fast pace that only Kakeru, Theppitak and Supakarn were initially able to match. By lap seven Theppitak was on the move, closing in on the Japanese rider. With three laps left, just when it looked as though he was going to claim second, two slower riders crashed at the final turn and brought out the red flag. With 75 percent of race distance having been completed, the result was declared, confirming Chayakorn as the winner by 3.3 seconds from Kakeru and Theppitak. Supakarn, a further four seconds back, was a lonely fourth, with Ryan Larkin and Anak Waichalrd were a distant fifth and sixth respectively. In championship terms, it was a good result for Kakeru, who moved to 17 points clear of Larkin, while Chayakorn’s win moved him up to third.
