Jack Miller wins with authority in Austin

13/04/2014

Red Bull KTM Ajo rider takes second win of the year after leading Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas from start to finish. Karel Hanika takes first GP Top 10 placing after fightback.

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Jack Miller made it two wins from two races in the Moto3 World Championship season in Austin, Texas, triumphing in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from pole position. The result makes Miller the first Australian rider in history to take two consecutive wins in the smallest cylinder class (125cc/Moto3). His teammate, Karel Hanika, took the best result of his rookie campaign to date, with a magnificent tenth place.

It was a spectacular start made by Miller, who had decided to push hard from the get-go with the threat of rain and a red flag at the Texan track. His pace surprised the rest of the Moto3 grid and only Efren Vazquez was able to keep up with the Australian. Miller never relinquished the lead during the 18-lap contest, although the group at the front increased to four riders on the final laps.

Rookie sensation Karel Hanika also had an excellent race. Setting off from the sixth row of the grid, the Czech rider moved up five places by the end of lap one. As part of the fourth group, battling for ninth place, Hanika gave his all to cross the line tenth and take his best World Championship result so far. For the second race in a row, he was the top rookie.

After two rounds of the series, Miller leads the overall standings in Moto3 with 50 points. Hanika is thirteenth with 8 points and is in front in the Rookie of the Year standings. Both riders will be looking to add further points to their tallies on April 27th, when Moto3 action returns after a weekend off. The scene will be the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, which hosts its first every World Championship event.

Results – Race
1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo)   41:06.659
2. Romano Fenati (KTM)   +0.069
3. Efren Vezquez (Honda)   +0.172
4. Alex Rins (Honda)   +7.182
5. Jakub Kornfeil (KTM)   +7.264
10. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +24.222

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2014
1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo)  50 points
2. Efren Vazquez (Honda)   32 points
3. Romano Fenati (KTM)  24 points
4. Alex Rins (Honda)   24 points
5. Jakub Kornfeil (KTM)   21 points
13. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 8 points

 

Jack Miller >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“I don’t think we could have asked for a better race. The KTM was running perfectly, with a setup that allowed us to conserve the tyres and have enough grip to push on the final two laps. I was made to fight through to the end, but it was really good. Achieving a second consecutive win is amazing. I take my hat off to the team for the work they have done. We must continue in this way, but progress with in each GP. This will be very important throughout the year. It’s been a perfect weekend;  pole position and a victory! I’m very happy and I can only thank the team.”

Karel Hanika >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“It was a really hard race. I got a good start and was able to gain positions on the first two laps. I took a little time to find the best feeling and get a good pace going. I was in a group with Kent and McPhee and gradually we were approaching the front group, but in the end it was not possible. The last lap was a good fight. I was in ninth, but when McPhee overtook me there was a yellow flag on the final corner and I couldn’t fight to get the place back. I’m already looking forward to more in Argentina.”

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