Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) shone to victory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™, building a healthy lead in the World Championship tables. The Majorcan disposed of Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) and Jorge Martín (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) as the final lap dawned.
The first race in today’s program offered a fantastic show, crammed with the signature Moto3™ thrill: overtaking, challenges and heart-stopping excitement all the way to the chequered flag. Joan Mir arrived in Montmeló leading the standings by 34 points, and faced some powerful challengers: Jorge Martínez, who started from pole for the fourth consecutive time in his quest for a maiden World Championship victory; or Arón Canet, second overall, with a blistering race pace and keen to repeat his Jerez triumph.
The race had three distinctive phases: in the first half, a group of eight (including the winner) pulled away; as they came to the mid point and until the final couple of laps, the frontrunners lapped carefully, sizing each other up, aware that they would all have to take the plunge in the final lap.
And so it was: with a smart strategy, Joan Mir kept a low profile until he entered the last lap in fourth place. He comfortably made it to second place and struck in turn 13, pipping Jorge Martín to the lead. Martín, who expected an attack in the final chicane but not there, yielded to Mir, who crossed the finish line alone to secure his fourth victory in the season.
Romano Ferrati, who managed to stay in the leading group from the start, capitalized on Martín’s bewilderment to storm into second, 0.191 seconds off the lead, and earned his third podium this year.
Jorge Martín had to be content with third place, 0.279 seconds away from the top echelon of the podium. He admitted he was surprised by Mir’s attack and leaves Montmeló with bittersweet feelings.
Estrella Galicia 0,0 riders Enea Bastianini and Arón Canet finished 4th and 5th fastest, and Marcos Ramírez (Platinum Bay Real Estate) clinched a 6th place finish.
In the overall standings, Joan Mir breaks away with 133 points, leading Romano Fenati by 45 points, and Arón Canet by three more, the Spaniard moving one spot down in the tables.