David Alonso delivered yet another calculated and precise performance to take the top spot for the twelfth time this season, officially breaking Valentino Rossi’s 1997 record of 11 wins in a single season in the same class. Alonso’s remarkable achievement solidifies his dominance in Moto3 with the Aspar team, where the high standards he’s set mean that any race without a victory feels almost disappointing.
Following earlier rain, race officials declared the race as wet and shortened the distance from 19 laps to 12.
The race began in damp conditions, with the Top 5 holding their positions off the start. Early on, light rain brought the threat of a full wet race, but the rain quickly subsided, allowing the riders to push forward under the same damp but stable conditions.
Alonso initially took control on Lap 3 after having started fifth, however he soon had to contend with the Honda Team Asia rider Taiyo Furusato, who took the lead for a few laps before Alonso once again reclaimed his position at the front.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who started from ninth on the grid carved through the field to reach second place with just two laps remaining, where he appeared ready to challenge Alonso’s lead in the final moments.
In classic Moto 3 fashion, chaos ensued in the final corner of the final lap. Ortola, in a bid to close the gap, nearly collided with Alonso, creating a huge moment which cost Ortola second place and allowed Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Furusato and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna), to come through.
Ortola ultimately finished 4th.
Sadly for Furusato, in the exit of that final corner, running in third, he collided with Collin Veijer on the exit, who had dived inside to capitalize on a move made by Luca Lunetta (who started tenth and fought his way to the front) on Furusato to take second place. Furusato was thrown off, sliding down the straight beside his bike. Luckily after the race his position was reinstated to 5th place, as both he and his bike crossed the finish line.
Disaster for Leopard Racing as teammates Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez collided on Lap 11, with Piqueras attempting an aggressive pass that ended in both riders being taken out of the race.
In yet another thrilling Moto3 race, David Alonso’s performance shone as he cemented his place in the record books with his twelfth win of the season, surpassing a 26 year-old milestone and setting a new standard for Moto3 excellence.
Featured image courtesy of Intact GP