Thai MotoGP rookie Somkiat Chantra stepped onto a MotoGP machine for the first time during the post-season test in Barcelona. After his first outing in the premier class, the 25-year-old shared how he approached a day stacked with fulfilled childhood dreams.
“When I went out on the first lap, I tried to keep calm. I opened the throttle slowly and braked early. Then at the last corner, I went full gas for the straight. Honestly, the speed was okay. But when you go upright, the bike is super fast!”
Chantra approached the session lap by lap, working closely with his team to adjust to the electronics and MotoGP’s complex systems. He highlighted a unique feature of the top class:
“They told me to use different settings and sent me messages because in MotoGP the teams can send messages to the bike. So, we were seeing if I could see the message, then make some changes on the bike. It was very nice to learn about this.”
The rookie also detailed his nerves ahead of the milestone test, saying, “Before I got on the bike, I was very nervous and on the verge of a heart attack. My team told me to be careful, especially in left-hand turns.”
“After the last corner, I wanted to open the throttle fully on the straight, and when the bike came up at the front, I just thought to myself, ‘Woah, this bike is very fast.’”
As the day progressed, Chantra grew more comfortable. “It got better lap after lap,” he explained. Now, with the winter break ahead, he plans to shift focus to his fitness.
He wants to be prepared for the higher physicality of the premier class compared to what he’s used to in Moto2. “We are now going into the winter break, and I will work a lot on my fitness,” he added.
