Jorge Navarro claimed his breakthrough Grand Prix victory at the 31st attempt in Barcelona to gain ground on championship leader Brad Binder. The Spanish teenager, who had eight podium finishes to his name without winning, burst clear of the leading group in the closing laps while Binder recovered from a collision with Gabriel Rodrigo to finish second.
A leading group of eight riders eventually distanced themselves from the pack with Rodrigo the surprise package among them having vaulted up the order from 19th on the grid. The Argentine rider led for the first time in his fledgling career on lap ten but an ill-judged move while battling Binder for fourth saw his fortunes change.
Entering the final chicane, installed following the tragic events of Friday afternoon, Rodrigo made contact with the no.41 KTM and pushed the South African off the circuit, relegating him to eighth. Rodrigo suffered less, shortcutting the corner and maintaining fourth but his dream of a first career podium was crushed by a crash at turn one just a lap later.
With Khairul Idham Pawi also tumbling in the latter stages, Binder was promoted back up to sixth and a multi-bike slipstream at the start of the final lap saw him move up into fourth. A sensational dive up the inside of turn four saw Brad overhaul Romano Fenati and Enea Bastianini and the Italian pair left to dispute the final rostrum spot, the championship leader secured twenty crucial points. Bastianini edged out his compatriot for third while Nicolo Bulega pipped fellow rookie Aron Canet for fifth.
Fabio Quartararo held off his Leopard teammate Joan Mir for seventh while Fabio Di Giannantonio, the hero of Mugello, scored more points in ninth place. John McPhee also added to his tally after taking his Saxoprint Peugeot to 15th.
Moto3 Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya (Race Result)
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