Bagnaia takes the CEV Moto3 race by just 3 thousandths

It was an incredibly tight finish in the Moto3 category, the third race held at the Circuit de Catalunya in the Spanish Speed Championship. Just 3 thousandths and the use of the photo finish decided the winner, who was none other than the rider from Monlau Competición, Francesco Bagnaia.

Behind him finished Alex Márquez, his teammate, who had led the group for nearly the entire race. In third place, completing the podium, was the German rider Luca Amato, from Adac Stylobike. Lorenzo Baldassarri had to settle for fourth place, just short of a Monlau team triple.

The race was led at the start by Juanfran Guevara, but soon the Monlau riders, with Márquez at the front, took control of the group. However, McPhee’s crash while leading the race left Pecco and Alex ahead of Marcos Ramírez, who was in podium positions for several laps.

Everything was decided over the last four laps, with constant overtakes among the leading riders, arriving at the final lap without a clear leader. The finish line was incredible, with the three podium riders crossing the line side by side. Pecco beat Márquez by 0.003 seconds and Amato by 0.074.

Behind Baldassarri, Marcos Ramírez finished fifth and Juanfran Guevara, who was heavily penalized by McPhee’s crash, finished sixth. As for the women, Ana Carrasco finished 17th and María Herrera 29th. Montse Costa crashed, as did Christophe Rafael, Alexandre Sirerol, Amaury Jakab, Remy Gardner and Andrea Migno.

Statements from Francesco Bagnaia:
I knew I could overtake Márquez in the stadium section. Logically, I took advantage of all the chaos caused by the crashes and the contact within the group. I am very happy with the victory.

Statements from Alex Márquez:

Group races are always complicated because you never know where you will finish. On the last lap Pecco passed me at the stadium and I tried to hold on until the finish line, but it was impossible. Points are very important for the championship.

Statements from Luca Amato:

Before the race I did not expect to finish third and I wasn’t counting on this podium. The race was really complicated. I want to thank the whole team for their tremendous work.

Photos | David Gómez (Plusmoto)