Foggia Still in Title Contention after Second Place
Circuit Of The AmericasDennis Foggia (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) took a vital second place – his consecutive fifth podium – to put himself firmly back in the fight for the 2021 Moto3 World Championship after a dramatic encounter at the Circuit of the Americas that had the race red flagged twice.
The first red flag came at the close of the seventh lap after Filip Salac crashed at Turn 11. The restarted race was held over five laps, but a frightening crash two laps into the restart that brought down Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Team Gresini Moto3 Honda NSF250RW), Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team Honda NSF250RW) and points leader Pedro Acosta brought out the red flags out again. All three were relatively unhurt in the high-speed incident, a huge testament to the quality of modern motorcycle riding gear.
The final result was taken from the end of lap seven of the first race, before the first red flag was shown. At that stage Foggia had battled his way through to second after an all-action start to the race.
Acosta claimed eighth place, so Foggia’s ninth podium finish of the year has reduced the points gap to 30 points. With trips to Misano and the Algarve International Circuit still to come – two of his favourite tracks – Foggia is confident of overhauling his adversary.
John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda NSF250RW) was back to his best, fighting through from tenth on the grid to score a brilliant third place, making it two Honda riders on the podium.
Alcoba took sixth place, an impressive return to form after a hand injury sustained in the Aragon GP had limited his performance last time out at Misano. Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda NSF250RW) was seventh, ahead of Tatsuki Suzuki (Sic58 Squadra Corse Honda NSF250RW) in ninth, with Migno tenth.
Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) made solid gains through the weekend at a new track, improving his personal best time at the Circuit of the Americas by 0.6 seconds from Saturday to Sunday. The 23-year-old Indonesian finished the race in 24th.
This was also a first visit to COTA for team-mate Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW), who finished in 25th position. The 18-year-old from Setagaya struggled to find the fast way around the complex track but was happy to have improved his pace today.
The Moto3 grid now returns to Europe for the final three races of the year: the Emilia-Romagna, Algarve and Valencia GPs.
I'm very happy, this podium means a lot after the difficult race we've had. I felt good during the weekend and our goal was to get as many points as possible. Many thanks to my team, to my family, and to my sponsors. See you all in Misano!
I'm very happy, this podium means a lot after the difficult race we've had. I felt good during the weekend and our goal was to get as many points as possible. Many thanks to my team, to my family, and to my sponsors. See you all in Misano!
I’m really, really happy with the performance today – we haven’t exactly struggled this weekend but there were areas where we weren’t the strongest but come race day I was much stronger than I thought. Big thanks to the team because the bike was working so well. I could brake so deep and turn so well and fight my way through. I was in the front three and thought at the restart ‘let’s try and make the most of this’ and managed to pull out a couple of tenths in the lead when it was red flagged. To have the first podium of the season, which is crazy to say at this point, I’m really, really happy. A win would have been great but rules are rules so it is what it is. I was feeling so strong I would have been up for having another start, but we can’t be disappointed with that. We were fast enough to win the race but we’ll take the podium.
I’m really, really happy with the performance today – we haven’t exactly struggled this weekend but there were areas where we weren’t the strongest but come race day I was much stronger than I thought. Big thanks to the team because the bike was working so well. I could brake so deep and turn so well and fight my way through. I was in the front three and thought at the restart ‘let’s try and make the most of this’ and managed to pull out a couple of tenths in the lead when it was red flagged. To have the first podium of the season, which is crazy to say at this point, I’m really, really happy. A win would have been great but rules are rules so it is what it is. I was feeling so strong I would have been up for having another start, but we can’t be disappointed with that. We were fast enough to win the race but we’ll take the podium.
This weekend was my first time here, and I learned in every session. The layout is challenging, but I like it. Many riders have complained about the bumps, but I've been concentrated on learning. I'm happy because from FP2, in dry conditions, until the race, I improved by 0.5 seconds to one second in every session, including the race, where I rode one second faster than yesterday in qualifying. That is the general view. This race has been complicated because I started from the back and to try to catch the front riders was risky. My target for Misano is to start as close to the front as possible.
This weekend was my first time here, and I learned in every session. The layout is challenging, but I like it. Many riders have complained about the bumps, but I've been concentrated on learning. I'm happy because from FP2, in dry conditions, until the race, I improved by 0.5 seconds to one second in every session, including the race, where I rode one second faster than yesterday in qualifying. That is the general view. This race has been complicated because I started from the back and to try to catch the front riders was risky. My target for Misano is to start as close to the front as possible.
Of course, I'm not happy about the result. My team is working hard for me, and I would like to thank them for their effort and say sorry for the result. During the weekend, I struggled a lot, and I started from the back of the grid. I tried to be concentrated, and I improved my best lap time a lot. That is the positive part of today, and I recovered my feeling and confidence a little. Unfortunately, the race was stopped by a red flag. But on the grid for the second race, I made a mistake, and my bike stopped. I started from pit lane, riding alone until the second red flag. The only thing I can say is that a little confidence is coming back. I will try to keep it going for Misano.
Of course, I'm not happy about the result. My team is working hard for me, and I would like to thank them for their effort and say sorry for the result. During the weekend, I struggled a lot, and I started from the back of the grid. I tried to be concentrated, and I improved my best lap time a lot. That is the positive part of today, and I recovered my feeling and confidence a little. Unfortunately, the race was stopped by a red flag. But on the grid for the second race, I made a mistake, and my bike stopped. I started from pit lane, riding alone until the second red flag. The only thing I can say is that a little confidence is coming back. I will try to keep it going for Misano.
