Top 5 for Rodrigo as Alcoba is taken out of #QatarGP

There was joy and disappointment for Team Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 who had smiles thanks to Gabri Rodrigo, fifth at the finish line at Losail, while at the same time could not be happy with Jeremy Alcoba’s Sunday, as he was taken out in the early stages.

Rodrigo’s fifth place is surely an excellent result, considered the hard exchanges with Binder, but especially the contact with Masia’s rear tyre with seven laps to go which almost sent him to the ground and pushed it down to 13th place. From then on, he managed to put together a great comeback in a hurry around the corners of Losail International Circuit up to fifth place – which was only 0.880secs away.

Jeremy Alcoba’s maiden Grand Prix of the season only lasted two full laps, as the Spaniard was literally pushed into the gravel trap by a Artigas, who was able with one over-the-top move to take out McPhee and Migno as well.

The potential of the #52 rider is there, and there will be another chance to show it next weekend for the #DohaGP, starting this Friday.

GABRIEL RODRIGO:

“This is a good start. Mentally we’re stronger, we did a few mistakes – especially the collision with Masia – but we fought back to the front. In the last lap things were complicated: nobody wanted to exit the last turn in the lead and I was a bit slow in making my decision. When Antonelli started to push I was on a high gear and the engine did not have enough push. We had the potential to win and we’ll try again next week.”

JEREMY ALCOBA:

“We were quick, and I was feeling comfortable on the bike. There was a lot of wind but despite the conditions I was in the front group and planning on staying there. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky: I must say I’m more hurt emotionally for not being able to race than from the crash itself. We need to keep our heads down and try again in five days’ time.”