Moto3: Holgado Wins The Battle Of Portugal!

Back to back wins for Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) in Portimão! From 4th place to 1st in 2023 and now in 2024. Pole sitter Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) fought hard and took a great 2nd place with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) finishing in 3rd. 

It was a Moto3 classic and a thrilling race on a rollercoaster of a circuit. Holgado clung on at the end in an ever changing order at the front throughout the 19 laps of the Grand Prix. Holgado tops the championship as we head to Austin, Texas in a couple of week’s time.

^{AS IT HAPPENED}

Rueda would have been forgiven for thinking he was going to have an easy race out in front in the early stages. Constant interchanging of positions behind the KTM Ajo rider, Rueda managed to pull a half a second gap ahead to those behind, mostly due to the great start off the line.

As Alonso and Holgado fought yellow flags waved in sector 3 as Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) collided. Both riders ok and Rueda lead as they crossed the line to complete the 1st lap.

Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) joined the party at the front and moved into 3rd as David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) dropped back to 5th. Alonso had a lot of work to do early on but we all know Alonso has no problems fighting his way back through a field of riders.

Over the next few laps we headed to quarter race distance with Rueda in control of what was a raging battle behind him. Alonso flying up the inside of any rider who was in front of him through his favoured turns 10 and 11.

The field continued to reel Rueda in at the front over the next few laps. Holgado and Alonso dicing with each other where ever possible with Rueda just 2 tenths clear of Holgado as we headed into lap 9.

Lap 9 and Holgado had a look at Rueda into turn 2 and Alonso nearly ran into the back of Holgado. Alonso now back to 5th place with another charge through the field to do with 11 laps left of the race. Into turns 10 and 11 and Alonso is back up to 4th past Rossi.

Down the hill into turn 1, Ortola was last on the brakes and up into 2nd place ahead of Holgado. Holgado then ran in too hot and missed going back passed Ortola. This left the door open for Alonso to go by Holgado and then up the inside of Ortola only a few corners later. Alonso completed his charge and finally took the lead of the race getting passed Rueda.

With 9 laps to go we had a lead group of 6 with Alonso and Holgado at the front pulling away from Ortola leading the others behind.

 

As we moved into the final third of the Grand Prix in the Algarve, we still had an ever changing order at the front with Holgado 1st, Alonso in 2nd and Rueda in 3rd.

5 laps to go and sector 2 in yellow flags as Rossi went over the handle bars. Rider ok though as the lead group of 6 with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Ortola and Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) now keen to get involved with the front 3 battle.

Lap 18 of 19 and Holgado and Rueda have pulled a gap to the rest out in front. Dropping down through the high speed turn 15 Holgado in 1st as we started the last lap of the race.

Veijer went by Alonso as Alonso headed backwards. Veijer and Alonso fought handed breathing room for Ortola as Ortola now comfortable in 3rd.

Coming into the final sector Rueda only had a couple of corners left to go for the win. Holgado clung onto the lead through turns 14 and 15 to take victory in what was a Moto3 classic.

Race Classification

Championship Standings