Dennis Foggia dominated the opening IndonesianGP action as the Leopard rider claimed the Moto3 victory by almost three seconds.
Gaviota Aspar’s Izan Guevara and CFMoto PruestelGP’s pole-sitter Carlos Tatay completed the inaugural podium at the Mandalika International Street Circuit with race-long challenger and Championship leader Andrea Migno falling at the final hurdle.
Race drama kicked off ahead of the lights as Diogo Moreira’s MT Helmets mechanics had a frantic rush to prepare his machine after the Brazilian rookie was wheeled off the grid. Unable to capitalise on his impressive front row qualifying position he lined up at the back for the 23-lap race.
As the lights released, Migno capitalised on the gap in front of him, swiftly jumping from fourth to second as Sergio Garcia took charge. Foggia battled with the leading pair, slotting into third as the first lap unfolded with pole-man Tatay holding on to the group for fourth.
Guevara was in touch as Sterilgarda’s Ayumu Sasaki joined the fight out front, Tatay dropping to sixth in the melee with home hero Mario Aji down to seventh. Deniz Öncü, Daniel Holgado and Ivan Ortola rounding out the top ten as Rivacold Snipers’ Alberto Surra crashed out at turn three. MTA’s Ortola suffering a similar fate moments later.
Out front and Guevara was taking charge, a fastest lap of the race giving him a tenth over the pack behind him as Migno and Garcia battled for the runners-up spot, Foggia maintaining third as Holgado advanced through the back of the train to sit sixth.
VisionTrack Honda’s Scott Ogden circulated in 18th as leading Brit with three laps dispatched. John McPhee out of the action due to fractured vertebrae after a pre race training accident.
Foggia took charge at turn 12 as lap five counted down, Migno continuing to battle the Gaviota GasGas pair of Guevara and Garcia as Tatay returned to fifth. A KTM fight developed at the back of the top ten as Jaume Masia headed Holgado, Öncü and Adrian Fernandez. The Spaniard recovering from contact early on.
A moment threatened Migno’s rhythm as the Italian regrouped in fourth, Foggia breaking free out front as he built a 1.4s advantage from the Aspar rivals. Sasaki circulating in the KTM mix as Masia advanced to fifth before the Husqvarna hit back and the pole sitter dropped to ninth.
The Leopard’s dominance stretched to three seconds with 15 laps to go. Tatay collecting a long-lap penalty for a shortcut at turn nine as his day went from bad to worse with Migno clipping the wheel of Garcia as they continued to bicker for the final podium position.
Guevara enjoyed breathing space in second as the six-rider battle for third developed behind him. Garcia dropping to the middle of the train as Migno took charge in third once again. Fernandez retiring from the race as Masia barged through on Sasaki in the top five.
Further back, Stefano Nepa, Xavi Artigas and Tatsuki Suzuki circled on the fringes of the top ten, the CFMoto PruestelGP rider holding the advantage in ninth as Tatay looked to fight back from 14th after dispatching his penalty.
Garcia was back in third and on the wheels of his teammate with ten laps remaining, the pair swapping positions as the race developed with Migno waiting patiently to capitalise behind.
Masia and Holgado dragged the KTM’s into contention with nine to go as the Spaniard captured third but it was a short-lived stint out front. Migno retaking the position two laps later as they faded back to sixth and seventh.
Aji was the next to collect a penalty, again for a turn nine shortcut as the race counted down. Migno advancing to second, 5.5s behind Foggia as Garcia dropped down to sixth. Guevara challenged successfully next time around with Öncü now in touch and leading the trailing group from fourth.
The battle raged on for the final four laps as the pack bunched up with the podium in sight. Migno locked firmly together with Garcia as Öncü, Masia and Holgado bickered for best of the rest and top KTM honours behind.
Two to go and Migno was down in seventh as Masia made his way into podium contention. Öncü likewise dispatching Garcia as Tatay came through for fifth.
Foggia was cruising as the final lap began, Guevara maintaining his hold on second as Tatay recovered to third. KTM contact dropped Masia to seventh, behind Migno before the Italian was taken out by Sasaki at turn ten.
Foggia secured the victory from Guevara and Tatay with Garcia, Öncü and Artigas rounding out the top six. Late drama saw Joel Kelso and Nepa down just before the chequered flag as Masia, Elia Bartolini, Holgado and Suzuki completed the top ten. Ryusei Yamanaka, Kaito Toba, Ogden, Aji and Bertelle collecting the final points on offer at Mandalika.
