The final race in a run of three in a row saw yet more dramatic twists and turns, and for Team Suzuki Ecstar it was a case of ‘what might’ve been’ despite strong finishes from both riders.
Joan Mir came into the race after two days of extremely good pace and the second fastest time in morning warm-up. After getting his first ever MotoGP podium just seven days earlier, he was especially keen to match or better that result. He got the holeshot off the line in the 28 lap race and after briefly slipping to second, he retook the lead on lap five and proceeded to build up a handsome advantage over the field. The Mallorcan was settling into a great rhythm at two and half seconds ahead of the chasing riders. However, a red flag incident on lap 17 saw a halt to the Grand Prix.
Restarting from the positions they held in the first half of the race, Mir once again took the holeshot from ‘pole position’, but by the third lap he had dropped to third place. Despite having a fresh rear tyre left in his allocation, Mir had to restart on a used front, but he valiantly fought to hold on to the best position possible and he crossed the line in a strong fourth place, taking 13 points.
Alex Rins made a good start to the first half of the Styrian GP, slotting into fifth place and although he spent many laps unable to make up positions, he was feeling good on his GSX-RR. As the red flag flew Rins was also finding a good rhythm. In the restart he was unlucky and a poor launch saw him drop to eighth. However, he kept fighting on despite feeling pain in his shoulder and a couple of small mistakes, and at the chequered flag he was able to secure a solid sixth place, and a 10-point boost to his championship standing.
