The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team had a positive start to their Moto2 adventure. Rookie riders Manuel Gonzalez and Keminth Kubo used their debut race to adapt to the World Championship level. They showed great promise, securing 20th and 23rd place respectively.
Gonzalez made his mark on the Qatar GP right from the start. Despite being 24th on the grid, he completed the first lap in 17th place, showing he is a strong contender. The rookie was still dealing with a shoulder injury sustained in FP3 which held him back in defending his position against more experienced riders. He lost a few places, finding himself in 22nd place on multiple occasions, but grinded his teeth. He fought back with a strong finish to his maiden Moto2 race and took the chequered flag in 20th place.
Kubo held his 26 starting position through the first corners and got into the mix of riders eager to battle their way up the order. By lap 4, he was in 23rd place with a gap of over a second to the rider in front of him. The Thai talent put his head down. With clear track ahead of him, he could focus on his own rhythm for most of the race. A battle with Alessandro Zaccone in the final stages lost him a place, but his 23rd place finish is an encouraging start to his debut season.
The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team will be back in action at the Mandalika Circuit from March 18-12 for the Grand Prix of Indonesia.