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Circuit of the Americas.
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Circuit of the Americas
Austin, Texas, United States
April 14, 2019
Race results (all on Michelin tires):
1. Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 20 laps, total race time 41: 45.499
2. Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), -0.462 seconds
3. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), -8.454 seconds
4. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), -9,420
5. Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), -18,021
6. Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), -21,476
7. Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), -26.111
8. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), -29,743
9. Francesco Bagnaia, Italy (Ducati), -30.608
10. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 31.011
11. Maverick Vinales, Spain (Yamaha), -34.077, accelerated start penalty
12. Andrea Iannone, Italy (Aprilia), -34,779
13. Johann Zarco, France (KTM), -42,458
14. Miguel Oliveira, Portugal (KTM), -44,272
15. Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), -44,623
16. Karel Abraham, Czech Republic (Ducati), -44,740
17. Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), -48.063, accelerated departure penalty
18. Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (KTM), -67,683
19. Jorge Lorenzo, Spain (Honda), -10 laps, DNF, mechanical
20. Marc Marquez, Spain (Honda), -12 laps, DNF, crash
21. Cal Crutchlow, United Kingdom (Honda), -15 laps, DNF, crash
22. Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), -15 laps, DNF, crash
Points classification of the world championship (after 3 out of 19 races):
1. Dovizioso, 54 points
2. Rossi, 51 years old
3. Rins, 49
4. Mark, 45 years old
5. Petrucci, 30 years old
6. Miller, 29 years old
7. Nakagami, 22 years old
8. Crutchlow, age 19
9. Pol Espargaro, 18 years old
10. Quartararo, 17 years old
11. Morbidelli, 16 years old
12. Vinales, 14
13. Aleix Espargaro, 13 years old
14. Bagnaia, 9
15. Mir, 8
16. Tie, Oliveira / Lorenzo, 7 years old
18. Iannone, 6
19. Zarco, 5
20. Rabat, 1
In addition, excerpt from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
Oliveira brings Texas points hard – Syahrin accumulates more experience
Miguel Oliveira ran a brave third MotoGP race from his career today to finish in points, while Hafizh Syahrin finished demanding 20 laps, although the Circuit of the Americas was not a pitch easy game for the duo Red Bull KTM Tech3. From the very beginning.
After a difficult start, only ending up in P20 after the first lap, Oliveira found a solid pace to catch several positions. The young Portuguese boy gritted his teeth to fight in 14th place under the checkered flag. Meanwhile, Malaysian star Syahrin struggled to grab one of the toughest tracks on the MotoGP calendar, but managed to finish the Grand Prix in P18.
Miguel Oliveira
Position: 14th
Championship: 16th
Points: 7
"It's a difficult race, a very disappointing start to the race. I did not expect to leave as badly, but then we accelerated, we drove well, which I mean, according to our forecasts. We must be happy with this result, because in the end we finished where we wanted, which is inside the points. It's really a very difficult track to fly and be in the points here, that's fine. Now we are going to Jerez, a track, we like a lot. The bike seems to perform well there, so we can not wait. We take a lot of positive points from this race, we learned and understood more about the bike. My position on the bike must be a little different. We are working in this direction to make me feel better, so it's time to look at the good things we've done this weekend. "
(Above) Hafizh Syahrin (55) driving Tito Rabat (53).
Hafizh Syahrin
Position: 18th
Championship: 21st
Points: –
"Honestly, I'm a little disappointed because we tried a different tire choice, but it seems like it was not the right choice. From the beginning of the race, I felt a huge fall, I could not stop the bike well enough, so I was fighting. It was difficult to keep up the pace and it took all my energy. I do not know why it happened, but I hope we can come back to Jerez, the first race on European soil. I wish we could find something here to have a good pace and reduce the gap to the front. "
Hervé Poncharal
Team Leader, Executive
"Overall, the weekend was tough and we were not at the same level as in Argentina. We knew that coming here would not be easy, but I must say that Miguel – as usual – lowered his head, remained calm and worked very well. He qualified ok and although his departure was very mediocre, he recovered a lot of positions and he found himself just behind Johann (Zarco) and they raced at the same pace, succeeding each other and it was very interesting for Miguel. see how Johann worked, so I think he learned a few things and got two more points. It was clearly an interesting weekend, but the gap in the end was quite important. Hafizh was a big disappointment because we know his potential. Sometimes, it advances two seconds from the previous turn or the previous workout. So it's very high and low and we do not understand how you can have such a lapse of time. We were always confident that he could make a solid race, but although the start was much better than Miguel's, he was losing in turn. I hate to be the last but it was last and it is not a good position. The gap was huge, at the end of the race, we could see that there was no one in front of him and that his motivation was down. He still has work to do so that he understands better how to ride a bike and that it is more constant, because more than speed, he needs consistency. It's still in its infancy in the season, the third round, but we really need to see Hafizh show progress and improvements and narrow the gap from his team mate. Take the positives; we have done three races, we are clearly reducing the gap to the men in the lead, we are an excellent group, which is very competitive and very exciting. We are now returning to Europe on a track we know. We will certainly have improvements from KTM and tests after Monday's Grand Prix, which is very promising. We have to work, we need improvements and that's what will happen in Jerez. Thanks to all members of the KTM MotoGP team for supporting us as they do. I would like to congratulate Pol (Espargaro) for his incredible qualification and his race really very strong, because you can not complain about the package you see his results. This is a good sign and it is the goal we must have in mind. "
In addition, according to a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
ANDREA IANNONE CONCLUDES AT THE POINTS OF THE GP OF THE AMERICAS
AN ACCIDENT IN FIRST STEPS ALEIX ESPARGARÓ ALEIX OF THE RACE
NOW, EVERYONE WILL BE HARD TO WORK FOR A DAY OF AUSTIN TESTS While the test team is busy at JEREZ
Andrea Iannone scored points at home at the GP of the Americas, finishing 12th. After starting in 17th place on the grid, Andrea climbed the ladder, thanks in part to a few falls to reach the top ten. At this point, towards the mid-point of the race, it seemed that Iannone would be able to progress even further, but tire wear in the last seven laps would prevent him from defending the result that he had. He had gotten. Andrea continued to push hard, finishing 12th to bring points back to the championship.
Aleix, with an innocuous fall in the second round, compromised his chances for a good investment which, given his pace and overall ranking, would certainly have lived up to his potential.
Austin confirms its difficult track record for the Italian team which, precisely for this reason, will stay here tomorrow for a day of testing, while on Wednesday and Thursday, the test team with Bradley Smith will be busy on the track. Jerez. The main goal is the growth of RS-GP and Noale's team and factory are working hard to achieve this goal.
ALEIX ESPARGARO & # 39;
"Given the way the race was held today, it would have been a good opportunity to take important points, but unfortunately, already warming up, the bike was not so consistent. than during the other sessions, I did not do it. " I did not feel good with traction control in the morning and in the race it was the same. I found myself very high when I opened the throttle and we have to understand why. We need to improve the bike so that testing tomorrow is important. We must above all improve adhesion. At the present time, it is the main goal and I hope we can take a few steps forward. "
ANDREA IANNONE
"The final position is not bad, but more importantly, we have added a new notch to our belt in terms of growth, accumulated experience." My only disappointment is that I have not managed to keep up the pace in the last seven laps.The bike Without this performance drop, we could have played to be in the top ten and, moreover, we would have reduced the distance behind the leaders, not the result. we need to narrow the gap between the leaders. "
In addition, excerpt from a press release issued by Mission Winnow Ducati:
Americas GP: Andrea Dovizioso 4th and back in the championship lead, sixth place for Danilo Petrucci. Ducati 1st of the Constructors classification
Andrea Dovizioso took fourth place at the GP of the Americas in Austin (USA), taking the lead in the championship after three rounds with 54 points in the standings. After qualifying for the fifth row in 13th position, the Mission Winnow Ducati driver got off to a good start and immediately recovered several positions. With a steady and steady pace, the Italian rider gradually narrowed the gap with Jack Miller, finishing the race just nine tenths of a second off the Australian, third at the finish line with the Desmosedici GP 19 of the Pramac Racing Team.
Danilo Petrucci also had a strong recovery despite a difficult start in P8 and was able to climb gradually in the peloton to take sixth place at halfway. The Italian rider then increased the runners' distance behind him and defended his position until the checkered flag. With 30 points, Petrucci is still fifth overall.
After three rounds, Ducati is leading the constructors' standings with 57 points, while the Mission Winnow Ducati team is leading the team standings with 84 points.
Andrea Dovizioso (# 04 Mission Winnow Ducati) – 4th
"I'm happy with this result, even though I was 13th on the grid, even though I had a half-lap more, I would have probably finished on the podium. I had a hard time staying in front and I did not have the pace to stay in the lead group, but I managed to stay calm and collected. I regained confidence in myself and my pace in the last stages was very competitive, so much so that I almost managed to catch up with Miller.We were also lucky because there were falls, but it happens when we roll to the limit, we are back at the top of the driver and constructor rankings, and my feeling with the bike has improved compared to last year, but that's not enough because there are so many competitors, we must continue to improve. "
Danilo Petrucci (# 9 Winnow Ducati Mission) – 6th
"Finishing sixth, considering all the problems we faced in practice, can be considered a good result for us here in Texas, I obviously want to do better, but we still took a few important points, while keeping the Fifth place in the standings, a long and arduous race, at one point, I was recovering ground on Dovizioso and Morbidelli and I even imagined that I could catch them, but the front was blocked twice and I preferred not to I did not take too much risk, my team really did a fantastic job, it was not a friendly track for us, but I think we managed to get the best result possible today. More favorable circuits and I can not wait to be back on the track in Jerez and start the European round of the season. "
Team Mission Winnow Ducati will resume action in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) for the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship, scheduled from May 3rd to 5th.
In addition, according to a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
The Repsol Honda team leaves Austin's tough weekend for the return to Europe
Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo leave the GP of the Americas without any purpose after a double DNF while they were fighting in the front.
A cool and dry morning warm-up session soon gave way to a track temperature of 39ºC as the MotoGP World Championship got ready for the 20 laps. After braking late, Marc Marquez, starting from pole position, led into turn 1, increasing his lead in each lap. An error in turn 12 on the 9th lap caused Marquez to lose the front of his RC213V, unable to restart his machine, he was forced to retire. Mark was not injured in the fall.
In 11th position, Jorge Lorenzo did his best to maintain his position in the first laps. In the fifth round, Lorenzo finds his rhythm and begins his march forward, quickly catching several positions. Appearing comfortable on his RC213V in tenth position, Lorenzo moved closer to Bagnaia in ninth position when he encountered a problem and was forced to retire. The question was not related to that suffered on Saturday by Lorenzo and HRC investigating the matter.
The Red Bull de España Grand Prix on the iconic Jerez circuit, from May 3rd to May 5th, gives the Repsol Honda team a chance to take up the fight in front. Marquez and Lorenzo have won 14 podiums in first class, including five victories, in their previous visits to the Spanish track.
(Above) Marc Marquez (93), Valentino Rossi (46) and Cal Crutchlow (35) at the start of the race.
Marc Marquez
DNF
"We have had six extraordinary years here, but today I made a big mistake. When I arrived in the garage, I apologized to the team and would now like to apologize to the fans because it was my mistake. It's different to be wrong in fighting for fifth place and for the victory, the level is there. We are only nine points behind. True, we made a mistake, but we are human and that can happen. We must learn from them, understand and come back stronger in Jerez. "
Jorge Lorenzo
DNF
"This weekend has been tough with the weather and everything else. I did not get the best start, but I was able to recover and I started to climb some positions. Unfortunately, we had a problem with the bike and I was forced to withdraw from the race. It was a different problem from yesterday. The good thing is that during the race, I felt very good on a circuit where I normally have difficulties. We are now turning to Jerez, a circuit that I like and where we can hopefully be stronger. "
In addition, according to a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
ROSSI RECEIVES SECOND COTA COMPETITION
Austin, Texas, April 14, 2019
GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS
RACE
Valentino Rossi, of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team, today signed an excellent podium at the Grand Prix des Amériques. Maverick Viñales showed his fighting spirit, despite the adversities of the course, to finish 11th.
2nd VALENTINO ROSSI +0.462 / 20 LAPS
11th MAVERICK VIÑALES +34.077 / 20 LAPS
A perfectly sunny day on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) only offered a sensational Grand Prix des Amériques. Valentino Rossi of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP has given his heart and soul to today's race and just missed the win by taking 2nd place. Maverick Viñales had an equally competitive racing pace, but a penalty after a late start cost him valuable time and space. Despite everything, the Spaniard continued his momentum by returning to 11th in the pack.
Rossi rushed out of the line, rushing to the first tight left turn, exactly as he had planned. He knew that if he wanted to fight for victory today, he should push 100% from the beginning. He was doing a superb job of blocking Cal Crutchlow while pursuing Marc Marquez.
With 15 laps to go, the Doctor had a little respite when Crutchlow crashed. At the time, Márquez was almost three seconds ahead of him, but the Italian has never given up. He looked for the perfect balance between keeping the pressure and managing his tires, and that paid off. Márquez dropped 12 laps to go, giving Yamaha the lead.
The races also prompted Álex Rins to continue, but Rossi managed the gap until, five laps from the end, the battle for victory was launched. Rins went through a lap later. The veteran attempted to retaliate by using a pass, but without success, resulting in a 0.5 second gap. Pilot # 46 was trying a lot to repair the damage, coming closer, but he had two laps to go, which meant he had to start all over again. He did not give up, though. In the last lap, Rossi managed to save a lot of time and looked threatening behind Rins in the final sector, but he was only 0.462 behind when he crossed the finish line.
Viñales held up early in round 3, defending his P6 until lap 1. He fought with Andrea Dovizioso and crossed the finish line for the first time in seventh place. With 17 laps to go, Viñales had to let Franco Morbidelli pass. New bad news loomed on the horizon, which earned him a penalty.
A moment of confusion makes him lose four places and five places as he takes the penalty route unnecessarily. In the next lap, he completed the penalty in the pit lane, which allowed him to return even further to 19th place.
Although low in the order, the Spaniard did not come out for the account. He quickly made a red sector appear and started to climb again. While various riders withdrew from the race, he overtook Hafizh Syahrin and found himself in P16, returning almost to the points and overtaking more than one point faster than a group of nine riders in front of him. He quickly gained two more places, reduced his gap by nearly 4 seconds, two more places, 5 seconds and surpassed another driver to climb to 11th place, 34.077 seconds from first place.
Today's results show that Rossi climbs to 2nd place in the championship standings with a gap of 3 points in first place. Viñales is now in 12th place, with a margin of 40 points at the top. Yamaha is second in the constructor standings and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP is also second in the team standings.
The team will be back in three weeks, when the MotoGP paddock will embark for the European round of the championship, starting with the GP of Spain, to be held at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto .
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
"It was a very mixed experience for the team in terms of results – Valentino really did everything he could to win, which is a shame – also for the team, but especially for him – It was so tight Yet taking a second place in a row is very good, so we feel encouraged to continue in the same way, as is often the case in MotoGP, a small mistake can have a snowball effect and create many more problems.Maverick has lost a lot of time because of the useless running and useless length of the track.We can deduce from it's pace at the end of the race that he could have been a powerful contender today. points after this experience, but I think one of the major positive points we can remember from this weekend is the overall performance We took another step forward and We look forward to confirming improvements in the next round in Jerez. "
VALENTINO ROSSI
"I'm really sorry to miss the win, because when I saw Márquez's accident, I thought," Maybe I can do it, "but after that, Rins arrived. Sincerely, I pushed to the maximum, the race was very fast I made a good lap after the other, but in the end he was better than me, I drove very well and I did not I could not double it, it's a shame because I have not won for a long time, but we are strong and we will try next time.On a positive note, I have tried everything today. I had a very good race and I stayed a long time in front, running to the limit, I unfortunately made some mistakes, if I had done everything perfectly, I could have tried to Attack again in the last lap.Mixed feelings: on one side, I am sorry for the victory, and on the other, it is a very good result after a good week -end was strong and I had a very good last lap, but I did not want to do anything too crazy because 20 points are very important for the championship, which remains very open It looks like we are strong this year and that the bike has improved, and these are the most important things, because we could possibly fight ahead several times this season. "
MAVERICK VIÑALES
"I misunderstood the penalty, but anyway, in addition to the mistake, it was a good race weekend for us, we showed a very good race pace and after the passage, I could easily run in the 2'04 It's just We'll have to try again in Jerez and be stronger here I made a mistake at the start I was going really well all weekend, this afternoon I tried to do the same thing, but on the grid, the bike got a little warmer and the clutch engaged and the bike started running.It's a shame because I felt really good during the race I already knew that there was a chance for me to receive a penalty, and that's how it was, I thought I had to do a long trick, but then I saw through and "said," OK, I have to do it. "The good thing was that the bike was working fine, we had a good tuning, we need to continue work and find the best system for departure. The start was actually good because I lost no position and I tried to overtake some riders. Let's see what happens in the next races. "
In addition, according to a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
CRASH CAN COVER THE CHANCE OF PODIUM CRUTCHLOW AT TEXAS
Cal Crutchlow ensured another frustrating Sunday after falling victim to an early fall at the Texas Grand Prix of the Americas. LCR rider Honda CASTROL appeared ready for an attack on the podium in Austin after starting in third place on the grid after an impressive demonstration in qualifying.
The Brit had a good start in the race and was ahead in a trio of heads with Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi in pole position in the early stages. However, Crutchlow lost the front of his RC213V in the sixth round by trailing Rossi and slipped to give his race a premature and disappointing end.
Cal Crutchlow – DNF
"I was obviously very disappointed with today's result here at the Circuit des Amériques. It seemed like I had a good start and managed to keep pace with the guys in front. Marc was a little ahead but I felt good in the position I was in. on the bike, the front tire did not give me a great feeling and when I broke down, I think I made a mistake because the engine stopped when braking. I locked the front in my turn by going to the back 11 and that was the end of my race. This is my first mistake of the year and I am disappointed to be here because we could have capitalized on some good points (at the championship), but we have to expect at Jerez now, which is another big circuit and we hope do it. a better job there. I want to thank my team who produced a good bike all weekend and we will try to improve it in Jerez in two weeks. "
Plus, excerpt from a press release issued by Automobili Lamborghini Pramac Racing:
#AmericasGP Race. Fantastic podium for Jack: P3 after a breathtaking race. Pecco clinches first MotoGP TOP 10
A weekend not to forget. Jack Miller won a sensational podium, finishing in third place after being beaten for second place. Pecco Bagnaia was the protagonist of a very regular race, clinching ninth place and the first Top 10 of his MotoGP career.
Pramac Racing celebrates a spectacular Grand Prix of the Americas with the protagonist of the team on and off the circuit thanks to Automobili Lamborghini – main sponsor of the American round – which allowed pilots and staff to drive the fantastic Lamborghini Huracan and Urus.
With this result, Jack climbs to sixth place in the World Championship (29 points) while Bagnaia takes 7 points (9 total, 14th) allowing him to stay near Quartararo (-8) for the "Rookies Championship".
Despite the unfortunate double 0 in Qatar, Pramac Racing (38 points) is only 3 points behind Lcr Honda, the first independent MotoGP team.
P9 – Pecco Bagnaia
"We have done a good job throughout the weekend on a track that is not exactly my favorite and that is why I am very happy. We are constantly progressing and the direction is good. The important thing right now is to have good races. We won the first Top 10 and this gives us great confidence.
P3 – Jack Miller
"I am very happy with this result, the sensations with the bike were very good all weekend, I had a good start and it was possible to be in the lead group. I thank the team because it has done a good job, not only this weekend but since the beginning of the season. "
In addition, according to a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
TAKA CLAIMS ANOTHER TOP 10 OF TEXAS
Takaaki Nakagami, of LCR Honda IDEMITSU, won Sunday's third consecutive top 10 of the 2019 season at the Grand Prix of the Americas. After taking the ninth place in Qatar and seventh place in Argentina, the Japanese star sent another serious driver to Austin to finally return to tenth place of the Circuit of the Americas.
After struggling during qualifying, Nakagami started from 15th position on the grid and endured a difficult start as he was pushed out of his line at the first corner. But the 27-year-old kept his discipline and managed to get back into the pack to make sure the points went well after a tough weekend.
Takaaki Nakagami – 10th
"The start was not so bad, after I did not have the best line in the first corner following Jorge (Lorenzo), but he suddenly changed lines and I lost my position. So after that, it was not the best first lap and I really struggled to find grip and lost another position. It took me a little while to find the rhythm and overtake (Johann) Zarco, then our pace was not fantastic, but not too bad. I've just tried to be consistent and keep up the pace. In front of us, there were problems and runners crashed and I saw that my position improved. In the end, I could have had 8th place, Pol (Espargaro) and (Francisco) Bagnaia had only a second in advance. I needed a ride more but it was not possible. Globalement, ce fut un week-end difficile pour nous mais nous avons terminé dans le top 10, ce qui n’est pas si mal. Nous attendons maintenant avec impatience Jerez où nous avons fait un travail vraiment fantastique lors des essais d’hiver et j’ai hâte de courir là-bas. "
De plus, extrait d'un communiqué de presse de la Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
BRILLIANT RINS REMPORTE SA PREMIÈRE COURSE MOTOGP AU TEXAS
Alex Rins: 1er
Joan Mir: 17ème (+ 48.063)
• Alex Rins garde son calme pour remporter une première victoire parfaite.
• Joan Mir est partie pour récupérer après une pénalité de départ au saut.
• L’équipe SUZUKI ECSTAR célèbre sa première victoire depuis 2016.
Le Circuit des Amériques a été témoin d’une course remplie de drames, avec 20 tours, mais Alex Rins s’est immédiatement placé dans le Top 5 et a commencé à gravir les échelons. L’Espagnol se sentait confiant avec sa GSX-RR et, avec son style de conduite souple et habituel, il était capable de rester calme tandis que les autres autour de lui tombaient en faute. Alex s'était déjà placé sur le podium, mais a été promu 2e à 11 tours de la fin. Marquez a chuté.
Utilisant un excellent engin de course, Rins a planifié une charge de victoire pour les derniers tours, avant d'exécuter une superbe passe sur Rossi pour mener. Alex est resté calme face à la pression exercée par le champion à 9 reprises et a remporté sa première victoire en MotoGP.
Joan Mir, quant à elle, se sentait prête pour la course après une séance de réchauffement matinale positive, mais la recrue a malheureusement sauté le début et a été contrainte à compléter une pénalité de passage tout en se classant à la 13e place. Joan a utilisé le reste de la course pour apprendre et se familiariser davantage avec sa GSX-RR, terminant le GP à la 17e place.
La victoire d’aujourd’hui marque la première victoire de l’équipe SUZUKI ECSTAR depuis Silverstone 2016 et celle d’Alex Rins depuis Le Mans 2016, en plus de constituer sa première étape en MotoGP.
Ken Kawauchi – Directeur technique
"C'était une super course. Notre vélo et Alex ont beaucoup augmenté ces derniers mois et nous avons enfin pu montrer les résultats de ces améliorations. Joan a commis une petite erreur aujourd'hui, mais il a payé un prix élevé. Nous attendons avec impatience les prochaines courses avec lui car il apprend vite. Je tiens à remercier Alex, toute l'équipe et toutes les personnes impliquées dans ce projet sur place et au Japon. Aujourd'hui est un très bon jour pour Suzuki. ”
Davide Brivio – Chef d'équipe
«Aujourd'hui, nous sommes très heureux – tant pour l'usine japonaise et pour tout le personnel de l'équipe, parce que tout le monde a travaillé très fort. C’est merveilleux pour Alex, c’est une preuve supplémentaire de la façon dont il a mûri et s’est amélioré. Quand il a commencé chez nous, il a beaucoup souffert de blessures et, depuis lors, il a travaillé si dur et cet exploit est vraiment mérité. Maintenant, je peux dire que notre objectif cette saison était la victoire et nous l’avons fait à la troisième course. Merci à tout le personnel de Suzuki et à Alex. Joan avait un rythme incroyable aujourd'hui, mais malheureusement, il a pris un bon départ et la pénalité lui a coûté beaucoup. Nous en avons déjà beaucoup parlé. mais finalement, il a fait une autre étape importante ce week-end. Je suis heureux de ses améliorations. "
Alex Rins
"C'est incroyable! Je suis très heureux de gagner la course ici! En échauffement ce matin, nous avons essayé une configuration différente et cela n’a pas fonctionné comme prévu. Nous sommes donc revenus aux réglages habituels pour la course et nous avons gagné, c’est super! Je suis perdu pour les mots! J'ai bien géré la pression, même si j'ai un peu souffert dans les derniers tours. Lorsque j'ai franchi la ligne d'arrivée, tous les sentiments m'ont frappé en même temps. Je veux juste dire un grand merci à toute mon équipe, à tous les Japonais et à tous les gens autour de moi! »
Joan Mir
«Je suis assez déçu du départ, les images montrent que j’ai bougé une fraction avant les lumières, mais je n’ai rien gagné. Néanmoins, la pénalité est une traversée. Sans cela, j’aurais pu obtenir un bon résultat, c’est vraiment dommage, mais de toute façon, je suis satisfait de mon rythme et de ma sensation avec la moto – les deux étaient bons ce week-end. Je tiens à féliciter Alex pour son excellent travail! Toute l'équipe continuera à travailler pour être encore plus compétitive. "
De plus, extrait d'un communiqué de presse publié par Red Bull KTM:
| 8ème position pour ESPARGARO AU GRAND PRIX DE RED BULL AMERICAS |
| MotoGP 2019 Tours 3 sur 19, Circuit des Amériques (USA) – Course |
| Après une séance de qualification historique samedi et une meilleure place de la saison sur la grille de départ, Pol Espargaro a inscrit son deuxième classement parmi les dix premiers de la saison MotoGP 2019 en franchissant la ligne d'arrivée en 8ème position sur le Circuit des Amériques. The third round of the FIM World Championship season also saw all four KTM RC16s classify among the group of 18 race finishers. |
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| After the storms and high winds of qualification on Saturday the Circuit of The Americas offered crystal clear blue skies and decent 20-degree temperatures for the 20 lap Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas affair and for what was the third round of nineteen on the 2019 calendar.
Pol Espargaro continued his positive trajectory this season so far by setting off from the second row of the grid and battling for a position in the top ten. The Spaniard was able to keep consistent across a bumpy and physically demanding surface and improved his race time from 2018 by sixteen seconds to capture 8th place. #44 was the first of the Red Bull KTM riders home and has now registered results of 12th, 10th and 8th in Qatar, Argentina and the USA. Teammate Johann Zarco used the long and challenging COTA layout to gather more feeling and information on the KTM RC16 and ahead of possible upgrades to his technical package for the fourth Grand Prix of 2019 in three weeks time. The Frenchman was 13th for his highest ranking yet. Chasing the rear slick of the #5 machine was Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Miguel Oliveira who recovered from a bad start to again post points in what was just his third outing. Hafizh Syahrin struggled to 18th after a misjudgement with tyre selection. Espargaro is 9th in the championship table and his efforts have helped KTM to rise to 5th in the Constructors standings. Pol Espargaro: “My crew and all the team worked really hard this weekend in a very tough place for us. We took an unexpected result here in Texas and we were sixteen seconds faster than we were last year. This is a realistic position: around the top ten. We’ll go now to Jerez and a place we have been fast in the past maybe with some small improvements on the bike. I’m excited about what the guys are trying in the factory. I’m super-proud when I look at the results from last year or two years ago and what we are able to do now and what we are achieving. It also feels like the people in the paddock are also seeing our work. I have everything I need to keep pushing.”
Johann Zarco: “I managed my energy much better. It doesn't mean that I could go faster. I could manage the gap with the guys behind me and tried to push also at the end to save the 13th position. Some guys in front had problems and crashes but this is part of racing so I just tried to finish and to take what I could. I will try to be as natural as possible in Jerez and take as much information as I can. If small things give me that good way to improve feeling then I will be able to use my quality and I’ll be the first one happy.” Miguel Oliveira: “For sure it was a difficult race. I was not expecting to start this bad but then we picked up the pace. We need to be happy about this result because in the end we finished where we wanted, which is inside the points. It is definitely a very difficult track to ride and to be in the points here is very good. Now we go to Jerez. The bike looks like it’s performing well there so we can’t wait. We’ll take many positives from this race because we learned and understood the bike more. My position needs to be a bit different, so we are working in this direction to make me feel more comfortable.” Hafizh Syahrin: “I’m honestly a bit disappointed because we tried a different choice of tyre and it seems it was not the right selection. Right from the beginning of the race I felt a huge drop; I couldn’t stop the bike well enough so I was just fighting with it. It was difficult to keep the pace and this took all my energy. I hope we can come back in Jerez, the first race on European ground.” Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Team Manager: "From Pol’s side the weekend was great for us. Austin is a demanding track for all bikes and riders so he performed very well in qualifying and took his rhythm in the race and finished a clear 8th. We can only be happy about that. With Johann we were struggling more and he still doesn't feel confident on the bike so we will work hard on that. We had three bikes in the points with Miguel scoring also. For us the top ten is always an achievement, so now we’ll look forward to getting to Europe and making another step in positions. I think it is great for the company to see that all the pushing and hard work in the winter can translate to results and this is very good. We’ll continue and by the end of the year we’ll see where we are with our package and riders.” Moto2 & Moto3 Moto3 wowed the fans in Austin with a five-rider charge to the final corner of the last lap. Sterilgarda Max Racing Team’s Aron Canet had pulled out valuable tenths of a second into the decisive turn to clinch his first victory (and second rostrum finish) of the season. The Spaniard – celebrating his first win since 2017 and on the KTM RC250GP – headed an all-KTM top three with Jaume Masia fractions of a second ahead of Andrea Migno. Canet and Masia now share the championship lead in the standings. Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Martin took his second point-score of the season with 15th position in Moto2 while Brad Binder was forced out of the race early-on due to a technical issue. Aron Canet: “I was thinking about my strategy and stayed relaxed for a long time when I reached second position. With two laps to go I pushed really hard, and to take this victory for the first time in two years feels fantastic.” The Gran Premio Red Bull de España at the Circuito de Jerez in southern Spain will bring the MotoGP series to Europe for the first time in three weeks on the first weekend of May. Next race: May 5, Circuito de Jerez, Gran Premio Red Bull de España (ESP) Results Race MotoGP Circuit of The Americas 2019 1. Alex Rins (ESP), Suzuki 41:45.499 Results Race Moto2 Circuit of the Americas 2019 1. Thomas Luthi (SUI) Kalex 39:11.508 Results Race Moto3 Circuit of the Americas 2019 1. Aron Canet (ESP), KTM 36:06.761 |
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team:
Magnificent Top 5 finish for Morbidelli and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT
The PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team rider takes his best MotoGP result to date at the Circuit of The Americas, with Fabio Quartararo in seventh, achieving the top rookie position once again.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI +18.021
FABIO QUARTARARO +26.111
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT enjoyed a spectacular race at the Circuit of The Americas on Sunday, with both riders placing inside the top seven. Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo both claimed their best results in MotoGP so far, with the Italian in fifth and the Frenchman in seventh.
In conditions of complete contrast to those experienced yesterday, with the sun shining at Austin, Morbidelli rode solidly from start to finish. The Italian who started from tenth on the grid, immediately gained two places off the start line and was fifth by lap six – the position that he continued to hold until the chequered flag. It is the best result of his career in the premier class so far.
Quartararo was the top rookie at the GP of The Americas, as he had been at the previous round in Argentina. The young Frenchman, who turns twenty next Saturday, didn’t get off the line well, losing three places on the opening four laps, but impressively recovered to reach seventh by the end of the race.
After this superb result for PETRONAS Yamaha SRT in the USA, Fabio Quartararo returns to Europe 10th in the overall standings with 17 points and Franco Morbidelli in 11th, with 16 points.
The MotoGP World Championship will now travel to Europe for round four, which will take place on the 5th of May at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Wilco Zeelenberg – Team Manager
"I'm very happy with the work that we did here at COTA, and with the fifth and seventh place finishes. Also we finally completed the race with both riders in the points, after not being able to do that in Qatar or in Argentina; It's a very good feeling. If we look at the results, the Top six is our goal for Franco [Morbidelli] and this is going to be a boost for his motivation. With Fabio [Quartararo], our goal is the rookie of the year award, and now he is leading the standings for that, so this is a very good moment for us. Hopefully we can continue to look even higher up the order and continue on this positive path at Jerez."
#21 Franco Morbidelli
"It's been a great race here in Austin and I'm very happy. Yesterday's qualifying was unfortunate for us, but I knew that the potential was there. I was able to gain positions during the race and get my first Top 5 finish in the premier class. Unfortunately, I had to slow down towards the end of the race, but I feel that we are working very well, we are improving and we are getting closer to the top positions. Thanks to the team and to everyone who has been working with me. I feel great and I can't wait to get to Jerez."
#20 Fabio Quartararo
"It was a very positive race. I managed to make a good start and put in some good opening laps, staying within the Top ten. At first, Pol Espargaro, Petrucci and I got in each other's way and we lost the group ahead of us that contained Dovizioso and Morbidelli. However, the pace was very good and although on the last five laps I had to slow down, I'm very happy with the result. We've improved on the result from Argentina and I was the best rookie again. In addition, today I learned a lot from riding behind Petrucci. Whenever I'm on track with the best riders in the world, I'm learning. That's also very positive. I'm looking forward to more!"
More, from a press release issued by Michelin:
MICHELIN MASTERS THE BUMPS OF COTA AS RINS REIGNS IN AUSTIN
2019 03 GP Americas 00366
Michelin witnessed its third different race winner of 2019 from the third different manufacturer as Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) raced to his maiden MotoGP™ victory during today’s Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas.
The Austin weekend had produced a mix of weather, with warm sunshine of Friday – which led to some fast lap-times – to a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpour on Saturday morning causing the cancellation of FP3, through to cooler and windier conditions on raceday. This mix did give the opportunity for all Michelin tyres to be tested, with a small window on a drying track at the start of FP4 for the MICHELIN Power Rain tyres to be given a debut at CoTA, unfortunately it was neither wet enough, or of a long enough duration to gather much valuable data as to how the rain tyres perform around the 5,513m American circuit. All this, added to the uneven and bumpy surface, made this a challenging weekend for Michelin, which was overcome in a rewarding and satisfying style.
With the cooler temperatures and the lack of track time due to the weather on Saturday, tyre choice was a major factor before today’s 20-lap race, with many teams and riders leaving the decision of which MICHELIN Power Slick tyres to fit to their respective machines right up until the last minute. These late decisions saw four of the six available compounds used today, with riders again choosing different configurations to give them the best performance from their machines.
As the race started, pole-setter Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was aiming for his seventh successive victory in Austin and looked on course for that, before a mistake from the reigning World Champion saw him crash out unharmed on lap-nine, leaving Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to inherit the lead. The nine-time champion held that position for the next eight-laps, before Rins used the grip of his Michelin tyres to the full and overtook Rossi on the inside of a corner. The Yamaha man tried to fight back, but Rins held on to claim his first MotoGP victory and Suzuki’s first premier class win since 2016. Joining Rins and Rossi in the top-three was Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), a result which saw the Ducati racer also claim the title of First Independent Rider and complete a podium of three different manufacturers. The winning time from Rins of 41’45.499 also secured a new race duration record, beating the previous one by almost seven seconds.
Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) came home fourth, a result which took him to the top of the championship standings, Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took fifth, with Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) in sixth. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was the top rookie with his seventh place finish, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) claimed eighth, with Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) ninth. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) finished tenth, a result that meant five different manufacturers were in the top-10.
Michelin now travels back home to France ahead of MotoGP moving to Europe for an 11-race summer schedule on that continent, beginning with the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on Sunday 5th May, where Michelin and the riders will face another fresh challenge on a circuit that has been predominantly resurfaced since last season’s race.
Alex Rins – Team SUZUKI ECSTAR:
“I’m very happy to have won here in Austin, this is now victories here in Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP. It was an unbelievable race; I made no mistakes and the tyres performed well for me all race. I suffered a bit with the bumps, but I managed well and am happy with the victory. It was an important day for me and Suzuki.”
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“This has been an important weekend for Michelin. On Friday the tyres produced some very fast times, but losing most of Saturday due to the weather was unfortunate, although we were able to get a small bit of data about the wet tyres for the first time here in Austin. Today’s race saw four of the six compounds used, three different manufacturers on the podium and a new race record by a considerable margin. We are very pleased with the performance this weekend as this is a very difficult track, we don’t have the chance to test here and it is very bumpy, making it demanding for all. The tyres performed well in all the conditions and before the race the choice was still for all six options, as they were all usable. We will now head back home after three tough, but rewarding races and we look forward to getting to grips with some European tracks over the coming weeks.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
New Sheriff in town: Rins fights off Rossi for first win as Marquez suffers shock crash at COTA
The king falls, the ‘Doctor’ gets out-duelled and the young gun makes some history
Monday, 15 April 2019
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is now a MotoGP™ race winner after an incredible performance under pressure at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, able to escape the clutches of nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to secure victory by just under half a second. After a crash out the lead for six-in-a-row COTA winner Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), the race was on for a new Sheriff to take the reins in Texas and it all came down to a duel between Rins and Rossi but the young gun held firm. Another did the same for third, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) taking his first podium in dry conditions as he came home as top Independent Team rider as well as top Ducati.
Marquez took the holeshot from pole and immediately set about trying to pull away, but Rossi was in hot pursuit with a small gap back to Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). Miller and Rins made for pretty close company too, but the initial big mover was a stunning start for Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) as he gained seven places from a P13 grid position. Then there was the first bout of drama as Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) were both given ride through penalties for jump starts – and Crutchlow then crashed out. That left Rossi with a bit of a gap in second, but Miller and Rins were on the chase.
Suddenly, however, that fight for second became the fight for the win as there was a number 93 Repsol Honda on the floor. The reigning Champion and only man to have previously won in Texas slid out at Turn 12, tried to get back in the race but was ultimately unable to…leaving Rossi in the lead and Rins on the chase.
The ‘Doctor’ held firm as the laps ticked on, but it seemed the Suzuki behind had something in his pocket. Closing in and closing in, with four laps to go Rins finally chose his moment and made his move – getting past well but Rossi quick to try and fight back to no avail. Then, again, the number 46 made a lunge for it on the next lap but this time headed well wide, that seeing Rins able to pull out a bit more breathing space as he settled back into the lead.
As it transpired, another move wouldn’t come but the ‘Doctor’ threw everything at it. Cutting the gap on the final lap there were bitten fingernails as the Jaws music echoed around the track and Rossi closed in, but Rins remained steadfast. With just enough margin in the final sector it all came down to holding his nerve and that he did, crossing the line just under half a second clear – becoming the first man to win in Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP™ at the Circuit of the Americas where, incidentally, he took his first ever Grand Prix win in 2013.
Rossi’s hard-pushed second place makes it twice in a row on the podium for him, though, and Miller’s visit to parc ferme is his first since his stunning debut premier class win at Assen in 2016. That’s also a key number for another two stats: it’s Suzuki’s first win since Silverstone 2016 and Rins made it the first time we’ve had a first time winner since that same season.
Behind that fight for the podium Dovizioso made good on his stellar start to limit some damage and take fourth, making the Qatar winner the new Championship leader. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), who took on the number 04 initially, crossed the line in fifth for his best ever MotoGP™ result, ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati). Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was top rookie once again as he took his best yet of a P7 – improving one position on Argentina – and he’s now well ahead in the fight for Rookie of the Year. Eighth place went to Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) from his best ever KTM qualifying in P5, with Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) taking his best result in MotoGP™ so far in P9. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) rounded out the top ten as the sole finisher for Honda after a mechanical problem for Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team).
Viñales fought back to P11 after his ride through penalty, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing).
That’s a wrap from COTA for 2019. Some history made and a shake up in the Championship sees us heading to Jerez with Dovi in the lead – and Rossi hot on his heels. Rins is now third and Marquez drops to fourth after his crash, but the four are all within nine points as Europe beckons so tune in for Jerez in three weeks for an all-time classic carnival in Spain.
Lüthi sublime in Austin to get back on the top step
Dynavolt Intact GP rider followed home by his teammate
Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) was back on the top step of the podium in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, with the veteran Swiss rider sublime and pulling away from the field to stamp some serious authority on the race. It's his first win since Misano 2017 and he was joined on the podium by teammate Marcel Schrötter, with Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) in third to take his first podium in the intermediate class.
It was a dramatic start to Moto2™ in the Americas as Schrötter took the holeshot but went wide, allowing Alex Marquez and Tom Lüthi through into the lead. Drama hit straight away as Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up), Joe Roberts (American Team KTM) and soon after Championship leader Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) came together with Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – and the points leader crashed out. Back at the front it was then Marquez leading Lüthi, but as the race settled into a rhythm and the Swiss rider bode his time, a move was planned to perfection.
With 11 laps to go Lüthi struck and made it past, and the intermediate class veteran immediately set about making a gap. That left teammate Schrötter the man trying to catch Marquez, and the German put in the leg work to pull back the gap to the Spaniard and then strike. With 8 laps to go Schrötter got ahead, but the gap to Lüthi was already two and a half seconds…
Meanwhile, the gap back from Marquez to Navarro was diminishing and with Schrötter unable to break away, it was a trio by five laps to go – but Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) was homing in. Navarro attacked with four to go and couldn’t make it stick, and then tried again but ran well wide, dropping behind the Italian. But he fought back past the Italian and was ready to attack again on the next lap when Marquez headed wide, Marini got involved as well and it became a frantic three-way battle – allowing Mattia Pasini (Flexbox HP 40) to catch them and Navarro to escape. Pasini was then able to do the same, leaving Marquez vs Marini fighting it out the fifth – and Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) another to gain from a squabble and the Brit edged closer.
At the front though, it was a serene scene for Lüthi as he crossed the line well clear of the field for his first win since Misano 2017, with teammate Schrötter taking second from pole – and cutting the gap to Baldassarri at the top of the Championship. Navarro’s great escape gave him an impressive first podium in the intermediate class, with Pasini taking fourth on his ride as an injury replacement – and proving he’s as fast as ever.
Marquez was forced to settle for fifth, ahead of Marini and Lowes, who took sixth and seventh respectively. Veteran Simone Corsi (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) took eighth just ahead of top rookie Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), with the ‘Bestia’ just edging teammate Andrea Locatelli, who completed the top ten.
Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) got the better of teammate Tetsuta Nagashima for 11th, with Bo Bendsneyder (NTS RW Racing GP) taking P13. On his 200th start, Dominique Aegerter (MV Agusta Idealavoro Forward) scored the first points for the new MV Agusta chassis in P14, with rookie Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the points scorers.
His teammate Brad Binder retired with a mechanical problem and Iker Lecuona (American Team KTM) sadly joined the list of crashers to make it a tough home round for the American Team.
Baldassarri was invincible ahead of Texas, but Schrötter has closed in and Lüthi is on the comeback. What will Jerez bring? Find out in three weeks as we return to race in Europe.
Canet conquers COTA in classic Moto3™ encounter
Spaniard takes his first win since 2017 as Texas serves up a classic tussle
Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) took victory in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in style, emerging victorious from a last lap scrap to take his first win since Silverstone 2017 ahead of Bester Capital Dubai duo Jaume Masia and Andrea Migno. The rostrum sees Masia take the lead in the Championship despite being equal on points with Canet, and for Migno it saw him return to the podium for the first time since Le Mans last year.
Under bright and sunny skies in Texas, rookie Raul Fernandez (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) took the holeshot from the middle of the front row, but it didn’t take long for Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) to strike back and take over. Then began the classic freight train shuffle – with a few moments thrown in for good measure – before Tatsuki Suzuki was able to emerge free of the crowd and break away.
The contest for who would try and chase him down was won by Aron Canet, as the Spaniard was able to break away from the big group and set off after the Japanese rider. It seemed he was pulling the distance back, but it remained sizeable as Andrea Migno, Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) tried to get in the mix.
A lap later Migno was on the tail of Canet, Rodrigo and Lopez got caught up in a fight, and Suzuki was still clear at the head of the race. Antonelli was leading a group of five fighting to complete the top five, but drama then struck twice in fairly swift succession.
First, two-time COTA winner Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers) slid out and Jakub Kornfeil (Redox Prüstel GP) got caught up in it, sadly breaking his collarbone, before a couple of laps later there was heartbreak for Suzuki. At Turn 7 and still with a sizeable lead, the Japanese rider suddenly slid out of contention – leaving Migno just ahead of Canet as the duel for the win. There would be more than one twist left in the tale, however.
As the laps ticked on they began to all bunch together again and it became a five-rider fight to decide the win and podium with Canet in the lead. Despite his advantage coming on to the final lap though, it all came down to the end of the back straight, with the Spaniard initially swamped as the slipstream effect enabled those behind to chase him down – before he hit straight back on the brakes. Emerging from there in the lead, Canet never looked back as the squabble behind saw the Sterilgarda Max Racing Team machine able to pull clear of the chaos.
Migno and Rodrigo were joined by Masia and Antonelli in that fight for the podium, with the two Bester Capital Dubai machines certainly not giving each other any quarter. Coming in to the final corner though it was Masia who had managed to muscle his way through to second, and that stayed secure as a wobble for Migno just behind made his mission one of hanging on to the podium and defending it. The Italian ultimately gathered it together, just able to stay ahead of Rodrigo, and took completed his impressive ride through from P13 on the grid.
Rodrigo was forced to settle for fourth, ahead of a solid top five for polesitter Antonelli. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) took P6 ahead of an impressive result for top rookie Fernandez, who was P7 at the flag. Eighth went to Alonso Lopez as the Spaniard faded slightly towards the end, with second rookie Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) just beating teammate Dennis Foggia at COTA and the duo completing the top ten.
Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia), Leopard Racing duo Marcos Ramirez and Lorenzo Dalla Porta, John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and early frontrunner Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power) completed the points scorers.
Masia now leads the Championship but he’s equal on points with Canet after COTA. Next time out we race on home turf for both at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. Who will emerge victorious? Moto3™ race again on the 5th May.
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