Can Oncu Makes History as Youngest Moto3 Winner

Turkish teenager Can Oncu held his nerve as he became the youngest ever Moto3 winner. Along the way, he also became the first ever Turkish winner in MotoGP. Oncu overcame a last lap scare to win the Grand Prix of Valencia.

At 15 years and 115 days, he is the youngest ever winner. The Valencia Moto3 race was less of a race and more of a survival match. Several riders took a tumble during the race due to treacherous conditions. Even pole man and race leader Tony Arbolino fell prey to the wet conditions, much to his despair.

Joining him on the podium are newly-crowned world champion Jorge Martin, and John McPhee. Oncu put in a fabulous performance in qualifying to start 3rd behind Arbolino and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat.

At the start, Tatsuki Suzuki lost the front of his bike taking out two other riders with him. Slowly, more and more riders began to drop out off the race, including Marco Bezzecchi, who was fight for 2nd in the championship. Bezzecchi fell twice but managed to keep going to finish the race.

Coming back to Can Oncu, he and twin brother Deniz Oncu have been very strong in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. However, only Can got the call-up to Moto3 with the Red Bull Ajo Motorsport team.

Oncu has won several Motocross championships in his native Turkey. In 2017, he placed 3rd in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. This year though, he clinched the titles ahead of his twin brother Deniz.

The Valencia race was nerve-wracking as Oncu had a big wobble into Turn 6 on the final lap. Fortunately, he stay on and 2nd-placed Jorge Martin was too far back to make an overtake.

In the end, Oncu took a well-deserved and popular victory in Valencia.