Quartararo clinches third MotoGP win

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team’s Fabio Quartararo took a giant step towards a maiden Moto Grand Prix (MotoGP) world title after securing his third victory this season in the Catalunya GP at the Catalunya-Barcelona Circuit in Spain today.

The 21-year-old Frenchman, who started the race in the front row, capped a brilliant performance by pipping teammate Franco Morbidelli in the eighth lap before romping home in 40 minutes and 33.176 seconds in the 24-lap race.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Spanish riders Joan Mir (0.928 secs behind) and Alex Rins (1.898 secs behind) were second and third respectively. It was Team Suzuki's first double podium finish since the San Marino GP at the Misano World Circuit in 2007.

Morbidelli, who started in pole position, was fourth in 40:36.022 after being pipped by the Spaniards in the penultimate lap.

Today’s victory enabled Quartararo to regain the MotoGP World Championships lead with 108 points, while Italian Andrea Dovizioso of Team Ducati MotoGP, who crashed out in the opening lap, dropped to fourth with 84 points after eight races.

Prior to this, Quartararo had secured back-to-back victories in the Spanish GP and Andalucia GP at the Jerez Circuit.

In Moto2, Petronas Sprinta Racing's Spanish rider, Xavi Vierge crashed out at Turn 9 with 15 laps left while teammate Jake Dixon failed to complete the race due to technical problems.

Malaysians Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of Inde Aspar Team Moto2 and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of OneXOX TKRR SAG Team finished 18th and 20th respectively.

Meanwhile, Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto3 rider Khairul Idham Pawi could only finish in 24th spot while his teammate, John McPhee was involved in a crash with Spaniard Albert Arenas of Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3 at Turn 4 in the early stages of the race.

The MotoGP World Championship will resume with the French GP at the Le Mans Circuit from Oct 9-11.

-- BERNAMA