Moto2: Pedro Acosta has Buriram title chance despite Australian mishap
Starting from the back of the grid as a result of the mishap, Acosta recovered to ninth p𒅌lace by 🃏the time the race was red flagged due to the treacherous wet and windy conditions.
“Today we had one of the most challenging races and toughest conditions that I can remember in our history in the Mot💞o2 class,” said Acosta’s team manager Aki Ajo. “When the conditions are rainy and windy it is really hard to make the tyres work.
“Today Race Control's directions were the right ones and the race was red-flagged. Unfortunately, Pedro had a crash on the sighting lap, but the whole team including the Moto3 crews and KTM worked so hard and f♋inally he was able to start the race. I want to give a big thank you for this team effort, as this is personally something that I really respect.”
Acosta's title rival Tony Arbolino took victory at Phillip Island but with less than 2/3 distanc𝓡e complete, and a restart abandoned, the Marc VDS rider only re💙ceived half the normal 25 points.
"With these conditions, we should h♛ave double points, not half!" jo🅷ked Arbolino.
All of which means Acosta’s championship lead still stands ꦗat 56 points over the Italian headi𝓡ng into Buriram.
If the Red Bull KTM Ajo star has an advantage of 75 points or mor😼e on Sunday, he will be crowned world champion for the second time in three seasons, after winning the 2021 Moto3 title as a rookie.
“There wasn't much water on the tra🐠ck, but the wind made it difficult for us to ride," said Acosta. “[But at least] the situation allowed us to see that we are competitive in the wet.
"Now it's time to think about Th🏅ailand and the next race.”
Acosta will join the GA🌠SGAS Tech3 team in MotoGP next season, riding a KTM RC16 alongside last year’s Moto2 title winner Augusto Fer🌞nandez.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit👍 story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
