Morbidelli celebrates with podium in Motegi

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli celebrated his 50th start in the Moto2 World Championship with a brilliant podium in today’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The third place finish was Morbidelli’s fifth podium in the last eight races and came after a gripping final lap battle with home race hero Takaaki Nakagami.

The fight for the final spot on the podium came down to a breathtaking braking contest into turn 11 with Morbidelli overtaking his Japanese rival to secure third.

Nakagami had staged a late race surge to briefly move ahead of Morbidelli for third before the Italian responded.

Earlier Morbidelli had controlled second place for the first half of the race before being overtaken by Johann Zarco who finished second behind winner Tom Lüthi.

Álex Márquez could not capitalise on his qualifying pace and settled in eighth position but his attempt to move forward was compromised by rear grip issues.

The 20-year-old Spaniard crashed just after overtaking Marcel Schrötter for seventh place with 16 of 23 laps remaining.

Franco Morbidelli: 3rd

“I had great battle at the end of the race with Nakagami and we made a lot of nice overtakes and I was able to secure the podium with just a couple of corners to go. I am really happy because the team did a great job this weekend and this result is a very positive start to the three flyaway races. Next is Australia and we will try for the podium again.”

Álex Márquez: DNF

“I am very angry with myself because I didn’t feel very good in the race and I don’t know why. I struggled a lot with rear grip and could not overtake the riders ahead of me and then when I did pass Schrotter I tried to push too much and crashed. I am sorry for the team and I need to concentrate on getting better results. Now I look forward to Phillip Island, a track which I enjoy very much.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“Based on Franco’s times in practice I thought he would be able to stay a little closer to Lüthi and Zarco at the front but in the end he just did not have the pace. But the battle for third with Nakagami was very nice for the Japanese fans and I’m happy that Franco finished ahead. It was bad luck for Álex who wanted to raise his rhythm when he passed Schrötter but crashed, which is not so good for his confidence after his strong podium in Aragon.”

More, from a press release issued by Federal Oil Gresini Racing:

SAM LOWES CRASHES OUT OF JAPANESE GRAND PRIX ON THE SECOND LAP

Today’s Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi unfortunately ended prematurely for Sam Lowes and the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2: the 26-year-old British rider in fact was forced to retire after a crash at the end of the second lap, while he was in fourth position. The crash happened after losing the front at Turn 10.

The team will now move to Phillip Island, where this weekend it’s scheduled the second of three consecutive races, the Australian Grand Prix.

SAM LOWES (DNF)

“Too bad, I was feeling good and I was feeling comfortable with the bike, but at turn 10 I suddenly lost the front, crashing. I don’t know what happened, but the crash left me a bit surprised, because I as I said I was feeling good and the bike was working well. Now we look forward to the upcoming race in Australia, on a circuit that I really like”.

FAUSTO GRESINI

“I’m very disappointed, because we made another mistake in a race where we had a chance to do very well. Sam is a very good rider, but I think that in this case he would have been better to manage the race without taking too many risks in the early laps. We leave Japan with a bad taste in the mouth, but we look forward to the next race in Australia”.

More, from a press release issued by DRIVE M7 SIC Racing:

ADAM NORRODIN BATTLES INTO THE POINTS AT MOTEGI

Twin Ring Motegi, Japan – Sunday 16th October

Circuit: Twin Ring Motegi

Circuit Length: 4.8 km

The Japanese Grand Prix saw a positive end for the DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team, with both riders finishing in the points.

Qualifying in ninth place on the grid, Moto3 rookie Adam Norrodin made an impressive start off the line immediately gaining positions and launching himself into sixth place. Caught up in the leading battle, the young Malaysian rode a smart race as he focussed on finding his rhythm and bringing the #7 machine back home in the points. Adam Norrodin concluded his solid weekend with a strong 12th place finish.

Teammate Jakub Kornfeil had a difficult task at hand starting from 21st place, but undeterred and determined to regain his fighting form, the Czech rider launched off the line and into battle as the twenty lap race got underway.

Despite gaining positions Kornfeil was forced to take evasive action when a crash on lap one unfolded before him. With no other choice but to run off track, the 23-year-old re-joined the race in last place. Working his way back through the field, Jakub Kornfeil rode relentlessly to cross the line in an admirable 13th place.

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager

“It was a good race for Adam today! He made a great start and pushed very hard for the first couple of laps to be in the front group. He looked really comfortable being in sixth position for the first two laps but then unfortunately he had an incident in front of him that he had to avoid and we dropped too many positions; at that point he lost touch with the leaders. Nevertheless he got his head down, fought hard and in the end he passed Guevara to take 12th place, which is a good result. Adam has had a good weekend from the start and we’re very happy with his progress and performance here in Japan. He has worked very hard and the team have done a great job.

For Jakub it’s been a very difficult weekend and we had to change the bike a lot; he was never really comfortable, even during the race. We now have to really study all the data from this weekend and see what happened and if it is the bike, we must improve this and give him the best set-up for Australia next weekend.

Overall I’m pleased that both riders took points today and we can leave Japan on a positive note.”

#84 Jakub Kornfeil – P13

“I feel quite good about today’s race, even though the result was not what we had in mind, I really did all I could under the circumstances and never gave up. All weekend we have struggled with the bike and in the race it was no different. This is disappointing. I couldn’t go any faster today. We were expecting more. I made a good start but then in the first corner there was a big crash involving two riders and I was on the outside with nowhere to go. I had to completely slow down and go off track, re-joining last. I immediately started to work my way back up. I just got my head down and went as fast as I could to catch people. It was not easy because I didn’t feel good on the bike but I still did it and gained quite a few places. I had some nice battles but it was not enough to reach our target of the top ten today. I’m disappointed about this as for sure if the incident hadn’t happened at the start I could have reached my target. Nevertheless we go to Australia with more points and I’m confident that we can do better there.”

#7 Adam Norrodin – P12

“I was really looking forward to this race today after our qualifying; I knew it was a great opportunity to reach my target and score points. I made a really good start and got up to sixth position on the first lap and was able to stay in the first group. The rider behind me was always trying to pass but I was able to defend my position; then in one moment he tried again, overtook and then nearly high-sided, so I had to avoid this and we ended up losing contact with the group. I killed the speed on the straight, so many riders passed me and I dropped down the positions. I tried to catch them again but I had a problem with my knee and I struggled to go much faster. The pain continued to increase so I just tried to keep calm and do as best as I could. It was quite hard to manage but I was able to stay in the points which I’m very happy about. We’ve had a good weekend from the start; it’s been the best this year, so I’m really looking forward to the next two races.”

More, from a press release issued by RBA Racing Team:

Tough Sunday for RBA Racing Team at Twin Ring Motegi

Motegi, Japan

The fifteenth race of the 2016 Moto3 season was held today at the circuit of Motegi, Japan.

Guevara and his technicians tried to improve his feeling on top of the KTM during the warm up, as they worked on some final options. In the race, Juanfran moved up various position at the start, but the crash of another rider affected him and interrupted his comeback. When the Spaniard could finally set his own pace, he managed to reach quickly the points zone. With five laps to go, Juanfran was in thirteenth position when he crashed out and was forced to give up the flight for the Top-10. The rider could get back on track and end the race, crossing the finishing line in 25th position.

The warm up was very positive for Rodrigo, who put in a very competitive rhythm and got to lead through most of the session. The Argentinian finished in second position, only 0.106 seconds off the best lap time. In the race, Gabriel started from the seventh row of the grid. On the first lap Rodrigo got involved in an accident provoked by the crash of another rider, which prevented him from working on a good result today. Gabriel will undergo further medical checks in order to confirm the lack of serious injuries.

#58 Juanfran Guevara: 25th

”The situation in the race was pretty much as we had thought. Our pace was on the line with our expectations, it was sufficiently good to reach a position in the leading group. This weekend we struggled quite a bit, we didn’t really find a good solution for the setting of the front part of my bike. With five laps to go I crashed out, but I went back on track because it was important to end the race. The positions we had made up in the beginning were all lost in the end, I had got as far as the group that was fighting for the Top-10. In any case it was important to get to the chequered flag, in order to gather information. This was quite a complicated weekend, now we have to head to Australia and look for a solution to improve and to know how to react if we had to face this situation in a different occasion.”

#19 Gabriel Rodrigo: not classified

“Despite the result in the qualifying practice, the weekend was going well, I was feeling very strong. In the warm up we did a great job, we had an impressive pace. We finished second, but we were leading most of the session. I was feeling confident, the team did an awesome job and the bike was perfect. In the race I started quite well, I knew I had the rhythm to get to the leading group and stay with them. On turn 1 another rider crashed out and when I saw him it was impossible to avoid crashing into him. I had a nasty tumble, but it looks like I have no big injury. I hope I can get to Australia to be competitive as during the Grand Prix.”

More, from a press release issued by Forward Racing:

Marini comes back almost in the Top10, Baldassarri crashes when he was seventh

The sunny Motegi circuit has just seen the end of the Japanese Grand Prix, the fifteenth round of the Moto2 World Championship, for the riders of the Forward Racing Team.

After the Saturday’s unlucky qualifying. Luca Marini and Lorenzo Baldassarri got on the grid determined to make a big comeback.

“Maro”, starting from the ninth row, immediately pushed hard to get close to the Top15 after a few laps with thrilling overtakes. The member of the VR46 Riders Academy continued his momentum battling Syahrin until the last lap and taking home the 12th place after recovering 14 positions.

Same revenge feeling for “Balda” who started from 14th on the grid. The Italian regained ground aggressively from the start aiming at the Top5. Unfortunately, after a mistake at Turn 10, Lorenzo found himself in the gravel when he was seventh. He was able to rejoin the race but, had to withdraw because of the damage of his Kalex.

The Team now moves to Australia for the Phillip Island Grand Prix scheduled for next weekend, one of the favorite tracks of Baldassarri, where he snatched the first podium of his career in 2015.

Lorenzo Baldassarri – DNF

“I was starting a bit on the back of the grid so I had to push really hard to retrieve positions. I struggled a bit and I managed to make it to seventh place, but then I made a mistake, I lost the front of the bike and I ended up on the ground. I am not happy, it was a difficult weekend after a good start, we’ll come back stronger in Australia. “

Luca Marini – Pos ( time )

“I’m really happy with this race. I was starting on the back of the grid today but I was fast and I immediately started to attack the group in front of me. After that point, I focused on race pace to try to maintain the laptime until the end. Few laps from the finish I had a good battle with Syahrin and I managed to overtake him on the last lap gaining another position. It was a good race, I was able to be fast and to do a lot of overtaking, I enjoyed it very much. Closing in 12th position is especially important for the Rookie championship and this gives us confidence and motivation to go to Australia: we can do well there. “

Giovanni Cuzari – Team Owner

“The Motegi weekend is over with a bit of bitterness for the fall of Balda and with a lot of motivation thanks to Luca’s result. After crashing in qualifying, Lorenzo was forced to push hard but he made a mistake and compromised his race, he is fine physically and he is now more determined than ever to bounce back in the next GP. Luca demonstrated the value of the work he is doing with the team, method and talent are crucial for being a professional and we are proud of him. We are going in the right directions and the results will come. “

More, from a press release issued by Tech 3 Racing:

Vierge battles to his best finish of the year – Vinales scores points in well-fought race

Tech3 Racing Team rider Xavi Vierge delivered a strong display today at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit to impressively clinch 11th place aboard the Tech3 designed Mistral 610. The 19-year-old began the 15th round fight from 18th on the grid and he undertook a rocket start to jump up five places and then close the opening lap in 13th. From here, the confident Spanish rider quickly set into a formidable rhythm as he intended to carry on forcing his way through the highly competitive field. Due to his consistent lap times, the former CEV race winner was up to 11th at the midpoint and he continued to push before gaining one position a short distance later. Vierge remained focused as he adapted his riding style to adjust to the dropping grip levels in the final stage of the GP and he eventually powered across the finish line in 11th to notably score his best result of the season. His performance at KYB’s home GP, the Tech3 suspension partners, marks a positive start to the triple back to back events and Vierge fully intends to seize another solid placement in next week’s Australian Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Isaac Vinales persevered and fought non-stop to seal a well-deserved point scoring finish in today’s 23-lap sprint. The Spaniard kicked off his campaign from 20th on the grid and bolted forward when the GP began as the sun beat down on the iconic track. He was shuffled back two places on the typically frantic opening lap after being clipped by another rider, but remained firm and then started to move back up the field before claiming 18th at the end of the fifth lap. He continued his solid rhythm and by the halfway mark, he was inside the top fifteen as he dueled with Tetsuta Nagashima. The distance dialed down and Vinales carried on forcefully battling against the Japanese rider right until the chequered flag, which he eventually met in 15th. After the confidence boosting display, the 22-year-old optimistically eyes up the Phillip Island race next week where he will aim to ride to another strong result.

Xavi Vierge

Position: 11th – Championship: 23rd – Points: 19

“Today’s result was my best finish of the season so far and I am very happy with my performance. I almost ended up inside the top ten and I am sure that we can achieve this soon. The start of the weekend was tricky and we experienced a few issues on Friday, not only with the bike but also with me because my riding style needed some work. However, as soon as we started FP3 on Saturday, everything improved and I became more comfortable on the bike after adjusting myself. In qualifying, my final time could have been better, but the important thing was that my rhythm was solid and in the race, I ran a good pace before finally ending up in 11th. Thanks to the Tech3 Racing and KYB for their efforts, we have had a positive start to the flyaway races and I am looking forward to getting back on track at the Australian Grand Prix next week.”

Isaac Viñales

Position: 15th – Championship: 24th – Points: 13

“I am happy to begin the triple back to back Grand Prix’s in a positive way by finishing in the points today at the Japanese GP. Not long after the race started, I was clipped by Rins which caused me to lose a lot of time. Therefore, the first three laps were quite tough, but once I got into a solid rhythm, I was able to push on. This result is what we needed after the last few GP’s and now I am looking forward to the next round in Australia which is only a week away, and there I am sure that we can have another positive time aboard the Mistral 610.”

Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager

“It was a great race for the Tech3 Racing Moto2 Team and I am very pleased with the result. Throughout the weekend Xavi and Isaac pushed as hard as they could, and both of them had the right attitudes and worked hard. The race was as tough as we expected but I think, once again, Xavi demonstrated that he is a strong starter and he was in the right group as soon as the lights went out. After that, he maintained his efforts and was running in the top ten with just a few laps left to go. However, after he was overtaken, he made the right choice to settle for 11th and he decided to not risk going for the position in front. It was a really solid day for Xavi so I want to congratulate him and in addition, I must say thank you to KYB, Sakura and all of our partners and suppliers because it’s clear to see that we are getting closer to the front. On the other side of the pit box, Isaac had a good weekend but unfortunately, he was clipped by Rins on the opening lap, and although he didn’t crash, he lost a lot of time. Nevertheless, he bravely fought back and pushed all the way to the finish flag, which he met in the points. This closes a positive weekend for him and both riders deserve big congratulations for their performances today. Hopefully, they can have a bit of a rest before they get out on track at Phillip Island and it would be perfect if they can have similar success there. Thanks to the whole Tech3 Racing Team for working hard and lets go to Australia to see what’s happening down under.”

More, from a press release issued by QMMF Racing Team:

Happy-end in Japan: QMMF riders fight their way into Top Ten

QMMF Racing Team riders Julian Simon and Xavier Simeon fought their way into the Top Ten and celebrated a happy-end to the Grand Prix of Japan. Starting from 16th and 17th place on the grid, both riders recovered positions steadily, thanks to a special bike set-up for the Twin Ring Motegi, a strong and consistent race pace and also due to the crashes of some rivals within the front group of riders. In the end, Simon scored eighth and Simeon tenth place, a strong team result that boosts the confidence of riders and technicians ahead of the race on the ultra-fast Phillip Island circuit in Australia next weekend.

Julian Simon – 8th place

“I am happy with our achievement in the race and also with our performance over the whole weekend. It’s very positive to end the race in the Top Ten, with an eighth place, and I want to thank and congratulate my team that worked very well and gave me a very good bike. We changed the set-up for this track, which helped me a lot and I noted this morning in the warm-up that we were competitive. Only at the beginning of the race, in the first few laps, I couldn’t quite match the pace of this morning, but for the remainder of the race we were fast and consistent. I had a nice battle with Pasini and Corsi, even though I struggled to pass them, because I was a bit down on acceleration. But I am happy and I look forward to the next race next weekend in Australia!”

Xavier Simeon – 10th place

“We had a good end of the weekend. We struggled at the beginning of this Grand Prix, but we managed to improve on Saturday and today in the race, we improved again, even though I didn’t quite have the pace to fight for the Top Ten. We have to admit that we were a little bit lucky, because there were a number of crashes ahead of us and we were able to take advantage. I tried to be very consistent in the race and I did good lap times, but I couldn’t go faster than I did. But anyway, luck was on our side, because in other races, it was me who crashed and gave better positions to the other riders and today, I was rewarded with a good result. Starting the overseas triple with a Top Ten result is encouraging and I think we can get another good result next week in Australia on a track where I was fast last year and that I like a lot!”

More, from a press release issued by KTM:

BRAD BINDER CLOSE 2ND AT MOTEGI

15th Rd. Moto3 2016 – Twin Ring Motegi (JAP)

Moto3 World Champion, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder on Sunday finished a very close second on Japan’s Motegi circuit to cross the line 0.017 seconds behind Enea Bastianini of Italy, currently second in the standings. To the delight of the home crowd, Japan’s Hiroki Ono took the minor podium place.

Brad Binder, who wrapped up the 2016 title in the last round at Aragon, Spain with four races still in hand started from second on the grid and moved into the lead early in the second lap. He managed to distance himself from a tight group of six riders mid race on his KTM RC 250 GP but Bastianini closed him down and made his move too close to the finish line for Binder to respond. The South African admitted later he had struggled with grip in the closing laps.

Binder: “By the time we got to eight laps to go I started to struggle more than ever. I really struggled to get the grip in the corners. Every time it would spin a lot and I wouldn’t get the drive. Moto3 is always a group fight. I try to train myself to just do my own laps and it was almost a perfect race right up until the end.”

Italian KTM rider Andrea Migno had picked up a career first pole position and stayed with the lead group and fighting for a podium for the majority of the race but took himself out of contention with a crash in the final lap. He was eventually qualified at 25th.

Migno’s teammate Nicolo Bulega (KTM) was also a contender for much of the race. He was fifth on the grid but dropped back after the start when three riders went down in turn two. He was back fighting in the top six by the sixth lap and he and Ono moved up the order after Migno’s exit a couple of corners from the finish.

Philipp Oettl of Germany fought hard on his KTM to latch onto the leading group of six riders and finally managed to do so with just two laps to go. He went on to finish fifth, also benefiting from Migno’s departure from the race. French rider Fabio Quartararo and Spain’s Joan Mir finished 9-10 to give KTM riders five of the top 10 slots.

It was a difficult race for Binder’s teammate Bo Bendsneyder (NED) who, along with Spanish rider Maria Herrera (KTM), picked up a jump-start penalty. Both had to ride through the pits in the early part of the race.

The competition resumes in one week’s time on Australia’s Phillip Island circuit and with the title already safely in Binder’s pocket, Bastianini will be hoping to consolidate his second place in the standings. His job may have been made easier in Japan as his closest rival Jorge Navarro crashed out in Lap 11 and dislocated his shoulder.

Next Race: October 23, 2016 – Phillip Island (AUS)

Results Moto3 Motegi 2016

1. Enea Bastianini (ITA), Honda, 39:24.273 min (20 laps)

2. Brad Binder (RSA), KTM, +0.017 sec

3. Hiroki Ono (Jap), Honda, +2.654

4. Nicolo Bulega (ITA), KTM, +4.002

5. Philipp Oettl (GER), KTM, +5.119

Other KTM

9. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), KTM, +8.344

10. Joan Mir (ESP), KTM, +9.037

12. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA), KTM, +12.332

19. Bo Bendsneyder (NED), KTM, +39.950

24. Maria Herrera (ESP), KTM, +52.570

25. Andrea Migno (ITA), KTM, +1:16.774 min

26. Juanfran Guevara (ESP), KTM, +1:22.102

DNF Andrea Locatelli (ITA), KTM

DNF Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG), KTM

Standings Moto3 2016 after 16 of 18 rounds

1. Binder, 269 points

2. Bastianini, 164

3. Jorge Navarro (ESP) Honda, 143

4. Bulega, 126

5. Mir, 123

Other KTM

8. Romano Fenati (ITA), KTM, 93

11. Oettl, 73

12. Locatelli, 65

13. Quartararo, 63

17. Bendsneyder, 53

20. Migno, 47

23. Guevara, 40

24. Rodrigo, 22

27. Dalla Porta, 11

29. Herrera, 6

More, from a press release issued by Sky Racing Team VR46:

SECOND PODIUM IN CAREER FOR NICOLO’ BULEGA AT MOTEGI

The young talent of the Sky Racing Team VR46 takes the third place after the disqualification of Ono. Migno crashed at the last lap when he was battling for the podium. Positive race for Dalla Porta, who was in the Top15 for the first time in this season.

Motegi (Japan), October 16th, 2016 – Nicolò Bulega celebrates the day of his 17th birthday getting the third place in the Grand Prix of Japan, which earned him the lead in the rookie standings. Positive Sunday also for Lorenzo Dalla Porta who crosses the finishing line in 12th place achieving the first points in the Championship on the KTM of the Sky Racing Team VR46. Unlucky end for Andrea Migno, who crashed on the last lap in the attempt to defend the podium.

Bulega, fifth at the start, was the protagonist in the front group. Fifth at one lap to go, the young talent of the Sky Racing Team VR46 tried to overtake Ono but he was fourth under the checkered flag. After the Race Commission confirmed the disqualification to the Japanese rider for technical irregularities, Nicolò took the second podium of his young career. With the points scored today he is back to the fourth place in the Championship, the first of the rookies. Great epilogue for Dalla Porta, 12th, after the good qualifying of yesterday. Migno, with Bastianini for more than half race, crashed a few meters from the finishing line when he was fighting for the third position.

Pablo Nieto:

“I have to say congratulation to all of our riders: we have managed the weekend in the best way and we showed on the track that we are a real team. It was a great race for Nicolò, he missed something in acceleration, but he gave his 100% till the last corner and the podium is the best way to celebrate his birthday. It was a pity for Andrea, but he has proven to be able to stay with the front group. Good steps forward also for Lorenzo who achieved the first points of the season.”

Andrea Migno:

“I’m disappointed for how the race ended, but overall it was a very positive weekend. I battled for the podium till a few meters from the finishing line and I tried to do my best in the last lap. At turn nine, I tried to overtake him but I crashed.” 

Nicolo Bulega:

“It was a great race: I had not a good start, but I immediately reduced the gap with the leading group. I was loosing something on the straights, in terms of speed, but I tried to stay with the strongest guys. The podium in this way is strange, but I’m glad: it is a great gift for my birthday! I scored important points for the championship, I recovered the fourth place and the leadership of the rookie standings. It was a shame for Migno, he fought till the end.”

Lorenzo Dalla Porta:

“I closed the weekend with the first points in the championship and this is definitely a good news. I was expecting something more for the race, but I had some problems with the gearbox and I had to handle the situation till the checkered flag. I’m looking forward to back on track in Australia.”