Into the whirlwind! 2023 MotoGP will reach a climax at rapid speed thanks to a frantic schedule that involves races in Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar and Spain in just seven weeks. The four-continent spin began with the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia at the Mandalika Street Circuit and CFMOTO were extremely close to more world championship points at round fifteen of twenty.
-CFMOTO returned to the scene of their maiden podium result in MotoGP during 2022 and for what was the very first visit to the modern circuit on the island of Lombok eighteen months ago
-The Indonesian Grand Prix continued the Asian leg of the FIM world championship and the fluid Mandalika layout was surrounded by busy grandstands for a dry, sunny and hot set of races
-Joel Kelso built up expectation for his home Grand Prix next weekend at Phillip Island by running near the lead group for long phases of the race and classified 16th at the flag
-Xavi Artigas manages to erase the memory of his error and non-finish in Japan two weeks ago by making it to the line in 19th
-Round sixteen sees MotoGP plough south and to the picturesque Australian circuit a short distance from the city of Melbourne next weekend
There was a little of the sweet and the sour in Japan two weeks ago: Joel Kelso grabbed Moto3 Grand Prix points while Xavi Artigas slid through the gravel. Both the Australian and the Spaniard and the whole CFMOTO PruestelGP team had their sights set on a better outcome for the return to the touristy island of Lombok and the second-ever MotoGP gathering at Mandalika.
Compared to the 2022 fixture (which was the second race of last year’s championship) the circuit was in a higher state of readiness and preparation for the latest MotoGP affair; the 17-corner and 4.3km trajectory had benefitted from resurfacing and offered plenty of grip for the Grand Prix prototype motorcycles. The tarmac was dirty and slick away from the racing line however and this created a few ‘moments’ for the racers during the weekend programme but by the time of the 20-lap race on Sunday morning the Moto3 field had the demands dialled.
On Friday CFMOTO PruestelGP helped Kelso find the markers and method to ramp-up his pace. The Aussie was only nine tenths of a second from Provisional Pole Position after Friday’s combined times, even though Artigas – with his larger frame – had a few more difficulties and ranked 26th. The crew sought improvements and solutions for Saturday as the competitiveness of the group rose. After Q1 and Q2 qualifying sessions to determine the grid the CFMOTO pair settled with 13th for Kelso and 26th for Artigas.
Sunday morning’s climate remained steady and dependable, even if the full race distance meant another physical challenge due to the 35-degree temperatures. Moto3 formed a sizeable group from the outset. Kelso was on the periphery and hovering around the edge of the top ten while Artigas ran further back in the top twenty. In the final phases Kelso could not get in the mix for maximum points and ended the day with 16th. Artigas lost out in his battle with title contender Ayumu Sasaki and was 19th.
CFMOTO PruestelGP were swift to repack their freight and crates Sunday evening in Indonesia. The trip to Australia meant another hefty haul for the German squad. They left Mandalika with the knowledge that Artigas holds 13th in the standings and Kelso 22nd. They were also keen to work on their position of 10th in the Team’s championship with the next GP only a few days and hours away.
Phillip Island is one of the fastest and most spectacular tracks in the world and has been home to some of the closest Grand Prix finishes of all time. Expect another thriller for the Guru by Gryfyn Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix!
Joel Kelso: “A good weekend here, even if I didn’t feel really fast all the way through. The first half of the race was good and we ran the pace of the leaders. It was a good step. With a few laps to go I wasn’t feeling so well. It was a super-hard race in the end and the conditions were tough. We’ll keep pushing forwards. I know what I am capable of, and we need to keep the momentum up. I’m excited now for next week and there are a lot of races coming along.”
Xavier Artigas: “Well, a tough weekend. We are trying to get further forwards and I gave 100% in the race but it wasn’t enough. In Australia we’ll keep pushing and hope that this will bring us higher in the results.”
Moto3 2023 Motul Grand Prix of Indonesia
1. Diogo Moreira (BRA) KTM 33:19.002
2. David Alonso (COL) GASGAS +0.107
3. David Muñoz (ESP) KTM +0.130
16. Joel Kelso (AUS), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +9.404
19. Xavier Artigas (ESP), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +19.733
Moto3 2023 world championship standings after 15 of 20 rounds
1. Jaume Masia (ESP) Honda 209 points
2. Ayumu Sasaki (JPN) Husqvarna, 193
3. Daniel Holgado (ESP) KTM, 192
13. Xavier Artigas (ESP) CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 65
22. Joel Kelso (AUS), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 20
