Montmeló (Spain) (AFP)
Spaniard Marcos Ramirez (Honda) won his first Moto3 victory at the Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday, becoming the 7th winner in as many races this season in the category.
After taking the lead in the final lap after the fall of the previous leader, Japan's Kaito Toba (Honda), he was ahead of fellow countryman Aron Canet (KTM) and Italy's Celestino Vietti (KTM).
Canet did a very good job in the drivers standings, which he now leads for 23 points, against 3 before the race. He took advantage of the abandonment of his Italian rider Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda), victim of a breakdown to 18 laps of the outcome.
The 19-year-old Spaniard explained after the GP to have favored the championship to a victory. "It's better to score the 20 points (2nd place, ed) than to fall," he said.
The race was particularly hectic, with no less than 12 retirements, mostly due to falls. Two drivers will also be penalized six positions on the starting grid of the next Grand Prix for causing accidents: the Argentine Gabriel Rodrigo, who was on pole Sunday, and the Turkish Can Öncü.
Marcos Ramirez is actually the 12th winner of the last 12 Moto3 races, going back to last season!
The best results of the 21-year-old native of Andalusia were until now his 3rd place in Germany and Valencia in 2017, in Jerez and in France in 2018, during his first two full seasons in World, after having made its entry during the year in 2016.
He remained this season on a 23rd place at the GP of Spain and two retirements at Le Mans and Mugello. "It's unbelievable after three bad races, it's our season that starts!" He said.
Ranking of the Grand Prix of Catalonia, Moto3 category:
1. Marcos Ramirez (ESP / Honda) the 21 laps (97,167 km) in 38: 36,156
(average speed: 151 km / h)
2. Aron Canet (ESP / KTM) at 0.119
3. Celestino Vietti (ITA / KTM) 0.146
4. Alonso Lopez (ESP / Honda) 0.235
5. Dennis Foggia (ITA / KTM) 0.947
...
Ranking of the Moto3 World Championship after 7 races out of 19:
1. Aron Canet (ESP / KTM) 103 pts
2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA / Honda) 80
3. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA / Honda) 75
4. Celestino Vietti (ITA / KTM) 68
5. Jaume Masia (ESP / KTM) 65
...
? 2019 AFP