10 Apr 2017 ID: 106126
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Honda riders monopolised the Moto3 podium for the second race in a row

Honda riders monopolised the Moto3 podium for the second race in a row

Honda riders monopolized the Moto3 podium for the second race in a row, with the first three finishers taking the same positions they took in the first race in Qatar. Joan Mir (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) rode to a sensational victory after starting from 16th on the grid

Mir climbed through the pack at a rapid rate to take the lead. The race turned into a typically frantic Moto3 shootout, with Mir, John McPhee (British Team Honda NSF250RW), Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 Honda NSF250RW), Phillip Oettl (KTM) and Andrea Migno (KTM) contesting the leading positions.

When it really mattered, Mir was unflappable, holding off a late-braking McPhee at the penultimate turn to claim victory. McPhee, who began the race from pole position, took second place and Mir third.

Livio Loi (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) made it a day to remember for the Leopard squad by placing sixth, ahead of Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda NSF250RW) and the impressive Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda NSF250RW) in an all-Honda scrap for the final top six spot. Class rookie Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) took a splendid tenth.

The MotoGP circus now has a week-long break before the Americas race at COTA, outside Austin, on April 23.

Joan Mir

“What an incredible race! It was hard for me especially in the start and, once I arrived in the front group, I had to manage it in the best way. We started the championship great, but it's just the second race - everything can change in an instant, we must keep our feet on the ground. In truth I did not think I could win this race, because I started so far back; I tried to stay calm. It was a totally different race from Qatar, but I am very happy and want to thank the whole team!”

 

John McPhee

“It was definitely an exciting race and well done to Joan because he rode a fantastic race the whole way through and set the pace – to be honest I wasn’t expecting the pace to be that fast all the way through, and he was the one doing the hard work. I knew I had the advantage on the brakes and I tried to line it up thinking maybe I could get a fast run in on him and do a block pass in the final turn, but he braked so late, I went in a bit too hot and both of us went a little bit wide – I was lucky to stay on and it’s good to get more points on the board. I’m a bit frustrated not to get the win but it’s a long season and we’ve got some really good points.”

 

Jorge Martin

“We did a great job during the weekend, because we knew we were a little bit behind in the beginning. We were struggling a bit under braking whereas Mir and McPhee were very strong, so third place was realistically our best possible result. We are very close to have everything it takes to win, but for now we take these precious 16 points home: with all these races and so many podium contenders, consistency is the key.”

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