MARTIN OUT AS DIGGIA DOES BRILLIANT COMEBACK TO PODIUM AT LE MANS
It was another eventful and thrilling race for Team Del Conca Gresini Moto3 at Le Mans today, with very different results for the two riders Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Starting from pole, Martin was involved in the mega crash caused by oil on track on lap two, before crashing out again from second place after the restart. Di Giannantonio did great comeback by going all the way back from 16th place to third at the flag.
Martin had two incredible starts from pole but was unable to capitalise as the new 16-lap encounter got underway. The young Spaniard was not 100% as he hurt his hand in the first tumble, which involved most of Moto3 field. Jorge will nevertheless be fit to take part in the two-day test scheduled at Misano this upcoming Wednesday and Thursday (May 24-25).
Di Giannantonio put together a brialliant performance from 15th on the grid: the Italian rider displayed a brilliant pace that allowed him to move all the way up to second place: unfortunately, he lost the position on the last lap due to a small mistake under braking that forced him to cut turn three and give away three places. Fabio can nevertheless be happy with his second rostrum finish of the season, which helps him consolidate his sixth place in the standings (he is now 8 points away from his team mate).
“Martin did a great race today but crashed in a part of the track where usually crashes don’t happen” says team manager Fausto Gresini. “I think we have been a bit unlucky and we have definitely lost a lot of points in the title chance. Fabio’s podium was great, but he need to improve his qualifying performance in order to challenge for the win. We must expect more from ourselves and do better in the next races.”
3rd – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #21
“I had a fantastic start the first time and a terrible one at the restart. I chose not to take any risk on the first lap as everyone is so aggressive, then lap after lap I was able to make up some ground until I caught up with the group fighting for second place. I thought I could pull away so I decided to push a bit more, but a mistake on the last lap took away the chance for a second-place finish. Given our starting position, though, we can be happy with the result.”
DNF – JORGE MARTIN #88
“It’s difficult to comment on such a weird race. The first crash was caused by oil on track, but the team did an incredible job in fixing the bike in no time, so I could line up on the grid again with a perfect package. I was feeling great at the restart and it looked like Fenati and I could get away, but there was still oil on track and I crashed on it, again. It’s a shame, because I felt like I could challenge for the win. The hands hurts a little bit, but I will be fit enough for the test at Misano.”
