Peter Öttl after the Moto3 cancellation: “We were very confident”

For the IntactGP Moto3 team, the last race weekend at Phillip Island ended with a missed opportunity. David Almansa and David Muñoz had demonstrated their competitiveness in a variety of conditions. Having secured 11th and 16th on the grid, the team were hoping to move up the field during the race. However, the restricted visibility, which prevented the rescue helicopter from being deployed, made it impossible to start on Sunday.

The front row would have been made up of pole-setter Veda Pratama, World Championship leader Maximo Quiles and local hero Joel Kelso. Despite his riders’ less favourable starting positions, IntactGP team manager Peter Öttl was optimistic about the race. Friday, in particular, had provided good reasons for this.

Why Öttl was optimistic about the race

“During our last race weekend here at Phillip Island, we were treated to sunny weather and 28 degrees on Friday. Both Davids got off to a perfect start to the weekend. Almansa was a strong fourth after qualifying and Muñoz eighth. That meant they qualified directly for Q2,” Öttl explained in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com.

In his view, Saturday’s change in weather did little to affect the duo’s potential. “Even on Saturday in the rain, both were competitive, despite there being a crash. Both were very fast in both dry and wet conditions,” explained the team manager.

Peter Öttl

Foto: Intact GP

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Öttl also attributed the fact that this form wasn’t reflected in better grid positions to the specific characteristics of the fast Australian circuit. “Starting positions 11 and 16 were certainly not ideal, but slipstream has an enormous influence on lap times here at Phillip Island. That’s why you can’t always gauge the true balance of power over a single lap. We were very confident ahead of Sunday’s race, regardless of the weather,” he emphasised.

Conditions okay for riding, but not for flying

After hours of waiting , the Moto3 and Moto2 races were initially cancelled, followed later by the MotoGP race. For Öttl, there was no question that medical safety had to take precedence over sporting expectations.

“The circumstances simply didn’t allow the races to go ahead. The track was fine, but due to visibility conditions, it wasn’t possible for the rescue helicopter to take off or land. That means the riders’ safety couldn’t be guaranteed. You have to accept that,” stated the IntactGP team manager.

Die Moto3-Bikes blieben am Sonntag in der Box

Foto: Ronny Lekl

Nevertheless, the disappointment was immense – not least for the spectators who had persevered despite the adverse conditions to bid farewell to Phillip Island. “Of course, it’s a shame for the whole team and the riders. It also affected the spectators, who had turned out in large numbers for this final event,” said Öttl.

With no race result to show for their efforts in Australia, the team are heading straight to their next challenge. “On Monday we’re travelling on to Malaysia. My two Davids are always competitive. That’s why I can look forward to every weekend,” explained Öttl.