Salom maintains narrow title lead after crashing out of dramatic Japanese Grand Prix

The Japanese Grand Prix was a tricky race featuring many crashes, in which unfortunately two Red Bull KTM Ajo were taken out on the opening lap. First to fall was Zulfahmi Khairuddin, with Luis Salom following just a few corners later. In both cases the crashes came due to contact from another rider. Salom remains Moto3 series leader by 2 points over Maverick Viñales. Arthur Sissis completes race in sixteenth.

The entire weekend was one to forget. After only being able to undertake qualifying yesterday and a practice session this morning, the Japanese GP started off badly for Red Bull KTM Ajo. On the very first corner, Zulfahmi Khairuddin was hit by another rider and knocked to the ground. Just a few corners afterwards, Luis Salom was taken out by Isaac Viñales. Despite rejoining the race and putting in fastest laps, Salom would crash again 12 laps from the chequered flag. The result was not completely negative, however, as Alex Rins would later crash out and a win for Alex Marquez would keep Salom at the head of the overall standings.

The title fight will go down to the wire in two weeks’ time at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Luis Salom will defend his 2-point lead over Maverick Viñales and 5-point lead over Alex Rins. Zulfahmi Khairuddin lies twelfth with 65 points and Arthur Sissis is fifteenth with 59.

Luis Salom “After the first crash, I think that riding at the same pace –or faster– than the frontrunners was important for me. I felt very comfortable and my feeling with the bike was very good. The second crash was strange, because I lost the rear and wasn’t expecting it at all. Later on, in the garage, we saw that this was due to damage suffered in the first crash.

After seeing how everything turned out, I am happy to keep the series lead. That is the important thing. It is all at stake in Valencia and I am sure that both I and the team will give our all.”

Source: Ajo Motorsport