Antonelli wins in damp Motegi Moto3 Race, Kent 6th

Photo: crash.net

After a sloppy start in Motegi for Danny Kent, the Moto3 Championship leader spent the Japanese Grand Prix playing catch up after languishing down in 16th place after he first lap. A drying track meant it was very tricky to find a comfortable rhythm, yet Kent managed to finish in 6th place, pipping title rival Bastianini on the last lap. With 3 races left, Kent leads the standings by 56 points, still needing to finish ahead of Bastianini in Australia to be this year’s Champion.

Niccolo Antonelli was today’s class act with a win that was practically start to finish, with cool rides from Miguel Oliveira and Jorge Navarro completing the 250cc single cylinder podium. 

Race Results:

1. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 28m 3.391s 
2. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 28m 4.444s 

3. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 28m 11.920s 

4. Isaac Viñales SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 28m 14.465s 

5. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 28m 16.434s 

6. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 28m 18.615s 

7. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 28m 19.264s 

8. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 28m 20.954s 

9. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 28m 21.544s 

10. Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) 28m 21.947s 

11. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 28m 23.287s 

12. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 28m 24.283s 

13. Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) 28m 28.536s 

14. Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 28m 31.846s 

15. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 28m 32.240s 

16. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 28m 33.379s 

17. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 28m 34.110s 

18. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 28m 35.340s 

19. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 28m 35.537s 

20. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 28m 38.439s 

21. Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 28m 50.633s 

22. Manuel Pagliani ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 28m 52.187s 

23. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 28m 52.763s 

24. Lorenzo Dalla Porta ITA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 29m 0.251s 

25. Keisuke Kurihara JPN Musahi RT Harc-Pro (Honda) 29m 3.122s 

26. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 29m 10.426s 

27. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 29m 23.012s 

28. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 29m 33.055s 

29. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 29m 55.696s 

Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) DNF 

Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) DNF 

Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Ryo Mizuno JPN Musahi RT Harc-Pro (Honda) DNF 

Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) DNF 

Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) DNF

Enea Bastianini wins his first Grand Prix at home in Misano

Enea Bastianini stormed to pole position in front of a crowd that couldn’t be more home based, as the man who is second in the standings comes from Rimini…a small 5 miles away. As always in the lightweight class of Moto3, as long as you start in the top 10, get a good start, you’ve a chance of staying with the front group. This is why Bastianini was accompanied in race long battle at the front with Binder, Fenati, Oliveira, and Antonelli. The Leopard Honda’s of Kent and Vazquez were also in the scrap, but Vazquez crashed and Danny dropped back after having to give a place up due to exceeding the track limits and gaining an advantage. 

The last lap saw some colourful manourvers on the last lap, and Oliveira got close to winning but Bastianini rode a perfect last lap, and took his first ever Grand Prix victory, on home soil too…what’s not to love! 

As for Danny Kent, his lead has been reduced to 55 points in the standings.

Race Results:

1. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 39m 43.673s 

2. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 43.710s 

3. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 39m 44.018s 

4. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 39m 44.257s 

5. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 44.310s 

6. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 39m 51.673s 

7. Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 39m 55.327s 

8. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 39m 55.449s 

9. Isaac Viñales SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 39m 55.512s 

10. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 39m 55.646s 

11. Lorenzo Dalla Porta ITA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 39m 55.860s 

12. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 39m 55.887s 

13. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 39m 56.205s 

14. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 2.933s 

15. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 40m 7.969s 

16. Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) 40m 9.397s 

17. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 40m 9.491s 

18. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 40m 9.821s 

19. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 40m 9.901s 

20. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 40m 10.447s 

21. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 12.924s 

22. Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 40m 17.859s 

23. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 19.057s 

24. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 40m 24.992s 

25. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 40m 39.892s 

26. Adrian Gyutai HUN Turvital di Vitali Ordeo (TVR) +1 lap 

Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) DNF 

Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) DNF 

Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) DNF 

Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) DNF 

Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) DNF

Niccolo Antonelli takes his first GP in the Brno Moto3 Race

Photo: Motocyclismo

The Czech Moto3 Race started off with a messy crash involving 8 riders, so a race restart was required, making the distance just 12 laps. Gabriel Rodrgio was taken to Brno Hospital, and is conscious, reporting pain in his ankle. 

After Danny Kent made a proper bogie start in the first start, his second attempt was almost perfect, although it was Jorge Navarro that led into turn one again. As this was now a shortened, sprint style race, riders seemed to be taking greater liberties with overtaking, and the leading pack were taking no prisoners thoughout the race. This time there was 11 riders scrapping it out at the front, but the likes of Binder, Oliveira, Fenati, Navarro, Kent, Vazquez and Antonelli started ease away from the rest. The last lap was everything you could wish for in a close race, but the ever impressing Niccolo Antonelli avoided the banzai overtaking behind him, and finally secured his first podium and race win, a very emotional win at that. 

Danny Kent finished seventh, because at the restart he was having to ride with a used Medium tyre, as there was no fresh soft one left from his weekend allocation. This meant he couldn’t quite stay at the very sharp end of the group. However, he still leads Bastianini by 45 points heading into Silverstone.

Race Results:

1. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 25m 56.866s 

2. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 25m 57.018s 

3. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 25m 57.242s 

4. Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) 25m 57.406s 

5. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 25m 57.426s 

6. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 25m 57.687s 

7. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 25m 58.045s 

8. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 25m 58.054s 

9. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 25m 58.286s 

10. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 26m 0.251s 

11. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 26m 2.617s 

12. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 26m 2.712s 

13. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 26m 2.776s 

14. Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 26m 3.039s 

15. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 26m 3.134s 

16. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 26m 4.514s 

17. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 26m 4.568s 

18. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 26m 5.073s 

19. Lorenzo Dalla Porta ITA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 26m 11.168s 

20. Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) 26m 12.879s 

21. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 26m 12.993s 

22. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 26m 13.608s 

23. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 26m 13.793s 

24. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 26m 15.833s 

25. Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 26m 28.326s 

26. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 26m 33.952s 

27. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 26m 58.531s 

Kevin Hanus GER Team Hanusch (Honda) DNF 

Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) DNF 

Fabio Quartararo FRA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) DNF 

Isaac Viñales SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF 

Maximilian Kappler GER SAXOPRINT-RTG (FTR Honda) DNS 

Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) DNS 

Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) DNS 

Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNS 

Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNS 

Kent takes fifth Moto3 win of the year in Germany

This year’s most successful British Grand Prix rider Danny Kent started the German Moto3 Race from pole position and firm favourite having set practice times over half a second quicker than anyone else. The opening laps saw him fending off the likes of teammate Vazquez, KTM’s Brad Binder and Karel Hanika, and Championship rival Enea Bastianini. 

Kent and Vazquez left the party early, with Danny developing a gap on the little Spaniard. Vazquez had a three second cushion over the group battling for third place, a battle which was won by Enea Bastianini, pipping Fenati to the podium. 

Danny Kent’s sublime victory means the ice cool Brit is now 68 points ahead of Bastianini.

1. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 39m 29.359s 

2. Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) 39m 36.913s 

3. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 39m 38.962s 

4. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 39m 38.988s 

5. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 39m 39.023s 

6. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 39m 39.166s 

7. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 39.196s 

8. Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 39m 39.625s 

9. Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 39m 39.711s 

10. Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) 39m 40.917s 

11. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 39m 41.136s 

12. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 39m 47.775s 

13. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 47.785s 

14. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 39m 58.141s 

15. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 39m 58.251s 

16. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 39m 58.317s 

17. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 39m 58.577s 

18. Isaac Viñales SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 39m 58.837s 

19. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 39m 59.109s 

20. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 40m 15.203s 

21. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 40m 16.017s 

22. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 16.139s 

23. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 40m 16.199s 

24. Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 40m 16.324s 

25. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 16.698s 

26. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 40m 35.484s 

27. Jonas Geitner GER Freudenberg Racing Team (KTM) 40m 53.796s 

Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF 

Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) DNF 

Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) DNF 

Maximilian Kappler GER SAXOPRINT-RTG (FTR Honda) DNF 

Fabio Quartararo FRA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) DNF 

Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) DNF 

Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Oliveira beats Quartararo & Kent for Dutch Moto3 Glory

Photo: crash.net

Assen’s Moto3 Race was yet another breathtaking one from the field of 250cc single cylinder prototype motorcycles. Your usual suspects scrapped it out at the front, with Bastianini, Fenati and Quartararo barging their way past the likes of Championship leader Danny Kent, Mugello winner Oliveira, Jorge Navarro and Brad Binder. Danny Kent said before the start he’d try pull away like he always tries…but it really wasn’t to be today. 

After a full race of banzai style overtaking, the last lap ended with a second win of the season for Miguel Oliveira, denying 2nd placed Fabio Quartararo his first Grand Prix win. Danny Kent yet again playing it cool, collecting another podium after passing Fenati and Navarro on the last lap. 

Race Results:

1. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 37m 54.427s 

2. Fabio Quartararo FRA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 37m 54.493s 

3. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 37m 54.544s 

4. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 37m 54.606s 

5. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 37m 54.679s 

6. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 37m 54.953s 

7. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 37m 54.967s 

8. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 38m 15.833s 

9. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 38m 15.899s 

10. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 38m 16.090s 

11. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 38m 16.120s 

12. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 38m 16.150s 

13. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 38m 16.451s 

14. Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) 38m 16.631s 

15. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 38m 17.023s 

16. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 38m 17.093s 

17. Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) 38m 19.921s 

18. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 38m 21.698s 

19. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 38m 21.813s 

20. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 38m 28.390s 

21. Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 38m 29.195s 

22. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 38m 33.168s 

23. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 38m 46.230s 

24. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 38m 46.641s 

25. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 38m 48.043s 

26. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 39m 33.344s 

27. Jorel Boerboom NED FPW Racing (Kalex KTM) +1 lap 

28. Kevin Hanus GER Team Hanusch (Honda) +1 lap 

Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) DNF 

Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) DNF 

Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) DNF 

Isaac Viñales SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) DNF 

Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) DNF 

Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) DNF 

Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) DNF

Fenati wins French Moto3 Race on all Italian Podium

16 year old Fabio Quartararo started his home race from pole position as Britain’s Danny Kent started from 30th after not being able to set a qualifying lap in the dry. At the start of the race though it was Niccolo Antonelli and Francesco Bagnaia who led Fenati and the local Quartararo. After a handful of riders went down at the first chicane, Kent was already in 16th by the end of the first lap. As more laps went by around the Le Mans circuit, a front group consisting of 7 riders formed, with a small gap back to Vinales, then Kent. 

With exactly ten laps to go, Championship leader and winner of the last 3 races, Danny Kent overtook Vinales and dived into the scrapping front runners. A French fairytale win then went out of the window, as Quartararo highsided out of the Dunlop chicane, but was unhurt. 

Amazingly Danny Kent was now with the front 4, and victory was now a realistic goal. But it was not to be for the lad from Wiltshire, as Fenati was able to pull a little gap on compatriots Bastianini and Bagnaia, who were able to squeeze Kent off the podium. 

1. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 22.829s
2. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 41m 22.951s
3. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 23.286s
4. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 41m 23.522s
5. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 41m 25.073s
6. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 41m 25.250s
7. Isaac Viñales SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 41m 25.416s
8. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 26.894s
9. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 37.705s
10. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 41m 45.417s
11. Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) 41m 46.076s
12. Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 49.060s
13. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 41m 49.299s
14. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 41m 49.506s
15. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 49.670s
16. Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 41m 51.313s
17. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 41m 56.022s
18. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 42m 1.808s
19. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 42m 2.279s
20. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 42m 21.011s
Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) DNF
Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) DNF
Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF
Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) DNF
Fabio Quartararo FRA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) DNF
Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) DNF
Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) DNF
Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) DNF
Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) DNF
Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) DNF
Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) DNF
Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF
Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) DNF
Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF   

My Moto3 Brno Race Recap: Masbou wins his first Race after incredible battle

I’ve seen some terrific Moto3 races in my time but today was certainly one of the best. I had it in my mind Marquez would have an advantage today, having been so strong all weekend but nobody in this race had an advantage. From the very start it was crazy close, although it was Marquez who lead into turn one with Miller following. Popular Scot John McPhee had a very unfortunate fall at the first corner on lap two, he was a bit beaten up, but generally ok.

Alexis Masbou was very strong after a handful of laps and was soon up there with Marquez, Miller, Rins and the ever impressing Bastianini. But before anyone could assume who’d be in the front group of 5 or 6, the pursuers of Binder, Kent, Oliveira, Bagnaia, Ajo etc, all caught them forming a monumental train of 13+ riders. Enea Bastianini’s Rossi esque overtakes made or very aggressive racing with Marquez, neither of them gave an inch.

South African Brad Binder had been having a very tough weekend, he told me on Friday lunchtime that his Mahindra had been handling terribly and wasn’t really in a good place. But Brad is a man of Sundays and today was no exception as he fought his way from 5th in the pack to 2nd, and briefly led. Unfortunately he could only manage 6th in the end, but to be perfectly honest anybody could have won today.

As the pack finished the penultimate lap, leader Alex Rins punched the air thinking the race had finished, everyone started overtaking him, he realised after about 4 or 5 seconds. He was now down in ninth and had no chance of victory. The last few corners were crazy, it was hard to keep track, Miller and Marquez led into the last chicane but tripped over each other. Masbou took advantage and was followed by Bastianini and Danny Kent on the podium.

It was very refreshing to see yet another new face on the top step of the rostrum, to see young rookie Enea Bastianini finish 2nd again, and to see the return of form from Danny Kent.

Race Results:

1. Alexis Masbou FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 40m 59.759s
2. Enea Bastianini ITA Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 (KTM) 40m 59.916s
3. Danny Kent GBR Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 40m 59.946s
4. Alex Marquez SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 40m 59.959s
5. Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 59.976s
6. Brad Binder RSA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 41m 0.069s
7. Miguel Oliveira POR Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 41m 0.229s
8. Efren Vazquez SPA SaxoPrint-RTG (Honda) 41m 0.308s
9. Alex Rins SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 41m 0.669s
10. Isaac Viñales SPA Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 0.768s
11. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 0.801s
12. Niklas Ajo FIN Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 41m 0.820s
13. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 (KTM) 41m 0.950s
14. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 1.568s
15. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 1.597s
16. Juanfran Guevara SPA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 41m 1.703s
17. Francesco Bagnaia ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 12.523s
18. Jules Danilo FRA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 41m 14.518s
19. Scott Deroue NED RW Racing GP (Kalex-KTM) 41m 14.938s
20. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 14.952s
21. Alessandro Tonucci ITA CIP (Mahindra) 41m 15.017s
22. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Ongetta-AirAsia (Honda) 41m 21.418s
23. Bryan Schouten NED CIP (Mahindra) 41m 21.480s
24. Philipp Oettl GER Interwetten Paddock Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 41m 26.551s
25. Andrea Locatelli ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 26.587s
26. Arthur Sissis AUS Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 41m 26.792s
27. Eric Granado BRA Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 36.511s
28. Hafiq Azmi MAL SIC-AJO (KTM) 42m 4.156s
29. Gabriel Ramos VEN Kiefer Racing (Kalex-KTM) 42m 6.046s

My Moto3 Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya Race Recap

When Honda decided they would make a brand new machine to challenge the dominant KTM contingent, everyone had mixed thoughts. Would it really be a massive effort? Would it still not be enough to beat KTM. The answer was yes, it’s a huge effort and success has come there way, and even victory last Sunday was achieved.

At the start, it was indeed Alex Marquez leading into turn one from pole. Binder’s great qualifying of 4th wasn’t wasted as he got himself into 3rd. Bastianini was in second, impressing again, however his teammate Antonelli crashed hard at turn 10. He hit the tyre wall hard but was okay. Alex Rins then retired due to a broken gear lever.

Marquez was not touched the whole race, he rode around on his own at the front, very unlike any Moto3 race we’ve seen this year. Vazquez, Fenati, Bastianini, Vinales, Ajo, Binder and title leader Miller were all in a huge battle for a podium finish. The last lap was your typical scrap in Moto3. Fenati made an error at turn five letting bikes through, one of which was Miller. Ajo all but fell off his bike at turn 7, but pulled off a ‘Randy Mamola’ save and still finished 8th. So Bastianini finished second, his first podium in Grand Prix in only his 7th attempt! Vazquez was 3rd followed by Miller and Fenati.

This was also Honda’s first Moto3 win since 2012.

Race Results:

1. Alex Marquez SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 41m 11.656s
2. Enea Bastianini ITA Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 (KTM) 41m 14.892s
3. Efren Vazquez SPA SaxoPrint-RTG (Honda) 41m 15.168s
4. Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 15.420s
5. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 15.518s
6. Brad Binder RSA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 41m 15.704s
7. Isaac Viñales SPA Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 15.787s
8. Niklas Ajo FIN Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 41m 21.437s
9. John McPhee GBR SaxoPrint-RTG (Honda) 41m 30.234s
10. Francesco Bagnaia ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 30.253s
11. Alexis Masbou FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 41m 30.638s
12. Miguel Oliveira POR Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 41m 30.698s
13. Alessandro Tonucci ITA CIP (Mahindra) 41m 30.984s
14. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 31.279s
15. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 31.639s
16. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Ongetta-AirAsia (Honda) 41m 32.050s
17. Danny Kent GBR Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 41m 32.667s
18. Arthur Sissis AUS Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 41m 46.751s
19. Philipp Oettl GER Interwetten Paddock Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 41m 46.996s
20. Luca Grünwald GER Kiefer Racing (Kalex-KTM) 41m 47.245s
21. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 47.358s
22. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 41m 47.888s
23. Eric Granado BRA Calvo Team (KTM) 41m 47.956s
24. Bryan Schouten NED CIP (Mahindra) 41m 50.191s
25. Livio Loi BEL Marc VDS Racing Team (Kalex-KTM) 41m 50.192s
26. Scott Deroue NED RW Racing GP (Kalex-KTM) 41m 50.262s
27. Jules Danilo FRA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 41m 54.249s
28. Juanfran Guevara SPA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 42m 7.806s
29. Andrea Locatelli ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 42m 7.866s
30. Ana Carrasco SPA RW Racing GP (Kalex-KTM) 42m 12.808s
31. Gabriel Ramos VEN Kiefer Racing (Kalex-KTM) 42m 12.905s

My Moto3 Grand Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya Qualifying Recap

Moto3:

It is now round seven for the MotoGP World Championships, and we still have not seen Honda win a Moto3 Race this year. Although Alex Rins was only beaten by a photo finish margin in Mugello, it’s still just been KTM, and either Jack Miller or Romano Fenati taking the top spot on the podium. However, this weekend’s race is the home round for factory Honda riders Alex Rins and Alex Marquez. Both have been strong this weekend, but it was Marquez that took his first ever pole this afternoon.

Sky Team by VR46 and Red Bull KTM AJO struggled in Qualifying with setup, Fenati and Bagnaia are down in 16th and 20th, while Miller is down in 8th. I think it’s very fair to say that the nicest surprise all weekend has been the form of South African Brad Binder. Now in his third year of Grand Prix Racing, it’s only now that he’s on a competitive bike. He started off last year on the Suter Honda which was on its decline, then the switch to Mahindra brought better things. In Mugello he showed form in practice too, but couldn’t quite stay with the leaders. Starting fourth tomorrow, you can expect to see him staying with the leaders for all the race.

Again rookie Enea Bastianini is showing his true talent, setting the second quickest time! He is obviously booming with confidence after leading the race in Italy, despite crashing. Expect to see him battling at the front showing no fear of the established riders.

The Grid:

1. Alex Marquez SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 1m 50.232s
2. Enea Bastianini ITA Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 (KTM) 1m 50.850s
3. Alex Rins SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 1m 50.912s
4. Brad Binder RSA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 1m 51.024s
5. Niklas Ajo FIN Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 1m 51.308s
6. Isaac Viñales SPA Calvo Team (KTM) 1m 51.360s
7. Miguel Oliveira POR Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 1m 51.456s
8. Efren Vazquez SPA SaxoPrint-RTG (Honda) 1m 51.471s
9. Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 1m 51.481s
10. John McPhee GBR SaxoPrint-RTG (Honda) 1m 51.499s
11. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Calvo Team (KTM) 1m 51.667s
12. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 (KTM) 1m 51.693s
13. Juanfran Guevara SPA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 1m 51.693s
14. Alessandro Tonucci ITA CIP (Mahindra) 1m 51.704s
15. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 1m 51.812s
16. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 1m 51.848s
17. Alexis Masbou FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 1m 52.131s
18. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Ongetta-AirAsia (Honda) 1m 52.227s
19. Danny Kent GBR Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo (Husqvarna) 1m 52.251s
20. Francesco Bagnaia ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 1m 52.363s
21. Hafiq Azmi MAL SIC-AJO (KTM) 1m 52.439s
22. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 1m 52.463s
23. Livio Loi BEL Marc VDS Racing Team (Kalex-KTM) 1m 52.614s
24. Maria Herrera SPA Junior Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 1m 52.712s
25. Luca Grünwald GER Kiefer Racing (Kalex-KTM) 1m 52.909s
26. Eric Granado BRA Calvo Team (KTM) 1m 52.911s
27. Arthur Sissis AUS Mahindra Racing (Mahindra) 1m 52.934s
28. Scott Deroue NED RW Racing GP (Kalex-KTM) 1m 53.130s
29. Bryan Schouten NED CIP (Mahindra) 1m 53.263s
30. Philipp Oettl GER Interwetten Paddock Moto3 (Kalex-KTM) 1m 53.266s
31. Andrea Locatelli ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 1m 53.504s
32. Jules Danilo FRA Ambrogio Racing (Mahindra) 1m 53.912s
33. Gabriel Ramos VEN Kiefer Racing (Kalex-KTM) 1m 53.915s
34. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) 1m 54.070s
35. Ana Carrasco SPA RW Racing GP (Kalex-KTM) 1m 54.369s