Bagania bags podium in Le Mans

NEW DELHI: It turned out to be a delightful Sunday for Team Mahidra as Mapfre rider Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia claimed the first podium of the season in the Moto3 race at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. Bagnaia closely fought with the leading pack throughout the race and missed a famous victory by less than half a second.
The 18-year-old Italian had qualified on the front row for the first time and rode a faultless 24 laps of the 4.185-km Bugatti circuit at the legendary venue.
The 2015 Mahindra MGP3O showed its competency at the Moto3 level, with Bagnaia particularly strong at the crucial corner-entry overtaking points. Now it was a four-way scrap, won by inches by Romano Fenati (KTM) and Enea Bastianini (Honda). Championship leader Danny Kent (Honda) was fourth. "This was for sure the best race of my career. I fought a lot race of my career. I fought a lot with the other two Italian riders and that was great. In the remaining two laps, I tried to take first position, and I could make it," Bagnaia said after the race.
Two more Mahindra riders, who have become only constructors from this season, finished in the points.
Second Mapfre rider Juan fran Guevara was a brave 12th, less than a fortnight after surgery for a broken collarbone, while rookie Stefano Manzi claimed his first point at 15th.
"I gave my best, and this third place is the result. I'm very happy, because the team and Mahindra have been working a lot. This is a good reward. Now we have to continue," Bagnaia added.