Source: Supplied.

Australian Billy van Eerde continues to lead the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup despite a dramatic ending to the weekend’s fourth round at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit.

Van Eerde was second in the opening encounter, although the drama came courtesy of rival Haruki Noguchi in race two when the Japanese rider lunged up the inside of the Aussie contender, running both himself and van Eerde wide, costing the pair a number of positions.

Noguchi recovered for sixth as van Eerde was forced to accept seventh, however he still holds a seven-point advantage over the number nine as the series heads to Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on 19-21 October.

Fellow Australians Benjiman Baker and Senna Agius lodged 15-17 and 16-18 scorecards respectively, positioning them 22nd and 17th in the championship rankings.