‘Dream come true': Somkiat Chantra set to make history as Thailand's first MotoGP rider
Advertisement
The 26-year-old will debut at the season-opening Thai MotoGP race on Sunday at Buriram, the first rider from the country to line up in the premier class.
'It's amazing, it's like a dream come true,' said Somkiat, admitting to some trepidation ahead of riding in front of a passionate home crowd, starting with practice on Friday.
'I cannot imagine [the pressure] in Buriram on the first race,' he said.
Known by his nickname 'Kong' in Thailand, Somkiat will saddle up alongside French teammate Johann Zarco for Honda-LCR.
Advertisement
Zarco said he was looking forward to helping Somkiat ease into his rookie season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
French qualifier Atmane stuns Rune to reach Cincy semi
French qualifier Atmane stuns Rune to reach Cincy semi Atmane had won just one of four tour-level matches this year before arriving in Cincinnati. Photo: Reuters French qualifier Terence Atmane continued his sensational run at the ATP Cincinnati Masters on Thursday, stunning seventh-seeded Holger Rune 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals. Atmane, ranked 136th in the world, followed up his victory over world number four Taylor Fritz with a confident performance against Denmark's Rune to book a semi-final clash with world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner. "I don't think any words can describe how I feel right now," said the 23-year-old, adding that he had trouble sleeping after his big win over Fritz on Wednesday. "I was just trying to be myself on the court." Atmane, 23, is through to his first career Masters 1000 semi-final. He is the first qualifier to reach the Cincinnati last four in 10 years. The Frenchman had won just one of four tour-level matches this year before arriving in Cincinnati. In an earlier match, American Ben Shelton continued his strong run with a 6-4, 6-4 win over 22nd seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic to advance to the quarter-finals. It was a clutch performance for fifth-seeded Shelton, who was deadlocked at 4-4 in each of the two sets against Lehecka before breaking him each time and then serving to clinch the set. Shelton will face No 3 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in a quarter-final matchup between two players who have yet dropped a set in the event. (AFP/Reuters)
RTHK
4 days ago
- RTHK
PSG storm back to win Super Cup on penalties
PSG storm back to win Super Cup on penalties PSG's victory marks the first time any club from France have won the annual Super Cup match. Photo: Reuters European champions Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the Uefa Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2. Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 just after half-time at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy. Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winners the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got their second goal three minutes into the second half. However, PSG were rescued by two substitutes as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equaliser four minutes into injury time. That meant a penalty shoot-out, although it started badly for PSG when Vitinha put their first kick wide. However, new Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier saved from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG. Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up. It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, have lifted the Super Cup, as they take their tally of trophies won in 2025 to five. "I am proud. We have hadn't much preparation but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect – it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus. "They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that," he added. It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique's team, who had a shortened off-season break having lost the Fifa Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago. (AFP)
RTHK
4 days ago
- RTHK
PSG storm back to win Super Cup on penalties
PSG storm back to win Super Cup on penalties PSG's victory marks the first time any club from France have won the annual Super Cup match. Photo: Reuters European champions Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the Uefa Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2. Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 just after half-time at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy. Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winners the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got their second goal three minutes into the second half. However, PSG were rescued by two substitutes as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equaliser four minutes into injury time. That meant a penalty shoot-out, although it started badly for PSG when Vitinha put their first kick wide. However, new Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier saved from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG. Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up. It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, have lifted the Super Cup, as they take their tally of trophies won in 2025 to five. "I am proud. We have hadn't much preparation but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect – it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus. "They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that," he added. It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique's team, who had a shortened off-season break having lost the Fifa Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago. (AFP)
