Image: Russell Colvin.

Leopard Racing’s Joan mir has been crowned the 2017 Moto3 world champion after taking a thrilling race victory at Phillip Island today in Victoria, which was ultimately red-flagged.

Mir pushed his way into the lead, crossing the line with a narrow 0.351s advantage over second place holder and teammate Livio Loi (Leopard Racing), who edged out Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) by a slender 0.008s.

A further 0.029s behind was Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Racing Team) in fourth, as Enea Bastianini (Estrella Galicia 0,0) concluded the first five in a tight race across the line.

Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) and Ayumu Sasaki (SIC Racing Team) were sixth and seventh respectively, finishing under a second behind race winner mir in what was an incredibly close fight inside the top 10.

Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team), Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Aspar Mahindra Moto3) completed positions eight through to 10, while Australian wildcard Tom Toparis (Cube Racing) slotted into a respectable 22nd.

Moto2 is on-track next, followed by the premier MotoGP category for the 27-lap affair at the popular venue.