In pouring rain, Marco BEZZECCHI, young Italian rookie from Team CIP, scored his first podium in the Moto3 category after completing a superb race full of mastery.
In these difficult conditions, CIP drivers Marco BEZZECCHI (#12) and Manuel PAGLIANI (#96) were able to use very good technique and great composure to achieve a race weekend at the forefront. From Friday Manuel PAGLIANI showed off by achieving very good timed times during the two free practice sessions, allowing him to finish in 5rd and 6rd position. Saturday morning during the 3rd practice session, he further improved his performance by dominating all his opponents, achieving the best time 6 times in a row to secure 1stst instead.
In the qualifying session, the two Team CIP drivers continued their efforts and achieved excellent times. At the end of this session, Manuel PAGLIANI qualifies in 3rd line by making the 9rd time while Marco BEZZECCHI succeeds on 4rd best time allowing him to start from 2rd line. Both recorded their best performance in qualifying. The warm up on Sunday morning was marked by the mechanical failure of a competitor, leaving a trace of oil on half of the circuit which led to the minor fall of Manuel PAGLIANI.
After a difficult start given the grip reduced by the rain, Manuel PAGLIANI stuck inside the first corner, fell back several places while Marco BEZZECCHI, well placed, benefited from a good trajectory and managed to escape without damage to the 6rd position. In the middle of the group, Manuel PAGLIANI is hampered by the lack of visibility and loses further places before making a mistake and abandoning in 2rd round. Marco BEZZECCHI manages to quickly regain his 4rd starting position by making precise attacks. Perfectly in rhythm he connects the fast laps and manages to win 3rd place then catch the 2nd. In the last laps the rain increased in intensity and he secured his performance. He got his first Grand Prix podium there.
Alain Bronec : “The outcome of the weekend is extremely good for the entire CIP Team. The achievement with this magnificent podium for Marco, his first at this level, is the fruit of the work carried out by the entire team. With this 3rd place, he is the first rookie this year to make a podium and takes the lead in the Rookie Ranking. Manuel for his part was very efficient during testing and had a great FP3, he could have had a better race. Unfortunately with the poor visibility in the pack, he gets locked in and makes a mistake. It's a shame for him. »
Marco Bezzecchi : “It’s incredible, the conditions were really difficult. I didn't have a great start but I quickly managed to recover a few places then overtake again to take 3rd position. I stayed focused on not making any mistakes and giving myself this first podium. I thank all the CIP Team who worked a lot, Mahindra and the entire VR46 Riders Academy. »
We'll see you on October 22 at the Philip Island circuit, for the Australian Grand Prix.
Communication Department
Team CIP
