-CFMOTO raise the heat through another gripping Moto3 contest and with the oppressive Buriram heat making the fourth Thai Grand Prix a tricky run for 19 laps on Sunday

-Thousands of spectators funnel into spaces around the flat and simplistic layout over 400km northeast of Bangkok and watch MotoGP embark on a series of tight races for the third week in succession.

-Joel Kelso qualifies in 14th place, just 0.6 Of a second from Pole Position and then fights for the top ten and for maximum points. The Aussie manages 12th by the chequered flag.

-Three sizeable straights and some hard braking and acceleration makes life difficult for Xavi Artigas but the Spaniard increase his speed to 14th

-2023 MotoGP enters the final phase with another three rounds in a quick run to come. CFMOTO PruestelGP are pushing to finish their second term with CFMOTO machinery in the strongest way.

The trip to Thailand from Australia felt a little quicker and easier after CFMOTO were able to celebrate their second-ever Grand Prix podium finish at Phillip Island. Joel Kelso in particularly was brimming with confidence after his impressive performance in cold, rainy and windy conditions at round sixteen the previous Sunday to classify 3rd.

Thankfully the adverse climate that made the Australian meeting such an ordeal was replaced by far hotter and drier conditions in Buriram. The 4.5km ten-year old Chang International Circuit welcomed MotoGP for just the fourth time and the static nature of the layout was another contrast to the high-speed flow of Phillip Island. Chang involved 12 turns and two distinct parts with two straights in the first sector and a twister collection of corners later in the lap. The ease of the trajectory meant that riders were able to get immediately on the pace once they had dialled in their settings and gearing. Lap-times were incredible close from the first practice sessions and the pressure of tenths of a second deciding start positions on the grid forced many Moto3 riders to scavenge for tows and slipstreams.

Kelso and Artigas ended the Friday schedule with 7th and 19th positions respectively. On Saturday the weather was similar and the riders threaded their way through Q1 and Q2 sessions. Kelso squeezed onto the fifth row of the start grid and Artigas was on the seventh with a view ahead to the 19 laps on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly it was Kelso who leapt into contention from the moment the red light disappeared to start the race. The Aussie tried to make his presence felt in a busy gaggle for the lead and remained in touch with the first group. On the decisive final lap Joel tried to force the issue and ended up with 12th, just 2 seconds from the winner. Artigas had a better race compared to previous Grands Prix to indicate that the Spaniard is starting to find his speed and confidence once more. He was mired in the second pack and made sure of 14th for 2 points, again a few seconds from the podium positions.

A maximum of 75 points is in play for riders in the rest of the 2023 world championship. Artigas is 14th in the Moto3 standings with a 30-point deficit to 12th and 35 to the top ten. Kelso is 19th. CFMOTO PruestelGP sit 9th in the Teams rankings from a total list of 14 squads.

The last free weekend of the season will come as a relief to the German crew and the rest of the MotoGP paddock these coming days. The pause precedes another three consecutive weeks of action with journeys to Malaysia, Qatar and Spain to finish the campaign. The Sepang International Circuit will provide another hot and humid test from November 9-11.

Joel Kelso: “Not over the moon but content. We need to be doing more but step-by-step we’re coming better and I could make some passes in the race which means and improvement and I can be more aggressive. We just miss a bit of edge grip in mid-corner but we’re working on it. We’ll keep strong mentally.”

Xavier Artigas: “I’m quite happy because we made forward progress here. It might not show in the position but it was definitely there with my feeling. With four-five laps to go I lost the tow of the others. I was at the front of the second group but the first one was too far. Anyway, 14th, and with a lot of enthusiasm for a few days at home and then straight onto Malaysia.”

Moto3 2023 Grand Prix of Thailand

1. David Alonso (COL) GASGAS 32:45.307

2. Taiyo Furusato (JPN) Honda +0.256

3. Collin Veijer (NED) Husqvarna +0.359

12. Joel Kelso (AUS) CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +2.337

14. Xavier Artigas (ESP), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +6.497

Moto3 2023 world championship standings after 17 of 20 rounds

1. Jaume Masia (ESP) Honda 230 points

2. Ayumu Sasaki (JPN) Husqvarna, 213 

3. David Alonso (COL) GASGAS, 205 

14. Xavier Artigas (ESP) CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 67 

19. Joel Kelso (AUS), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 40