Podium performance in Portugal for Furusato
Autódromo Internacional do AlgarveTaiyo Furusato makes it back-to-back podium finishes with third at Portimao
After claiming his debut Moto3 victory last time out in Malaysia, Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato rode a strong race, at a circuit that he’s struggled with in the past, to claim the final step of the podium.
The Japanese rider started the penultimate Moto3 race of the season by claiming two positions off the line, making his way through to the podium battle on lap nine. Furusato briefly took the lead on lap 12, but having pushed his tyres hard to make it there, began to fall back. Ultimately, he was able to hold off those challenging behind to cross the line in third place and make it back-to-back podium finishes.
Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez also demonstrated good pace throughout the race and kept himself in podium contention throughout. Unfortunately, Fernandez found himself mired in the middle of the pack in the final laps and took the chequered flag in ninth place. Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) also made good progress through the field and made it three Honda’s in the top-ten, as he ended the 19-lap encounter in tenth place.
It was a career best result for GRYD – MLav Racing’s Marco Morelli, who was in the thick of things throughout and finished just outside of the top-ten in 11th place. Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) also finished inside the points in 15th. Just behind him, Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) was 16th, with Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse) 18th and Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) 19th.
There were crashes for Leopard Racing’s David Almansa, who was able to remount and finish in 21st place, and Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team), whose debut Moto3 race came to an end on lap 14.
The final Moto3 race of the year will take place next weekend (14-16 November), as the riders tackle the Valencia Grand Prix held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
It was a hard race today with part of it being a group race, while other parts weren’t. I needed to catch the front from starting in 11th and, as a result, I used the front tyre too much and struggled in the final couple of laps. I did what I could do though. This has been a bad circuit for me in the past, so to have a good result here I’m in some ways happier today than when I got my win. Thanks to the team and I’m just really happy.
It was a hard race today with part of it being a group race, while other parts weren’t. I needed to catch the front from starting in 11th and, as a result, I used the front tyre too much and struggled in the final couple of laps. I did what I could do though. This has been a bad circuit for me in the past, so to have a good result here I’m in some ways happier today than when I got my win. Thanks to the team and I’m just really happy.
