Martin hails "incredible" maiden Moto3 podium
Aspar Mahindra's Jorge Martin relished his first Moto3 class podium in a wet Brno race, celebrating a Mahindra 1-2, with Peugeot's John McPhee taking his maiden win.
Second place Jorge Martin, Aspar Team Mahindra
Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
In torrid conditions, the Spanish rider held his nerve at the start, to take the lead of the race, before dropping down behind the leaders.
With KTM's Brad Binder and McPhee dueling for the race lead, Martin tussled with Aron Canet and Fabio di Giannantonio for the final podium spot at that stage.
But with Binder, Canet crashing out, Martin was able to fend off di Giannantonio to secure his first ever podium with a second place, behind sister MGP3O of McPhee.
"It is incredible," said an elated Martin. "I can't describe the feeling of stepping onto the podium for the first time.
"I tried to set my rhythm in the race and I took the lead for a few laps but the guys behind me came by really fast and I had to manage the situation.
"I knew there would be a few crashes and that I would have a chance to fight for the podium. I could hear di Giannantonio and I could see him on the big screen, so I took the final corner with a lot of care.
"I am really happy and want even more now. Since Mahindra brought the new gearbox we have been fast.
"It is not that Brno has been a one-off because we were also fast in Austria and we will be at Silverstone too," an optimistic Martin added.
While McPhee and Martin enjoyed Mahindra's 1-2, the other Indian marquee rider Francesco Bagnaia crashed out at Turn 1 from 14th place.
The Italian started strongly from 16th to run in the top 10, but gradually dropped down before falling down. "It was a very difficult race," the VR46 academy rider said.
"I had problems in the left-hand corners, possibly because of a tyre defect. I couldn't ride hard and drop the lap times below 2'23.
"As soon as the other guys stepped up the pace I got left behind. Then when things seemed to be improving I lost the rear in turn one," he added, as he sits fifth in the riders' standings, still chasing third place.
Suzuki scores more points
Along with the two podium finishers, CIP's Tatsuki Suzuki overcame a difficult qualifying to finish 13th, scoring four valuable points for Mahindra.
Among the remaining finishers, Platinum Bay's Marcos Ramirez was 18th, with CIP's Fabio Spiranelli in 22nd and Team Italia's Lorenzo Petrarca 24th.
Joining Bagnaia in the retirement list were Peugeot's Albert Arenas, CIP's Darryn Binder and Team Italia's Stefano Valtulini - the latter coming agonisingly close to scoring first points, but crashing out with four laps remaining.
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