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KTM RIDERS TAKE 1-2-3 IN GRAND PRIX OF CZECH REPUBLIC AT BRNO!

published at 26.08.2012 / created by Marcia Hill

German rider Jonas Folger, the new rider for the Aspar team on the KALEX-KTM powered his way to a decisive victory on the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic Sunday to take his second career victory, Luis Salom finished on second place, Sandro Cortese took the third spot.

Folger led in a trio of KTM riders with Luis Salom of Spain (KALEX-KTM) and championship leader Sandro Cortese of Germany, Red Bull KTM Ajo factory rider on the KTM Moto3 taking the minor places.

The race was started on a damp track with some riders taking the cautious approach while others, including Folger just put the hammer down on what could have been tricky conditions. It was a great ride by the young German who picked up his second career victory in only his second ride for the Aspar Team that switched him with Alberto Moncayo during the summer break. Folger was also on the podium in the last race at Indianapolis in his first appearance with the team. He won Sunday’s race by almost six seconds.  “It was so difficult at the start but I said ‘let’s go on slicks’. I didn’t think I would be able to go that fast in the beginning and then after ten laps I just tried to be safe and go for the win," Folger said.

The race was effectively divided into two parts. The first involved an early battle for the lead between Folger, the Malaysian KTM rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Jakub Kornfeil and Spaniard Efren Vazquez. Vazquez was the first out of contention when his wet tires started to deteriorate but Khairuddin was in with a podium chance right up to the last four laps when he crashed out. Kornfeil’s podium chances in front of his home crowd were also alive into this closing stages but he was dropped to sixth after the chasing pack, led by Cortese caught up with him.

The second part of the race involved a group of the strongest riders, including Cortese and his main rivals for the title, Maverick Vinales and Salom, both of Spain and they began to make their move on the front runners with eight laps to go. Cortese, known for his wily tactics in the final part of the race had a podium place in is sights but most of all he wanted to finish in front of Vinales and further extend his point lead. He only got half of his wishes. He did finish in front of Vinales but Salom stole second place in the final corner. “For sure I wanted to finish in front of Maverick but I am upset that Salom managed to get past me for second,” Cortese said.

Going into the next race at San Marino, Cortese now has a cushion of 32 points but there is plenty of racing left as the season with still six rounds to go. 

Results Moto3 Brno
1. Jonas Folger (D), KALEX-KTM, 43:03.089 min
2. Luis Salom (E), KALEX-KTM, +5.918 sec
3. Sandro Cortese (D), KTM, +5.963
4. Maverick Viñales (E), FTR Honda, +6.091
5. Alex Rins (E), Suter Honda, +6.490
6. Jakub Kornfeil (CZ), FTR Honda, +6.572
7. Danny Kent (GB), KTM, +8.421
8. Romano Fenati (I), FTR Honda, +13.382
9. Miguel Oliveira (P), Suter Honda, +13.909
10. Alessandro Tonucci (I), FTR Honda, +22.466
Other KTM
11. Hector Faubel (E), KALEX-KTM, +25.974
14. Arthur Sissis (AUS), KTM, +26.708
18. Joan Olive (E), KTM, +40.433
20. Brad Binder (RSA), KALEX-KTM, +41.125
DNF Zulfahmi Khairuddin (MAL), KTM (crashed in the closing stages after being a podium contender for most of the race)

Standings Moto3 after 12 of 17 rounds
1. Cortese, 200 points
2. M. Viñales, 168
3. Salom, 149
4. Fenati, 104
5. Rins, 83
Other KTM
7. Khairuddin, 76
8. Kent, 66
14. Faubel, 49
16. Folger, 46
17. Sissis, 45
19. Ajo, 21
29. Binder, 5

Manufacturers Standings after 12 of 17 rounds
1. FTR Honda, 230 points
2. KTM, 201
3. Kalex KTM, 183