It is now time, for the lightweight bikes, and the junior riders, of the Moto3 World Championship, to conquer the Bugatti motorcycle circuit at Le Mans, in France. This is the home, of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans car race, and the Circuit de la Sarthe. But, motorcycles have run their own 24 hours here since the '70s and it has also been a fixture on the world championship schedule, for a good number of years now, as the French round of the championship. We have seen great races in MotoGP and Moto2. What will Moto3 hold in store?
This is the 17th visit for MotoGP contenders to Le Mans. At this point, temperatures are at 19 degrees Celsius air, (66 Fahrenheit), and 21 degrees Celsius track temperature (69 Fahrenheit). Moto3 is the first race of the Sunday. It's the last race update, of this MotoGP series. It's been a party, a carnival, here at Le Mans. Lots to play for in Moto3 as the riders exit pit lane, readying for the race. After coming from the back of the grid at Jerez last time out, Brad Binder is the bloke leading the championship for the lightweight class at the moment. But, here at Le Mans, at the Bugatti track, there isn't a clear favorite. Niccolo Antonelli has pole for this race. It is his fourth career Grand Prix motorcycle pole.
Antonelli had pole last fall at Sepang in Malaysia, as well. It is going to be hard to predict this championship, because we've seen five different winners in the first five races of the 2016 season. No one has won from pole, since Enea Bastianini managed to do it, last September, at Misano Adriatico on the Adriatic coast of Italy. Antonelli needs a good result. He's retired twice in the last two races that have been covered here on 2 Wheelin'. Brad Binder, starting second, this chap has been on a roll! Four races, and four podiums! He's earned his first career victory as well. He flew at Jerez, to win, from 35th on the grid, to first place. How about that! Binder had tech issues in the morning warmup.
His Red Bull KTM Ajo team, has built what is almost an essentially new motorcycle for him, since that time. He is almost on a totally new bike. Aron Canet, the rapid young rookie, is third. Canet, won here at Le Mans, a year ago, in the Junior Moto3 championship, on these same types of motorcycles. Canet is making just his fifth start at the world championship level, but he's scored his first ever pole. Jakub Kornfeil did not have the qualifying session he expected. He ran well in practice. Kornfeil says, "I made a small mistake, and crashed, but I expect to push as much as possible." Romano Fenati starts in fifth, the position, matching the number on his motorcycle.
Nicolo Bulega is sixth. Bulega, is again, one to watch. Bulega is Fenati's team mate at Sky VR46 Racing. He's strong, but nursing bruises after wrecking in qualifying. Bulega had a vicious high side at the Dunlop chicane. Juanfran Guevara qualifies seventh. That's impressive. Guevara has his best qualifying effort in a long while. Near the end of 2014, he qualified on the front row at Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. For the first time in his career, Guevara is starting three successive races inside the top 15 places. He did so in Argentina, Texas, and Jerez. So, he continues the streak, here at Le Mans. Fabio Quartararo is eighth. The Frenchman is in his home Grand Prix, but also, he's looking to rebound, because he's had a really bad start to the season.
This Moto3 race at Le Mans, equals exactly 100 kilometers (62.5 miles), run in a distance of 24 laps on this 2.6 mile layout. Starting ninth, is a race winner in Moto3 this year... Khairul Idham Pawi. This is Pawi's best qualifying effort since his win in Argentina. Plus, he's been a podium finisher, here at Le Mans, before. He was second in the same Moto3 Junior race here, a year ago, that Aron Canet, won. Jakub Kornfeil, he completes the top ten, even after that big wreck that he highlighted in an interview, with MotoGP's Dylan Gray. Livio Loi is 11th on the grid. We look to the back half of the top 15. Loi wants better than eighth place, which has been his finishing spot on a couple occasions in 2016 so far.
Tatsuki Suzuki of Japan, starts 12th, riding a Mahindra motorcycle. Suzuki is the best qualified Mahindra bike on the whole grid. An interesting twist, as we get ready to race. More often than not, all Moto3 riders start these races on the same tires. But, for Le Mans, it's different. Niccolo Antonelli has the softer option front. Jorge Navarro has also done this. Others in the top six, are on the same tires. Lucky 13th place goes to Italian Fabio Di Gianntonio. He is the lone rider for Gresini Honda in Moto3. Enea Bastianini won't start this race, because he has a fractured right wrist. He sustained the wrist injury training in Rimini, Italy, on a Motocross bike. 14th on the grid is Andrea Locatelli. Frenchman Alexis Masbou, in his home race, completes the top 15 starters. It is his home race, and also, for his Peugeot motorcycle team.
Canet, Binder, and Antonelli on the front row. We're ready, to go racing, with the junior riders, of Moto3, at Le Mans... next! The riders are on their warmup lap. A good number of riders need good results here in France, and also, at our next race in Mugello, Italy. No spoilers. That race, will be coming your way, soon, here on 2 Wheelin'. Stay tuned for it. Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia, was fourth here, two years ago in Moto3. Braking stability is crucial here at Le Mans, as we revisit our weather forecast, for an update. Temperatures now are 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) air, and 22 degrees Celsius (71 Fahrenheit) on the track surface.
Conditions are marginally cooler for today's race. To win here in Moto3, make your move before the final corner (turn 14 at Recordement). Valentino Rossi looks on. His rider, from his motorcycle racing academy, Niccolo Antonelli, has pole. Here come the lights! Round five of Moto3, in France, is on! Niccolo Antonelli gets a great start as the riders accelerate to turn one for the first time. Brad Binder, Jorge Navarro, and Khairul Idham Pawi are making moves already! Watch out for the Dunlop chicane, where anything can happen. Niccolo Bulega is sinking like a stone right from the start. Romano Fenati also got a good getaway. Livio Loi is charging, as Alexis Masbou went straight through a corner, and Adam Norrodin has hit trouble. Game over for Norrodin after crashing at turn four.
Brad Binder takes the race lead, as we lose another bike! Somebody in the back half of the top ten, dumped their motorcycle. Aron Canet forces his way past Khairul Idham Pawi. Jules Danilo is th rider who got caught out, and he's had a nightmare weekend in his home race. Niccolo Bulega has fallen to 11th spot. Actually, he's gained one place and is now tenth. Niccolo Antonelli chases Brad Binder, race leader, and points leader, down into Recordement to complete another lap. Antonelli is trying his best to close up on Brad Binder. None of his competitors will want to let Binder get away. If he does, look out! Czech rider Karel Hanika, has crashed out. Navarro and Canet for Estrella Galicia, are chasing down third place man, Fenati.
Jakub Kornfeil passes Khairul Idham Pawi for sixth. The top three championship contenders, are in the top four places in the race so far. Binder leads, and wants to clear away from everyone, to have a trouble free, Sunday cruise. But, that's far from the case now. Nico Antonelli is closing, and fast. Fenati runs third, and the two Estrella Galicia bikes are the sharks hunting down the tiny fish. Valentino Rossi, watches his riders' progress. Fenati has set fast lap, talking of progress, at a 1:43.360. Fenati looks inside, and takes, BOTH Binder and Antonelli! Whoa! Fenati now leads. What a move! Keep in mind, Fenati won this Le Mans race, last year. So, he's looking to repeat.
Sometimes into corner one here at Le Mans, you can turn your Moto3 bike into a bowling ball! But, that was smooth sailing for the Italian. We some riders to tell you about, who jumped the start of this race. Gabriel Rodrigo was one. Joan Mir has made up a number of places, going from 24th to 16th. Mir, also jumped the start, though. So his hard work will be for naught. Mir and Rodrigo will have to visit the sin bin. Jules Danilo remounted his motorcycle after crashing, but has now packed it up and retired with mechanical problems. Romano Fenati leads a mob at the front of this field through Recordement on to the front straight to start another lap.
The top ten riders down to Andrea Migno in 11th are within 1.8 seconds of the leader. It's Romano Fenati, followed by Brad Binder, Niccolo Antonelli, Jorge Navarro, Aron Canet, Jakub Kornfeil, Khairul Idham Pawi, Fabio Quartararo, Juanfran Guevara, and Niccolo Bulega. Livio Loi is a second or so behind Migno, leading another large group. It's Migno, Livio Loi, Gabriel Rodrigo, Hiroki Ono, and Tatsuki Suzuki. Jorge Navarro gets around Niccolo Antonelli for third. Aron Canet has passed Niccolo Antonelli, and the pole man drops to fifth, and Jakub Kornfeil is next to try and pass Antonelli. Maybe Antonelli is trying to keep grip in his soft rear Dunlop tire for the end of this race.
Brad Binder moves inside Romano Fenati at the Chemin aux Boeufs chicane. Fabio Quartararo is now in this fight, having passed Khairul Idham Pawi. Antonelli has to manage his tires, according to Dunlop, who says there is a drop off with their Moto3 spec front tire. No worries about drop off for Navarro. Meanwhile, Romano Fenati closes on Brad Binder, as Jorge Navarro moves to second around Romano Fenati. Another crash. Phillip Oettl is out here at Le Mans. The lead group is now eleven riders strong, back to Andrea Migno. Phillip Oettl has had his first wreck of the 2016 season in Moto3.
Kornfeil passes Antonelli, and Fabio Quartararo, nudges Niccolo Antonelli. Aron Canet gets past Jorge Navarro for third. Here are the quickest lap times among the top four. Brad Binder runs 1:43.526. Aron Canet musters second fastest time at 1:43.555. Navarro lays down a 1:43.564, and Romano Fenati puts in the slowest of the four at 1:43.867. Aron Canet, the Spaniard, lowers fastest lap to a 1:43.320! He's cooking around this Bugatti track. Fenati tries Binder on the inside and can't get there. Canet has been Spanish motorcycle champion in a number of divisions, and didn't quite pull off the Junior Moto3 championship last year. But, he was close. Fenati wants to beat Binder here, for a second race win, and to close the gap in the championship points table.
Binder rides defensively into Chemain aux Boeufs, as he knows if he drops spots, he'll get swallowed up by a number of riders. New fast lap for Fabio Quartararo. 1:42.960. Fenati takes another defensive line, and slides inside Brad Binder to retake the lead. Fabio Quartararo passes Niccolo Antonelli for sixth spot. Binder wanted a look at Fenati into Museum corner. Museum is where Jules Danilo crashed, earlier. Fabio Quartararo runs behind Jakub Kornfeil at the moment. Fenati leads Brad Binder. Nothing has changed at the front. Joan Mir has not served his penalty for jumping the race start. He only has a few laps left to obey the stewards. Ah. As yours truly says that, Mir is in the lane, to serve said penalty. Jakub Kornfeil makes a daring move! He goes from fifth, to third! Now, the Czech rider is on a roll!
But, he runs wide on the exit of the turn, as Quartararo and Canet are fighting each other. This Moto3 race won't be over 'til the fat lady sings! Aron Canet is not intimidated by other riders, and he'll push you out of the way if need be. Kornfeil gets sucked in behind Brad Binder, loses his spot on the speedway, and tries to take the escape road to get back on course. It is the cone diversion at Chemain aux Boeufs. Kornfeil drops to 11th. Fenati leads this race, still. Kornfeil tried passing Navarro, was in way over his head, and sped down the escape road, costing him three seconds. Gabriel Rodrigo completes his ride through penalty. Fabio Quartararo has fended off the challenges of Aron Canet successfully. Aron Canet and Fabio Quartararo are having quite the battle for fourth spot.
Quartararo... bash..., makes contact, with Canet. Canet was wide, after Kornfeil dove underneath him. Navarro looking to pass Brad Binder. Meanwhile, Brad's brother, Darryn Binder, has crashed out. Quartararo wants to move past Navarro at La Chapelle as we have 15 laps left, working lap nine. Three laps to halfway in this race. Andrea Migno is now seventh, right up behind Niccolo Antonelli. Migno is overshadowed by both Romano Fenati and Niccolo Bulega. But he is running well today, inside the top seven spots. Fenati leads Binder, both riding KTM motorcycles. Navarro is third, with Quartararo fourth, followed by Canet. We see a good move shaping up, as Binder dives past Fenati for the race lead into turn eleven.
Fenati tries passing Binder. Binder, slams the door in his face. Fenati can't go through, as Canet challenges Quartararo again. Andrea Migno passes Nico Antonelli. Andrea Migno could have his best finish of the season so far, here at Le Mans. As we reach halfway, shortly, will Antonelli's tires come back to him? Darryn Binder retires from the race, after his crash, due to his bike having a bent right handlebar. Completing lap 11, Aron Canet has turned the fastest lap of this race at 1:42.923. Bulega runs wide at the Dunlop chicane. Andrea Migno is putting pressure on Fabio Quartararo. Aron Canet does not want to make a move that could make him crash into his team mate, or take a big risk.
Canet passes Navarro at Chemain aux Boeufs. Fenati wanted to pass Brad Binder, but couldn't. Fabio Quartararo comes under pressure from Andrea Migno. Romano Fenati takes the lead from Brad Binder on the run down to Chemain aux Boeufs. This corner, is where the action has been, all race. We're halfway home this lap. Fenati leads Binder, Canet, and Navarro. Canet tries getting drive onto the start/finish straight. Aron Canet sets up a pass on Brad Binder, and makes it stick! The rookie racer is now second. Fabio Quartararo's challenge is wilting, as he has gone down to fifth place. Niccolo Antonelli makes another pass on Niccolo Bulega. Romano Fenati leads.
Has Antonelli let the lead four get away? Antonelli is slowing down a bit. We begin lap 16 with Fenati ahead of Binder and Canet. Brad Binder blocks Canet. Navarro would like to win this race, chiefly as a confidence booster. Aron Canet, has a large question mark, on the back of his helmet. Antonelli struggles to pass Migno. Hiroki Ono, meanwhile, has crashed in turn eight. Fabio Quartaro leads a second group of riders, from fifth spot. Niccolo Bulega has pushed Antonelli back a further spot, to eighth. If Fabio Quartararo finishes fifth, it will be his best of the season thus far.
Antonelli's decision running the soft rear tire won't work. Migno tries Quartararo, but Quartararo fights back through the Dunlop chicane. Migno moves to fifth. Navarro has passed Aron Canet. If Romano Fenati wins, he could get back in the championship, as the three Sky VR46 riders move inside Quartararo. Two of them, move by, and three are in the top six. Romano Fenati wants to beat Jorge Navarro for the second time. No dice for Navarro, who wants his first win. Will Aron Canet challenge Brad Binder? Navarro tries inside Fenati, and thinks better of it. Navarro is fastest of the top four at 1:43.411, followed by Fenati's 1:43.740, Binder at 1:43.885, and Canet at 1:43.919. Navarro wants the perfect line through turn eight, trying to overtake on the back straight.
These riders hold station, as Brad Binder wants to pass Navarro for position. Navarro is desperately trying to go for the lead. Brad Binder sweeps inside as Navarro can't get close enough to Fenati. Five laps left at Le Mans. Three contrasting lines going through the chicane, from the top three riders. Brad Binder makes a clean pass on Navarro for second. Canet has fastest lap of the top four now at 1:43.591 followed by Binder at 1:43.621, Navarro at 1:43.659, and the leader, Fenati, at 1:43.703. Binder looks inside Fenati into Chemain aux Boeufs. No dice. Aron Canet is watching the top three, and has nothing to lose. So, if one of the top riders makes a mistake, he could pounce.
Binder looks inside Fenati into the fastest first turn on the MotoGP calendar. Fenati runs the defensive line. Navarro has a look. Fabio Quartararo takes second place back from Andrea Migno. Fenati has control of this race, with just four laps left. Fenati wants a win here, to boost his confidence and close on Brad Binder, and boost confidence going into his home race. Niccolo Bulega has now passed Quartararo and Migno. Bulega is up to fifth, amazingly, after his qualifying crash. Fenati, Binder, and Navarro, will go for the race win here at Le Mans.
Jakub Kornfeil has not recovered from his earlier mistake and will settle for eighth place or so. He has made no impression on the leaders after his earlier off. Two laps remain. Navarro leaves the door open, and Binder, walks right through, into the next room. Fenati holds the advantage. No one is showing a front wheel to Fenati yet. But that will change as we close in on the finish here in Moto3 at Le Mans. Is Aron Canet biding his time? He could be. Canet loses some drive coming out of Museum. He is fastest of the top four on the lap time chart at 1:43.413, followed by Navarro's 1:43.466, Brad Binder at 1:43.509, and slowest (but still leading) is Fenati, at 1:43.518. Brad Binder is now in the slipstream of Romano Fenati, looking for the lead.
He'll pull out, and he tries, but can't quite get there going to turn nine. Jorge Navarro's mid corner speed is much quicker than the riders in front of him. But, wait. Ladies and gentlemen, here's the move! Into turn eleven, on the inside, Brad Binder, nudges Fenati wide! Jorge Navarro is going to try a move on Fenati, too, demoting the Italian from first to third. Fenati just manages to hold second behind Binder, and ahead of Navarro. On the last lap, four riders will duel for the win in France. Fenati is close enough and strong enough to attack Brad Binder approaching the Dunlop chicane. He's going to try! Fenati sweeps around for a second, but late on the brakes, with a great line through the corner, Binder takes the lead back.
Aron Canet hangs on in fourth, and is still in this thing. Binder is the points leader, and he's going for it. Fenati could set up for a pass down the back straightaway into turn nine. Binder has the edge into Garage Vert. Binder is going for it as Fenati will be trapped behind the South African. Fenati tries into turn eleven, but Binder is defending. Fenati has one more shot. Navarro and Canet could pick up something if these two wreck. But, Binder has ridden a perfect last lap. No way will any of his challengers get to him. Canet goes inside Navarro! Ohhh! They almost touch! But, smooth sailing for Brad Binder! Binder, wins again, for the second race in a row!
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
Are we looking at the Moto3 world champion? That could be. Niccolo Bulega finishes fifth ahead of Fabio Quartararo. Andrea Migno gets a career best finish in seventh. Antonelli got it wrong, and has a bad finish, after starting on pole. A final note, before we look ahead. Juanfran Guevara, was demoted to 13th spot, for exceeding track limits, coming out of the last turn. Guevara was way out wide onto the astro turf. It is written in the rule book. If you are a repeat offender on exceeding track limits, you surrender, one position.
The Moto3 riders raced recently, in Italy, at the Mugello circuit, which counted as the most recent round of the championship. Yours truly, will have highlights of that event, coming up soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment