DOHA: Pole winner Alexis Masbou yesterday topped the first Moto3 race of the new season, edging Enea Bastianini and Danny Kent in a tense battle.
The Saxoprint RTG Honda rider finished the 18-lap race with a time of 38’25.424 as the bike family launched the new season under lights at Losail International Circuit.
“I am very pleased to start the new season with such a strong finish,” Masbou said after the race.
“I was in a tough battle with Enea and Danny and I am pushed hard in the end,” the 27-year-old French rider added.
Italy’s Bastianini, riding a Honda for Gresini Racing Team, clocked a time of 38’25.451.
The 17-year-old was .027 seconds off the pace set by Masbou.
British rider Kent who was .142 seconds behind Masbou said: “I am happy with this outcome. It was a great battle out there. Hopefully I can produce better results in the coming weeks.”
The Moto3 World Championship lived up to its reputation for providing incredible racing with riders constantly swapping the lead throughout the 18 lap race.
At times there were 17 riders swapping positions in the leading group.
It was the Frenchman Masbou who held his nerve in the drag to the line from the final corner, beating Bastianini after the Italian had started from 21st place on the grid.
Kent (+0.115s) took the final spot on the podium for his new Leopard Racing Team, with his team-mate Efran Vazquez in 4th.
Rookie Fabio Quartararo - just 15 - showed his potential by leading the race at one point before finishing in 7th.
One of the pre-race favourites Miguel Oliveira on the Red Bull KTM Ajo machine fell at turn 1 but managed to rejoin the race and finish in 16th.
“Yes, I am happy with the second place,” Bastianini said.
“This has been a difficult week for us. But today we were almost perfect although taking the corners was tough.
“I couldn’t go fast when I wanted to. Hopefully this will be possible next week,” the Italian added.
Race winner Masbou said: “The last lap was tough. I would have liked to win with a better time but everybody was fast. It was not possible to win with ease. When I passed many riders I knew I could win.” The Peninsula
