Category: Moto3

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British GP: Moto3 Review – Canet Wins Crazy Curtain Raiser

The Moto3 class has a reputation for intense, wheel-to-wheel, “do or die”, “win it or bin it” racing. The 2017 British Grand-Prix was no exception. From lights to flag it was frantic, pulsating, truly thrilling motor racing. Overtaking was to be had at every corner and on every straight. The layout of the Silverstone circuit is ready-made for lightweight motorcycle racing, with very few heavy braking areas enabling the field to stay closely compacted together.

Aaron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) emerged triumphant, but he had to put in the performance of his life. A disastrous showing in Saturday’s qualifying session meant the Spaniard began the race from P16. As the lights went out, he got a super start, making up places with ease. It was not a reckless charge – rather a calculated progression – with every manoeuvre and overtake clean and decisive. Not once was there a moment when Canet looked out of control, or was ever taking unnecessary risks with his opponents or machine. It is true that his bike is one of the best in the field but that cannot take away from the display of exceptional race-craft that the 17-year-old produced.

The lead of the race changing hands more times than there were laps raced. The usual championship suspects came to the fore. Romano Fenati (Marinelli Snipers) bullied his way to the front during the opening laps, whilst series leader Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) and wounded warrior Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini) were constantly snapping at the heels of any rider who was ahead of them. The latter continues to amaze all and sundry – both in the paddock and those spectating from afar – as he can still barely walk following serious injury sustained during practice for the German Grand Prix back in July.

The race also provided a welcome return to form for Canet’s teammate and class veteran, Enea Bastianini. The Italian threw caution to the wind and produced a vintage display, reminding us all of his race-craft and why he was once tipped as the ‘next big thing’ in MotoGP. His second place finish behind his team-mate (his first podium of the season) was celebrated by his team as much as Canet’s victory.

Unfortunately, fans were denied a grandstand finish as, on the penultimate lap, Juanfran Guevara (RBA Boe Racing) suffered a heavy crash which left him lying unconscious at the side of the track. The red flag had to be shown, as an ambulance was required at the scene. The Spaniard was taken to hospital with concussion but it is believed that the rider sustained no serious injuries.

The red flag was a double-blow for the RBA team, as it had potentially cost their other rider, Gabriel Rodrigo a maiden Moto3 victory (who was demoted from 1st to 4th due to the lap-count-back rule). The Argentine has been the most improved rider this season, shaking off the unwanted title of ‘crash kid’ from last year. A regular at the sharp end during both qualifying and the races in 2017, there is no doubt that Rodrigo will start to win GPs sooner rather than later.

However, it was a truly wretched day for British Talent Team’s John McPhee. Despite qualifying on the second row in P4, a bad start off the line saw him consigned to scrap for the minor points places. The Scotsman has endured some terrible luck this season and after such a strong showing in the build up to the race, finishing in P13 will be a bitter pill to swallow.

Honorary mentions go to the two British wildcard riders – Tom Booth-Amos and Jake Archer (CityLifting RS Racing). Both riders have been running away with the Motostar series, which supports the British Superbike Championship, this year. Before Friday, neither had any first-hand Grand Prix experience, or ridden on Dunlop tyres. Across the weekend, both riders turned heads with immaculate displays. Unfortunately for Archer, his race was cut short with a technical problem 3 laps from the end. Booth-Amos however secured P21, finishing ahead of series stalwarts such as Jakub Kornfeil, Jules Danilo and Maria Herrera. It is hard to imagine that the British Grand Prix will be their last appearance in the class.

Race Result:

1: Aron Canet 35:53.028

2: Enea Bastianini + 0.063

3: Jorge Martin + 0.111

4: Gabriel Rodrigo + 0.232

5: Joan Mir + 0.455

The 2017 Moto3 World Championship resumes at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, September 8th-10th.

Report by Ed Hocknull – @EdHocknull

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British GP: Moto3 Preview – Home Hero McPhee set to Chase Down Mir

The historic Silverstone circuit plays host to the 12th round of a Moto3 championship that seems all but over, with Leopard Racing’s Joan Mir leading the rest of the field by 64 points. This is the highest leading margin in the lightweight class since Alvaro Bautista lead Mika Kallio by 69 points at this stage in 2006.

Barring a catastrophic final seven rounds, Mir looks to be well in control of this championship. His comfortable victory at the Red Bull Ring last time out was his seventh win in 11 races. The last rider to do something similar I hear you ask? None other than Valentino Rossi, who was victorious in nine of the first 11 rounds back in 1997.

Those stats alone shows just how impressive the 19 year-old has been this year and you’ll be kidding yourself if you think his fine form won’t continue on British soil. Last year, Mir crossed the line in ninth place at Silverstone after starting fifth. If normal service resumes, we can expect a result that consolidates his mammoth title lead this time round.

Realistically, despite a sizeable chunk of the season to go, the likes of Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda), Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and the walking wounded Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) will battle it out to be best of the rest.

Second in the championship Fenati failed to keep the pressure on Mir in Austria as he came home in a disappointing 13th place, his equal worst finishing result of the season so far (his other coming at his home round, Mugello).

The Italian has a Spaniard close for company as Canet continues to impress, he crossed the line in a solid fifth position at the red Bull Ring. Canet will go well this weekend, having finished eighth last year and has since gained plenty of experience at the ripe old age of just 17. One of the paddock’s best upcoming talents, be sure to watch out for him.

The spotlight will be on Scotland’s finest John McPhee, as he and the British Talent Cup Team will look to entertain their home crowd for the first time together. The ever popular Brit will have the backing from pretty much every spectator all weekend and after a positive season, he’ll be right up there battling for the podium come race day.

Replicating his victory at Brno last season will be his aim, his only win in Moto3 to date. The experienced lightweight class rider will thrive on the home support as he goes in search of his fourth podium of the season.

A big shout out to City Lifting/RS Racing duo Thomas Booth-Amos and Jake Archer too, as they make their grand prix debuts this weekend as wildcards. Be sure to back them all weekend from the grandstands. They’ve so far dominated the British Motostar championship on their Ryan Saxelby prepared KTMs.

As usual, the Moto3 class never disappoints on race day. A gaggle of riders will be battling it out for the lead right up to Luffield and Woodcote. Will Mir extend his championship lead, or can the chasing pack claw something back? Do not miss a moment of action.

Elliott York – @journoyork

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Moto3 Spanish GP Review: Canet Delivers At Last

Two weeks ago, a rider was thrown from his machine whilst leading the Americas Grand Prix. He sat, dazed on the painted run-off area, regathering his bearings and wondering how it could have gone wrong. Fast forward to now: Sunday 7th May and that same rider, Aron Canet, is crossing the finish line to take his maiden grand prix victory after a thrilling battle. To make matters sweeter, it’s his home race as well. In his own words: “The best day of my life!”

The Estrella-Galicia rider had been looking strong all weekend in the sessions leading up to the race, qualifying on the front row of the grid in P2. Canet got a good start as the lights went out, surviving the usual shenanigans on the drag down to the first corner, and holding his own in the leading group. The Spaniard was content to sit back in the early stages as fellow protagonists Romano Fenati, Joan Mir, Darryn Binder and Marcos Ramirez diced it out at the front. The latter two of these caught the eyes of spectators and pundits alike as, unlike the other three, were riding privateer KTM bikes as opposed to machines powered by factory outfits.

It was a classic Moto3 race in many respects: the leading group numbered twelve riders, there was slipstreaming galore down the back straight into the Dry Sack hairpin, and up the long main straight out of the final corner. The lead of the race changed hands as frequently as the laps were chalked off. Joan Mir, seeking to increase his hold on the championship, took the lead with 10 laps to go and upped the tempo. The lead group of twelve, suddenly became just five. Mir led the charge going into the final lap, but was beaten up by Ramirez and Fenati and forced out wide on a number of occasions. This ultimately put paid to his hopes of victory, but a last lunge up the inside of the KTM rider secured him a hard fought podium finish.

Having been rejuvenated since his move from the VR|46 team last year, Fenati (Marinello Rivacold Snipers Team) looked the man to beat for much of the race. The Italian was back fighting with everyone who’d dare pass him for the lead. Binder would discover how hard Fenati is prepared to defend his track position, when the two came together at the infamous Turn 13 hairpin. The South African slid out into the gravel, but was able to remount and continue. Replays proved that the incident was caused by aggressive defending and an overly ambitious attempt to overtake from both parties. A racing incident, no more – no less. Both will fight again for victory another day.

It was however a weekend to forget for British Talent Team’s John McPhee. The Scot had struggled to find a setup for the bike which worked around the Jerez circuit. A disastrous qualifying session on Saturday, meant that the Brit had to start the race from way back on the ninth row in P25. The race began more promisingly, with the 22-year old from Oban managed to haul his machine up to thirteenth, leading the chasing pack before losing the front end under braking at turn 1, and crashing out. The non-finish meant McPhee slipped from second to fourth overall in the championship. He now trails the leader, Mir, by 25 points.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to Canet. The victory has been on the cards for a while now. Ever since his points scoring debut at Qatar in 2016, it has been clear that Canet is abundant with talent. A rostrum finish, multiple fourth of fifth places and a pole position from his rookie season provided the strong basis to work on heading into 2017. Now with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix added to his growing CV, Canet and his team will be hoping to press on and challenge for the title.

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

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Moto3 Spanish GP Preview: Home Victory or Home Defeat

 

Moto3 rolls back into life this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix. Following Romano Fenati’s victory at COTA, the front four in the championship are covered by a mere 13 points, with Joan Mir leading the way from Jorge Martin and John McPhee. However, the return to Europe always shows us who the real deal is and who is going to be in the championship hunt to the end. We have yet to see the likes of Enea Bastianini, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Nicolo Bulega up at the sharp end, promising us a frantic next few races. The question is whether or not Spain will take a win or if one of the other nations will beat them on their home territory.

Joan Mir’s 8th place at COTA was his worst finish of the year, but he maintained the championship lead, despite it shrinking to just six points. The Spaniard will be searching for a good result at home and an improvement on last year’s sixth place at Jerez.

Jorge Martin will be wanting his first race win of the year, having started with two 3rd places and a 2nd at COTA. The young Spaniard scored a 14th at Jerez back in 2015 and that remains his best result, seeing as he crashed out last year. He and Mir may end up in a Spanish showdown on who will take honours in their home race.

Of course, it may be neither of them. John McPhee has had his best ever start to a year with two 2nd places and a 7th last time out in The States. Having spoken to the young Scot at the Oulton Park BSB meeting, it may well be worth watching him, as he is confident at more familiar circuits. Britain’s Danny Kent won the Moto3 race in 2015 and a repeat performance from McPhee would do us Brits just nicely indeed.

Romano Fenati elevated himself up the leaderboard after his first win of the year at COTA. Having won their in 2016, Fenati made amends whilst those around him fell and languished. The Italian has a winning history at Jerez too, with a dominant 36 second win in 2012 in just his 2nd ever GP. Can the diminutive Italian force his Honda to work around Jerez?

There’s more Italians in behind Fenati too. In 5th, Andrea Migno has finished every race in the points so far, with a worst result of 12th coming last time around. The VR46 rider will hope his form at Jerez will change, with 11th last year being his best. He is the first KTM rider in the championship and the manufacturer scored an excellent one-two last year. Could that signify something special on race day?

Fabio Di Giannantonio took 3rd place in COTA for his first podium of the year. The young Italian whipper-snapper returning to the form we know he has after being punted off by Bulega in Argentina. He crashed out of the race last year at Jerez but will be looking for the first back to back podiums of his career and maybe even his first win, to launch his title charge properly.

Nicolo Bulega’s 2nd at Jerez last year is his best Moto3 result to date and one of only two podiums. With a return to form at COTA with 5th, Bulega will be hopeful of a shot at the podium under the Spanish sun.

Watch out for other riders such as Aron Canet, Phillip Oettl and Juanfran Guevara, with Gabriel Rodrigo, Enea Bastianini and Livio Loi also hoping for good results. Former CEV riders Kaito Toba, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, Tony Arbolino, Ayumu Sasaki and Marcos Ramirez will also feel more at home this weekend, coming to a circuit they are familiar with.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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McPhee – We’re Feeling Really Positive

John McPhee was in the British Superbike paddock on Monday, which meant that I had to go and speak to him. The Scotsman says he’s positive but we also discussed other topics. The British Talent Cup, Honda and tyres are all spoken about in this exclusive interview.

You’ve had a great start to the year, how are you feeling?

It’s been great to have such a good opportunity this year with a good bike and a good team around me, with a couple of podiums to start of the year in the perfect way too. In Texas we had a difficult weekend but we were still there in the podium challenge and in the points. We got some really important points on the table and now we are arriving back in Europe, we’re feeling really positive.

How does this Honda compare to the previous Honda you rode?

There’s a big difference because in 2015, we actually had the 2014 bike so there’s three years development on the engine and the chassis. Honda have made a massive improvement over the last few years, obviously I haven’t done a back to back comparison with last year’s bike but they (Honda) have made a big step forward now and the bike is working really good thanks to a really good job by Honda. Everything just feels like home for me.

How does the Honda compare to the Peugeot?

Chassis wise the Mahindra was actually really strong – it was actually one of the strongest bikes I’ve ever ridden for chassis set-up. The downfall of the Mahindra was the engine power, it didn’t quite have the power there, especially with acceleration. With Honda, they’ve got the whole package and they can compete with the Mahindra and they’ve got more power there as well.

How do you feel the Moto3 tyres have developed since you’ve been in the class?

The main compound is the mediums and they’ve remained pretty standard throughout the last few years, they’ve not changed much. What they have changed is the soft tyre and it’s not quite as soft and the hard tyre is not quite as hard so they’ve brought all the tyre compounds a lot closer which means people tend to use the soft or the hard tyre more throughout races than what they would’ve done a few years ago. Actual development of the tyre is pretty standard.

Is tyre wear an issue for Moto3?

As the lap times are getting closer and the bikes are getting closer, it is becoming more of a factor. People are starting to look into that a lot more. In Argentina, when I qualified on pole we had the hard rear tyre in rather than the medium because it provides a little bit more stability. It has made a difference a couple of times now and that’s good because it gives us another area to look at and to try and improve.

Brno last year and you won, then come October you was stranded in Australia – how are your injuries?

I think even before Brno we had a bike that was working but we just didn’t have the opportunity to show it. We lacked a bit of horsepower at some of the track we went to and it was difficult to hide that, however at the more flowing tracks – like Phillip Island – we was able to carry corner speed. After the accident, it took a very long time to recover. I wouldn’t say I’m back up at 100% yet, I’m more like 95% and there or there abouts. There’s no pain or anything which is good so hopefully we can get quicker.

Which track do you feel will be your strongest?

I think Phillip Island is going to be one I’m always going to be strong at, it’s more about the rider rather than the actual bike which I quite like.

If you was to choose one rider to go up against at Valencia for the title, who would it be?

Obviously it’s difficult to say, Joan Mir is riding well and leading the championship at the minute but it is a long year. I have a bit more experience than him but we will need to wait and see and it will come down to the last few races for sure. At the minute it’s a bit hard to put one name down.

Where do you see the British Talent Cup in the future? Can it be successful?

I think that the whole intention of this is to bring more British riders along because I think the talent is there but it’s just not being shown and there’s a couple of reasons for that. One of them is funding, the other being accessibility to tracks and teams, down to the lack of funding in the UK. The whole idea of the British Talent Cup is to fund young riders and give them the opportunity of getting the track time, the bike time and the correct people on bikes around them. I think that it will be similar to the Asia Talent Cup. If there is any talent there – which we believe there is – to bring it through and give them the opportunity. You see families re-mortgaging there house to try and fund it. We know there is talent there and this is the opportunity to try and make it shine through.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Moto3 COTA review: Fenati stamps his mark on the 2017 championship

Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) romped to his first victory of the season to announce he is ready to fight for the Moto3 crown once again.

Pole sitter Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) made a blinding start and looked to be streaking clear of the field, however the race was halted by the Red Flags which came out following a crash for Japanese rookie Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) at T14, who eventually walked away from the accident after being aided by medics on the track.

Canet again grabbed the hole-shot from the restart and looked confident to leave the chasing pack in his wake, his practice and qualifying pace suggested he could easily clear off at the front. Fenati though had other ideas, the Italian managed to take the lead on the first lap, only for the Spaniard to retake the lead going up the hill into the first corner, a great jostle between the pair.

The duo were shadowed by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3), Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3), Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Enea Bastianini (Estrella Galicia 0,0), who were unable to keep tabs on the front twosome.

Disaster then struck for Canet. Pushing hard to create a gap, the 18 year old had a nasty highside coming out of the penultimate corner, leaving Fenati to control the race. The result means the controversial Italian is now fourth in the championship and only 13 points off the top spot, you’d be a fool to rule him out.

The eight time grand prix winner eventually crossed the line 4.5 seconds clear of the two Del Conca Gresini Moto3 Honda riders, with Martin edging out his team-mate ‘Di Gi’ by less than a tenth of a second. This result meant that Martin continued his 100% podium record in 2017 and after the race he told MotoGP.com that “it’s important that we’re consistent.” He leapfrogs British Talent Team pilot John McPhee in the championship to go just six points behind series leader Mir, whilst Fabio sits sixth in the standings after picking up his first podium of the season.

In arrears of the top three were Bastianini and Bulega, who both took their best results of the year by some distance, with the VR46 rider crossing the line as the leading KTM. Juanfran Guevara (RBA BOE Racing Team), also steering a KTM machine pipped Britain’s McPhee on the penultimate corner to clinch his best result of the year, leaving the Scotsman having to settle for seventh. Despite finishing off the podium for the first time in 2017, McPhee was still able to close the gap at the top of the championship as Mir was forced to settle for eighth.

German Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) collected some valuable points in ninth, with Darryn Binder (Platinum Bay Real Estate), brother to last year’s world champion Brad, rounding out the top 10. The South African lead a gaggle of riders past the checkered flag which included Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Racing Team), Andrea Migno (Sky Racing Team VR46), Jules Danilo (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers), Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Livio Loi (Leopard Racing).

Jerez is up next for the future premier class protagonists, a rider and fan favourite. With the championship tightened up, the battle in Europe will be an enthralling watch with Mir, Martin, McPhee and Fenati looking to take a stranglehold on the Moto3 world championship.

Full results: http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2017/AME/Moto3/RAC/World+Standing

Elliott York @journoyork

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Moto3 Americas GP Preview: Mir wanting a Hat-Trick

The Circuit of the Americas plays host to the third round of the Moto3 world championship, with three men dominating the opening two rounds. Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), after two expert victories in Qatar and Argentina, sits on top of the leader board with a perfect 50 points. The Mallorcan will be looking to become the second youngest rider to win three successive Moto3 races since MotoGP series leader Maverick Vinales managed it back in 2012.

Hot on the heels of Mir is the most experienced man in the class, Britain’s John McPhee. The 22 year old, now racing with the newly formed British Talent Team with the favoured Honda package underneath him, has started the season fine form with two second place finishes. 2016 was a mixed year for the young Scot, despite picking up his maiden win in the monsoon like conditions in the Czech Republic. McPhee looks stronger than ever before in 2017, with factory backing from Honda and guidance from former MotoGP pilot Jeremy McWilliams, a genuine title challenge looks to be on the cards. His best result at Austin came in 2015 where he powered through from 15th on the grid to finish 6th, so if McPhee can replicate his Argentine pole, there’s no reason why we can’t see the determined Scotsman pick up his first win of the season.

It has been a great year for the initials ‘J.M’ so far in 2017 as joining Mir and McPhee on the Moto3 podium on both occasions has been Del Conca Gresini Moto3’s Jorge Martin. His third place in Argentina has taken his overall podium tally to three, however his recent record at COTA has been disappointing, crashing out in his previous two visits to the circuit. We can expect the 20 year old to be fighting for the podium places once again, despite the KTM machines occupying four of the top five places in last year’s race.

The J.M’s were the first riders to stand on the podium in the first two lightweight class races, in the same order, since 1972. (couldn’t find when it was last done in 3 races).

However, there are a whole host of young, hungry and determined youngsters ready to end Mir’s domination. The returning Romano Fenati is the only rider on the grid to have picked up podium finishes in the previous four years in Austin. The Italian sits 5th in the championship and will be looking to add to his 5th and 7th place finishes in the states. Andrea Migno, the highest placed KTM rider in 4th will be hoping to break the Honda stranglehold. German Phillip Oettl is the next placed KTM in championship, lying in 8th position. The Südmetall Schedl GP Racing rider finished 4th in the USA in 2016, so expect him to be right up there this weekend.

Pre-season favourites Enea Bastianini, Niccolo Antonelli and Nicolo Bulega will be hoping to kick start their seasons after a disappointing opening two rounds.

It certainly promises to be another fairing-bashing race, with the big question being can anyone stop Mir and the Honda’s? Let’s hope McPhee can spoil the Spaniards party and carry on his title charge, whilst KTM will be looking to pick up their first rostrum of the season.

Elliott York @journoyork

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Two-In-A-Row for Mir as Battle Raged in Moto3

After the rain of Saturday’s Qualifying, the riders were greeted with cool but dry conditions for Sunday’s race at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit in northwest Argentina.

Everyone all made good clean starts as the lights went out. Britain’s John McPhee (Starting from pole position) initially lost the lead on the run down to turn one, but regained it quickly after profiting from a more than generous slipstream pulling him down the back straight into turn five. The lead would be disputed continuously throughout the race, as no rider has sufficient power to ever fully pull clear. With such small machines, and only around 40bhp, slipstreaming is a crucial element of racing in the ‘cadet class’. When a group of riders finally pulled away at the front, it numbered eleven competitors.

The race-craft that was required and indeed displayed by these young riders was of the highest quality. Particularly for none more so than Qatar winner, Joan Mir. The Spaniard had looked competitive during Friday practice, but was amongst the riders caught out by the weather in Qualifying. As such, he had to fight his way through the field, having started from P16.

He rode through the field and avoided the chaos which unfolded behind him as Niccolo Antonelli and Romano Fenati came to blows on the second lap. The former being forced to retire, and the latter earning an investigation from the stewards. There was also misfortune elsewhere as with just 10 laps to go, the hometown hero – Gabriel Rodrigo crashed out at turn five. Lorenzo Baldassarri and Fabio Di Giannantonio followed suit the very next lap.

The racing was intense all throughout the field, as every position was fiercely contested. With the championship containing a staggering 31 riders, there is desperation everywhere from these youngsters (most of them between 16-19 years old) to be noticed and sought after by teams in Moto2. Riders who are only just starting their grand-prix careers – such as Kaito Toba and Tony Arbolino – were challenging and beating more seasoned competitors such as Niccolo Bulega, Jakub Kornfeil and Jules Danilo.

And it is not just the boys taking the spotlight. 20-year old Maria Herrera fought her way up through the pack on her AGR-Team KTM machine to fifteenth place, and a coveted championship point. It has not been an easy road for the girl from Toledo, Spain. But having signed for a new team during the off-season now seems to be beginning to flourish in the Grand-Prix paddock.

But it was fellow compatriot, Mir, who eventually claimed the spoils. Back-to-back victories and a maximum complement of 50 points from the two opening rounds puts him in early command of the championship. McPhee once again had to settle for the second step on the podium, again still defying much of the pre-weekend expectation. Jorge Martin, on the Del Conca Gresini Racing machine, the front runners more than honest. His podium finish a just reward for his efforts.

Race Results – Top 10: (1) Joan Mir, (2) John McPhee, (3), Jorge Martin, (4) Phillip Oettl, (5) Andrea Migno, (6) Livio Loi, (7) Romano Fenati, (8), Tatsuki Suzuki, (9) Juanfran Guevara, (10), Kaito Toba

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

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Mir Heads the Pack as Moto3 Hits Argentina

All eyes are on Leopard Racing’s Joan Mir, as the Moto3 World Championship heads to Argentina, following his victory last time out at in Qatar.

The Mallorcan rider arrives at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit this weekend leading the championship, and knows he is now the marked man of the field. This round should suit both the bike and his riding style, as the layout of the track encourages the last of the late breakers and rewards bikes with top straight line speed. Mir has only competed once before at the Argentinian venue, securing fifth position during last year’s race. Following his success from the opening round, he can be expected to feature in the fight for top honours on Sunday.

Behind him, British Talent Team’s John McPhee will be determined to go one better than his second place finish, a fortnight ago. Nobody then was expecting great things from the new team, even those who had helped bankroll the outfit were talking about success only coming later in the season. That has now all changed, and the 22-year old will now have to deal with the expectation of consistently challenging for victory. The young Scot is undoubtedly a serious talent in the making and, with such a competitive machine underneath him, has the tools to take the fight to the front on a regular basis.

However, dare to write off the rest of the Moto3 field at your peril. The more experienced Moto3 contenders such as Enea Bastianini (Estrella-Galicia Honda), Nicolo Bulega (TeamSky-VR46 KTM) and Romano Fenati (Marinelli-Honda) will all be gunning to reclaim the top step of the podium what all three believe is rightfully theirs. The latter of these will be most desperate to return to winning ways, having not claimed the chequered flag since last season’s Grand Prix of America. With ‘race rustiness’ of the first race of the season now behind them, expect this Roman triumvirate to put on a strong showing this weekend.

Finally, we must not forget Gabriel Rodrigo who is the sole Argentinian to line up on the grid – provided he is passed fit to race. The 20-year old broke his collarbone during FP1 a fortnight ago at the Losail International circuit. It has been a difficult introduction to the ‘cadet class’ for Rodrigo, having only been able to amass a lowly 31 points from last season’s championship. Still, there’s nothing like a race in front of a home crowd to inspire one onto greater things.

The Moto3 Grand-Prix of Argentina is on Sunday 9th April, 1300 local time (1700 UK time)

Eddie Hocknull @EddieHocknull

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Moto3 Qatar GP Review – A Mir Victory

The first of three races in Qatar, the Moto3 race was a slipstream battle right from the start. Eventually, Joan Mir held off the chasing pack, which included Britain’s John McPhee, to take his 2nd career victory. McPhee joined him on the podium, with Jorge Martin in third place.

As was to be expected, hard moves came straight away and initially it was Jorge Martin leading the way from the likes of Romano Fenati, Joan Mir, Niccolo Antonelli and Bo Bendsneyder to name all but a few. As soon as the front straight came into view, there was six or seven abreast, with Martin be swallowed up and Mir taking the lead from him. Other names up there included Oettl, Di Giannantonio, Guevara, Norrodin, Sasaki, Canet and Migno.

Oettl took the lead briefly but then it was the sole surviving RBA machine of Juanfran Guevara at the head of the 13 man dice. Bo Bendsneyder was the first faller at turn six on lap four. He finished 26th and last.

Britain’s John McPhee hit the front on lap nine, ahead of Migno and Mir. The Scotsman had been setting faster laps than anyone else prior to reaching the lead of the race. It was a great debut for the British Talent Team as their rider did the business out front.

Joan Mir took the lead back on lap 11 on the home straight and despite moves during the other parts of the lap, it was Joan Mir who would hold on for victory. Further down however, Phillip Oettl was causing issues for Juanfran Guevara, who was unceremoniously wiped out by the 20-year-old German on lap 12.

So what did we learn from the Moto3 race? Joan Mir’s rookie season has definitely given him a platform to build on and he’s doing just that. The Leopard Honda team may however be concerned with their other rider, Livio Loi, who finished 12th and 17 seconds off the win.

Even greater concerns will be rocking the Estrella Galicia squad, after their big signing, Enea Bastianini, finished 16th and out of the points. The Italian has never started the season outside of the points and has a lot of ground to make up if he is to challenge for the title. Likewise for Bulega who was 14th who heads to Argentina with a lot of work to do.

John McPhee looks like he is back from his injuries of last season. The wee McPhee was going well and that could be a sign of things to come this season. Now that he has the momentum, McPhee will be looking to build on that one win to his name.

But for me, Mir is the man in fine form. Even coming into this season through pre-season and last year’s campaign, he has an aura about him that oozes confidence and success. He and Jorge Martin could be the riders to beat in 2017. But, you can never rule out Fabio Di Giannantonio who has a habit of coming through the field like the proverbial hot knife.

Overall, it could be argued that we learnt absolutely nothing because the Qatari Grand Prix is a strange race. Unique for being under floodlights at night time and also because it’s the first race of the season, so some of the big names are blowing all the cobwebs off. We will have a clearer picture of what is going to happen when he get to Europe. After all, the first three races are all about staying safe and collecting points. Conservation could prove to be a champion ride for some.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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