Oliveira wins, takes the Championship battle to Valencia, Kent 7th

Photo: crash.net

After a year of ice cool riding, and many wins, Danny Kent arrived in Japan, missed his chance becoming champion, and then again in Australia. But in Malaysia, Danny only needed to finish in the top 5 to guarantee title success. But again he was penalised in qualifying for cruising around and slowing up, and had to start from 9th, and was 16th at the end of the first lap. The front group was home to your typical front runners, Oliveira who could stop Kent winning the title, Binder, Navarro, Bagnaia, Fenati, Antonelli and Kornfeil.

After a brilliant fight through the pack, Danny joined the group he’d been scrapping with all year. With one lap left, Kent was in 5th, after Bagnaia had crashed out. And unbelievably Danny got beaten by the lot of them, with Antonelli passing him back, and Kornfeil slipstreaming him down the back straight.

With Oliveira managing to take a classy, controlled win, albeit with the help of his South African teammate Brad Binder, appearing to be covering anyone trying to take him on the last few corners. 

This incredible championship now goes down to the last race in Valencia, a fortnight away.

Race Results:

1. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 33.277s 

2. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 33.366s 

3. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 40m 33.550s 

4. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 40m 33.582s 

5. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 40m 33.693s 

6. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 40m 33.807s 

7. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 40m 33.867s 

8. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 40m 37.281s 

9. Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 40m 40.267s 

10. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 40m 43.307s 

11. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 40m 49.405s 

12. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 40m 52.272s 

13. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 52.276s 

14. Isaac Viñales SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 40m 52.406s 

15. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 40m 52.430s 

16. Lorenzo Dalla Porta ITA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 40m 52.869s 

17. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 5.330s 

18. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 41m 6.159s 

19. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 41m 6.201s 

20. Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 6.584s 

21. Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) 41m 7.730s 

22. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 41m 28.982s 

23. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 41m 30.839s 

24. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 42m 19.567s 

25. Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) +1 lap 

Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) DNF 

Manuel Pagliani ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) DNF 

Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) DNF 

Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) DNF 

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

Danny Kent Interview “I want to win, but if Bastianini crashes, I won’t take silly risks”

Danny Kent will start tomorrow’s Moto3 Race from 3rd on the Grid. I caught up with him yesterday evening…

James:

First of all, what was the whole deal with the oil leak on Friday morning, I was hearing Honda were straight in to investigate? Did it set you at a disadvantage the afternoon you think?

Danny:

“We’re guessing it’s a stone, that flew up and made a hole in the oil radiater and then oil came out, again bad luck, wrong place and the wrong time”

James:

Last time we spoke, in Mugello, you were already in great shape, and now you’re 45 points clear of Bastianini, do you feel even better now or does the sight of title success build up more pressure on you?

Danny:

“No, of course, we’re getting closer to the end of the championship, still seven more races to go. In the last two races we’ve lost 21 points to Bastianini, but this is down to bad luck. If it was due to a lack of pace, we’d be worried. In Indy we qualified on pole then the race was wet, and in Brno, and again we had bad luck, qualified second but we were unprepared for the restart”

James:

How important is it to win on Sunday, are you treating this as any other Grand Prix, or do you think any finish below 3rd isn’t good enough?
Danny:

“It depends where Bastianini finishes. If I finish 3rd and Bastianini finishes 6th, I’ll be over the moon! If I’m going to want to win one race on the calendar I’m going to want to win its my home Grand Prix! But of course we’re not going to take some silly risk and crash and lose even more valuable points to Bastianini. It all depends where he is on the last lap.”

James:

Obviously, there’s been huge talk about what you’re doing next year, the 3 year Pramac deal was offered to you, first question is, when did they approach you?! Can you tell me if you’re definitely not going to be in MotoGP next year? Why didn’t you accept the deal, did you chat to Jack about his experience moving up to the premier class? 

Danny:

“It was in the summer break when they approached me, there proposal was for a long term deal. It was something we had to look at. I was tempted, but I want to be on a package/bike where results can come, with an option to move up to a Factory Team. It’s a dream for any rider to ride in MotoGP, but I’m not going  to ride around at the back, and their proposal wasn’t acceptable. It wasn’t a contract offered where I wanted to snap their hands off, and I knew they were still talking to other riders.”

James:

So what is the plan for next year, is Leopard going to move up to Moto2 with you?”

Danny:

“There’s nothing on paper yet. Of course we still have other options in MotoGP, and if decide to go to Moto2 it will be with Leopard on a Kalex. We have to look at the package we’re being offered in MotoGP, if it’s a good package to end up in a Factory Team, with good support, then is something any rider would have to look at.”

James:

Definitely not staying in Moto3? 

Danny:

No, no, no, definitely moving up one class or two! 

James: Thanks Danny!

Danny: No problem!

Going to the British MotoGP at Silverstone this weekend? Here’s a little Guide if you’ve never been…

If you’ve decided to attend the British GP this weekend, you’ve made a cracking decision. Not only could we be seeing our dominant Danny Kent win on home soil in Moto3, but the top two in the MotoGP class, Valentino & Jorge, are now level on points. The fact that Rossi is, to many, the ‘symbol’ of the Sport, has 3 wins to his name this year, and hasn’t been on this kind of form in 5 years is something very special indeed. Especially when you consider the MotoGP class now oozes youth, with current World Champion Marc Marquez at 22, getting beaten by the 36 year old Italian throughout most of this season. 

This awesome combination of British success, and a tensely close MotoGP Championship, will almost certainly make the weekends atmosphere the best it’s been since MotoGP moved to Silverstone back in 2010. 

Take a look at the circuit Map… 

 Unlike Formula One, which use the ‘Silverstone Wing’, the modern Pit & Paddock building which was finished in 2011, and lies between Club Corner and Abbey, MotoGP use the old Pits. This of course is on the now named ‘National Pits Straight’ which is between Woodcote and Copse. MotoGP did use the ‘Wing’ in 2011 and 2012 but reverted back to the old Paddock in 2013, as getting everything and everyone around that end of the track was a logistical pain in the neck. 

‘Where do I watch? I’ve never been!’
If you’re spending the entire weekend at Silverstone, I’d seriously consider watching at the exit of Luffield Corner & Woodcote, perhaps Maggots, and definitely watch a few sessions at Club corner’s Grandstand, if you can find a seat, the atmosphere there is brilliant! For me it’s all about Luffield/Woodcote and Club.

I love to stand at the exit of Luffield, about 150 yards before Woodcote, you see the bikes screaming down into Brooklands, under heavy braking, then flipping over for Luffield, then hard on the power on towards Woodcote, which is a full on corner for bikes, you’re bound to see Marc and Cal go through sideways on more than one occasion! It’s also very interesting to see the difference in riding styles. You’ll see Lorenzo’s effortlessly smooth change of direction here, and Marquez showing of his ridiculously late braking, into Brooklands. Here’s a video I made of the Moto3 Race there. 

As for Club Corner, in the stand it’s superb because obviously you’re quite high up and you see the bikes for quite a long time. You can hear them on the Hangar straight before you see them for the first time at Stowe, then breaking hard for the Vale chicane, a left and a right, plenty of overtaking takes place here! Then the long Club corner, with an edge of tire right kink at the apex, this section is quite technical but by no means boring, some riders use the kerb on the inside of club which can unsettle the bike. Take a look at a clip I made there last year, MotoGP Qualifying.

Aside from the racing, you’ll be glad to know that Silverstone is littered with great facilities, places to eat and things to do! Make sure you attend the Day of Champions, and see the worlds best riders on stage auctioning off racing gear almost anything related to the sport! Also If you’re camping at Silverstone’s own Campsite, Woodlands, (like me) then don’t worry about facilities. They have got it covered, from permanent Toilets & Showers, to Cash Points & Places to eat. There’s a stage with entertainment on every evening, phone charging booths, the Petrol Head pub, and much more!

If you want to attend the race and fancy making a real weekend of it, then check out Sam Lowes’s hospitality experience with Pole Position Travel. Meet Sam, get lunch every day, With Beer and Wine being served by Sam’s Mum and Dad! Click Here , and on the PPT website select British GP, VIP Hospitality, Sam’s Place! As I’m typing this, there is only a few left so act fast!  

Here’s some Silverstone MotoGP stats:

Circuit Length: 3.67 Miles with 18 Corners

Circuit Lap Record: 2’01:941 | Dani Pedrosa | 2013

Best Pole Lap: 2’00:691 | Marc Marquez | 2013

Highest Top Speed: 204.1 MPH | Andrea Dovizioso | 2014

Most Wins: Jorge Lorenzo, 3 wins, 2010, 2012, 2013.

Enjoy your weekend, my reports will be constant on Twitter, expect many Interviews and Session Reports!

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

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

Oliveria takes his first ever Grand Prix win in Moto3 thriller

Photo: crash.net

I’ve seen some close races before, and we all know how big the front group usually is in Moto3, but today was something quite special. The top 15 riders throughout the race were forming one colossal train. Flying rookie, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo crashed out halfway through the race, never entering the top 5. Some new faces were leading the way at times, namely Jakub Kornfeil and Hiroki Ono who started 2nd. 

The last lap saw some mouth watering racing, and finally we got to see Miguel Oliveira take his first ever win in Grand Prix racing, which was nice to see after I asked him on Friday when his first one will come. Danny Kent almost slipstreamed him to the line but Oliveira’s exit of the last corner was too quick for Danny to catch him. Fenati took Italy to the podium with third, after leading several times. Compatriot Francesco Bagnaia who also led the race, finished in 4th. Karen Hanika collided with Efren Vazquez and they both crashed on the last lap, both unhurt. 

Race Results:

1. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 39.510s 

2. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 39m 39.581s 

3. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 39m 39.637s 

4. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 39m 39.640s 

5. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 39m 39.710s 

6. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 39m 39.891s 

7. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 39m 41.008s 

8. Isaac Viñales SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 39m 41.086s 

9. Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 39m 41.495s 

10. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 39m 41.649s 

11. Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) 39m 44.476s 

12. Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) 39m 44.652s 

13. Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 39m 44.670s 

14. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 39m 44.671s 

15. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 39m 45.160s 

16. Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 39m 46.760s 

17. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 39m 48.078s 

18. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 39m 56.740s 

19. Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 39m 56.801s 

20. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 39m 56.815s 

21. Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 39m 56.847s 

22. Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) 40m 5.958s 

23. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 40m 7.613s 

24. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 40m 7.646s 

25. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 40m 7.686s 

26. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 40m 7.732s 

27. Anthony Groppi ITA Pos Corse (FTR Honda) 40m 8.329s 

28. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 14.135s 

Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF 

Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) DNF 

Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) DNF 

Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) DNF 

Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF 

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

Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) DNF 

Marco Bezzecchi ITA Minimoto Portmaggiore (Mahindra) DNF 

I write this article in a Team’s Hospitality unit, namely Karel Abraham’s team, Cardion AB Motoracing. You can too by purchasing a team experience with the people who make it possible, Pole Position Travel. Click here

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   

Kent outsmarts his rivals to make it 3 wins in a row

Photo: motogp.com

Round 3 of the Moto3 World Championship at Jerez saw 16 year old rookie, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo start from pole position. The race start saw himself, championship leader Danny Kent, and Red Bull KTM duo of Oliveira and Binder pulling away from the field. 

Those four spent the entire race swapping positions, each rider taking turns to lead, with Quartararo and Kent trying pull away with 2 laps left, but Oliveira was able to follow suit and split the pair. 

Approaching the last corner on the last lap, Quartararo tried to overtake both Kent and Oliveira in one go, and in turn nearly hitting them both. He went wide, and ended up finishing 4th.

So Danny Kent makes it 3 wins out of 4 starts. That makes him the first Brit to win 3 races in a row since Barry Sheene in the 500cc class, 1977. He also leads the championship by a huge 31 points!

1. Danny Kent GBR Leopard Racing (Honda) 41m 19.552s
2. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 19.649s
3. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 19.848s
4. Fabio Quartararo FRA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 41m 20.434s
5. Efren Vazquez SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) 41m 22.458s
6. Romano Fenati ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 30.587s
7. Francesco Bagnaia ITA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 30.678s
8. Jorge Navarro SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 41m 31.313s
9. Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 41m 35.413s
10. John Mcphee GBR SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 41m 35.516s
11. Isaac Viñales SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 41m 35.567s
12. Jules Danilo FRA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) 41m 35.599s
13. Livio Loi BEL RW Racing GP (Honda) 41m 38.352s
14. Jorge Martin SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 44.144s
15. Alexis Masbou FRA SAXOPRINT RTG (Honda) 41m 44.255s
16. Andrea Locatelli ITA Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 41m 45.537s
17. Niklas Ajo FIN RBA Racing Team (KTM) 41m 55.347s
18. Matteo Ferrari ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 55.500s
19. Stefano Manzi ITA San Carlo Team Italia (Mahindra) 41m 55.915s
20. Juanfran Guevara SPA MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 41m 56.050s
21. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 41m 56.084s
22. Karel Hanika CZE Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 41m 56.573s
23. Tatsuki Suzuki JPN CIP (Mahindra) 41m 56.727s
24. Darryn Binder RSA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) 41m 56.870s
25. Remy Gardner AUS CIP (Mahindra) 42m 0.494s
26. Zulfahmi Khairuddin MAL Drive M7 SIC (KTM) 42m 13.144s
27. Ana Carrasco SPA RBA Racing Team (KTM) 42m 29.099s
Philipp Oettl GER Schedl GP Racing (KTM) DNF
Jakub Kornfeil CZE Drive M7 SIC (KTM) DNF
Hiroki Ono JPN Leopard Racing (Honda) DNF
Alessandro Tonucci ITA Outox Reset Drink Team (Mahindra) DNF
Niccolò Antonelli ITA Ongetta-Rivacold (Honda) DNF
Gabriel Rodrigo ARG RBA Racing Team (KTM) DNF
Maria Herrera SPA Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) DNF