A strong Le Mans weekend sets up Catalan GP challenge
After a highly encouraging weekend at the Michelin Grand Prix of France, the team now turns its attention to round six of the Moto3 World Championship this weekend at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya in Montmeló.
The weather had been threatening to play a major role throughout the weekend at Le Mans, with Sunday’s Moto3 race expected to be either fully wet or declared wet conditions. That prediction ultimately proved correct. Following their strongest qualifying performances of the season, Joel Kelso securing a front-row start and Eddie O’Shea claiming a top-10 grid position, the strong pace both riders had shown throughout the dry sessions faced a completely different challenge once conditions changed on race day.
With wet races always unpredictable, both the #66 and #8 approached Sunday’s race determined to maximise both their own performance and the potential of their machinery, while also understanding the importance of staying calm in treacherous conditions where even the smallest mistake can prove costly.
Kelso made an excellent launch from the front row and immediately moved into second position behind race leader Máximo Quiles through the opening corners. During the early laps, the Australian was locked in a close battle with Marco Morelli for the podium positions. Unfortunately, on lap three, Kelso lost the front of the bike and crashed out. He was able to restart and rejoin the race, completing a couple of laps before ultimately returning to the pits and retiring from the race.
“Overall, it was a really positive weekend. Unfortunately Sunday’s race was wet, but we were up for the challenge. We were right there in the podium fight. I got up into second at the start, then dropped back to third, but I was feeling really comfortable and the pace was strong. It was still early in the race, only a few laps in, but I felt good on the bike and not on the limit. Unfortunately, I just lost the front without much warning, but that can happen in wet conditions.
The positive is that, wet or dry, we were competitive and fighting at the front again. It feels like I’m getting back to my old level, and that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. Now we take the positives and move on to the next one.”
Meanwhile, Eddie O’Shea converted his career-best Moto3 qualifying performance into his strongest race result to date. Starting from tenth on the grid, the British rider delivered a mature and controlled performance in difficult mixed conditions to secure an impressive ninth-place finish and add another seven points to his championship tally.
O’Shea’s race was defined by consistency and strong race management as grip levels continued to evolve and parts of the circuit began to dry. Staying out of trouble proved crucial, and the #8 delivered a calm, controlled performance to secure a solid top-ten finish, ultimately crossing the line in ninth place in highly challenging conditions.
“Good race today. It was definitely a battle of survival out there in those conditions. I’m really happy to come away with my best result of the season. I felt like we maybe had a little bit more pace, but I didn’t want to overpush and risk making a mistake. To come away with my best qualifying result and best race finish of the year is really positive overall for the weekend.”
Following the strong progress shown at the French Grand Prix, the team now heads to Montmeló focused on continuing this momentum and building further confidence ahead of round six of the Moto3 World Championship.