CFMOTO racers have accomplished a spectacular achievement in the Moto3 class at the recently concluded  Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia.

The Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia represented one of the toughest rounds of MotoGP this year. Not only was the suffocating heat and unstable climate key factors in trying to find the best tyre and motorcycle settings but the Moto3 class had to rapidly learn the first of two brand-new tracks on the 2022 calendar.

CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP came into the spectacular Lombok island location optimistic of their chances for good results after the encouraging start to the season two weeks previously in Qatar. The weather mixed high temperatures with brief, heavy showers and both Carlos Tatay and Xavi Artigas – the team’s excellent Spanish 19-year-olds – were able to read and judge the changing conditions.

When the red light disappeared on Sunday morning and in sunny but even warmer air, Tatay made a great start from the first row to slot into the leading group. Artigas was also close but Italian Dennis Foggia soon started to break away from the pack in 1st place as each rider had to preserve his tyres and strength. Carlos tried to increase his pace but a mistake at Turn 9 meant he received a Long Lap penalty and dropped outside the top ten. Artigas was involved in a fierce battle in the second group and for 9th spot but the gaggle condensed into 11 riders divided by two seconds entering the final five circulations.

A typical Moto3 shootout in the last two laps ensued. Tatay attacked and swept to 5th and then to 3rd! The Pole man was brilliant to keep his position and climb the podium for the first time in his career and give CFMOTO their maiden Grand Prix trophy. Artigas made the line in 6th, less than five seconds from the winner and just over a second from his teammate.

Commenting on the podium finish, Zhen Su, CFMOTO Racing Development Manager, said: “This is a milestone result for us and the CFMOTO Moto3 project. What a fantastic race by Carlos and a big push from the whole CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP team. Two riders in the top six is great but for Carlos to come back like that and make the podium is superb and was exciting to watch. We hope all growing group of Chinese MotoGP fans loved the show and we hope for more thrills and results like this soon.”

Here are the main distinctions from CFMOTO’s first visit to Indonesia since 1997:

– Tatay fights for podium contention in hot and difficult conditions and takes 3rd place

– CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP leave round two of twenty-one in 2022 with two top six results

– Xavi Artigas collects 6th place

MotoGP will continue to accumulate the air miles in the coming weeks. The Grande Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina pulls the series to South America for the first time in three years. Round three takes place on April 3rd.