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2016.4.1
Jefri Tosema takes the first pole position of the 2016 season
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, in its second day of the season opener at Johor Circuit, Malaysia, held a practice session before going on to the qualifying session.
After the riders made their final adjustment to their race set-up in Practice 3, the riders went onto their first qualifying practice of the season. During the 30-minute qualifying session, riders tried their best improve in their lap time, by running the session in packs. During the first half of the session, the first rider ever to mark below 2’00 was Team Philippine’s #29 April King Mascardo. However, the Indonesian #20 Jefri Tosema, followed with 1’59.352 to take the first pole position of the 2016 season.Ten out of sixteen riders were in the 2’00s.
Jefri Tosema | ＃20
I started to race when I was 13 years old in MotoCross, and started to race on the race track when I turned 16. I started in the Suzuki Indonesian Challenge in 2014, but I was able to finish 4th. Last year, I finally won the Suzuki Indonesia Challenge last year, and made it to the Suzuki Asian Challenge. I concentrated during qualifying to make good lap times, and I am happy that I won the pole position. I will do my best to win the races tomorrow.
Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
This is our second season in Suzuki’s rider development program. All riders having being showing me their potential and look forward to see them racing tomorrow. The rider’s should be excited for the race, but I hope there are no unnecessary crashes, and finish the day without any injuries.
Shunji Yatsushiro | Rider Coach
The riders have been showing improvement both in their riding and their laptime, everytime they go out. The gap betweeen the leader the slower riders is closer now. They are all fast learners, and I understand why they have been chosen to represent their countries. As a coach, I am happy to see the slower riders rapidly speed up. Tomorrow would be their first race of the season. I’m sure that it’s going to be a close one, and I am looking forward to see how they race.
