Joan Mir wins thrilling three-way contest for Moto3 victory

Joan Mir (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) won a thrilling three-way contest for Moto3 victory, banishing memories of his last-lap mistake that cost him a possible win at Assen last Sunday. This was the 19-year-old Spaniard’s fifth success of the season, which increases his title lead to 37 points with nine of 18 races done. Honda riders occupy the six top positions in the championship.

Mir spent most of the race in a tight battle with Grand Prix of the Americas winner Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda NSF250RW) and first-time podium finisher Marco Ramirez (KTM). Positions changed constantly, Mir timing his final attack to perfection, diving past Fenati at the penultimate corner. The trio was just two tenths of a second apart at the flag.

Fenati’s third consecutive second-place finish moved him into second overall, past Assen winner Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda NSF250RW), who struggled to find his usual pace today and crashed out while in the midst of a frantic 14-rider skirmish for sixth place.

That particular contest was won by Canet’s team-mate Enea Bastianini (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda NSF250RW), who diligently worked his way to the front of the group. He was followed over the line by Canet’s team-mate Livio Loi (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW).

Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda NSF250RW) took a strong ninth-place finish, making up somewhat for the exit of rookie team-mate Tony Arbolino (SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda NSF250RW) who stunned the paddock by running with the leaders until he fell without injury.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 Honda NSF250RW) also finished in the middle of the pack fighting over sixth place, crossing the line in 11^th spot. His team-mate Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 Honda NSF250RW) was absent after falling and breaking a fibula during practice

Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team Honda NSF250RW) and Jules Danilo (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda NSF250RW) scored points in 13^th and 14^th. Rookie Ayumu Sasaki (SIC Racing Team Honda NSF250RW) was also in the group, ending the race 17^th, just two tenths of a second outside a points-scoring finish.

After four races in five weekends the MotoGP paddock now takes a well-earned rest, reconvening for the Czech Grand Prix at Brno on August 6^th.

Joan Mir

“This victory means a great deal! I wanted to leave Assen's fault behind and prove I could win: and I wanted to win here. It was a long and difficult race, I immediately tried to make a break with a small group. I had a good pace and in the end our strategy worked perfectly. I would never have imagined getting to the Championship’s break with this margin of an advantage, but there are still many races. Now, a week of vacation, then I'll get back to training.”

Romano Fenati

“This second place is like a victory for me and it's a special result considering that we had problems for the whole weekend and the podium seemed to be not reachable this time. Instead we did a great job with the team, we did the right choice with the medium rear, because I was fast and strong even in the final part of the race. It was a correct battle and I fought until the end. Now the summer break and from Brno we'll stay focused on the Championship, race by race.”

Enea Bastianini

“It was a good race. At first it was difficult for me to go fast because I was riding with a very large group. As the laps went by, I felt better and regained positions. I set a very fast lap at the end of the race. We have to work on being more competitive on the opening laps, so as not to lose contact with the front group, because we have shown that we can be very fast towards the end of the race.”