Alberto Moncayo finishes second in wet Le Mans Moto3 GP 21.05.2012: MOTO GP LE MANS 2012 Spain’s Alberto Moncayo managed to survive a race that scattered half the field in the gravel like wet confetti when he brought his

MOTO GP LE MANS 2012


Spain’s Alberto Moncayo managed to survive a race that scattered half the field in the gravel like wet confetti when he brought his Kalex-KTM home in second placein Rd. 4 of the Moto3 GP on the rain-soaked Le Mans circuit.


In what transpired as a battle of attrition that spared neither veterans nor newcomers Moncayo finished second behind French rider Louis Rossi. Only 15 of the 32 starters registered a result at the traditional French venue.


Red Bull KTM factory rider and championship leader Sandro Cortese started on the second line on his KTM Moto3 bike and rode a careful race in the middle of the pack while riders disappeared both in front and behind him. After a series of race incidents he looked set to pick up second place as the 24 laps drew to a dramatic close.


Then he too got caught in the treacherous conditions and it was only impressive acrobatics and excellent balance that kept him upright. Cortese went on to finish in sixth but still picked up 10 championship points to extend his lead in the championship by 12 points.


Austrian Arthur Sissis, riding in his rookie year with the KTM factory team, showed maturity and bravery for his fifth place and career best in the series. The only other KTM rider to finish in the points was Niklas Ajo of Finland who somehow finished the race in fifteenth place after a crash and a visit back to the pits.


It was a disappointing race for KTM’s Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin who started well and even led the race for some of the opening laps before dropping back to fifth. He too was caught out with only a handful of laps to go and ended in the gravel. Another victim was long time race leader, veteran Spanish rider Hector who exited on the Kalex KTM in the second half of the race during a phase that saw three of the top six go down including fourth placed Luis Salom on the RW Kalex-KTM


Bruised and battered Moto3 riders now have till June 3 to regroup when they will reconvene at the Catalunya Circuit for Rd. 5 in what is shaping up to be an eventful and exciting first year of racing in this new Moto3 GP class.
 


Results Round 4

1, Luis Rossi, France, Honda, 49.12:390
2, Alberto Moncayo, Spain, Kalex-KTM, 49.39:738
3, Alex Rins, Spain, Honda, 49:41.289
4, Niccolo Antonelli, Italy, 49.45:585
5, Arthus Sissis, Australia, KTM, 49:49.379
6, Sandro Cortese, Germany, KTM, 49:57.702
7, Jasper Iwema, Netherlands, Honda, 50:11.035
8, Alain Techer, France, Honda

Other KTM

15, Nicholas Ajo, Finland, KTM
Zulfahmi Kairoddin, Malaysia DNF
Luis Salom, Spain, KTM DNF
Hector Faubel, Spain, KTM, DNF
Danny Kent, UK, KTM, DNF
Brad Binder, South Africa, KTM DNF



Standings after Rd. 4

1, Cortese, 87 points
2, Vinales, 55
3, Salom, 49
4, Romano Fenati, Italy, 45
5, Rins, 44

Other KTM

6, Moncayo, 33
9, Khairuddin, 29
10, Sissis, 23
12, Kent, 16
14, Faubel 15
23. Binder 5
26, Ajo, 4



Manufacturers standings after Rd. 4

1, FTR Honda 95
2, Kalex KTM 69
3, KTM 68     
       

- KTM Mattighofen -  also photo