Danny Kent misses Phillip Island podium by just 0.076s

Danny Kent missed out on a third Moto3 podium of 2012 by the narrowest of margins at the fast and flowing Phillip Island track in Australia today.

The British rider just lost out in a drag race to the finish line as Aussie teenager and Red Bull KTM teammate Arthur Sissis snatched his first Grand Prix rostrum in a nail-biting finish.

With new Moto3 world champion Sandro Cortese streaking away to a comfortable victory after he had brilliantly broken the resolve of Miguel Oliveira in the final two laps, Sissis treated a huge home crowd to a nail-biting finale.

He passed Kent to seize third at Turn 4 on the last lap and then survived intense pressure from a chasing pack of five behind him to delight a capacity Phillip Island crowd by taking a hard fought third.

Alex Rins came through to take fourth with Japanese Grand Prix winner Kent just 0.076s behind Sissis in fifth place at the chequered flag.

Although disappointed to have just missed a podium, Kent produced a brilliant ride to keep himself in the hunt for so long after the right side of his seat cracked after just three laps.

Oliveira had threatened an upset after he took the lead from Cortese on lap 18. The pair had easily pulled away from the leading group just before the halfway stage, though their task was made easier after a mass jump-start.
Five riders, including early top three contenders Jonas Folger and Luis Salom. were all hauled in for a ride through penalty.

Cortese re-took the lead at the first corner on lap 20 and he cruised to a fifth win of the season, while Oliveira took a season best second.

Folger recovered to take 11th but there was more misery for Maverick Vinales. The Spaniard was back in action in Phillip Island after controversially walking out on his Avintia Blusens squad ahead of the previous round in Malaysia.
He was in the battle for third when he crashed out on lap 15.
British rider John McPhee finished the 23-lap race, which was run in sunny but cool conditions, in 19th position.