MotoGP News
Yuki Takahashi and the 600cc Honda-powered Tech3 Racing team ran away from a partially devastated field to earn their maiden victory in Moto2 at the incredibly challenging Catalun
ya motorcycle racing circuit in Spain.
Andrea Iannone was the only rider left in Sunday’s race to stand in Takahashi’s way, but eventually Moto GP Race Control gave Iannone a ride through penalty having passed under a yellow flag and failing to give up the position gained. This costly mistake left Takahashi with a lead of nearly three seconds on lap 16.
Despite the temperatures, as Iannone pulled into the pit lane, Yuki Takahashi took the lead and increased his 3-second margin through to victory for his first in the Moto2 class and the first for the Tech 3 team.
Takahashi previously had two wins on a 250 GP bike. The margin of victory was 5.037s and this was Takahashi’s first motorcycle racing win since the German 250cc Grand Prix in 2006.
Yuki Takahashi (Tech 3 Racing, Tech 3) says: “Luckily I got on the front row in qualifying yesterday and that meant I wasn’t involved in the big crash at the first corner. I didn’t have a very good pace in the early laps while I gained some confidence with the front tyre, but once in my rhythm I could easily catch Luthi and Simon. My bike was working fantastic out of the last corner and it meant I could pass them both on the brakes at the first corner.”
Regarding Andrea Ionnone, Yuki says: “I tried to follow Iannone but it was very difficult. He was riding very fast and I didn’t realise he was penalised for passing me under a yellow flag. My board said P1 even though I was second and for a while it was a little confusing. But when I saw him pull into the pit lane I understood the situation because I’d seen the penalty board and his number but I wasn’t sure what was happening. Then it became incredibly hard to maintain concentration because Iannone was a good reference.”
Yuki continued: “I settled down though and could win and it was an amazing feeling. I can’t thank my team at Tech 3 Racing enough. This team is like a family and everybody works incredibly hard. They have unbelievable passion for racing and for me, and this win feels a lot more special than before because it is with a bike we’ve all developed.”
This in an incredible win for LeoVince, as the full titanium pipe that the Tech3 team uses for their Moto2 bikes was designed, tested and built in Monticello D’Alba at the LeoVince factory and headquarters.
Tim Calhoun (Executive Vice President of LeoVince USA) says: “I am excited that Tech3 and LeoVince were able win a race so early in the development of this series. We are proud of our efforts in developing this exhaust as it is such an important piece in the competitive package of these Moto2 bikes.”
“We feel fortunate to have such a great development partner like Tech3, the hard work of Yuki Takahashi and the entire Tech3 Team has validated our efforts in the development of Moto2 exhausts and continued positioning as one of the world’s premiere exhaust manufactures”.
The historic win for Tech 3 Racing moved Takahashi into eighth place in the overall rankings.
Moto2 Race Results
1. Yuki Takahashi 41m42.451s
2. Thomas Luthi +5.037s
3. Julian Simon +5.200s
4. Karel Abraham +6.706s
5. Toni Elias +7.369s
6. Simone Corsi +7.414s
7. Kenny Noyes +17.010s
8. Fonsi Nieto +20.555s
9. Anthony West +21.001s
10. Alex De Angelis +21.369s
Moto2 – Round 7 – Standings
1. Toni Elias 111
2. Thomas Luthi 94
3. Julian Simon 77
4. Shoya Tomizawa 76
5. Andrea Iannone 70
6. Simone Corsi 65
7. Jules Cluzel 57
8. Yuki Takahashi 52
9. Sergio Gadea 47
10. Gabor Talmacsi 42
