Hard-fought race sees Raul Fernandez finish 9th in Austria, Kaito Toba in 20th

The Moto3 Austrian Grand Prix concluded on Sunday with an intense race, in which Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 once again fought for the top spots. Raul Fernandez was part of the leading group during the entirety of the 23-lap contest. After a breath-taking finale in which riders were on the limit, the Spaniard eventually placed 9th. Kaito Toba had a tough Sunday and ended in 20th position.

Starting from pole, Raul Fernandez matched the great pace he had shown in practice. Getting off the line well, the Spaniard grabbed the lead once more on the second lap. A large group at the front meant that the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider was constantly fending off rivals and looking for overtaking moves of his own. After spending much of the contest in the podium places, he dropped down the order in the final third. Fernandez would cross the line in 9th position.

Kaito Toba, who started from Row 6, experienced the difficulties inherent to fighting back through the field. The Japanese lost several spots on the opening lap, as the riders packed into a single group. After managing to overtake some of his rivals, the 20-year-old did his best to maintain a consistent pace, coming home 20th.

After the Austrian Grand Prix, Raul Fernandez is 5th in the World Championship with 43 points. Kaito Toba is 19th with 12. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo will now remain in Austria, where they will take part in the Grand Prix of Styria from August 21st-23rd.

RAUL FERNANDEZ

“It was a tough race. We had a strategy that didn’t work out well for us. I tried to do my best, but the final part of the circuit was difficult for me. However, I’m happy because this is a track that I don’t like very much and we completed the weekend in the points. We must continue working in the same way and take advantage of the new opportunity that we have next weekend.”

KAITO TOBA

“We are not satisfied with today’s race. We have to improve in qualifying and also the early stages of the contest, because if we are able to do that then we could be fighting for the top positions. We have to be more consistent and not make mistakes. I am sure that we will succeed in doing this. Next week we will work hard to take the step forward that we still need.”