American Kensei Matsudaira Scores Fourth Consecutive Podium in Moto5 Spanish Championship
August 13-14, 2022
Kensei Matsudaira continued his podium streak in the Moto5 category with a second place finish in Race One held on August 14, 2022 in the fourth round of the Cuna de Campeones and RFME Copa de España Championships at the As Pontes Circuit in A Coruña, Spain.
Despite it being his first time at the circuit, Kensei topped the combined free practice timesheet on Saturday. During the final qualifying, Kensei experienced an engine failure bringing his qualifying session to a premature end, but he was still able to set a lap time just 0.2s from pole to start the races on Sunday in fourth position.
In Race One Kensei quickly worked his way from P4 to P2 and would stay in that position until the end.
With a strong finish in Race One, Kensei knew he could fight for the win the second race and took the lead in lap four. He set the fastest lap of the race, but unfortunately two laps later, contact was made by the rider in second position from behind, and Kensei’s race was over.
“It was really disappointing to have Race Two end the way it did since there was nothing I could do and it potentially cost me the championship, but this is racing,” Kensei said after the weekend. “But honestly after losing the engine and crashing in qualifying, just being able to line up on the grid for the races was like a miracle, and then having the pace to fight at the top in both races was really satisfying. Just being right there to fight for the win is what I’m here for, so I’m happy. Big thanks to my team – JR, Juanito, and David for working all night on Saturday to fix my bike to make it perfect to race on Sunday!”
Kensei will now return to the US to race at Round Three of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul championship at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. He is currently third in the Ohvale GP-0 160 category and leads the championship in the Ohvale GP-2 190 category.
Kensei’s next appearance in the Moto5 category in Spain will be at Round Six of the Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship on September 11, 2022 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.
Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad:
American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.
