UNLUCKY TAKA DENIED PODIUM AFTER RED FLAG IN AUSTRIA

Takaaki Nakagami had to settle for seventh position in the Grand Prix of Styria after being denied what looked certain to be his first-ever podium finish by a red flag. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider had ridden a superb race to sit clear in second place when Yamaha’s Maverick Viñales crashed heavily at turn one 12 laps from the end, causing a suspension.

The Japanese star was unable to make the getaway he wanted from the restart and was pushed back into seventh position after a frenetic first couple of corners. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to make up further ground and was left to ponder what might have been after a wonderfully consistent weekend at the Red Bull Ring.