Honda Racing Vietnam’s Nguyen Huu Tri Excels at IATC 2025’s First Leg

As the sole representative of Honda Racing Vietnam this year, Tri made significant strides right from the first round of this prestigious race.

Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup: A Launchpad for Young Asian Racers!

The Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) is a platform for young Asian racers, helping them get one step closer to renowned races such as Moto2, Moto3, and MotoGP. Organized by Dorna Sports, the managing body of MotoGP, the IATC not only hones the skills of these racers but also opens doors to international racing opportunities. In this competition, participants use NSF250 bikes provided and upgraded by the organizers to ensure fairness and help them focus on skill development.

Nguyen Huu Tri, a promising racer from Honda Racing Vietnam, excelled among nearly 100 young Asian racers in the selection round. He became the sole representative of Vietnam in the 2025 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup. This season consists of six rounds held simultaneously with MotoGP events in Asia. The first round of the season (Round 1) took place at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand on March 1st and 2nd, 2025.

Round 1 IATC 2025: Race Recap

Day 1: A Dramatic Opening

The first day of the 2025 IATC season was intense, with fierce competition from the very first laps. Unfortunately, an incident occurred, causing some racers to exit prematurely. However, Nguyen Huu Tri maintained his composure and displayed a resilient performance. He finished the first day in an impressive 14th place, earning two crucial points in the overall standings.

Day 2: Tension Until the Final Moment

The second day witnessed even more intense competition, with constant changes in the overall rankings. Nguyen Huu Tri put on an impressive display, consistently chasing and competing with the top 10 racers. Notably, he improved his personal best lap time from 1:48.831s (Day 1) to 1:48.455s (Day 2), a reduction of 0.376s. With unwavering determination, Tri finished the round in 13th place, marking a promising step forward at Round 1 of IATC 2025.

This outcome not only underscores Nguyen Huu Tri’s racing prowess but also showcases his evident progress on the international stage. Honda Racing Vietnam believes that with Tri’s dedication and resolve, he will continue to excel and achieve more remarkable results in the upcoming rounds.

About Honda Racing Vietnam: Honda Racing Vietnam is Vietnam’s leading professional racing team, participating in prestigious international races. With a mission to nurture and develop young racers, the team continually strives to deliver exceptional performances and elevate Vietnamese motorsports on the global stage.

About Nguyen Huu Tri: A rising star of Honda Racing Vietnam, Tri embarked on his racing journey at a young age with his family’s unwavering support. His talent was evident in the Vietnam Moto Racing Championship, where he secured 3rd place overall in the NSF100 category in the 2022 season at just 14 years old. Recognizing his potential, Honda Vietnam recruited Tri, and he became the youngest member of Honda Racing Vietnam in the 2023 season.

In the two years since joining Honda Racing Vietnam, Tri has demonstrated maturity and growth in significant races such as the Asian Racing Championship (ARRC) and the Thailand Talent Cup (TTC). Through dedicated training camps in Thailand and Japan, organized by Honda Racing Vietnam and featuring top Asian racers, Tri has honed his skills and gained invaluable racing experience. This progress culminated in his qualification for the 2025 IATC.

In preparation for the highly competitive IATC, Honda Vietnam and Nguyen Huu Tri devised a meticulous plan, recognizing the scale and intensity of the upcoming challenge. In February 2025, just before the first round in Thailand, Honda Vietnam invited two Japanese racers, Zen Mitani (2024 IATC Champion) and Ryota Ogiwara (2024 IATC Runner-up), to Vietnam for a training session and knowledge exchange with the Honda Racing Vietnam team. This invaluable opportunity allowed Tri to learn from experienced IATC participants, boosting his confidence and motivation for the upcoming race.

With a strong start to the season, Nguyen Huu Tri is poised to achieve even better results in the remaining rounds of the 2025 championship.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)