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Both drivers Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Enea Bastianini were blamelessly involved in contacts that ousted them from the race: the Tuscan after just two corners, the Beast with 4 laps to go while in an arguing struggle for the final victory.
A bright sunshine and ideal conditions opened this Sunday morning of the Grand Prix de España, the fourth round of the 2018 season. Since the early hours a lot of fans arrived at the Circuit of Jerez, keen to enjoy the great show offered by their favorite riders. The two talents of the Leopard Racing team, Enea Bastianini and Lorenzo Dalla Porta, put the wheels on the track at 8:40 am for the Warm Up session, even their focus was already aimed to the race, with both of them qualified on the third row of the grid .
At 11:00 o’clock the traffic lights of the circuit turn off and the battle of the Moto3 class starts. Just at the second corner a contact puts out Lorenzo Dalla Porta: rider ok but the Tuscan returns to the pit lane, completing his race after only a few meters. Enea Bastianini keep his position secure and, after a saving at the Corner, the Rimini rider overtakes Antonelli and Oettl in 4th place overall.
A large group of 18 drivers runs compact when, on the 4th lap, the Beast breaks the tie and at the Dry Sack corner moves to the lead. Soon it becomes clear that 4 riders seem to have a stronger pace, as Enea stays focused alternating in the very top positions: in each breaking, the riders repeatedly exchanging positions.
At the half of the race Oettl’s KTM takes the lead followed by the Honda army. With 6 laps to go, Bastianini jumps ahead all the rivals and he’s in pursuit of the German. The local hero Martin tries to annoy him, but the Leopard Racing riders replies with authority. Enea turns himself into ‘the Beast’ and two laps later he comes to lead the race again. But Canet arrives too hard in the breaking and he hits three riders, even our Bastianini among them.
A bad luck race the 20 year old from Rimini could have won today. There is no time to reminiscing, all the attention of the Leopard Racing team is focused to the next round: the MotoGP show will be back on track for the weekend of 18-20 May at the Le Mans circuit for the Grand Prix de France.
#33 Enea BASTIANINI – NC
"The race started well, I overtook some riders immediately. At the exit of Corner 6 I had a saving because I opened the gas too soon. I lost a bit of margin, but in a moment I was able to rejoin the leading group. I managed the potential and in the last 4 laps I decided to push hard. But, at Dry Sack corner, Canet made a risky maneuver and laid out 4 riders, including me. We got hurt and we threw away a good race!"
#48 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA – NC
"I got hit when we got to the second corner: such a shame, because we could have done a good race. We will get back for Le Mans!"
Moto3™ Race – Gran Premio de España 2018:
1 – Philipp Oettl / GER / Sudmetal Schedl GP / KTM / 22 giri
2 – Marco Bezzecchi / ITA / Redox Pruestel GP / KTM / +0.059
3 – Marcos Ramirez / SPA / Bester Capital Dubai / KTM / +3.733
Moto3™ Riders World Standing 2018:
1 – Marco Bezzecchi / 63
2 – Jorge Martin / 55
3 – Aron Canet / 48
6 – Enea BASTIANINI / 33
10 – Lorenzo DALLA PORTA / 25
Moto3™ Teams World Standing 2018:
1 – Del Conca Gresini / 101
2 – Redox Pruestel GP / 89
3 – Estrella Galicia / 71
4 – LEOPARD RACING / 58
Source: Leopard Racing
Photo Credit: Leopard Racing