Cortese criticised for Kent collision in Moto3 thriller

Red Bull KTM rider Sandro Cortese’s aggressive tactics in last weekend’s Assen Moto3 race have been criticised after he hit team-mate Danny Kent on more than one occasion in a thrilling podium battle.

British teenager Kent almost crashed on the high-speed approach to the final chicane in the closing stages after he was hit by hard-riding Cortese’s KTM machine.

Kent managed to keep control of his Red Bull KTM bike and after surviving several near misses in a gripping encounter, Kent scored his first Grand Prix podium after a photo finish gave him third by just 0.001s.

Most critical of the German Cortese’s uncompromising riding was reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner.

The Australian tweeted while the race was unfolding: “Cortese needs to have more than a slap on the wrist for his riding in this race.”

And after clinching a priceless MotoGP victory to move level on points with Jorge Lorenzo after the Spaniard’s controversial collision with Alvaro Bautista at the first corner, Stoner repeated his concerns and said: “I don’t know if he was spoken to at all but we saw some riding from him and Maverick (Vinales) in Portugal that I thought was OK, it happened once so don’t worry.

“But to hit Danny that many times in similar positions, there is tough riding but you have to give racing room, simple as that.  People want to see riders hitting each other but at that speed you can come off and hit a wall and something really bad can happen to Danny.

“I think he needs to be spoken to and told to give a couple of more inches and things will be fine. But if you keep causing contact something should be done.”

Cortese finished second and Kent’s compatriot Cal Crutchlow said common sense had to prevail in situations like in Assen.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider told MCN: “People have got to start being sensible about things. Where Cortese was hitting him, if Danny had veered off track then there isn’t much room there and it was a bit rash.

“I’m the first one not to be scared of pulling off some harsh moves but you have got to be sensible and it was a miracle that Danny stayed on.”

The Moto3 race took place in advance of a controversial first corner incident involving Lorenzo and Bautista in the MotoGP race.

San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Bautista recklessly charged into the first corner and wiped out Lorenzo.

Bautista will have to start this weekend’s German Grand Prix from the back of the grid and commenting on the Moto3 incident, Lorenzo told MCN: “Moto3 was a really funny race. We all enjoyed it but we have been lucky with some of the moves by Cortese that we did not have another big crash and a big injury. We have been very lucky.

“Motorcycle racing is a very exciting sport with a lot of overtaking but it must always be done with respect and being conscious of the risk at all times.”

Cortese was shocked at the criticism levelled at him and he tweeted a response that read: “I’m a bit confused about some people comments..that’s racing maybe it was hard and over the limit but if you wanna win you give everything!!

“Don’t forget the old days of racing..in that time it was normal..;) Im really sorry to @DannyKent52 what happened in the race. I really didn’t want to hit him. For all we are still good friends..:)