Listen to this article Despite the track being wet, a few dry patches and no rain meant the entire field kicked off the race on slicks with the exception of Livio Loi. Although he was 10th on the grid, Loi understandably rocketed through the field at the start. However, he could only settle into second as Pawi had an even better launch, and lapped several seconds quicker despite running on dry tyres. Impressively, the Malaysian rookie built a lead of 20 seconds over the course of just eight laps. As the track dried out, most of Pawi's advantage in pace disappeared, but he continued to stretch his advantage. Loi on the other hand quickly dropped down the field, eventually settling for 16th. Estrella Galicia rider Jorge Navarro and another Malaysian Adam Norrodin separated themselves from from the rest of the chasing pack at the halfway point onwards. Norrodin waited for his chance to overtake until the final lap, but lost control at the very final turn of the … [Read more...] about Argentina Moto3: Pawi stuns field with crushing win on drying track
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Austin Moto3: Oettl tops rain-affected qualifying
Listen to this article Oettl, contesting his fourth full season in Moto3, posted the benchmark in the opening minutes of the session and could subsequently sit back and relax as raindrops did the rest of the job. With damp patches on the track surface at the start of the session after rain had arrived late during Moto2 practice, a number riders opted to do their recon laps on wets. But the track was more than good enough for the dry compound right away, Oettl setting the early pace on slicks. The German continued to gradually improve with each lap, holding on to the top spot by halfway into the session, at which point the rain suddenly returned. As the rain flags made their appearance, Estrella Galicia's practice pacesetter Jorge Navarro was among the last riders to improve, moving to within six tenths of Oettl and just 0.011s ahead of fellow Honda rider Enea Bastianini. Just as quickly as the rain arrived, it was gone again. With 10 minutes to go, riders began to … [Read more...] about Austin Moto3: Oettl tops rain-affected qualifying
Austin Moto3: Fenati denies Navarro maiden race victory
Listen to this article Fenati converted a second row grid slot into third at the end of the first lap, and made short work of poleman Phillip Oettl on the second tour before setting about closing on early leader Navarro. The Estrella Galicia man, who has yet to win a grand prix, had established a cushion of 1.6s after two laps, but was soon reeled in by Fenati as Oettl fell into the clutches of a fast-starting Fabio Quartararo further back. The decisive moment of the race arrived on lap 8, just shy of mid-distance, as Navarro ran wide at Turn 1 to allow Fenati into a lead he would never relinquish. By lap 13, the gap between the duo had grown to three seconds, Fenati going on to take his seventh race victory in Moto3 by 6.612s at the chequered flag. Leopard Racing's Quartararo had been on course for the final podium place before he was slowed by a late mechanical problem, meaning the fight for third was between Oettl and points leader Brad Binder (Red Bull Ajo KTM). … [Read more...] about Austin Moto3: Fenati denies Navarro maiden race victory
Mugello Moto3: Binder wins epic slipstream battle to stretch points lead
Listen to this article The 20-lap race saw the top-five finishers covered by less than a tenth of a second, as Binder prevailed over Fabio di Giannantonio by a mere 0.038s. Having seized the advantage on the run down to the first corner at the start of the final lap, the South African just gave himself the margin he needed to protect his lead as Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo battled over second place. "Today's race was crazy - I was in first, 10th, eighth; it was so difficult to plan," said Binder. "But I tried to keep back in the group so I could arrive on the final lap at least in the top three." Both Bagnaia and Quartararo found themselves outdragged on the run to the finish by 17-year-old rookie di Giannantonio, who had scored no points prior to Mugello. Mahindra rider Bagnaia hung for third, marking his third podium visit of the year, as Niccolo Antonelli pipped Quartararo for fourth place. Completing in the top 10 were Hiroki Ono, Joan Mir, Niccolo … [Read more...] about Mugello Moto3: Binder wins epic slipstream battle to stretch points lead