Macau: Consistent Kostamo wins

After a dramatic qualifying session, Erno Kostamo would qualify on pole position for the first race in three years. He would attempt to add his name to the list of winners in the 54^th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Next to Kostamo on the front row were David Datzer and Sheridan Morais after they pushed their bikes to the limit on this 3.8-mile circuit. Robert Hodson was the top British rider, as he attempts to keep the 24-year British rider win streak alive.

Once riders were on the grid for race one it was clear some riders were not happy. Some of the riders were complaining about the track conditions. This prompted a discussion on the grid between the organisers and riders, as they tried to find a solution.

An agreement was made that the riders would get two warm-up laps, and if they still were not happy about the conditions the race would be stopped. Once they were out on their warm-up laps the riders raised their hands. Race one was immediately red-flagged and then cancelled.

Heading into race two there was further concern about the circuit. This was due to an earlier incident during the GT race which dropped liquid onto the circuit. Riders and fans alike waited for an update from race control where it was announced that riders would have a race the following day.

As the riders had just one race to go for glory, the pressure was on. Once the race got underway the next day, Kostamo got a bad start and dropped down to third place. Morais took the lead of the race and tried to build a gap at the tight and tricky circuit. Datzer who overtook Kostamo for the race lead quickly got overtaken by Kostamo to lose the position.

Morais led the way across the line with a gap of 0.368 showing true pace in his first-ever Macau Grand Prix. But the pressure would start to build as a train started to form.

Morais rhythm got broken as he hit a bird, this let the two riders catch up as Kostamo attempted to make a way through. Both Kostamo and Datzer would find a way passed at the Melco hairpin, as he had a new race leader.

Kostamo would eventually start to edge away from Datzer, as it appeared that he had no response.

On the final lap, Erno Kostamo would come across the line, to win his first-ever Macau Grand Prix. The race win would break the 24-year British rider win streak. It would give BMW their fourth win at the event.

After three long years, bikes are back in Macau and what a show they put on. Erno Kostamo was joined on the podium by David Datzer and Sheridan Morais. Bike fans will have to wait another year for bikes to return, for 2023 when they will hopefully be back bigger and better.

Image from Renato Marques on Upsplash