Back

MONCAYO SECOND IN WET LE MANS MOTO3 GP

published at 20.05.2012 / created by Marcia Hill

Spain’s Alberto Moncayo managed to survive a race that scattered half the field in the gravel like wet confetti when he rode his KALEX-KTM into second place in Round 4 of the Moto3 Grand Prix on the rain-soaked Le Mans circuit.

Alberto Moncayo finished the dramatic race behind French rider Louis Rossi in what transpired as a battle of attrition that spared neither veterans nor newcomers. Only 15 of the 32 starters registered a result at the traditional French venue.

Red Bull KTM factory rider and championship leader Sandro Cortese started on the second line on the KTM Moto3 bike and rode a careful race in the middle of the pack while riders disappeared both in front and behind him. After a series of race incidents he looked set to pick up second place as the 24 laps drew to a dramatic close. Then he too got caught in the treacherous conditions and it was only impressive acrobatics and excellent balance that kept him upright. Cortese went on to finish in sixth but still picked up ten championship points to extend his lead in the championship by twelve points.

Austrian Arthur Sissis, riding in his rookie year with the KTM factory team, showed maturity and bravery for his fifth place and career best in the series. The only other KTM rider to finish in the points was Niklas Ajo of Finland who somehow finished the race in fifteenth place after a crash and a visit back to the pits.

It was a disappointing race for KTM’s Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin who started well and even led the race for some of the opening laps before dropping back to fifth. He too was caught out with only a handful of laps to go and ended in the gravel. Another victim was long time race leader, veteran Spanish rider Hector Faubel who exited on the KALEX-KTM in the second half of the race during a phase that saw three of the top six go down including fourth placed Luis Salom on the RW KALEX-KTM.

Bruised and battered Moto3 riders now have till June 3 to regroup when they will reconvene at the Catalunya Circuit for Round 5 in what is shaping up to be an eventful and exciting first year of racing in this new Moto3 GP class.

Results Moto3 Le Mans
1. Luis Rossi (F), Honda, 49.12:390 min
2. Alberto Moncayo (E), KALEX-KTM, 49.39:738
3. Alex Rins (E), Honda, 49:41.289
4. Niccolo Antonelli (I), 49.45:585
5. Arthus Sissis (AUS), KTM, 49:49.379
Other KTM
6. Sandro Cortese (D), KTM, 49:57.702
15. Nichlas Ajo (FIN), KTM
DNF Zulfahmi Khairuddin (MA), KTM
DNF Luis Salom (E), KALEX-KTM
DNF Hector Faubel (E), KALEX-KTM
DNF Danny Kent (GB), KTM
DNF Brad Binder (RSA), KALEX-KTM

Standings after Round 4
1. Cortese, 87 points
2. Maverick Vinales (E), FTR-Honda, 55
3. Salom, 49
4. Romano Fenati (I), FTR-Honda, 45
5. Rins, 44
Other KTM
6. Moncayo, 33
9. Khairuddin, 29
10. Sissis, 23
12. Kent, 16
14. Faubel 15
23. Binder 5
26. Ajo, 4

Manufacturers standings after Round 4
1. FTR-Honda, 95 points
2. KALEX-KTM, 69
3. KTM, 68