GAVIOTA ÁNGEL NIETO TEAM PUT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX BEHIND THEM

Jake Dixon and Xavi Cardelús finish 21st and 25th at Phillip Islnd and turn their attention to Malaysia

South African rider Brad Binder extended his love affair with Australia today, taking another win at Phillip Island. The KTM rider has been on the podium here for the last five years, three times on the top step, and his latest visit keeps him in contention for the Moto2 title. There was double joy for KTM as Jorge Martín took second place, proving that the Japan podium was no fluke and the 2018 Moto3 World Champion has now fully transitioned to the intermediate class. In terms of the championship, Binder, Thomas Luthi and Jorge Navarro all still stand in the way of Álex Márquez, having all finished in front of the Spaniard today - Binder in first place, Luthi third and Navarro fourth. Márquez started sixth but could only finish eighth, meaning his quest for the title moves on to Malaysia, where he takes a 28-point advantage over Luthi.

The Gaviota Ángel Nieto Team are happy to put the Australian Grand Prix behind them after 21st place for Jake Dixon and 25th for his teammate Xavi Cardelús. The British rider made a strong start to the race and was lapping as high as fourteenth but the dramatic change in track conditions compared to the first two days of the Grand Prix made it difficult for him as the race progressed. Dixon dropped several positions but produced a consistent finish to the race lapping behind other riders and gathered some vital experience of Phillip Island. Cardelús had more difficulty in the middle part of the race, the Andorran making a good start and also producing a consistent finish before turning his attention to the next race at Sepang.

21st Jake Dixon 1:35.401: “The track felt different today, with the change in the weather, so that made it even more difficult for me in the race. I managed to get up to fourteenth at one stage but then I struggled to keep the right line. I was able to do it for the last few laps riding behind Sam Lowes, which made it easier. If Sam had passed me earlier my lap times would have been more consistent but spending so much time behind him was useful for me to work out where I need to improve. This is all part of learning and we are going to keep giving everything to the task in the last two rounds.”

 

25th Xavi Cardelús: “It has been a positive Sunday because we have taken a big step forward in the warm-up that we were able to carry into the race. The bike worked well, there was not much about it we could improve today. I made a good start but I struggled to keep my pace up for a few laps. I was more consistent at the end, which is when it matters, and now we are thinking about Malaysia.”