The Repsol riders fought for victory among a group of six until the very end, just missing podium positions in the final corners.
The fourth and fifth positions were bittersweet for Alex Rins and Alex Marquez at this weekend’s Czech Republic Grand Prix, after both had an excellent weekend and were in positions to fight for victory. With these results, Marquez is fifth in the Championship points and Rins remains third overall, 28 points behind race winner Luis Salom.
The race played out as predicted, with a large group fighting at the front from which no one could break away. No fewer than six riders battled each other in the final laps, with Rins, Marquez, Salom, Viñales, Folger and Masbou all looking for a chance to lead the Moto3 pack. On the final lap, a slim stream strategy by Salom proved to be the winning move, with the Viñales and Folger crossing the line behind Salom. The Repsol duo of Rins and Marquez finished just a few tenths behind the race winner, in fourth and fifth positions.
In less than a week’s time, both riders will have a chance to better their results at Silverstone, the third race in three consecutive weeks.
Alex Rins >> Audio
4th at 1.081 sec.
“It was a very difficult race, although we knew it would be. Both the team and I have been working really well throughout the weekend to be in good shape for the race. Here at Brno it’s hard to get in front and get away from the group, as there are several possible lines to take on the track. In the last two laps today, there was a lot of overtaking and fighting for the front positions and we finished fourth. We worked really hard and it’s a shame to not end up on the podium, but we’ll try again at Silverstone, as we are in good shape to do so.”
Alex Marquez >> Audio
5th at 1.240 sec.
“I’m quite happy, because after the warm up session we had a problem with the bike that wouldn’t let me ride comfortably, but we fixed it in time for the race. From the start of the race I was in front and was able to fight with the leaders, which is very important at a circuit like this because you learn a lot. At the end, we knew it could be anyone’s race and we lacked a little bit of experience with how to approach the final laps. I think it was a mistake to go to the front with one lap to go, because then everyone behind passed me. I was in second at the rise and that’s when it got a little messy. I was passed by Maverick [Viñales], and also Alex [Rins] and then Jonas [Folger] under braking. It was a little strange but I’m happy because we fought, we gave everything and that’s what is important, to keep improving.”
