ROUND 15/OCTOBER 13, 2013
SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT/SEPANG, MALAYSIA
MOTOGP
P56
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SALOM
OPENS IT UP
Once again, Moto3 was the race
of the day - for tension, excitement,
overtaking and a sustained battle to
the end.
The surprise of the weekend was
the strength of the Hondas through
practice, and for much of the race.
And one of the Mahindras. Miguel
Oliveira qualified fourth, but bogged
down off the line, and was second
from last into the first corner. His progress through the field at maximum risk
was something to behold: up to 14th at
the end of lap one, and with the huge
lead group just a few laps later.
It was rewarded by the lap record
(his third this season), and a fighting
third – a first podium for Mahindra,
and for an Indian manufacturer.
The front pack laid on a most entertaining brawl. On lap six there were
still 12 riders within 1.5 seconds of
the leader. By half distance the group
was down to seven, with Jonas Folger
dropping off the back of it, followed
soon afterwards by fast starter Alexis
Masbou. Efren Vazquez was also
gone by now, slipping off under braking while well placed in the group.
Teammates Alex Rins and Alex
Marquez had most of the leading,
after taking over from fast-away pole
qualifier Luis Salom. Oliveira was
up to third for the first time on lap 11,
disputing the spot with Salom. Right
behind Jack Miller was battling with
Maverick Vinales.
Vinales made a big lunge to third
on the penultimate lap while Marquez
was struggling, now under attack
from Miller. But victory was for a very
aggressive and determined Salom,
from Rins and Oliveira. Four tenths behind, Marquez was ahead of Vinales,
who outdragged Miller out of the last
corner then swerved across his front
wheel - earning the sanction of one
penalty point.
