Image: Russell Colvin.

Italian rising star Lorenzo Dalla Porta has won the 2019 Moto3 World Championship after edging to a deserved victory in a frantic race at Phillip Island’s Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Leopard Racing rider became the first Italian to win the title since Andrea Dovizioso in 2004, topping today’s race over teammate Marcos Ramirez and Albert Arenas (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) after title rival Aaron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing KTM) crashed out early.

With in excess of 10 bikes battling in the front group throughout the 23-lap affair, Dalla Porta crossed the finish only 0.077s ahead of Ramirez and 0.088s from Arenas in third. No less than six riders met the chequered flag within a second, including Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda), John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda) and a gritty Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power KTM).

Positions seven through 10 in the race featured Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda), Tom Booth-Amos (CIP Green Power KTM), Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers Honda) and Stefano Napa (Reale Avintia Arizona 77 KTM).

Wildcard Yanni Shaw (Double Six Motor Sport KTM) was a non-finisher after entering the pit-lane on lap four, while New Zealand teammate Rogan Chandler was the final finisher, a lap down on Dalla Porta in 19th position this afternoon.

Detailed results