Brave Gardner kicks of 2018 with a fantastic 12th in Qatar – Bendsneyder fights hard in first ever Moto2 race

Remy Gardner initiated the 2018 season with a great race after producing a mature ride to 12that the Losail International Circuit today. The talented Australian launched forward from the fourth row on the grid and made up three places by the end of the first lap. Following a late brake on lap two he fell back, but was biting hard inside a very competitive group to eventually finish the 20 lap sprint well inside the points scoring ranges.

Meanwhile, Bo Bendsneyder, who made his debut in the intermediate class, found himself in 25th position shortly after the red lights went out. The newcomer grit his teeth to make up one place after another and finally saw the chequered flag in 18th, plus missed out on what would have been well deserved first Moto2 points by just a whisker.

Remy Gardner

Position: 12th – Championship: 12th – Points: 4

“The result is quite ok. I made a really good start, a great first lap and was in a truly favorable spot, plus I thought I could run with Binder, Oliveira and Vierge. I got to the first corner in this massive slipstream and wanted to brake like when I was alone, so there was a mistake on my behalf and I lost a lot of places, which is a real shame. But I came back, although I feel I could have done a much better race. Anyway, I’m still happy with my comeback and that I was able to manage to get twelfth position. We made a lot progress this year and I can’t wait to arrive in Argentina.”

Bo Bendsneyder

Position: 18th – Championship: 18th – Points: –

“The race itself was really difficult in the first stages, I was a bit too nervous and didn’t get a good feeling during the first laps, but after four, five laps I gained some time and step by step I was feeling better. I was catching the positions for the points, but I lost too much in the beginning. Finally, we learned where we need to improve during this race and that’s the start of the race. If we manage to make progress there, I think we can fight for some good positions.”

Hervé PONCHARAL

Team Manager

“It was a tough race, like all the Moto2 races, but I have to say that we were very excited to see Remy in the top group during the early part. Then he made a mistake, he missed his braking point in turn one, but he was back on track, has been fighting, kept up the pace and stayed with a really strong group. In the end, he managed to finish ahead of this strong group, he was in. Compared to last year, Remy has improved a lot, much more consistent and what makes me really happy is that he never gave up and has been fighting until the last lap. Good job, Remy, continue like this! I know, confidence is very important and I hope that this is something, that gave you this confidence. On the other side of the garage, we were expecting a lot from Bo and we were not disappointed. He was a bit tense, it was his first race in Moto2, so he didn’t know what to expect. The start was far from ideal, the first 8 to 10 laps were very slow and I think that he was just trying to understand. But from that moment, he was pushing like the top group. Every single lap, he was faster and faster and I think, when you see how he ended up the race, you can’t help thinking, that once he will have the rhythm from the beginning, for sure, Bo is a top 10 rider. We are not over the moon, but we’re happy. We finished the first race with a solid performance, both riders saw the chequered flag. Now, Bo needs more experience and clearly, he will feel more confident already in Argentina. Thanks to the Tech3 Moto2 Racing team, they did an amazing job. We are happy and sure, better things are coming.”

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

SIC RACING TEAM DEBUT AT DUSK IN QATAR

Qatar – Sunday 18th March

Circuit: Losail International Circuit

Circuit Length: 5.4 km

As the sun began to set at the Losail International Circuit today, SIC Racing Team made their debut into the Moto2 World Championship.

Needing more time to adjust to his new Moto2 machine, Zulfahmi Khairuddin experienced a tough start to proceedings this weekend, as he struggled to break into the top twenty. After qualifying for today’s race in 32nd place, the opening round saw the Malaysian rider progress through to 28th as the chequered flag came out.

With his first ever Moto2 race under his belt and more experience gained on the Kalex machine, Fahmi leaves Qatar with renewed confidence ahead of the next Grand Prix in Argentina, commencing in three weeks time.

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager

“It’s been a tough weekend for Fahmi; he’s struggled from the start to get up to speed. He’s been lacking confidence and this has shown in his performance. For sure this will come the more he rides the bike, so it’s a matter of time. We could see an improvement today in the race and he said himself that he feels a lot better on the bike now. I think he just needed to get one race under his belt. He has a great team around him and we all want to see Fahmi do well, so let’s see what we can do at the next round in Argentina. Thanks to the team for all their hard work.”

#63 ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN

“I made quite a good start today and was able to pass some riders; I was able to brake earlier and go on the inside. When I was with the other riders I could manage the pace and was consistently quicker than my qualifying lap time; we improved 1.5 seconds. As the fuel went down I started to struggle to turn the bike but still in this race, I have learned a lot of things. The limit is still far for me but I have a great team and they’re doing the best job to help me to improve and gain more confidence, so thanks to them for this. Thank you to all my sponsors for this opportunity too. If I can do well in Moto2 it makes me a better rider because the Moto2 class is really, really tough!”

More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:

Unlucky Márquez opens the season with podium in Qatar

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez finished third in today’s Qatar Grand Prix after being cruelly robbed of a chance of victory.

With five laps remaining while in second place and poised to challenge Francesco Bagnaia for the lead, Márquez slowed when the rear brake jammed on his bike.

Despite the setback Márquez was able to salvage a third place podium after starting from pole position for the opening race of the 2018 Moto2 World Championship.

Márquez’s podium was backed by a superb performance by Moto2 rookie Joan Mir, who finished 11th just one position out of a top tenth finish.

Mir, the reigning Moto3 World Champion, made a bustling start from 24th on the grid to make up ten positions on the opening lap.

By lap three Mir had surged to ninth and was unfazed as he engaged more experienced rivals Luca Marini, Xavi Vierge and Jorge Navarro in a race long battle to finally finish eleventh.

The second race of the season will be the Argentine Grand Prix on April 8.

Álex Márquez: 3rd

“Although I was not able to get the victory today I am happy with pole position and third place considering the brake problem. I stayed smooth in the first half of the race to save the rear tyre for the end but then it felt like the engine locked but I looked down to see the rear disc glowing red hot and obviously jammed. Then I made my rhythm with no rear brake to make sure I finished third and started the season with some good points.”

Joan Mir: 11th

“I am very happy with my opening lap which showed I have the pace on new tyres and then later in the race on used tyres I could still fight with the top guys for the top ten. But the final laps were not easy as grip levels dropped even more so I need more consistency in that part of the race. It is a good start for me in Moto2 and my crew did a very good job to give me a competitive set-up.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“I think Álex had a chance to try for victory today but it wasn’t to be. He did not make the best start but after passing Baldassarri he was catching Bagnaia in the lead. Then there was a technical problem with the bike and Álex was lucky to finish the race on the podium. After some overnight changes to his set-up Joan made a very good race considering his grid position to be the first rookie.” 

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

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA WINS THE QATAR GP

The rider of the Sky Racing Team VR46 won his first race in Moto2. Luca Marini also scored the points after a great recovery.

Doha (Qatar), March 18th 2018 – Francesco Bagnaia wins the GP of Qatar giving the Sky Racing Team VR46 the victory in the debut race of the 2018 season. This is the first time on the highest step of the podium in Moto2 for the rider and the Team.

After a perfect start from the third box of the grid, Pecco takes the leadership from the first corner to the checkered flag. The protagonist of a great fight with Baldassarri, second on the finishing line, Bagnaia conquers the first race of the Championship leading the standings with 25 points.

Ninth, after a great recovery from the 17th position, Luca Marini, who redeems the complicated qualification of yesterday and scores important points in his first race with the Sky Racing Team VR46.

PABLO NIETO – Team Manager

I can only be satisfied with this result and the constant commitment of the whole team. The victory of Pecco is the result of the work done during the pre-season. It was a tough, difficult and very long race, but we never gave up. I’m also happy with Luca’s recovery: he started in the back of the grid and recovered so many positions till the Top10.

Francesco Bagnaia:

I’m really happy to have started the season in this way! Today we have collected the fruits of the great work done in these months. We focused on the race pace and this was the key for the victory. I decided to get on track with the hardest compound available, but it went well. Compared to last year, I made an important step on the management of the first laps, when the tank is full and today I was really fast. A long race: I started strong, but Marquez and Baldassarri reduced the gap and in the last laps I had to close all the doors. This is the first victory for me and for the Team in Moto2: I dedicate it to all those who work on this project and have always supported me, my family and the guys at the VR46 Riders Academy.

Luca Marini:

It is not the position that I was hoping for, I could have approached the top guys, but I am satisfied with the work done with the Team in this first weekend of the 2018. We have done our best and we have to continue in this direction. The problem with the tyre in qualifying did not help us and even today, after the warm up lap, on the gridm I had to change the front tyre. Overall it was a good Sunday: I did a lot of overtakings!

More, from a press release issued by Tasca Racing Scuderia:

Simone Corsi achieves the first two points in Qatar

In the opening race of the 2018 Moto2™ season Tasca Racing achieves two points, thanks to the final 14th position of Simone Corsi in Losail, where today the QatarGP took place.

The Roman rider ends the race in the way he began, being protagonist of an interesting starting in which he recovered good positions, until reaching the 9th place.

But Simone is forced to get a uphill battle with the group of riders fighting unceasigly for the top-10 and towards the final laps he slides to the 14th positon, just where he ended.

The epilogue is less fortunate for Federico Fuligni, with the Rookie riding for the first time in his career in Qatar. No points for the number 21, closing 29 after starting 31.

Simone Corsi #24

“I was expecting something more. I kicked off right, have made a huge start but then I had to face issues coming from the back of the bike. Even though I achieved two points I think we have an higher potential, but we can go to Argentina to redeem it!”

Federico Fuligni #21

“What an exiting race! Riding by night is something amazing, I really can’t describe. We planned something more but we can’t implement because of tyre issues. But the path is the right one and we’re confident.”

Enrico Tasca – Team Principal

“The debut is positive all in all,scoring points is the minimum target we can get to continue with confidence. We got off well, we tasted the top-10 and it’s quite a pety. But everything’s right, we know we can get top position as soon as we can imagine.”

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

TOP-10 FINISH FOR NAVARRO IN QATAR

It was a good opening round of the 2018 Moto2 World Championship for Jorge Navarro and Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, who were able to see the chequered flag and get back into the top-15 for the first time since September 24th 2017 (Aragon Grand Prix).

The young Spanish rider showed promising signs already in the previous two days at the Losail International Circuit as he first moved up to the top positions of the timesheets in numerous occasions during free practice and then claimed seventh place on the grid for the first race of the year.

After a not-so-exciting start, Navarro managed to display a good pace and, with a good number of successful overtaking manoeuvres, he was able to move all the way up from 15th to 9th place before being overtaken by Marini in the final stages of the encounter.

Navarro nevertheless scored some valuable points ahead of the next Grand Prix on the calendar, which takes place in three weeks’ time in Argentina.

10th – JORGE NAVARRO #9

“My start wasn’t too bad but I lost some places at turn one. I struggled a bit in the first few laps as I lacked a little bit of aggression – mainly because I really didn’t want to make any costly mistake. Once I had clear track ahead I was able to find a good rhythm and that helped me recover some position. I got all the way up to ninth place but then Marini was able to catch me and get past. I believe this was a positive weekend: we found good settings and with our goal being the top-10, I guess we succeeded. We learned a lot and, as I already said, it was important to make it to the chequered flag because the previous time it happened was Aragon 2017.”

More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Academy:

Unlucky Loi forced to retire on his first race with Reale Avintia Academy

Folloging the issues in qualifying and a decent warm-up, all was set for the first race of the season. Livio Loi and the Reale Avintia Academy team were ready to fight for the points in Qatar, but the start was not good and then Livio had some techincal problems that finaly forced him to retire in the las half of the race.

This is not the way the rider and the team had in mind, but this is racing. Now is time to look forward to Argentina, a really good track for Loi were he was on the podium two years ago. The team will now check all the data to find whay the shifter was not working in the right way, and try to score the first championship points in the next round of the Moto3 World Championship.

Livio Loi | DNF

“We knew before the race that it was going to be difficult, because this morning we tried several things on the bike and, although we imprioved a little bit we were not perfect. The satr was not so bad, but the gap with the front was too big from the beginning. It was impossible to get with the leading group but I wanted to finish the race. Then, at the end of the race I had a problem with the shifter and I decided to retire. We have to see what happened and now I’m looking forward to Argentina, a track that I really love.”

More, from a pres release issued by Petronas Sprinta Racing:

STRONG FINISH FOR PETRONAS SPRINTA RACING IN OPENING ROUND AT LOSAIL

Qatar – Sunday 18th March

Circuit: Losail International Circuit

Circuit Length: 5.4 km

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing kicked off a positive start to the 2018 Moto3 World Championship, with Ayumu Sasaki taking a solid 8th place finish just ahead of teammate Adam Norrodin in 11th.

Starting from the second row, Sasaki launched off the line into third place but struggling with the feeling of his #71 machine with a full fuel tank, began to drop back within the leading group.

Riding smart the 17-year-old preserved his tyre whilst waiting for the fuel level to decrease and handling to improve. Re-joining the fight for third mid-race, Sasaki relentlessly diced within the pack before crossing the line just 0.2s off the podium.

Despite starting from the sixth row, Adam Norrodin remained determined to redeem yesterday’s 17th place qualification, battling his way through the field into a point scoring position.

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager

“The Moto3 race today was very exciting; it’s never an easy race and these guys always have to fight to the end. Ayumu made a great start but he struggled a bit in the first few laps and couldn’t really follow or push like he wanted to. He fell back a little but as the race progressed he became stronger, catching the group back and battling for third place. To finish eighth is a good result; we’re happy with top ten for the first race of the year.

Adam started further back in 17th place and unfortunately made a bad start but he never gave up. It didn’t look easy for him but still he kept pushing and fought his way back into the points in 11th.

We start the season with both riders securing points and we’re happy for this.

#7 ADAM NORRODIN – P11

“We started the race from quite far back in 17th place, so I’m happy we could improve on this and finish today with some points. My start today was not good at all; I think maybe I was a bit nervous. I dropped a position on the first lap and then had to find my rhythm from there. The race was a little bit crazy; everyone was pushing so hard. Nevertheless I felt good on the bike and was able to start making my way past some riders. Of course I would have like more today but I feel confident we will get stronger. We have some good information from this first race; we know what we need and how we can improve. I will keep working and try to make a better result in the next race.”

#71 AYUMU SASAKI – P8

“We had a really good start today but I struggled a little bit in the beginning of the race with all the fuel in the tank, so I lost a few places within the second group. I knew as the fuel went down I would feel better on the bike, so I just stayed calm and managed my tyre. In the middle of the race I could start to catch the group again and for the last six laps I felt the best. The tyre was good and I knew I could push more towards the end. The straights were the hardest because even when you are third you can go back to tenth, so it’s difficult to choose the right position for the last corner. In the last two laps I made a couple of mistakes, then on the last lap in the first corner I dropped to ninth and from there I couldn’t take enough places to make the podium. I’m a little disappointed about this but I think overall we are in good form. I feel ready for the next race.”

More, from a press release issued by RBA BOE Skull Rider Team:

Rodrigo begins the season with a solid Top-5 in Qatar, Masaki grabs his first few points

Today the circuit of Losail, Qatar, hosted the first round of the Moto3 World Championship.

In the warm up, Rodrigo and his technicians took advantage of the time at disposal in order to check some final improvements, setting the sixth best time (2’07.957). In the race, Gabriel put in a great start from the first row, fighting for a spot in the Top-5 since the initial laps. The Argentinian maintained a competitive pace and he defended his placement in the group which, in the final laps, was composed by eight fierce riders. Rodrigo finished in fifth position, the fastest KTM in this Grand Prix.

Today Masaki started from the seventh row, moving up a few spots in the first half of the race. The rookie joined the group that reached the Top-10, he stayed calm and showed a consistent pace. Kazuki kept making progress and eventually crossed the finishing line in thirteenth place, achieving three points for the 2018 Championship Standings.

#19 Gabriel Rodrigo: 5th [RACE]

“This was a great day. We had a really solid weekend, we showed that we have a good pace and that we are strong. We were the top KTM both in the QP and in the race, which is an important result for us as a team. In the warm up, in spite of the high temperatures, I felt very comfortable and I completed a few laps with a consistent rhythm. This made me feel confident for the race. I knew I had the pace to be in the front group, the trouble was that we lacked a bit of aggressiveness in the first few laps, when Martín and Canet made a gap from the rest. The performance of the bike on used tyres was great and we could manage the race without taking any extra risks. My objective was to see the finishing line and we achieved that. We were very close to the podium and it’s a shame we didn’t step on it, but overall this was a good race. I’m really happy with the work that the team did with the bike. I’m satisfied with this weekend in Qatar and I’m already looking forwards to my home Grand Prix in Argentina: let’s see if we can maintain this line.”

#22 Kazuki Masaki: 13th [RACE]

“Eventually this Grand Prix went fairly well, we finished with a couple of points. Yesterday we changed the setting and things worked out well, I could set fast times. The worst part of this Grand Prix was the QP: it’s very important to finish that session with a competitive time, in order to avoid being so far behind in the starting grid. Our objective is to be faster in the qualifying, so it’ll be easier to keep a decent position on Sunday. The race was fun, even if I didn’t finish in the Top-10. In the end there was a bit of gap with the front group, we’ll have to work also on our comebacks. The next race is in Argentina and that’s a new track for me. I’ll have to study the circuit and we’ll need to check the work we must do in order to adapt the setting. I’ll do my best to keep improving.”

More, from a press release issued by Angel Nieto Moto3 Team:

TOP 10 FOR MIGNO WITH ÁNGEL NIETO TEAM

Italian narrowly misses the podium after fighting in second group, as team-mate Albert Arenas forced to watch on after injuring himself in warm-up

Jorge Martín started the new Moto3 season where he left off the last one in Valencia, on the top step of the podium. The Spaniard broke his duck in that 2017 finale and now he has a second win to his name, this time by just 0.023 seconds from his compatriot Aron Canet. The pair were joined in the battle for the lead during the early stages by Enea Bastianini, who crashed after a few laps, as Lorenzo dalla Porta secured the final spot on the podium following a ten-rider scrap for third place.

Andrea Migno was the only Ángel Nieto Team rider in the race today after Albert Arenas fractured his collarbone in the warm-up. The Spaniard went to ground after touching with another rider and took the impact on his right shoulder. As such it was left to Migno to defend the team’s colours in a race he started from fourteenth position. A small incident in the early stages denied the Italian the chance to fight at the front but he fought back to rejoin the second group and cross the line in tenth place, just 0.9 seconds off third.

10th Andrea Migno: “We are not yet at 100% but even so we are close to the podium and that is the biggest positive we can take from this race. I finished lower than I was hoping but we are still having a few little difficulties with the front end. We will keep working on the set-up but the main goal today was to pick up as many points as possible and now we have to start thinking about continuing our progression in Argentina.”

Albert Arenas (DNS): “I have missed the race here in Qatar because of a crash during warm-up, when I suffered a slight fracture to my collarbone, which ruled me out of the race.It is a shame and I feel very frustrated because we had worked so hard all weekend to be ready for the race. Anyway, we have eighteen more races this season so now we have to look to the future. Luckily it’s not a displaced fracture so it is not a big issue. Otherwise I am okay, it was just my shoulder that took the impact.”

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

DIFFICULT DEBUT FOR THE SKY RACING TEAM VR46 IN QATAR

At the first official race in the World Championship, Dennis Foggia is close to the points area. Nicolò Bulega forced to retire after a crash.

Doha (Qatar), March 18th 2018 – In the first race of the 2018 for Sky Racing Team VR46 in Qatar, Dennis Foggia, rookie in Moto3, closes at the limit of the the points in the 16th position. Retired, due to a crash Nicolò Bulega.

After a uphill qualifying, where he gained the 25th box of the grid, Dennis, for the first time riding on the demanding and technical track of Losail, in the race, made an important step forward and closed a few tenths of gap from the points.

Sunday more complicated for Nicolò, who is back to official competitions after the fracture of the talus and 22nd at the start. Fighting for the 17th position with 8 laps to the checkered flag, he crashed and was forced to retire.

PABLO NIETO – Team Manager

A debut more complicated than we expected. Nicolò has faced a difficult race, he started from the back of the group, but he gave his maximum. A pity for the crash that prevented him from getting to the points. Dennis closed at the limit of the Top15 on this demanding track.

Nicolo Bulega:

It was not an easy weekend, we knew it and we tried to do our best. This morning in the Warm Up we found a good solution for the race, but the position on the starting grid did not help me. I gave my best to stay close to the group, but I crashed. Cause the bad injury of last November, I could not make the most of the pre-season and for me and my team this was a kind of test. We have to continue to stay focused to the incoming races.

Dennis Foggia:

I knew it would not be an easy race: we worked a lot on the bike, but I was not comfortable. I thank the guys of the Team because they did a great job to allow me to do my best today. I push at 100%, the goal was to make more experience as possible on this track and I hope this can help to make progresses in Argentina.