The FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup once again provided a thrilling battle in Race 1 at Donington Park for Round 3, with Angelo Mottola (Italy) taking his first win in the class ahead of Chris Clarke (USA) in second and Emanuele Pastore (Italy) ending the race in third.
It was Riichi Takahira (Japan) who stormed to the front of the pack when the lights went out, holding onto the lead well into the second lap. However, with the incredible pace of the R3 Cup, he was unable to create a gap, and Championship leader Xarly Mendez (Dominican Republic) soon took to the front of the race where he stayed until the very last lap.
With less than two seconds covering the top-ten, it was a tight battle throughout the race, often with up to six riders abreast storming down the infamous Craner Curves.
The race would be decided on the last lap, with Christopher Clarke charging to the lead heading into the final corners, battling against Mendez, Mottola and Pastore. However, it was Mottola who got the better of the pack, leading into the final corner and crossing the line to take the victory, followed closely by Clarke in second and Pastore taking the final podium spot in third.
Leonardo Marquez (Brazil) took the chequered flag in fourth place, Aymon Bocanegra (Brazil) in fifth and Mendez arrived in sixth position overall, although the Dominican Republic rider still holds the Championship lead by 19 points.
Emanuele Pastore will line up in pole position for tomorrow’s race, being joined on the front row by Japan’s Takahira and Hinata Okada.
Angelo Mottola
“I am very happy, it felt like we had one lap to win the race so I tried my hardest and fortunately I was able to win the race! I am looking forward to tomorrow”