Latest news with #SomkiatChantra
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Marc Marquez seeks elusive first win in Austria
SPIELBERG, Austria: Runaway leader Marc Marquez was in ominous form as MotoGP returned from its month-long mid-season break, topping Friday practice in Austria. The Spaniard is coasting towards a seventh elite title, which would draw him level with Italian legend Valentino Rossi and one shy of all-time record-holder Giacomo Agostini. Despite turning up with five consecutive wins he knows he must do something this weekend that he has failed to achieve before in his storied career - win in Spielberg. "I've been super close many years in Austria," he said. "I lose always against red (Ducati) bikes but now I'm riding that red bike so let's see if we can fight for that victory" he added. Since joining Ducati's factory team at the start of the season, Marquez has been almost uncatchable - notching up his fifth straight perfect weekend of sprint and race victories in Brno last month. He goes into this 13th round of the 22-race campaign a massive 120 points clear of the pack led by his younger brother Alex of Ducati's satellite Gresini team. Alex is realistically destined for second behind his trailblazing brother. The younger Marquez is 48 points clear of Francesco Bagnaia on the other Ducati factory bike, who is seeking a fourth straight Spielberg win. Alex Marquez will have his work cut out because he must serve a long-lap penalty in Sunday's main race after wiping out Honda's Joan Mir in an accident last time at the Czech MotoGP. "A bigger challenge for us will be to do a perfect weekend to lose the minimum time on the long lap on Sunday," the 29-year-old said. "You know, trying to be on the front row; trying to make some ground before doing the long lap, all that. So it will be a little bit of strategy." Marc Marquez bossed practice, topping the first session by three-tenths of a second from Bagnaia, and by two-tenths from Pedro Acosta (KTM) in the afternoon run. Saturday's qualifying is followed by the 14-lap sprint with the main event 24 hours later. One rider forced to miss out on the weekend action and the next race in Hungary is Honda LCR' Somkiat Chantra. The Thai rider is recovering from surgery after sustaining ligament damage in his right knee in training after the Dutch MotoGP, which has already forced him out of races in Germany and Brno.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chantra out of French MotoGP after arm pump surgery
Somkiat Chantra will not take part in the MotoGP French Grand Prix having been unable to fully recover from forearm surgery he underwent last week. The LC Honda rider underwent surgery last Wednesday to address issues caused by compartment syndrome at the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona by Dr Xavier Mir's team. Advertisement Although the procedure went to plan, Chantra was unable to recover in time to be fit for the French round. 'Following a post-operative check-up, Dr. Xavier Mir, who performed the surgery, recommended giving Somkiat more time to fully regain his strength before returning to competition. While his rehabilitation is progressing satisfactorily, he is not yet fit to compete,' the statement read. Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images With the absence of the 26-year-old Thai rider, who is in his rookie season in the premier class, LCR Honda will appear at Le Mans with just one rider, Johann Zarco, as they have not found a suitable replacement. Advertisement In his five MotoGP races, Chantra has struggled to adapt to an already challenging bike that is the Honda. Read Also: How Aprilia and KTM are closer to Yamaha and Honda than to Ducati MotoGP bans 2027-spec bike tests until conclusion of 2025 season His best result so far is a 16th place at the United States Grand Prix, and apart from Jorge Martin, who missed the first four races and was injured again in the fifth, Chantra is the only rider on the grid yet to score points. Interestingly, Pedro Acosta also underwent surgery one day (on Tuesday) to address the same issues, which had been causing him headaches for over a year. Advertisement The KTM rider, however, received the green light from doctors to travel to the French circuit, where the medical team will need to confirm if he is fit to race. To read more articles visit our website.
South China Morning Post
25-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
‘Dream come true': Somkiat Chantra set to make history as Thailand's first MotoGP rider
Somkiat Chantra can barely contain a beaming smile as he prepares to make history as Thailand's first MotoGP rider this week – and all in front of his home fans. 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.
