MotoGP Sepang: Whatley completes ‘ultimate training session’

VisionTrack Racing launched a triple attack on the Malaysian Grand Prix as Syarifuddin Azman returned for a home wildcard in Moto3.

The local rider’s second stint with the team saw him qualify 21st ahead of the 17-lap race with full-time teammates Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley 30th and 31st. Whatley, however, was forced to start from pitlane, and with a five second delay, after exceeding his engine allocation.

A difficult race saw an early crash for Ogden, with the Brit facing medical checks ahead of the final round after suffering an injury to his toe, while Whatley regrouped from his lonely start to 23rd at the flag. Azman enjoyed a race-long battle with the mid-pack but was ultimately disappointed to miss out on points by less then two tenths as he crossed the line 16th in front of his home support.

“It was great to see a third bike out on track this weekend,” Team Manager, Taylor Mackenzie summed up from Sepang. “Azman did himself proud in front of his home fans. Josh showed promise all weekend and will hopefully carry the momentum into Valencia. Scott suffered another nasty crash in the race so we hope he can be fit for the final round.”

“It was an incredibly tough and lonely race but it felt like the ultimate training session,” Whatley said confidently. “The flyaway races have been a lot of fun but I’m definitely looking forward to going back to a track that I know really well in two weeks time!”

“I really enjoyed riding in Malaysia, the track was so much fun,” Ogden added on Sunday night. “I’m hoping to be fit again for the Valencia weekend as I know I can be strong there.”