The Moto3 Malaysian GP took place on Sunday morning, amidst ambient temperatures reaching 34ºC and 54% of humidity. Bo Bendsneyder was nevertheless able to put in a good performance with a tenth place at the track where last year he achieved his second Grand Prix podium. This is the sixth Top 10 of the year for the Dutchman. Niccolo Antonelli suffered a crash on Lap 9 in the midst of a comeback through the field. Bendsneyder made a great start, placing second on the first sector. The Dutchman was able to keep in the podium positions until the second lap, when due to slipstreams on the two long straights he lost places. From that moment, Red Bull KTM Ajo rider dropped into the fight for fifth position along with six other competitors. At the end of the 19-lap race, he crossed the finish line in tenth place. Starting from tenth position, Antonelli gradually upped his pace and climbed positions. On the ninth lap, when in seventh position, he suffered a crash at the last corner that left him out of contention.
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“We expected to be able to fight for the top positions in today’s Moto3 race. The start was very good but unfortunately Niccolo [Antonelli] crashed and Bo [Bendsneyder] lost some positions on the last corner, although he fought hard. Finishing the race in the Top 10 is nevertheless a positive result. During the weekend the pace has been quite promising in any case, so now we’re going to focus on the last race in Valencia.”
Results (Race)
1. Joan Mir (Honda) 40:14.545
2. Jorge Martin (Honda) +0.724
3. Enea Bastianini (Honda) +0.763
4. Livio Loi (Honda) +6.868
5. John McPhee (Honda) +11.051
10. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +12.062
DNF – Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“I made a good start and overall it was a good race, in which I felt comfortable riding. It is true that I lost some positions but from mid-race onward I felt strong enough to attack, although with Niccolo [Antonelli]’s crash I had to dodge out of the way and I lost a lot of time. I continued to push hard to get back into the fight for fifth place. When the tyre performance dropped off, with my weight and height I had a hard time fighting for better positions and the other riders passed me on the straights. On the last corner I tried to give everything, but I went wide and I was overtaken. Now I just hope to do well in my last Moto3 race in Valencia.”
Source: ajo.fi
