RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP kicks off the new Moto2 Season with first test of 2025

The first two test days of 2025 have been completed for the RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team. With the returning Zonta van den Goorbergh and new addition Ayumu Sasaki, the Dutch team got back on track over the past two days at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

The first day in Portimão started a bit later due to a track that was not yet completely dry, but conditions were favourable on the second day. Van den Goorbergh and Sasaki got back on their Moto2 machines for the first time since November on Wednesday, marking their first kilometres of 2025. After a positive initial experience with the new Kalex equipment, more testing work was carried out on Thursday.

Van den Goorbergh ended the day with an impressive sixth-fastest lap time, proving that he has not lost his speed despite entering the winter break with a shoulder injury. Sasaki completed a positive first test with his new team, finishing in 22^nd position. It was the first time the Japanese rider had been on a Moto2 machine since the Malaysian Grand Prix in November – where he got injured.

Zonta van den Goorbergh – P6 | 1’41.854 | +0.663
“We started the day strong and were consistently at the front. In the afternoon, we tried a lot of things, but not everything gave us the solution we were looking for. However, by the end of the day, we believe we found a good direction, which we will continue working on in Jerez. It’s clear that we have a better-prepared bike than last year, and if we can keep this momentum going, we will definitely have a stronger package this season.”

Ayumu Sasaki – P22 | 1’42.835 | +1.644
“There is still a lot of work to do, and there are many areas where we need to improve, but overall, I felt comfortable with the team, and that’s the most important thing. We learned a lot over these two days, and now we will focus on those areas in Jerez and try to take another step forward.”

Jarno Janssen – RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP Team Manager
“Even though the winter break lasted almost three months, it always feels short. Nevertheless, it was great to be back in action and to introduce both Van den Goorbergh and our new addition, Sasaki, to the new Kalex machine. We can be satisfied with this first test of 2025, and in a few days, we will continue our work in Jerez. The start of the new season is not far away, but at least we have made a strong start in Portimão.”

The Moto2 teams now head east to the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, where the official three-day Moto2 & Moto3 Test will take place from Tuesday, February 18, to Thursday, February 20. After that, the journey continues to Thailand, where the first Grand Prix of 2025 will be held just over a week later.