Deniz Öncü Finishes Seventh at the Japanese Moto2 Grand Prix
Turkish rider Deniz Öncü took seventh place in the Japanese round of the Moto2 World Championship, recovering four positions after starting the race from 11th on the grid. The 16th round was held at the 4.8-kilometre Motegi circuit in Tochigi Prefecture, where Öncü competed for the ELF Marc VDS team.
Öncü delivered a determined performance over the course of the race and crossed the finish line inside the top seven. While he did not reach the podium, his result added valuable points to his championship total and marked a solid recovery from his starting position.
Spain’s Izan Guevara claimed victory after beginning the Grand Prix from pole position for the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha team. Italian rider Tony Arbolino, representing REDS Fantic, finished second, while Filip Salac of the Czech Republic secured third place for the OnlyFans American team.
The Japanese Grand Prix also influenced the standings in the riders’ championship. Manuel Gonzalez leads the table with 245.5 points, followed by Guevara on 235. Ivan Ortola is third with 181.5 points. Öncü currently occupies 15th place, having collected 47.5 points.
The result keeps the season moving into its next stage, with the 17th round scheduled to take place in Indonesia from October 9 to 11. Öncü will have another opportunity to build on his Motegi performance and improve his position in the standings.
Starting 11th meant Öncü had several riders ahead of him from the opening lap, making a top-seven finish a clear step forward from his grid position. In a tightly contested championship, gaining places during the race can be just as important as securing a strong qualifying result.
Motegi’s 4.8-kilometre layout provided the setting for the Japanese round, with riders competing across a circuit known for its mix of corners and straights. The track tested both race pace and consistency, as competitors sought to maintain their positions while looking for opportunities to pass.
For Öncü, the seventh-place result offers a foundation to carry into the Indonesian event. His current points tally leaves room to climb the championship order, although doing so will depend on maintaining consistent finishes and converting further race opportunities into points.
Guevara’s win was especially significant in the context of the title race: his 25-point advantage over Gonzalez in Japan narrowed the gap between the two Spaniards in the overall standings to 10.5 points. Arbolino and Salac also left the round with podium finishes, while the championship battle remains led by Gonzalez.
Moto2’s 17th round in Indonesia is the next date on the calendar. Öncü’s focus will be on carrying his progress from Japan into the upcoming race and adding to the 47.5 points he has earned so far this season.