MotoGP Le Mans: Masia masters red flagged Moto3 sprint

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jaume Masia proved victorious in Le Mans after rain and red flags shortened the Moto3 race to 14 laps.

A final corner move secured the celebrations for the Spaniard with a hard-charging Ayumu Sasaki batting hard for second on the Sterilgarda Husqvarna. Gaviota GasGas Aspar’s Izan Guevara completing the podium with his own late move at the flag.

The French racing action got underway with the lightweight class under darkening skies with rain threatening around the Bugatti Circuit. CIP Green Power’s Joel Kelso withdrawn from competition having continued to struggle from the aftermath of his Jerez warm-up collision.

Leopard’s Dennis Foggia and Tatsuki Suzuki headed the grid with Masia completing the front row for the 22-lap battle with Brits John McPhee, Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley sitting 16th, 19th and 28th respectively.

Lights out and Foggia maintained command with Diogo Moreira launching to second before taking the lead as the pack exited the first corner. Suzuki bettering his teammate for second moments later with Masia and Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno completing the top five as the opening lap played out.

Moments later and the Italian crashed out at the final corner with championship leader Sergio Garcia, Ricardo Rossi, Guevara, and Sasaki. Ivan Ortola and Kaito Toba doing likewise with Daniel Holgado collected at turn three after contact with Elia Bartolini as the rain began to fall and the red flags were issued.

A 14 lap restart returned the grid to its original form with the fallen riders scrambling to repair their machines in time. The brief rain shower clearing quickly as tyre choice became increasingly problematic on the 24 degree track.

The holeshot went to Foggia second time around with