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Cortese claims WSSP title | Mahias 2018 runner-up

Sandro Cortese claims 2018 World Supersport title

Lucas Mahias wins Qatar WSSP race for 2018 runner up

GRT Yamaha claims WSSP Teams Title


GRT Yamaha’s Lucas Mahias continued his domination in Qatar today, taking the win in difficult conditions and securing second place in the final championship standings to sign off from his 2018 campaign. Federico Caricasulo joined his teammate on the podium, after a remarkable recovery from what was a difficult weekend saw him claim a superb third place at the chequered flag, with the GRT Yamaha team claiming the Team Title.

WSBK Losail WSSP Mahias
Lucas Mahias claimed the final race win and runner up for 2018

Torrential rain at the Losail International Circuit ahead of warm up forced a delay to today’s race program, with the WorldSSP riders taking to the track for a 15-minute warm-up more than 90 minutes later than scheduled. Following the session both the riders raised concerns about the track conditions, which resulted in a delay to the race start as circuit staff worked to disperse the water running across the track at turns four, seven and 15.

WSBK Losail WSSP WorldSSP group action
Tricky conditions due to weather had the race in doubt with the title on the line

The race, shortened from 15 to 12 laps, eventually got underway at 16.45 and the lights went out and a wild opening lap began. Polesitter Lucas Mahias went horribly wide at turn 1, falling to fourth, while Corentin Perolari slotted himself between the two title contenders, Cluzel taking the lead. Cortese moved past the GM94 rider on the main straight and bridged the gap with Cluzel up to the final sector, sticking an unbelievable move through 12.

WSBK Losail WSSP Sandro Cortese Jules Cluzel Lucas Mahias
Sandro Cortese leads Jules Cluzel and Lucas Mahias

But Cluzel returned the favour through the main straight, and Perolari found his way past Cortese again. The German was determined not to fall at the final hurdle: he moved past the 20-year-old Frenchman on the main straight in lap 4 and set out to put pressure on the NRT rider; Cluzel went wide at turn 13, Cortese moved swiftly back into the lead.

A ceasefire seemed to be agreed for the next few laps, but with Mahias edging closer to the pair Cluzel came back all guns blazing in lap 9, sticking in a pass at turn 4. The slipstream through the start of lap 10 moved Cortese momentarily ahead but his French rival was back in front through 2.

WSBK Losail WSSP Lucas Mahias
Lucas Mahias

Then came the moment that, with hindsight, would decide the championship. Smelling blood and with both riders bickering at every corner, Mahias seized his opportunity and passed both riders at turn 6 and into the race lead. Cluzel left Cortese back in third, but beating his rival was no longer enough: he needed the race win to overcome the five-point gap separating them.

WSBK Losail WSSP Jules Cluzel Cortese
Jules Cluzel looked to be closing in on the title

Knowing that he now held the advantage, even in a losing situation, the German kept his cool and remained with Cluzel, fighting his way through while trying to force mistakes out of his desperate rival. And the mistake did come: Cluzel tried to put in a last lap pass over Cortese through turn 7, with the championship all but slipping through his fingers; he lost the front end, crashing out and officially handing the title to Cortese, whose incredible consistency was finally the winning factor over Cluzel’s five race wins.

WSBK Losail WSSP Sandro Cortese
Sandro Cortese kept the pressure on Cluzel in a move that paid dividends

Mahias crossed the line in first, taking his third win of the season and the runner-up spot in the standings. Cortese’s second place is enough to clinch the championship by 23 points in his rookie season.

Federico Caricasulo finished third after a fantastic climb through from seventh on the grid, with Thomas Gradinger in fourth position. Randy Krummenacher was fifth, with Perolari finally down in sixth. Héctor Barberà finished his season on a high with seventh position, ahead of Raffaele De Rosa in eighth, Hans Soomer in ninth, and Peter Sebestyen closing the top ten.

WSBK Losail WSSP Cortese
Sandro Cortese didn’t win the race but second was enough with Cluzel crashing to take the title

That’s a wrap on the 2018 World Supersport season! It’s been a long ride, full of twists and turns at every stop along the way, and we can’t wait to get going again.

Sandro Cortese – P2 – 2018 Champion

“I am so speechless! I am so happy and I can enjoy this moment. I have to say thank you to my team, they picked me up after such a difficult winter, I had no ride and they believed in me. I think we did the maximum we could this year, we gave everything all year, and the people in my team are great. And a final thank you to my family, they helped me in hard times and I cant wait to get back home!”

WSBK Losail WSSP Sandro Cortese Ilaria Casarini Pirelli
Sandro Cortese with Pirelli’s Ilaria Casarini

The success enjoyed by Mahias and Caricasulo this season was more than enough to secure GRT Yamaha the coveted team’s championship title for the second year in succession, with an advantage of 59 points over their closest rival. Yamaha also took the Manufacturer’s Title with a 162 point lead to second placed MV Agusta.

Lucas Mahias – P1

“What a crazy weekend for me; I won two races in one weekend, which I think is a first for the World Supersport Championship! Also I arrived here fifth in the championship but I head home having finished second. Pole position, a new circuit record and the race win; pretty much a perfect way to end the season, so I’m really happy. Congratulations to Sandro on winning the World Championship and commiserations to Jules, who had no option but to push for the win today if he was to claim the title. Thanks to Yamaha and to my team for helping me realise my dream during the past two years. Now it’s back home to start training over the winter, ready for next season.”

WSBK Losail WSSP WorldSSP race podium
Lucas Mahias was understandably stoked to top the season final’s podium with Cortese and Caricasulo
Federico Caricasulo – P3

“It was a difficult weekend because from the first session I was missing around one second to the frontrunners. In the race I felt much better in sector three where I’d been losing all my time previously and I was much faster as a result. My start wasn’t great and I was 11th in the first corner, but then I managed to push to get back towards the front. The three guys ahead of me towards the end had a little bit too much of a gap for me to catch them, but I’m happy to have finished the last race of the season on the podium, after what started as a very difficult weekend for me. Congratulations to Sandro on the championship and thanks to my team for their hard work and dedication this season.”

WSBK Losail WSSP GRT Yamaha
GRT Yamaha celebrate the team title
Filippo Conti – GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team Manager

“We made some promises ahead of this weekend. We said we’d win the race, and we did that. We said we’d wrap up the team’s championship and we did that too. Lucas did an incredible job this weekend and had a fantastic race this evening. He was faster than the two guys fighting for the championship from the start, but waited until he could pass cleanly before making his move for the lead, so as not to affect the outcome. That’s true sportsmanship. Federico made an incredible recovery after difficult practice and qualifying sessions. We know he always finds a little bit more in the race and he certainly did that today, fighting his way through from 11th position in the first corner to finish on the podium in third. Thank you to everyone in the team, as they have made an incredible job for the second year in succession and shown once again with the team’s championship title that we are the strongest in the WorldSSP paddock. Thank you also to Yamaha for their support and congratulations to Sandro on the championship title. Commiserations to Jules, who animated the race incredibly today, but was unfortunate to crash on the final lap. We wish him a speedy recovery. Now we look forward to the challenges the future may bring.”

WSBK Losail WSSP WSSP Podium
World Supersport Podium at Qatar – Cortese, Mahias, Caricasulo

WSBK Losail WSSP Race Result
World Supersport Race Result – Qatar 2018


Cortese’s 2018 journey to victory

Making the switch over into the FIM Supersport World Championship from prototype machines can always be a risk, but Sandro Cortese made it look effortless in 2018 to be crowned World Champion.

WSBK Losail WSSP Sandro Cortese celebrating the title
Sandro Cortese celebrates the 2018 title

Heading over the Phillip Island for his WorldSSP debut in February, Cortese was charged and ready for the fight after a difficult winter. Taking to his YZF-R6 for only the second time in the official test, he finished top four overall ahead of the start of the season. And what followed in the Yamaha Finance Australian Round was sensational from Cortese, fighting with the experienced front runners for the podium which boiled down to a breath-taking final lap as he took a podium position, and the fastest lap of the race from Federico Caricasulo. Cortese had already arrived in round one.

Heading west to Thailand for round two, this was a new track for the 28 year old so a true test of his skills with his new bike. Facing the heat as well as the circuit, he took home a fourth position finish from a fourth place grid start. MotorLand Aragon marked the start of the European season, and for Cortese this marked the start of his championship charge.

Sandro Cortese
Sandro Cortese – Aragon 2018

Coming out and dominating the field in northern Spain, he took pole position and the race win in only his third race, crossing the line 1.4s ahead of his rivals. But as the championship headed straight to TT Circuit Assen, Cortese struggled to match his pace around a track he is so familiar with. Starting from pole position, he couldn’t emulate this into a podium, after a slow start off the line meant he suffered in the 18 lap battle.

Dusting himself off heading to the historic Imola circuit, the rookie was only seven points off the top of the standings and the battle in WorldSSP was as tense as ever. A new track for the German, Imola is notoriously tight, twisty and technical and it was set to be a hard task for a newbie. But Cortese fought to secure a top four finish around a circuit which is difficult to overtake.

Sandro Cortese - Assen 2018
Sandro Cortese – Assen 2018

Sunny skies welcomed the paddock at Donington Park, with Cortese securing third on the grid as he continued to get used to the Superpole format of a 15 minute ‘dash’, he was a man determined out on track. Crossing the line 1.3s ahead of his main title rival Jules Cluzel, it was clear that when it all came together, Cortese was unstoppable. His grand performance in Great Britain meant he now led the world championship standings for the first time, with an advantage of seven points over Cluzel.

Sandro Cortese
Sandro Cortese – Donington 2018

There were now two new tracks ahead of him, putting him in a strong position to extend his championship lead. In the humid conditions at Automotodrom Brno, the German was unable to convert his pole position into a win; but secured second as he was unable to catch Cluzel to the line. In the final race before the summer break, Misano proved a tough track for Cortese and his Yamaha but he could convert a fifth on the grid to third in the race, taking home another trophy and as a result a five point championship lead into the break.

WorldSBK 2018 - Round 7 Brno - SSP - Sandro Cortese
WorldSBK 2018 – Round 7 Brno – SSP – Sandro Cortese

Returning ready to fight in Portugal, tests throughout the summer helped him to understand the rollercoaster nature of the track. But drama struck in the opening laps as a hot-headed Cortese was unable to make a move up the inside of Cluzel stick, and the pair crashed out as a result. Not giving up, the German put on a sensational fightback as he was able to get back on his bike and take a fifth position finish, salvaging 11 points and keeping a hold of his lead in the standings.

WSBK Magny Cours Cortese
Sandro Cortese – WorldSBK 2018 Magny-Cours

Another new track of Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours followed, and for Cortese it was time to start thinking of the title. Unable to catch Cluzel on his home turf, he secured a second position finish meaning he now had the first opportunity to take the title in Argentina, heading with an 11 point advantage.

WSBK Argentina Cortese
Sandro Cortese – WorldSBK 2018 Argentina

With all riders on even ground at Circuito San Juan Villicum, it was a welcomed change for the Yamaha rider. But despite putting his all into the race, he was unable to stop Cluzel and the fight went down to Qatar. All the German had to do in Qatar was finish in the top two to take the title, which was done with his usual tenacious battling out on track, to crown him 2018 FIM Supersport World Champion.

WSBK Losail WSSP Cortese
Sandro Cortese

Only the second German to ever win the WorldSSP title, the story of Cortese’s sensational season has been consistency and will go down in history as the first man to win the Moto3 and WorldSSP crown.

WSBK Losail WSSP Sandro Cortese helmet
Sandro Cortese

World Supersport 2018 Final Standings

  1. Sandro Cortese 208 Yamaha
  2. Lucas Mahias 185 Yamaha
  3. Jules Cluzel 183 Yamaha
  4. Randy Krummenacher 159 Yamaha
  5. Federico Caricasulo 143 Yamaha
  6. Raffaele De Rosa 133 MV Agusta
  7. Thomas Gradinger 86 Yamaha
  8. Kyle Smith 72 Honda
  9. Luke Stapleford 56 Yamaha
  10. Anthony West 51 Kawasaki
  11. Ayrton Badovini 49 MV Agusta
  12. Loris Cresson 40 Yamaha
  13. Hikari Okubo 39 Kawasaki
  14. Niki Tuuli 38 Honda
  15. Corentin Perolari 36 Yamaha
  16. Hannes Soomer 36 Honda
  17. Hector Barbera 27 Kawasaki
  18. Rob Hartog 27 Kawasaki
  19. Sheridan Morais 16 Kawasaki
  20. Thitipong Warokorn 11 Kawasaki
  21. …40. Tom Toparis 1 Kawasaki

Source: MCNews.com.au

Yamaha celebrate MotoGP resurgence with Vinales victory

Maverick Vinales breaks win drought for Yamaha
MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales
Movistar Yamaha close in on Repsol Honda in Teams Title

The drought is over. 25 races since their last win – taken by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) at the TT Circuit Assen last season – Yamaha were back on the top step at the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix as Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) brought an end to their losing streak in imperious style.

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales with Lin Jarvis

Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

“What a thrilling and dramatic race! Maverick is always strong at the Phillip Island circuit, and he once again outdid himself in Australia today. He really deserved the victory, because he had been strong the entire weekend. It‘s a great feeling for the team to secure a win again – we have all been working so hard for this. It‘s not just us who have been waiting, but also our fans, so this is as much for them as it is for us. It was a pity that Vale wasn‘t able to join the podium, because he was showing great potential for the majority of the race. It would have been great to have him up there too. He and his crew have also been pushing to the maximum, but sixth place was really the best he could do today due to tyre wear at the end of the race. Overall this weekend has been a great moral boost, because both riders were competitive, so we‘re all looking forward to the next round, the Grand Prix of Malaysia, in just a week‘s time.”

MotoGP Australia Vinales Forcada
Maverick Vinales with crew chief Roman Forcada, the pair will split at the end of this season as Vinales had wanted a new crew chief after being frustrated by his lack of results in season 2018

The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team are celebrating at Phillip Island as they returned to the top step of the podium with Maverick Viñales taking a stunning win. Valentino Rossi was also a strong contender in today‘s Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, eventually crossing the line in sixth place as he struggled with tyre wear. 

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales

VIñales didn‘t have the start he had hoped for from second on the front row and slotted into tenth position after the first corners. At the end of the first lap he started to climb his way back up the ranking order, and on lap 3 he moved into eighth position. He remained there for a while, but was looking comfortable.

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales

Drama happened with 21 laps to go, when Johann Zarco and Marc Márquez collided. Unaffected by the incident, the Factory Yamaha rider used the moment to launch his attack. He smoothly fought his way through the rider field to take the lead on lap 8. From that moment on he did exactly as he predicted yesterday: he put his head down, lapping 1‘29s laps, to break away at the front.

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales

Towards the end of the race the Spaniard had a comfortable advantage of over four-seconds, allowing him to have a bit of a breather over the last five laps. He didn‘t put a foot wrong and secured a fantastic victory, with a 1.543s margin over his closest rival.

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales

Maverick Vinales

“This is the best feeling ever, honestly! We‘ve been in the dark all year, and suddenly we came into the light! I couldn‘t show my potential in the previous races, but today I could. Being first in Australia is always amazing! It‘s the best track ever, and I like to be at the front there. To win here and break this long none winning period of Yamaha is unbelievable! I was riding on the bike like I was in FP4. I got a really good feeling from the bike, so I knew I could maintain 1‘29s. That‘s what I did for most of the middle of the race. I tried to escape as far as I could, because I knew my tyre wasn‘t going to last until the end. I knew opening that gap would be difficult, I had some moments with some riders, and some shaking on the bike – I was struggling, but I still made it through anyway. It was amazing! I have to say ‘thank you’ to the team, because this weekend they worked for the win. We will try to be the best and we‘ll try to work in a good way. We don‘t want to lose the concentration, because we don‘t know what will happen in Malaysia, but for sure the level of motivation will be high after this weekend.”

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales

Rossi was in the fight but faded to sixth

Rossi had a good start from seventh on the grid, gaining a spot on the first lap. He continued to fight in the bunched-up leading group and soon found a way past Álex Rins to take fifth. He was looking to hit the front of the pack early but got involved in a scrap with Zarco and Jack Miller, which moved him back to sixth.

MotoGP Australia Rossi Iannone Dovi
Valentino Rossi

As Zarco and Márquez touched going into turn 1 on lap 6, the fight for the lead heated up. Viñales took the number one spot on lap 8 and the Doctor was keen on following him. He wrestled for a bit with Andrea Dovizioso and initially came out victorious, so he could attempt to follow his teammate in first place, but he couldn‘t quite keep up the challenge.

A fight with Andrea Iannone cost him some valuable time, and with 12 laps to go he got swept up again in a battle consisting of five riders fighting for second place. Rossi was pushed back to fifth but wasn‘t about to give up. With 8 laps to go he made another charge, briefly reclaiming second place, only to find himself in sixth again shortly after. The Italian pushed hard and had another try in the final three laps, but still finished the race in sixth place, 5.132s from his teammate.

MotoGP Australia Rossi
Valentino Rossi

Today’s results see Rossi hold third position in the championship standings with a 15-point gap to second. Viñales remains in fourth place, and thanks to his splendid win he currently has a 15-point gap to his teammate.

Valentino Rossi

“Unfortunately from the first lap I already started to slide a bit too much on acceleration. I lost some grip compared to yesterday and this morning. It’s a shame because for sure we wanted to try to do better. I tried to ride smoothly and manage the tyres, but unfortunately after 15 laps I was in trouble, because when exiting left corners I had too much spin. We need to understand why this happened and then try to improve, but having Maverick win a race is good news for the team and Yamaha, because it gives great motivation.”

MotoGP Australia Rossi
Valentino Rossi

Yamaha holds third place in the Constructor Championship after the race in Australia, with a 44-point margin to second, while the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team remain in second position in the team standings, with now a 16-point gap to first.

The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team will be back in action at the Sepang International Circuit next weekend for the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, held from November 2nd – 4th.

MotoGP Australia Vinales
Maverick Vinales
2018 Phillip Island MotoGP Results
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Vinales M. Movistar Yamaha 40:51.081
2. Iannone A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +1.543
3. Dovizioso A. Ducati Team +1.832
4. Bautista A. Ducati Team +4.072
5. Rins A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +5.017
6. Rossi V. Movistar Yamaha +5.132
7. Miller J. Alma Pramac Racing +6.756
8. Morbidelli F. Marc VDS Racing Team +21.805
9. Espargaro A. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +22.904
10. Smith B. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +22.940
11. Abraham K. Angel Nieto Team +34.386
12. Petrucci D. Alma Pramac Racing +35.025
13. Redding S. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +36.348
14. Nakagami T. LCR Honda +36.389
15. Simeon X. Reale Avintia Racing +44.214
16. Luthi T. Marc VDS Racing Team +48.226
17. Torres J. Reale Avintia Racing +1:04.965
18. Jones M. Angel Nieto Team +1:19.817
DNF Espargaro P. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing DNF
DNF Syahrin H. Monster Tech 3 DNF
DNF Pedrosa D. Repsol Honda DNF
DNF Marquez M. Repsol Honda DNF
DNF Zarco J. Monster Tech 3 DNF
MotoGP Australia MotoGP Vinales Iannone Dovi
MotoGP Race Results
Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA 40’51.081
Andrea Iannone (ITA) SUZUKI +1.543
Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI +1.832

MotoGP Championship Points

2018 MotoGP Championship Standings
Pos Rider Team Points
1. Marquez Marc Repsol Honda Team 296
2. Dovizioso Andrea Ducati Team 210
3. Rossi Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 195
4. Vinales Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 180
5. Crutchlow Cal LCR Honda 148
6. Petrucci Danilo Alma Pramac Racing 137
7. Zarco Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 133
8. Iannone Andrea Team Suzuki Ecstar 133
9. Lorenzo Jorge Ducati Team 130
10. Rins Alex Team Suzuki Ecstar 129
11. Bautista Alvaro Angel Nieto Team 96
12. Pedrosa Dani Repsol Honda Team 95
13. Miller Jack Alma Pramac Racing 83
14. Morbidelli Franco Marc VDS Racing Team 46
15. Espargaro Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 39
16. Rabat Tito Reale Avintia Racing 35
17. Espargaro Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 35
18. Syahrin Hafizh Monster Yamaha Tech 3 34
19. Smith Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 29
20. Nakagami Takaaki LCR Honda 21
21. Redding Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 15
22. Abraham Karel Angel Nieto Team 10
23. Kallio Mika Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 6
24. Nakasuga Katsuyuki Yamaha Factory Team 2
25. Simeon Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1
26. Pirro Michele Ducati Team 1
27. Luthi Thomas Marc VDS Racing Team 0
28. Bradl Stefan Honda Racing Corporation 0
29. Torres Jordi MV Agusta Reparto Corse 0
30. Jones Mike Reale Avintia Racing 0
31. Guintoli Sylvain Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team 0
32. Ponsson Christophe Ponsson C. 0
2018 MotoGP Team Points
Pos Team Points
1. Repsol Honda Team 391
2. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 375
3. Ducati Team 353
4. Suzuki MotoGP 262
5. Alma Pramac Racing 220
6. LCR Honda 169
7. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 167
8. Angel Nieto Team 93
9. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 64
10. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 54
11. Estrella Galicia 0,0 46
12. Reale Avintia Racing 36
2018 MotoGP Constructors Championship
Pos Manufacturer Points
1 Honda 339
2 Ducati 300
3 Yamaha 256
4 Suzuki 193
5 KTM 55
6 Aprilia 49

Source: MCNews.com.au

#AusMotoGP Race Reports | Results | Points | MotoGP | Moto2 | Moto3

Maverick Vinales breaks win drought for Yamaha
Marquez and Zarco clash

Movistar Yamaha close in on Repsol Honda in Teams Title


Maverick Vinales’ first win since Le Mans 2017 saw him take the flag 1.5 seconds clear of second place Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), with Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso taking his first podium for the Borgo Panigale factory at Phillip Island.

MotoGP Australia Start
#AusMotoGP

#AusMotoGP Race Report

As the lights went out it was Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) who got a lightning launch from P8 to head around the outside and lead into Turn 1, but the Italian then ran off at Turn 2 to end his charge. However, fellow Alma Pramac Racing rider Jack Miller took advantage to take the lead of his home Grand Prix at Turn 4 – a rinse and repeat of 2017 for the Aussie.

MotoGP Australia Jack Miller
Jack Miller

Pole man Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) slotted in behind Miller with Iannone third, but heading into Turn 1 on Lap 2 it was all change: Marquez took over the reins of the freight train, with Dovi slotting into second, Iannone third and Miller pushed back to fourth. The swapping and changing at the front begun with the fast and sweeping Phillip Island circuit keeping the riders in close pursuit of each other. The racing was hard but fair under glorious clear skies.

Close then became too close for Marquez and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), however, as the duo headed into the braking zone at Turn 1 on Lap 6 and Zarco hit the back of the number 93, causing the Frenchman to lose control and crash at roughly 300kph. Zarco’s bike also severely damaged the back of Marquez’ Honda and subsequently, the 2018 Champion retired from the race. Thankfully, Zarco walked away from the incident uninjured.

MotoGP Australia Marquez Damage
#AusMotoGP – Damage to Marquez Honda

This left Dovi leading from Miller and Iannone but then Viñales began to make his move. Starting P2, the Spaniard didn’t get a good getaway and was as low as tenth at one stage, but on Lap 8 he made what would turn out to be his race-winning overtake at Turn 4. Maverick then took off in true Top Gun style and within a lap had created a 0.8 second lead.

MotoGP Australia Iannone Dovizioso
Iannone and Dovizioso

The number 25 was in the groove and looked like he was on rails around the Island. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was leading the chase before Iannone then took the baton, but the Suzuki man ran wide at Turn 4 and dropped to the back of the quartet.

MotoGP Australia Dovizioso Bautista
Alvaro Bautista starred in his ride on the Factory Ducati

Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Team) was taking no prisoners on his one-off Ducati factory ride, with he and teammate Dovi also taking it in turns to try and reel in Viñales. But no matter who it was out of the four, no one could match the Spaniard’s superior pace – the gap was 1.9 seconds on Lap 13, and grew to four seconds by Lap 21.

Rins got the better of Rossi on the final lap to claim a fourth consecutive top five finish; ‘The Doctor’ forced to settle for P6 after heading wide on the last lap. Miller would bring his Ducati home in a solid P7 and as the leading Independent Team rider – the Australian just 6.7 seconds from the win – with Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) earning his best result in the premier class so far in P8 to take charge in the Rookie of the Year Championship.

Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) crashed out of the top on Lap 19 at Turn 4. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was able to beat Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Bradley Smith by a whisker in two great results – with 0.036 separating the duo at the line in P9 and P10 respectively – despite the Spaniard getting hit in the hand by some debris following the Zarco-Marquez incident.

11th was Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) in the Czech rider’s best result of the season, with Petrucci recovering to P12 at the flag. Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Xavier Simeon (Reale Avintia Racing) completed to points in P13, P14 and P15 respectively – the latter earning his first point-scoring finish of the season.

A fantastic and faultless ride from Viñales means Yamaha have won their first Grand Prix race in 490 days. Can this launch the Spaniard into an end of season onslaught for second in the Championship? Or will Rossi and Dovizioso hold him off? Next up is Malaysia and the last of the flyaway races to give us the penultimate piece of the 2018 puzzle.

2018 Phillip Island MotoGP Results
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Vinales M. Movistar Yamaha 40:51.081
2. Iannone A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +1.543
3. Dovizioso A. Ducati Team +1.832
4. Bautista A. Ducati Team +4.072
5. Rins A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +5.017
6. Rossi V. Movistar Yamaha +5.132
7. Miller J. Alma Pramac Racing +6.756
8. Morbidelli F. Marc VDS Racing Team +21.805
9. Espargaro A. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +22.904
10. Smith B. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +22.940
11. Abraham K. Angel Nieto Team +34.386
12. Petrucci D. Alma Pramac Racing +35.025
13. Redding S. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +36.348
14. Nakagami T. LCR Honda +36.389
15. Simeon X. Reale Avintia Racing +44.214
16. Luthi T. Marc VDS Racing Team +48.226
17. Torres J. Reale Avintia Racing +1:04.965
18. Jones M. Angel Nieto Team +1:19.817
DNF Espargaro P. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing DNF
DNF Syahrin H. Monster Tech 3 DNF
DNF Pedrosa D. Repsol Honda DNF
DNF Marquez M. Repsol Honda DNF
DNF Zarco J. Monster Tech 3 DNF

MotoGP Australia MotoGP Vinales Iannone Dovi

2018 MotoGP Championship Standings
Pos Rider Team Points
1. Marquez Marc Repsol Honda Team 296
2. Dovizioso Andrea Ducati Team 210
3. Rossi Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 195
4. Vinales Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 180
5. Crutchlow Cal LCR Honda 148
6. Petrucci Danilo Alma Pramac Racing 137
7. Zarco Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 133
8. Iannone Andrea Team Suzuki Ecstar 133
9. Lorenzo Jorge Ducati Team 130
10. Rins Alex Team Suzuki Ecstar 129
11. Bautista Alvaro Angel Nieto Team 96
12. Pedrosa Dani Repsol Honda Team 95
13. Miller Jack Alma Pramac Racing 83
14. Morbidelli Franco Marc VDS Racing Team 46
15. Espargaro Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 39
16. Rabat Tito Reale Avintia Racing 35
17. Espargaro Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 35
18. Syahrin Hafizh Monster Yamaha Tech 3 34
19. Smith Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 29
20. Nakagami Takaaki LCR Honda 21
21. Redding Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 15
22. Abraham Karel Angel Nieto Team 10
23. Kallio Mika Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 6
24. Nakasuga Katsuyuki Yamaha Factory Team 2
25. Simeon Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1
26. Pirro Michele Ducati Team 1
27. Luthi Thomas Marc VDS Racing Team 0
28. Bradl Stefan Honda Racing Corporation 0
29. Torres Jordi MV Agusta Reparto Corse 0
30. Jones Mike Reale Avintia Racing 0
31. Guintoli Sylvain Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team 0
32. Ponsson Christophe Ponsson C. 0
2018 MotoGP Team Points
Pos Team Points
1. Repsol Honda Team 391
2. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 375
3. Ducati Team 353
4. Suzuki MotoGP 262
5. Alma Pramac Racing 220
6. LCR Honda 169
7. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 167
8. Angel Nieto Team 93
9. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 64
10. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 54
11. Estrella Galicia 0,0 46
12. Reale Avintia Racing 36

Moto2

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed his third win of the season as he took the chequered flag by just 0.036 from second place Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) at the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) snatching a podium away from Augusto Fernandez (Pons HP 40) at the line by an even smaller 0.008. The brilliant battle on the Island in the intermediate class saw neither Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) or Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) challenge at the front, and the Championship rolls on to Malaysia.

MotoGP Australia Moto Binder Mir
Nothing in it! But Binder takes win number 3

There was drama before the race had even begun as P2 on the grid Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) encountered a problem with his bike and although he eventually got it going, the German had to line up at the back of the grid. As the lights went out it was pole man Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) who launched well to grab the holeshot, but Vierge soon cut his way through to the lead from P3 on the grid, with Binder, Iker Lecuona (Swiss Innovative Investors) and Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing) slotting in behind.

Pasini’s race wouldn’t last long though, a crash at Turn 4 on Lap 2 for the Italian ended his hopes of a second podium of the year. Meanwhile, Bagnaia had initially made significant progress from P16 on the grid to get as high as P6, but the Championship leader soon dropped back to outside the top ten, along with title rival Oliveira.

Back at the front, a lead group of eight had formed. Lecuona was looking strong but the young Spaniard then crashed out at Turn 2 on lap 7 and then, looking good for a home round rostrum challenge, Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) lost the front at Turn 10 lap 13 – heartache for the Australian.

The lead was chopping and changing lap by lap, particularly between Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP 40) and Vierge. With five to go, it was a group of six at the front, all of which looked menacing. However, Baldassarri’s race would end prematurely at Turn 10 after the Italian got his Kalex machine out of shape under braking and went down and out of contention. And so, heading onto the last lap, there were five riders in contention. Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) made a sweeping move to go from fifth to third at Turn 1 as Binder led the way from Mir, and Turn 4 then saw Marini run wide and out of podium contention, with Fernandez and Vierge also getting out of sorts on the exit to leave the battle for the win between Binder and Mir.

Mir wasn’t close enough at his particular strong point: Turn 10, but on the exit of Turn 11 Binder lit up the rear of his KTM. A run to the line then followed but the South African had just enough edge out the Spaniard – the 2016 and 2017 Moto3™ Champions going head-to-head and Binder coming out on top. Vierge won the race to the line with Fernandez to complete the podium, with Marini taking P5. Aegerter would eventually finish 2.4s from the win in sixth after being in the leading group throughout, with Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) P7 after being unable to cling on to the front runners. 2018 European Moto2™ Champion Jesko Raffin (SAG Team) earned a top P8 at Phillip Island – a very solid ride from the Swiss rider at a track at which he’s got a good record.

Schrötter produced a phenomenal comeback ride to end the Australian GP in ninth, with Fabio Quartararo (MB Conveyors – Speed Up) rounding out the top ten. Then came the two title protagonists: Oliveira P11, Bagnaia in P12. A strange race for both as neither could penetrate the top ten, and the Championship moves onto Malaysia with Bagnaia holding a 36-point advantage.

Tetsuta Nagashima (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors) and Edgar Pons (MB Conveyors – Speed Up) complete the points in a top 15 that was separated by 14.076 seconds – the fifth closest top 15 in Moto2/250 history.

So the Moto2 riders Championship continues for another race, but Kalex claimed a sixth constructors title. A second match point for Bagnaia now awaits, can he and Oliveira challenge at the front again in at Sepang?

2018 Phillip Island Moto2 Results
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Binder B. Red Bull KTM Ajo 39:23.427
2. Mir J. Estrella Galicia Marc VDS +0.036
3. Vierge X. Dynavolt Intact GP +0.949
4. Fernandez A. Pons HP40 +0.957
5. Marini L. Sky Racing Team VR46 +1.767
6. Aegerter D. Kiefer Racing +2.482
7. Marquez A. Estrella Galicia Marc VDS +3.759
8. Raffin J. SAG Team +4.850
9. Schrotter M. Dynavolt Intact GP +6.250
10. Quartararo F. Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing +7.453
11. Oliveira M. Red Bull KTM Ajo +8.675
12. Bagnaia F. Sky Racing Team VR46 +9.725
13. Nagashima T. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia +9.787
14. Lowes S. SWI +11.209
15. Pons E. Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing +14.076
16. Pawi K. I. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia +15.350
17. Odendaal S. NTS RW Racing GP +15.396
18. Roberts J. NTS RW Racing GP +23.230
19. Corsi S. Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 +33.736
20. Locatelli A. Italtrans Racing Team +42.324
21. Staring B. Tech 3 Racing +52.297
22. Baldassarri L. Pons HP40 +1:03.888
DNF Cardelus X. Marinelli Snipers Team DNF
DNF Gardner R. Tech 3 Racing DNF
DNF Navarro J. Federal Oil Gresini DNF
DNF Lecuona I. SWI DNF
DNF Fuligni F. Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 DNF
DNF Danilo J. SAG Team DNF
DNF Vinales I. Forward Racing Team DNF
DNF Pasini M. Italtrans Racing Team DNF
MotoGP Australia Moto Podium Binder
Moto2 Race Results
1 – Brad Binder (RSA) KTM 39’23.427
2 – Joan Mir (SPA) KALEX +0.036
3 – Xavi Vierge (SPA) KALEX +0.949
2018 Moto2 Championship Standings
Pos Rider Team Points
1. Bagnaia Francesco Sky Racing Team VR46 288
2. Oliveira Miguel Red Bull KTM Ajo 252
3. Binder Brad Red Bull KTM Ajo 193
4. Baldassarri Lorenzo Pons HP40 152
5. Mir Joan Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Team Moto2 149
6. Marquez Alex Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Team Moto2 148
7. Schrotter Marcel Dynavolt Intact GP 131
8. Vierge Xavi Dynavolt Intact GP 126
9. Marini Luca Sky Racing Team VR46 122
10. Quartararo Fabio Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing 117
11. Pasini Mattia Italtrans Racing Team 115
12. Lecuona Iker Swiss Innovative Investors 60
13. Navarro Jorge Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 55
14. Lowes Sam Swiss Innovative Investors 48
15. Corsi Simone Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 47
16. Locatelli Andrea Italtrans Racing Team 41
17. Aegerter Dominique Kiefer Racing 40
18. Fernandez Augusto Pons HP40 37
19. Gardner Remy Tech 3 Racing 29
20. Nagashima Tetsuta Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 23
21. Fenati Romano Marinelli Snipers Team 14
22. Barbera Hector Pons HP40 10
23. Raffin Jesko Garage Plus Interwetten 9
24. Manzi Stefano Forward Racing Team 8
25. Kent Danny Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing 8
26. Vinales Isaac Forward Racing Team 7
27. Roberts Joe NTS RW Racing GP 5
28. Bendsneyder Bo Tech 3 Racing 2
29. Pawi Khairul Idham Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 1
30. Pons Edgar Pons HP40 1
31. Odendaal Steven NTS RW Racing GP 1
32. Tuuli Niki SIC Racing Team 1
33. Warokorn Thitipong APH PTT The Pizza SAG 0
34. Granado Eric Forward Racing Team 0
35. Danilo Jules SAG Team 0
36. Garzo Hector Garzo H. 0
37. Tulovic Lukas Kiefer Racing 0
38. Fuligni Federico Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 0
39. Staring Bryan Go & Fun Honda Gresini 0
40. Cardelus Xavi Team Stylobike 0
41. Medina Alejandro SAG Team 0
42. Morais Sheridan Willirace Racing Team 0
43. Pratama Dimas Ekky Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 0
44. Perolari Corentin Promoto Sport 0
45. Khairuddin Zulfahmi SIC Racing Team 0
46. Tangre Cedric Yohan Moto Sport 0

Moto3

Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team Moto3) has taken his second Grand Prix win in stunning style in the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, timing it to perfection to stay ahead over the line in one of the closest top fifteen finishes of all time. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) took an impressive second after fighting back from outside the top fifteen on the grid and kept his title hopes alive, with Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) completing the podium in only his second ever Grand Prix as he replaces the injured Nicolo Bulega. If you’re looking for the names of key title contenders Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) and Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP), they were off the podium – Martin in fifth and Bezzecchi not finishing after another dose of huge bad luck for the Italian as he got collected in a crash.

MotoGP Australia Moto Albert Arenas
Arenas took his second victory of the season in another Moto3 stunner at the Island

As the lights went out under the Phillip Island sun, it was Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider) who got the perfect launch from the second row to take the holeshot, but he didn’t hold the lead long as Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) pounced at Stoner Corner and Martin then repaid the favour not long after. First time down the Gardner Straight, however, the power of the KTM fought back and Rodrigo was back in the lead.

Meanwhile Marco Bezzecchi had made up a few places from his more difficult P15 starting position, and the front group remained a long freight train so the Italian was still in the fight. But it was Martin in the lead, the main he trailed by a single point coming into the race, and there was work left to do for the Italian. Slowly making his way forward, he was soon within striking distance of Martin and with 16 to go Bezzecchi went from seventh over the line to the lead within a handful of corners.

Five or six wide through Stoner Corner – somehow – it was a true classic in the lightweight class with the top 17 covered by just over a second and a half. That always brings some drama and, in yet another twist, that drama then hit one of the Championship protagonsts: Bezzecchi.

As Gabriel Rodrigo ran out of space between the Italian and Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0), he lost the front. The Italian rider was on the outside and was a pure passenger in the Argentinean’s crash, sending another shockwave through the title fight as he slid out onto the grass and was unable to get back in the race.

That left Martin with a big opportunity to try and extend the gap, but the battle still raged. The freight train remained despite a very brief breakaway for Martin, and there was nothing between those fighting for points and those fighting for the win. Canet had emerged into the lead after some more drama – a huge highside for Marcos Ramirez (Bester Capital Dubai) that then collected his teammate Jaume Masia, and then a crash between Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Snipers team) – and the final laps were dawning.

Martin seemed to roll out of it on the final time down the Gardner Straight and a gaggle of riders headed abreast into Turn 1 to start the last lap in style, but it was Albert Arenas who took over on the final lap. That was as Vietti held onto P2 and got attacked by Martin, but the Spaniard couldn’t get through and he headed wide as Fabio Di Giannantonio then capitalised – setting up a drag to the line. As they tucked in and bombed out of the final corner for the last time, Arenas was able to just stay clear as the field snapped at his heels, taking his second Grand Prix win of the season.

Vietti just lost out on second as ‘Diggia’ was able to get past him at the line, and for the Del Conca Gresini rider it’s a big result as he puts himself squarely back into the title fight with those 20 points. Vietti held on to third to take his first podium on only his second ever start, with Martin losing out another place over the line as Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) struck to take fourth. That, at least, was some consolation for Marco Bezzecchi as the gap didn’t grow by a full 25 points.

Canet took P6 ahead of Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing), with Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PruestelGP) and Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completing the top ten. Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was back on song in P11, with Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) one to lose out in the latter stages and taking twelfth after leading early on. Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team), John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) and Philipp Oettl completed the points, the latter after some contact with points leader Martin.

More drama than ever once again ripped through the Moto3 race in Australia, and it’s left us with another shake up in the points. What will happen in Malaysia? Martin arrives on top by 12 points ahead of Bezzecchi, with Di Giannantonio within 20 of the top. Those are the three men who remain in it, and the conclusion could be decided for one or all of them next time out.

2018 Phillip Island Moto3 Results
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Arenas A. Angel Nieto Team Moto3 37:48.073
2. Di Giannantonio F. Del Conca Gresini Racing +0.052
3. Vietti C. Sky Racing Team VR46 +0.059
4. Suzuki T. SIC58 Squadra Corse +0.081
5. Martin J. Del Conca Gresini Racing +0.099
6. Canet A. Estrella Galicia 0,0 +0.154
7. Norrodin A. Petronas Sprinta Racing +0.188
8. Bastianini E. Leopard Racing +0.235
9. Kornfeil J. PruestlGP +0.328
10. Sasaki A. Petronas Sprinta Racing +0.406
11. Lopez A. Estrella Galicia 0,0 +0.575
12. Binder D. Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.889
13. Migno A. Angel Nieto Team Moto3 +0.987
14. Mcphee J. CIP Green Power +0.989
15. Oettl P. Sudmetall Schedl GP Racing +2.148
16. Montella Y. SIC58 Squadra Corse +34.700
17. Nepa S. CIP Green Power +34.969
18. Atiratphuvapat N. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia +39.367
19. Toba K. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia +48.054
20. Perez V. Reale Avintia Racing +48.970
DNF Arbolino T. Marinelli Snipers Team DNF
DNF Foggia D. Sky Racing Team VR46 DNF
DNF Ramirez M. Bester Capital Dubai DNF
DNF Masia J. Bester Capital Dubai DNF
DNF Dalla Porta L. Leopard Racing DNF
DNF Rodrigo G. RBA BOE Skull Rider DNF
DNF Bezzecchi M. PruestlGP DNF
MotoGP Australia Moto Albert Arenas Podium
Moto3 Race Results
1 – Albert Arenas (SPA) KTM 37’48.073
2 – Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA) HONDA +0.052
3 – Celestino Vietti (ITA) KTM +0.059
2018 Moto3 Championship Standings
Pos Rider Team Points
1. Martin Jorge Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 215
2. Bezzecchi Marco Pruestel GP 203
3. Di Giannantonio Fabio Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 195
4. Bastianini Enea Leopard Racing 150
5. Dalla Porta Lorenzo Leopard Racing 131
6. Canet Aron Estrella Galicia 0,0 128
7. Rodrigo Gabriel RBA BOE Skull Rider 116
8. Kornfeil Jakub Pruestel GP 115
9. Arenas Albert Angel Nieto Team Moto3 94
10. Ramirez Marcos Bester Capital Dubai 90
11. Migno Andrea Angel Nieto Team Moto3 82
12. Masia Jaume Bester Capital Dubai 66
13. Suzuki Tatsuki SIC58 Squadra Corse 64
14. Mcphee John CIP Green Power 62
15. Oettl Philipp Sudmetall Schedl GP Racing 58
16. Antonelli Niccolo SIC58 Squadra Corse 56
17. Foggia Dennis Sky Racing Team VR46 55
18. Arbolino Tony Marinelli Snipers Team 49
19. Binder Darryn Red Bull KTM Ajo 48
20. Norrodin Adam Petronas Sprinta Racing 46
21. Sasaki Ayumu Petronas Sprinta Racing 45
22. Lopez Alonso Estrella Galicia 0,0 36
23. Toba Kaito Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 33
24. Vietti Celestino Vietti C. 18
25. Bulega Nicolo Sky Racing Team VR46 18
26. Perez Vicente Reale Avintia Academy 13
27. Fernandez Raul MRW Mahindra Aspar Team 13
28. Yurchenko Makar CIP Green Power 9
29. Loi Livio Reale Avintia Racing 8
30. Masaki Kazuki RBA BOE Skull Rider 8
31. Chantra Somkiat Honda Racing Corporation 7
32. Pagliani Manuel SIC Racing Team 6
33. Atiratphuvapat Nakarin Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 2
34. Ogura Ai Asia Talent Team 1
35. Montella Yari Montella Y. 0
36. Wongthananon Apiwat Wongthananon A. 0
37. Nepa Stefano CIP Green Power 0
38. Alcoba Jeremy Junior Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 0
39. Zannoni Kevin Althea Racing 0
40. Grunwald Luca Kiefer Racing 0
41. Okazaki Shizuka Teluru & Kohara 0
42. Fukushima Yuto Fukushima Y. 0
43. Salac Filip Czech Talent Team Cuna de Campeones 0
44. Van de Lagemaat Ryan Van de Lagemaat R. 0
45. Kofler Maximilian Motorsport Kofler E.U. 0

Source: MCNews.com.au