Returning to the top playground of the continent after a 2-year absence, the sole representative of Vietnam, Honda Racing Vietnam, attended with 3 riders Cao Viet Nam (#65, AP250 category), Nguyen Duc Thanh (#193), and Nguyen Anh Tuan (#178) in the UB150 category. The whole team is expected to continue the progress that Honda Racing Vietnam has achieved since the 2019 season. These are reasonable targets as in the past 2 years, although not competing, the riders and the whole team still organized training sessions, developed technical and tactical plans, and optimistically, it can be said that Honda Racing Vietnam has had the best pre-season preparation since participating in ARRC 2016.
During the test runs before the opener at the Chang racetrack, the 3 riders from Vietnam also had very positive performances, along with all 3 racing bikes operating smoothly and competitively.
During the test runs before the opener at the Chang racetrack, the 3 riders from Vietnam also had very positive performances, along with all 3 racing bikes operating smoothly and competitively. Moving on to the qualifying day, in the UB150 category, Duc Thanh impressively competed for super pole for the first time, securing the 14th starting position. Rider Anh Tuan started in 17th position for both race days. In the AP250 category, rider Cao Viet Nam started in 15th position.
Race 1: Crazy and Regrettable
In the official competition day 1, in the UB150 category, both riders Nguyen Duc Thanh and Nguyen Anh Tuan, despite starting from low positions, collaborated well to keep up with the racing pack.
Their positions continuously improved, by the third lap, both riders secured P14-15, and in the next 3 laps, moved up one place after each lap. By the sixth lap, Duc Thanh reached 11th position and Anh Tuan secured 12th position.
In the 7th lap, craziness ensued. At turn 6, after a sudden chaotic situation, Duc Thanh seemed to “emerge from the ground”, entering the top 5 to directly compete for the podium. All this happened in less than 3 seconds, leaving everyone astonished. Soon after, Duc Thanh competes fiercely and firmly with the leading riders, this young rider truly performed admirably against the much more experienced riders from Asia. It must be mentioned that this 5th position is the best position that a rider from Honda Racing Vietnam has achieved in 6 years of participating in the UB150 category, previously the best position achieved by the team was 6th place set by Cao Viet Nam in 2017.
By the final lap, when everyone felt that a podium position for Duc Thanh was entirely possible, at the final “treacherous turn” of Chang, an unexpected collision occurred and Duc Thanh belonged to this group in the utmost regret. However, consolation came in the fact that Anh Tuan seized the opportunity and crossed the finish line in 8th position, while Duc Thanh quickly recovered from the collision and brought the bike to the finish line in 10th position. Despite the regret, the fact that the 2 Vietnamese riders finished in the top 10 is considered a great success for the first race day. Everyone is looking forward to the 2nd race day with optimism and a high fighting spirit.
Despite the regret, the fact that the 2 Vietnamese riders finished in the top 10 is considered a great success for the first race day.
In the AP250 category, inspired by Duc Thanh’s performance, Cao Viet Nam also had a very inspiring race day. “The Madman” made a smooth overtaking maneuver and suddenly overtook 3 opponents. However, this rider still couldn’t find his best racing feeling, after the 2nd lap, Cao Viet Nam could only fight for the leading position in the second group on the track with racer Fitri.
In the AP250 category, inspired by Duc Thanh’s performance, Cao Viet Nam also had a very inspiring race day.
“The Madman” although not competing for the leading group, still competed with great determination. By the end of the 2nd lap, Cao Viet Nam could only compete for 5th position, closely chasing the top 4 riders. At times, it seemed like today Cao Viet Nam was truly “mad”, he chose an extremely aggressive play style on the straight sections of the track but cleverly eased up on the wide corner strategy. This strategy proved to be highly effective, helping “The Madman” constantly narrow the gap with the top group.
There was time when “The Madman” climbed to 4th position, the best position of his career in AP250 as well as of Honda Racing Vietnam at ARRC.
By the 5th lap, Cao Viet Nam aggressively fought for the 5th position and closely pursued the top group. In fact, “The Madman” climbed to 4th position, the best position of his career in AP250 as well as of Honda Racing Vietnam at ARRC. At this point, he and the other 3 riders created a fiercely contested and breathtaking stalemate, with intense back-and-forth battles. However, when the other riders in the group recognized Cao Viet Nam’s tactics and found a way to neutralize them, “The Madman” fell to 9th position in the 6th lap.
In the 7th lap, Cao Viet Nam continued to fiercely and determinedly race, and at one point, he regained the 5th position. However, his rivals were experienced enough to catch on, especially since most racing teams had 2 riders participating while Cao Viet Nam was alone, so when the team riders worked together to block him, “The Madman” was at a disadvantage. Despite continuously changing positions, Cao Viet Nam still raced with passion and in his own style, he was bold, energetic, seemingly boundless in energy. Finally, “The Madman” finished in 8th position with evident regret and dissatisfaction, even though this position fulfilled the team’s “target”. However, above all, Cao Viet Nam has shown his competitive ability and potential. If he continues to race as he does now, he will definitely be on the podium in the AP250 category this year.
Race 2: The Madman awakens
Entering race day 2 of the UB150 category with a smoother overtaking move than the first day, Cao Viet Nam managed to overtake 4 riders right after the first turn. By the 2nd lap, “The Madman” climbed to 11th position and closely pursued the leading group. It felt like today Cao Viet Nam truly raced like a “madman”, choosing an extremely aggressive play style on the straight sections of the track but cleverly eased up on the wide corner strategy. This strategy of his was highly effective, allowing “The Madman” to continuously gain positions with the leading group.
There was a moment when “The Madman” climbed to 4th position, the best position of his career in AP250 as well as of Honda Racing Vietnam at ARRC.
At the 5th lap, Cao Viet Nam took over the 5th position and closely pursued the top 4 riders. In fact, there was a moment when “The Madman” climbed to 4th position, the best position of his career in AP250 as well as of Honda Racing Vietnam at ARRC. At this point, he and the other 3 riders maintained an intense and thrilling battle, with everyone giving their all in every move. However, as most teams had 2 riders to collaborate, Cao Viet Nam being the only one racing, he was at a disadvantage when the team riders worked together to block him. Nevertheless, even as his position fluctuated, Cao Viet Nam raced with his characteristic passion, he was determined, explosive, seemingly never-ending in his energy. In the end, “The Madman” finished in 8th position, with visible regret and dissatisfaction, although this position fulfilled the team’s “target”. However, above all, Cao Viet Nam has shown his competitive ability and potential. If he continues to race as he does now, he will definitely be on the podium in the AP250 category this year.
Wrapping up race day 2, in the UB150 category, Duc Thanh secured 7 points, Anh Tuan 11 points, ranking 14th and 12th respectively on the leaderboard. “The Madman” Cao Viet Nam also earned his first 15 points and ranked 10th on the AP250 category leaderboard.
Honda Racing Vietnam had an emotional opener for ARRC 2022
Honda Racing Vietnam had an emotional opener for ARRC 2022, providing an exhilarating, thrilling speed feast for fans. It is not an exaggeration to say that the sole representative of Vietnam has made the top Asian competitors “sweat” in the recent race. This shows that they can compete on an equal footing with the continent’s top competitors for a podium position.
Hopefully, in the upcoming 2nd race of ARRC 2022, Honda Racing Vietnam and its 3 riders will turn the hopes of the fans into concrete performances, and the podium will soon be theirs.
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Anh Quan (forum.autodaily.vn)
