At Misano, all eyes were on Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) as the Championship leader arrived with a healthy lead to the track where he took his first Grand Prix win, but early in the race focus shifted quickly as Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) suffered a mechanical problem. Would Dalla Porta be able to capitalise? In part, although track limits caught him out and left him far off the podium. And so, as we arrive to what’s now Canet’s home turf, Dalla Porta has a lead of 22 points and it would be a long shot to see him lose that at MotorLand. Canet would have to win and Dalla Porta would have to score a 0.
It’s far from a two-horse race, however. Tatsuki Suzuki’s (SIC58 Squadra Corse) stunning and emotional victory means 2019 is the first time there have been ten different winners in a single season in the lightweight class, with competition so fierce it’s making history. And there are two names at the top but Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) isn’t far behind Canet, Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) is just within touching distance…then the likes of John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) lurk just behind with some serious proven pace.
Meanwhile Jaume Masia (WWR) is on home turf at Aragon, Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) had some pace in Italy and Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) is another fast man now back from injury. There’s a reason Moto3™ races are often a freight train: the field is fast and deep.
The only man in the class who has conquered MotorLand before, Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers), broke his scaphoid at Misano – so a new name will be on the top step. Will it be one who has already won a race this year or another record-breaking different winner? Watch the Gran Premio Michelin® de Aragon from the 20th to 22nd September.