Somkiat set for 5th stint in Moto2

Somkiat Chantra will compete for a fifth year in Moto2 this season, his sponsor Thai Honda Co announced yesterday.

Somkiat, 24, will again race for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, the company said.

The Chon Buri native is the most successful Thai motorcycle racer ever on the international stage.

Somkiat became the first Thai motorcycle rider to win any class of grand prix racing with his victory in Indonesia last year.

Somkiat also claimed three other podium finishes last season when he came 10th overall.

Thai Honda hopes he continues his good run and finishes in the top five in the 2023 Moto2 championship.

Somkiat earlier said he wanted to win the championship and to one day compete in MotoGP.

Thai Honda said yesterday it would also support Tatchakorn Buasri to compete in four Moto3 races this year.

Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia of Italy won the MotoGP crown last year ahead of Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo of France.

Spain's Pedro Acosta of Kalex took the Moto2 title with teammate and compatriot Augusto Fernandez finishing second.

The 2023 season starts in Portugal on March 26.

There will be 21 races including the Thailand Grand Prix in October. The season ends in Valencia on Nov 26.

Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa will make a wildcard MotoGP appearance at his home Spanish Grand Prix in April.

Pedrosa, 37, retired from the championship at the end of 2018 with 31 top-class wins.