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The real test of strength for Joan Mir this season may well have been today. Yes, because in the umpteenth Moto3 group race, the Spaniard proved perfect, a permanent fixture in the leading group and completing a last lap worthy of a perfect ten.
First he moved into second place as he braked to head into turn 10, bfore taking the lead, ahead of Martin, at turn 13, a point where it's not exactly easy to pass. The 2016 rookie of the year more than deserves his championship lead (currently 45 points ahead of Fenati, second). The second step of the podium was snatched by Romano Fenati, who tried to break away in the final laps but was unable to do so, battling hard for his podium spot. The final place went to poleman Martin, who made a terrible start followed by a great recovery, thus confirming the 'pole rule'; since Philip Island 2016 (won by Binder) no polesitter has gone on to win the race.
Fourth for Enea Bastianini, who shows his love for Montmelò by making a great recovery, followed by his team-mate Canet, Ramirez and Fabio Di Giannantonio; the Italian spent much of the race in the leading group, but fell below expectations in the final stages. He was followed across the line by Andrea Migno and Nicolò Bulega, who completed a solid race after a qualifying session to forget, while Suzuki rounds out the top ten followed by Niccolò Antonelli.
A half second penalty impacted on the result for Migno, Antonelli and McPhee (12th), applied after the end of the race for having exceeded the limits of the track.
