Jerez Moto3: Philipp Oettl Wins as Title Rivals Crash

German rider Philipp Oettl won the Moto3 race in Jerez, he was joined by Marco Bezzecchi and Marcos Ramirez on the podium. It was Oettl’s first win in his career and the race itself was an edge-of-the seat thriller.

Pole sitter Jorge Martin led from the start and rocketed away with teammate Fabio DiGiannantonio in hot pursuit. Every rider got through the first corner safely but the same could not be said for Turn 2. That corner claimed 3 victims, including Scottish rider John McPhee.

As the race progressed, there was an 18-rider battle for the lead. With each passing lap, there was a lot of chopping and changing. You cannot even make this up! Soon, the pack began to split up as the top 18 became a top 12. As the laps ticked by, the grains began to separate from the chaff. Philipp Oettl broke away, dragging Bezzecchi, Martin, Aron Canet, Enea Bastiannini and Tony Arbolino with him.

With 4 laps to go, it happened, Canet divebombed Martin but lost control of his bike. The Spaniard careened into his compatriot and took out Bastiannini and Arbolino in the process. Needless to say, Martin was livid and limped away clutching his hand.

Left to their own devices, Oettl and Bezzechi duelled for a bit but the former held on to tale his maiden win. Bezzecchi gleefully took over the lead of the championship. But behind them, the battle was on for the final podium spot. The final 3 laps witnessed a massive dogfight for 3rd with rookie rider Alonso Lopez winning that battle.

But, as the saying goes, it isn’t over till the fat lady sings. In this case, the fat lady was the FIM, who penalised Lopez and Niccolo Antonelli for exceeding track limits. The 2 riders dropped a position each, promoting a delighted Ramirez to 3rd.