FIM Moto3 World Championship
Twin Ring Motegi, Japan
October 16, 2016
Race Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Enea BASTIANINI, Italy (HONDA), 20 laps, Total Race Time 39:24.273
2. Brad BINDER, South Africa (KTM), -0.017 second
3. Nicolo BULEGA, Italy (KTM), -4.002 seconds
4. Philipp OETTL, Germany (KTM), -5.119
5. Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO, Italy (HONDA), -6.288
6. Francesco BAGNAIA, Italy (MAHINDRA), -7.739
7. Livio LOI, Belgium (HONDA), -7.749
8. Fabio QUARTARARO, France (KTM), -8.344
9. Joan MIR, Spain (KTM), -8.880
10. Niccolo ANTONELLI, Italy (HONDA), -9.037
DQ. Hiroki ONO, Japan (HONDA)*
* FIM MotoGP Stewards disqualification for rider #76 ONO due to technical infringement
World Championship Point Standings (after 15 of 18 races):
1. Binder, 269 points (clinched World Championship)
2. Bastianini, 164
3. Jorge Navarro, 143
4. Bulega, 129
5. Mir, 124
6. Di Giannantonio, 122
7. Bagnaia, 120
8. Romano Fenati, 93
9. Antonelli, 87
10. Jakub Kornfeil, 83
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Stunning photo finish for the victory sees Bastianini strike back, with home rider Hiroki Ono disqualified and Bulega promoted to the podium
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3) has taken an incredible photo-finish victory at the Twin Ring Motegi, with a last lap move on newly crowned Moto3™ World Champion Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) that saw the two then cross the line almost neck and neck. The Italian also takes back second in the Championship standings with the 25 point haul, as EG 0,0 rider Jorge Navarro failed to score. Hiroki Ono (Honda Team Asia) seemed to take his first career podium and Japan’s first rostrum finish at Motegi since Hiroshi Aoyama in 2009 with a controlled ride to P3 as he fought off Italian duo Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) – but was later disqualified for being above the minimum weight for bike and rider. Bulega therefore was promoted to third.
Despite a wheelie off the line, Migno managed to stay ahead from pole position as the lights went out – with new World Champion Binder and the South African’s key 2016 rival Bastianini on the chase behind. An incident through Turn 1 then saw Jorge Navarro clip Leopard Racing’s Joan Mir and lose control, with Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA Racing) and John McPhee (Peugeot MC Saxoprint) caught in the crossfire as Navarro slid out. With the three in the gravel trap, the Valencian’s push to secure second in the Championship took a serious hit as key rival Bastianini disappeared in the front group and went on to take the win.
Attrition rates were high in the early stages of the race, with front end washouts causing some casualties. After the Turn 1 drama, one incident saw second EG 0,0 bike Aron Canet also slide out with 15 laps to go at Turn 9 – with Leopard Racing’s Andrea Locatelli crashing just behind the Spaniard in a separate but simultaneous incident.
Binder was the leader of the front freight train, with Bastianini, Migno, Francesco Bagnaia (Pull&Bear Aspar Mahindra), Bulega and home hero Ono for company as the six riders made a break for it. After some more difficult races, Bagnaia was the superstar of Lap 1 as the Italian Mahindra rider moved up nine places from his starting position, putting himself right in contention.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing Moto3) was the man on the chase at the head of the second group, with key rivals for the title Rookie of the Year Bulega ahead, and Joan Mir further back in P12. As the laps began to count down, Bagnaia ahead began to lose traction and move back slightly into the second group, as Bulega started to struggle keeping the pace of the frontrunners. Philipp Oettl (Schedl GP Racing) emerged from the mid pack to eventually lead that second group, as Bulega found some pace again to close back in and get out of the clutches of the German rider.
Binder seemed to have escaped at the front before Bastianini started to fight back with only a handful of laps to go, the two clear at the head of the race as Ono and Migno squabbled over the final spot on the podium. The pressure was on for the South African, with the Gresini machine behind getting closer and closer until the two were locked together on the final lap.
Drama on that final lap saw Migno attack Ono for the last place on the podium as the Japanese rider fought to stay ahead – and the Italian clipped the rear of the Honda Team Asia machine, then getting flipped over the highside. Ono escaped to take the P3 finish at home, with Bulega crossing the line fourth but then promoted to third. Migno was able to restart and crossed the line P25.
Ahead on track, a patient and measured Bastianini waited for Turn 11 to make a move on Binder and made it stick, just keeping it on the track through the tunnel – the final drag to the line seeing both bikes on the limit. Side-by-side, the Italian took the victory by millimetres, denying the South African his sixth win of the year and taking his second career victory, after Misano 2015.
Phillip Oettl took P5 over the line to head the second group, with Di Giannantonio in sixth to score good Championship points once again. Bagnaia, after his early race heroics, held on the take P7 – ahead of RW Racing GP BV rider Livio Loi, who had also been third fastest on Friday in a good weekend for the Belgian. Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Leopard Racing) took a solid top ten finish in P9, ahead of teammate and rookie Mir.
Wheel-to-wheel and high octane as always, Moto3™ will return at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit next weekend – with Bastianini now the man to beat as he sets his sights on keeping P2 in the standings.
More, from a press release issued by FIM Stewards Panel:
FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel
NOTIFICATION OF SANCTION
To: The Team of Mr. Hiroki ONO, Rider No. 76 of the Moto3 Class.
Dear Sir,
According to Article 3.5.5 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, we confirm our decision.
Motive
On 16 October 2016 after the Moto3 Race of the MOTUL GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN, you failed to meet the minimum weight requirement. This contravenes the Article 2.6.4.1. of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.
Convocation
You were summoned to attend a hearing with the MotoGP Stewards Panel. You attended the hearing and acknowledged the facts presented.
Sanction
For the above motive, the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel has imposed a disqualification from the race.
Right of Appeal
According to Articles 3.4.2, 3.4.6, and 3.4.7 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, you have the right to appeal against this decision of the MotoGP Stewards Panel to the MotoGP Court of Appeal which will meet within the next 4 following days. A statement of appeal must be made within 1 hour from the date and time of this notification, and accompanied by a security deposit of €1320. The appeal can be lodged with IRTA who may also arrange for guarantee of the security deposit payment.
Sincerely,
FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel
Mike Webb Bill Cumbow Arjan van Eekelen