Impressive show by Mahindra riders
I need to practice my starts, as I need to improve in this area MICHAEL RUBEN RINALDI MAHINDRA RACING RIDER
Mahindra Racing riders Andrea Locatelli and Michael Ruben Rinaldi dominated both races — Round 7 and 8 — of the CIV Moto3 championship at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, on Sunday.
In Round 7, Locatelli, who started on pole, finished second, while teammate Rinaldi started second and took the win. Locatelli won the Round 8 encounter while Rinaldi finished third.
Speaking about his performance after Round 8, Locatelli said, “I got the result I was looking for. Although I didn’t get a perfect start I was able to take advantage of the parts of the track where I knew I was faster, so I managed to close the gap with the front quick enough. I need to practice my starts, as I need to improve in this area.
“The team has done an outstanding job and I want to thank each of them for what they have done during the weekend,” he added.
In Round 7 of the championship Locatelli scored the pole position courtesy a 2’ 01.211 seconds lap- time, just 0.070 faster than teammate Rinaldi in second place, who clocked in 2’ 01.291.
Rinaldi kept the lead thanks to his outstanding pace, but Locatelli lost a position while trying to avoid some riders who crashed in front of him.
With a few laps to go, Locatelli managed to overtake both Marini ( FTR) and Migno ( Honda) , to cross the line in second place. Rinaldi was crowned race winner and set the fastest lap of the race ( 2’ 01.255).
“I really wanted a double win but I had to settle for third. I got a good start and tried to set my pace in order to pull away, but that was not the case. In the first race, I got a good start and pushed hard because I knew my opponents were not far,” Rinaldi said.
“The bike was perfect and allowed me to stay in the lead from lights to flag. It was an amazing win, that gives me great joy, “he added.
With only two races left, Locatelli leads the rider’s standings with 150 points, 23 ahead of Marini and 32 on Rinaldi.
The final showdown for the Italian Moto3 title will take place at Mugello’s Autodromo Internazionale from September 21 to 22.