'Incredible race' - Arenas hands KTM 100th win

Albert Arenas handed KTM its 100th victory in grand prix racing after holding off a train of Honda riders at the end of Sunday's Qatar Moto3 season-opener.

The Spaniard crossed the line just 0.053s clear of John McPhee after fighting from seventh to first in the closing four laps.

Arenas had led for 12 of the opening 14 laps, then kept his cool when he was briefly shuffled down the order and cemented victory with a perfect exit from the final corner.

“I have no words. It was an incredible race, the best of my life and my career. I enjoyed every lap and had to manage the race from the beginning and gave everything I had," said Arenas of his fourth victory in the Moto3 class.

"When I was behind the group, I saw that I had a little more than the rest. I was not nervous; I tried to make the most of the bike and myself to win. It's also the 100th victory for KTM and it means a lot to them.”

KTM's first grand prix victory came with Casey Stoner at the 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix, in the former 125cc class.

“This Moto3 victory means a lot to us because the Losail Circuit was always a difficult place for our RC4," said KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer.

"We left no stone unturned in recent months to move our Moto3 motorcycle one step forward and we seem to have succeeded in doing this with a completely revised chassis and many, many new small engine parts. That's why we're really happy.

"I would like to thank my team for the great work, on the basis of which we were now able to achieve 100 GP wins on the asphalt and, of course, to Albert for what he produced out there today and all the Aspar Team Gaviota guys.

"We have to keep going to be a strong opponent for the competition in the Moto3 World Championship as it is an important category for us and with some special history."

Raul Fernandez was the next best KTM finisher, in tenth place but only 0.834s from victory!

The KTM name also featured on the top step of the Moto2 podium courtesy of Red Bull KTM Ajo's Tetsuta Nagashima, although the team now runs the Kalex chassis.

"Congratulations also to Tetsuta, Aki and all the guys for the success in Moto2," said Beirer.