It seems now that writing ‘David Alonso wins…’ is getting slightly repetitive, but that is the reality of what this phenomenal young talent is accomplishing. Alonso claimed his 13th win of the season and 6th consecutive victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, mirroring some of the great feats achieved by Marc Marquez. Though this triumph would call for huge celebrations, the podium was a solemn one, dedicated to Valencia following the recent floods.
The CFMoto Gaviota Aspar team, based in Valencia, celebrated their new world champion as he triumphed at Sepang, donating his win bonus to the team’s GoFundMe to aid the region impacted by the disaster.
On race day, Alonso started third on the grid at the Sepang circuit. He dropped back to eleventh on lap three after avoiding Daniel Holgado, who fell off his bike, but quickly set to work moving up the field, where he soon found himself back in the leading group.
While in third, Alonso closed the gap to front-runners Joel Kelso and Taiyo Furusato, claiming second with seven laps remaining. Once in the lead, Alonso proved unstoppable, even recovering from a wide run that saw him clip the kerb.
In a standout performance, Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato, who started 17th, surged through the field, reaching the top ten within a lap. From there, the Japanese rider pressed on, eventually leading the race but narrowly missed the win by just 0.088 seconds.
Ortola, who had a strong start, ultimately finished fourth for MT Helmets.
Jose Antonio Rueda, who started tenth on the grid, also delivered a strong performance. He charged up to third on the penultimate lap, overtaking Ivan Ortola at the start of the final lap to claim the final podium spot for Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Featured image courtesy of Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
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.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) with a long lap penalty (LLP) charged his way back through the pack to take victory here in Austria. It was a superb comeback after taking his first ever LLP and punished the rest of the field. Alonso celebrated and showed us the dance moves to match his riding skills in the LLP loop.
It will take something monumental now for the rest of the season for any rider to stop Alonso winning the championship this season. 71pts adrift to Alonso in the championship, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) had a perfect Saturday but a nightmare Sunday starting from the back of the grid for the race. Ortola fought hard though to finish 9th and clearly would of had a chance at victory today had Ortola started from pole.
David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) after a manic battle snatched 2nd place away from Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) on the line who finished in 3rd. It was a great race today in the Styrian mountains!
AS IT HAPPENED
Ortola was nowhere to be seen at the front of the grid as the riders got underway in the overcast conditions. Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsport) with a great start and into the lead on the first lap as Alonso was up and attacking Holgado for 2nd after starting 6th on the grid.
Alonso and Holgado diced with each other and was enough for Munoz to dive by and up into 2nd. At the end of lap 1 it was both BOE Motorsports riders leading the way in Austria.
Lap 2 and a lead group started to develop in the race with 6 riders at the front. Alonso and Piqueras took their long lap penalties and re-joined the race in 10th and 11th places. Across the line and to start lap 3, Munoz with the slip stream looked at the inside line for turn 1, but Kelso full of confidence defended the move last on the brakes.
Championship leader Alonso now up into 8th place and had a mountain to climb 3.5seconds back to the leaders. Holgado seemed to be relaxed at this point in 3rd, keeping pace with the squabbling BOE Motorsport teammates ahead of him.
As Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) had a scare almost losing the front, Alonso went by up into 6th. Pole sitter and race winner last time out at Silverstone, Ortola set the fastest lap of the race at the quarter race distance. Ortola still keen to get on with business despite the nightmare start.
Lap 7 and into turn 1 Kelso was late on the brakes and held onto the lead but Holgado’s patience had left him staring at the back of Munoz’ wheel. Holgado went by Munoz up into 2nd into turn 1 and was now gunning for Kelso. As a track limits warning was issued for Kelso, Holgado into the last sector of the lap blasted up the inside of Kelso into the lead of the race.
As we approached the half way race distance, the 3 way fight for the win became a 7 way fight for the win with newly promoted to Moto2 Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) catching and dispatching Kelso up to 3rd.
11 laps to go, Holgado lead to Munoz 2nd and Veijer in 3rd. Kelso, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Alonso and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) were all still with a shout of taking victory at this point. Veijer continued his charge and up into 2nd going by Munoz,
Lap 11 of 20 and Veijer down the hill into turn 9 hit the front of the Grand Prix for the first time. Rueda shoulder barged his way by Kelso which shoved Kelso to the back of the lead group.
Turn 9 seemed to be a favourite spot for everyone as Veijer went by Holgado to retake the lead of the race. Every rider in the lead group were fighting and dicing with each other in an epic battle in Spielberg.
Alonso even with a long lap penalty was back now up into 2nd as Munoz and Piqueras fought with each other through turn 1.
Into the last quarter of the race, pole sitter Ortola fought his way back up to 9th after starting in the pit lane. Veijer lead from Alonso in 2nd and Munoz in 3rd. Holgado and Piqueras went by Munoz as the lead group order was ever changing. Down the hill into turn 9 Alonso went by Veijer to take the lead of the race for the first time.
Into the last few laps and Alonso lead the field through turn 6 as Munoz and Holgado were on the back of Alonso’s wheel. A couple of tenths separated Holgado to Veijer and Piqueras behind. The lead group shrunk to 5 at this point all still in contention to take the win in the last couple of laps.
THE LAST LAP
Championship leader Alonso took us across the line to start the final lap. Both Munoz and Holgado bombed into turn 1 with Munoz coming off worse and ran wide re-joining into 4th place.
Piqueras now up into 3rd and looked to go up to 2nd by Holgado but unable to make it stick in the early part of the lap. Dropping down through turn 6 it was still Alonso leading from Holgado fending off Piqueras in 3rd.
Munoz out of nowhere rubbed shoulders and barged by Piqueras into 3rd. Across the line Alonso held on to take victory and Munoz snatched 2nd place away from Holgado who took 3rd.
Fresh off his promotion into Moto2 for next season and in the form of his life. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) took pole position today in the Syrian mountains! The 3rd pole position of the season for Ortola and will be eager to catch David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) in the championship in the second half of the season.
It was a 6th front row start of the season for Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) in 3rd and Aussie Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) qualified in 2nd. Championship leader Alonso starts from 6th on the grid in tomorrow’s race.
AS IT HAPPENED
Qualifying 1
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) were some of the big names in Q1 in the glorious Austrian sunshine.
Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) took a tumble early on in the session at turn 2 and quickly got back up to his feet in frustration. As sector 1 waved yellow flags, the first batch of riders crossed the line with Furusato sat at the top of the timings.
After the first few spins on the circuit, the top 4 with half of the session remaining headed through to Q2 were Furusato, Fernandez, Nicola Carraro (MTA Team) and Vicente Perez (MLav Racing).
3mins left of the session and all of the riders headed back out of the pits for their final attempts. As per usual in Moto3, the riders all slowly made their way out of the pits and picked who to follow on the lap.
Riders nearly pushed each other onto the grass in their final flying lap, but only 1 change in the top 4 as Furusato topped the session with a 1:40.882. The top 4 headed through to Q2 were Furusato, Fernandez, Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Qualifying 2
The battle for pole position was on in the Styrian mountains and after the first batch of laps tumbled through, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) sat a the top for a moment briefly before Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) marched to the top of the timings. We were still waiting on championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) to post a time at this point.
Alonso crossed the line and went up onto the front row after the first run into 3rd. Holgado sat on provisional pole with 7mins still left of the session.
Back out for the 2nd runs and Kelso blasted his way up to provisional pole just as Rueda crashed at turn 10. Rueda quickly got back on his KTM Ajo machine and back into the action. Veijer went up to 2nd with all to play for now as the final seconds ticked away in the session.
Into the last attempts at pole and with a slipstream to the line Ortola jumped up into pole as Kelso went down at turn 2. No final pole attempt for Kelso as Alonso went through but only qualified in 6th place. As David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) crossed the line into 9th, Ortola celebrated another pole position. A great qualifying session for the MT Helmets – MSI rider.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) held his nerve and delivered a tactical masterclass for the Aspar Team to take his 7th Grand Prix victory here in Le Mans!
It was an epic battle from start to finish today in Moto3 and was anyone’s guess as to who would win right up until the finish. Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) just finished in 2nd place to Alonso with Dutchman Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) taking 3rd place.
As we head to the next race at the Catalunya circuit, Holgado just has a 1 point lead in the championship to Alonso.
AS IT HAPPENED
Alonso had a great start off the line but Holgado pounced heading into the Dunlop chicane to take the lead on the opening lap of the race. David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) was up 5 places up into 3rd, and ever aggressive blasted by Alonso into 2nd on the opening lap. A dream start for Munoz.
Munoz looked to go by Holgado into turn 1, but Holgado shut the door and held off the Spaniard. Holgado lead every lap of the 2023 race here at Le Mans and was hoping for a repeat over the next 19 laps. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) into the final 2 right handers went by Alonso and up into 3rd.
Munoz tried a tighter line into turn 1 but again, Holgado shut the door on Munoz. Veijer was now into the mix and got by Alonso on lap 3 up into 3rd, as Fernandez took his long lap penalty. Fernandez was with a lot of pace tat this point and would have been keen to battle his way back through the pack. Fernandez back to 16th after serving the 1st of his 2 long lap penalties.
Fernandez’ Leopard teammate rookie Angel Piqueras set the fastest lap of the race on lap 3 and produced a stunning overtake past Ortola up into 5th. Charging on the Leopard Honda Piqueras then picked off Alonso and up into 5th but Alonso bit back and retook 4th place.
A quarter of the way through and Holgado still had the lead from Munoz on his back wheel in 2nd. The top 8 in Moto3 as they crossed the line were all covered by just a second. 16 laps to go and Fernandez served his 2nd long lap penalty and dropped way back to 21st. His teammate Piqueras however was still dicing and swapping places with Alonso as they started lap 6.
Another lap at the front banked for championship leader Holgado as they started lap 7. Still 8 riders in contention here for victory all dicing and fighting for positions behind Holgado. Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) joined the party at the front up into 5th past Piqueras.
Under 2.5seconds covered the top 18 riders as they completed lap 7 to start lap 8 of 20 of this French Grand Prix. Veijer sat behind Holgado and was planning on how to get by in the 2nd half of the race.
Sector 4 up in yellow flags at turn 11 as Rossi went through on Munoz for Munoz to tap Rossi out of the race. Veijer was also through into the lead for the first time. Munoz went up the inside of Holgado only for Holgado to get back past Munoz as they crossed the line to complete lap 9.
Into the 2nd half of the race and Veijer lead from Holgado 2nd and Munoz in 3rd. Alonso was 4th in a lead group of a dozen riders all battling it out here at Le Mans. Munoz for the contact with Rossi earlier on lap 9 was handed a double long lap penalty. Munoz was shaking his head as he crossed the line clearly angry with the stewards decision. Munoz was still fighting with Veijer and Holgado at the front even though Munoz needed to serve his penalties.
Munoz surrendered the lead to Holgado and dropped back to 17th place after serving the 1st long lap penalty.
9 laps to go and Holgado lead from Veijer 2nd and Alonso in 3rd. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) picked his way through the field up into 5th at this stage past Piqueras. Fernandez battled his way back up into 8th place as Veijer took the lead from Holgado after Holgado ran wide.
Into the last 3rd of the race and Dutchman Veijer was leading a group of 4 with Holgado 2nd and Alonso in 3rd. Ortola still not giving up the fight on the back wheel of Alonso in 4th.
Into turn 1 on the fastest part of the circuit, Holgado moved ahead of Veijer with in the slipstream as Veijer tapped Holgado twice as Holgado took the lead.
5 laps to go and Munoz crashed out at turn 11 as Holgado still lead into the final part of the race. The race was shaping up to be decided on the last corner of the last lap. A great race so far in Moto3!
Ortola went up the inside of Alonso into the Dunlop chicane as Ortola moved up into the podium positions. The overtake on Alonso bunched up those behind handing a gap to leaders Holgado and Veijer ahead of them.
Alonso fought back and went up inside of Ortola into 3rd and Alonso geared up for an attack for victory in the final stages of the race. Into lap 18 of 20 and 8 tenths of a second separated the top 8 riders. It was still anyone’s guess as to who would go onto win this one.
Lap 18 and Holgado ran wide and Veijer needed no invitation to swoop into the lead with 3 laps to go. Alonso now into the lead with an epic overtake to get by Holgado and Veijer into the same corner. Holgado dicing with Alonso but Alonso crossed the line in the lead.
Holgado lead across the line to start the final lap. Just 14 corners left to go and Alonso went back into the lead as they went into the Dunlop chicane.
Through turns 6 into 7 and Alonso still hung onto the lead, only a bike length ahead of Holgado at this point.
Holgado now wheel to wheel with Alonso had to back out of a move to avoid a collision. Holgado would not give this up trying every angle and line to get by Alonso on the final lap.
Alonso though held his nerve into the final 2 right handers, and with everyone breathing down his neck, managed to fend off Holgado to take victory.
Victory number 7 for David Alonso and what a win from the Colombian whizz kid! Alonso’s tactics were incredible today and waited on the perfect moment to go on the attack and hunt down Holgado for the win.
3rd pole position in a row for the Colombian sensation David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team)! Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) qualified in 2nd and after qualifying said he was ready to fight for victory tomorrow. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded off the front row after a great qualifying session in 3rd.
20 laps on Sunday around this circuit and the top 2 in the championship are up for the fight. The Moto 3 heavyweights can’t wait to fight it out for victory tomorrow.
Image Credit: @AsparTeam on X
AS IT HAPPENED
Qualifying 1
The session got underway in glorious sunshine at Le Mans, and as the first set of times were posted, it was Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) leading the way from Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) 2nd, David Almansa (Rivacold Snipers Team) 3rd and Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) in 4th.
Nicola Carraro (MTA Team) shot to the top with 8mins left of the session. With the top 4 order ever changing in the Q1 session, it was shaping up for a last minute fight to get through to Q2.
Carraro went down in the Dunlop chicane and yellow flags a plenty in sector 1 as Carraro was in a hurry to get back up and running on his bike.
As everyone headed into the pits to catch their breath before their final runs, it was still Carraro at the top with Lunetta 2nd, Roulstone 3rd and Farioli sat in 4th.
Under 5mins left of the session and British rider Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) blasted his way to the top of the timings as Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Ogden pushed on as the rest of the field filtered back out of the pits. Only 2 tenths of a second separated the top 6 riders at this point.
Last chance for the riders as the chequered flag waved and Lunetta managed to sneak into 2nd as Suzuki also managed to knock out Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) at the end of the session. The top 4 heading through to Q2 were Roulstone, Lunetta, Ogden and Suzuki.
Qualifying 2
Roulstone fresh from Q1 lead the way early on at the top of the timings on provisional pole. As the rest of the field completed their first runs, it was Jose Antonio Rueda at the top with Alonso a tenth behind in 2nd and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) on the front row in 3rd.
Just under 8mins left of the session and Alonso took command and into provisional pole with Rueda 2nd and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) up to 3rd. It was heating up to be a fantastic battle for pole position here at Le Mans.
Race winner last time out in Jerez, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) went up to provisional pole as the rest of the riders were sat in the pits. Alonso just +0.001 behind Veijer with just over 4mins left of the session.
Every rider was now pushing to the limits as several riders all lit up sectors red with just 2mins left of the session. Championship leader Holgado marched up to provisional pole just ahead of Rueda 2nd and Alonso in 3rd at this stage. Just one more final flying lap attempt remained.
Colombia vs Spain and the top 2 in the championship, Alonso and Holgado were neck and neck in the final seconds of the session. Alonso snatched pole position away from Holgado with a stunning 1:40.114. Holgado just +0.011 seconds behind Alonso in 2nd. Alonso on pole, Holgado 2nd and Rueda rounding off the front row in 3rd for tomorrow’s race.
Holgado lead every lap last season at the French Grand Prix and will be hoping for the same tomorrow. 3 pole positions in a row for David Alonso! Can Alonso convert the pole position into a win tomorrow?
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took control and dominated from the front today in Jerez. Veijer took his first win of the season and it will be a massive boost of confidence to the Dutchman returning to the top step in Moto3.
It was never in doubt for Veijer despite immense pressure from local hero David Munoz (BOE Motorsports), and the chasing pack throughout the race. Munoz finished 2nd and last year’s race winner Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded off the podium in 3rd place.
Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) started from 18th and fought his way through brilliantly to finish in 7th place. Holgado takes a 6pts lead to the next race in Le Man, after disaster struck for David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) at the end of lap 1. The Aspar rider Alonso lost the front end on the final corner of lap 1, but managed to fight his way through the field to finish in 11th.
A great race today here in Jerez and a refreshing change from the slip streaming carnage we usually see at other circuits.
AS IT HAPPENED
It was a great start from Munoz to get ahead of Alonso to take the lead into turn 1. Lunging from 8th to 3rd off the start was Alonso’s teammate Joel Esteban. Alonso into turn 6 from a long way back got back by up the inside of Munoz to retake the lead.
Into the last corner though and disaster struck for Alonso, down at the last corner at the end of lap 1. Holgado from 18th to 13th on lap 1, the championship leader on the charge from the off in Jerez.
18 laps to go and Veijer took to the front for the first time in the race with Munoz 2nd and last season’s race winner Ortola in 3rd. Ortola up the inside of Munoz into 2nd and hunted down Veijer in front. We had a lead group of 6 riders at the early stage of the race.
First quarter race distance completed, championship leader Holgado continued carved his way through the pack and up into 9th place at this point.
Esteban set the quickest lap of the race as the Aspar rider was carrying all of the hopes of the Aspar team on his shoulders after Alonso’s crash.
Lap 5 and it was tight at the top in the lead group. Not much dicing between each other or as chaotic as a Moto3 race would usually be. Given the nature of the circuit being very fast and free flowing.
The lead group of six continued to dice and swap places behind Veijer, with Veijer seemingly in full command leading at the front on lap 8 of 19. Holgado up into 8th place but had a huge task on his hands to bridge the gap to the leading group.
At the halfway mark, Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) was quickest in 4th and Ortola was hanging onto 2nd with Munoz on his back wheel in 3rd. Veijer still controlling the front but unable to pull away from the chasing lot behind. The lead group of 6 down to 4 now at this point, all fighting it out for race victory.
8 laps to go and the lead group of 4 only had 3 wins between them as Veijer still lead at the front with Ortola 2nd, Munoz 3rd and Yamanaka in 4th. Alonso and Holgado still determined to get something out of this race, Holgado up into 7th with Alonso picking off everyone at the back up into 16th place.
Moving into the final stages of the race Veijer remained in control at the front with Munoz, Ortola and teammate Yamanaka behind. The best action was further back at this point with Holgado fighting for 7th and Alonso carved his way through the pack up into 12th place now.
3 laps to go and it was now a 3 rider shootout for the win. Yamanaka dropped off from the front 3 after losing grip on the front tyre. Veijer in front with Munoz 2nd and Ortola 3rd. Munoz born nearby in Seville would not give this one up without a fight.
Into the last lap and Munoz was on Veijer’s back wheel. Munoz was unable to get close enough to get by Veijer with Veijer was excellent at defending as they headed into the stadium section into turn 9. Turn 10 and Veijer lead with 3 corners left of the race. Munoz was unable to get by as they headed into the back straight, Veijer clung on to take victory.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) has lead every session since Austin, Texas and this weekend has been no different. 9 sessions in a row at the top for Alonso and the rest of the Moto3 field must be wondering how to stop the Colombian whizz kid.
Alonso a class of his own, but a jubilant David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) managed to get up into 2nd and a front row start for the Spaniard in front of his home crowd. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) pushed Alonso as hard as he could in that session and will start from 3rd tomorrow.
Both Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 riders out in Q2 at the same corner, turn 5. Hopefully both will be fit enough to race tomorrow. Championship leader Daniel Holgado will be keen to salvage as much as possible from today’s qualifying with just 2 points separating himself and Alonso at the top of the championship.
Image Credit: @AsparTeam on X
AS IT HAPPENED
Qualifying 1
On a drying track full of damp patches, the Moto3 riders headed out onto this Angel Nieto circuit thankfully in the sunshine.
Noah Dettwiler (CIP Green Power) set the benchmark time of 1:51.039 to kick us off in the session as the field were all on their first flying run’s. Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) were the surprise names in the session and went up into the top 4 as expected. Nicola Carraro (MTA Team) set the fastest time early on in the session of a 1:49.083, a great time and a tough one to beat for the rest of the session.
As the confidence grew the times tumbled and with 8mins to go in the session, all of the sectors across all of the riders were lighting up red. This session looked like it would be going to the wire.
Nicola Carraro is firmly at the top of the timesheets! 💪
Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) went down at turn 13 with just under 5mins left in the session. Carraro still lead the session with Bertelle 2nd, Fernandez 3rd and Leopard Racing teammate Angel Piqueras in 4th.
Into the final minute of the session and Carraro was flying, nearly half a second quicker heading into the 3rd sector of the lap. Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Piqueras both up on the fastest time set so far.
Farioli crossed the line and pushed Bertelle out of the top 4 and headed into Q2 to fight for pole position. The top 4 riders through to Q2 were Piqueras 1st, Carraro in 2nd, Farioli 3rd and Fernandez in 4th.
Qualifying 2
Only a few minutes into the session and championship leader Holgado went down at turn 5. A horrible highside for Holgado just a few minutes into the session. Holgado seemed ok but hobbled through the gravel clearly in a lot of pain. Not a great way to spend your 19th birthday.
As we are used to seeing now, Columbian whizz kid David Alonso. who has topped every session so far this weekend, set the provisional pole lap time as the first lot of flying laps came through.
Just under 7mins left of the session and Veijer is not giving up on pole without a fight. The Dutchman up to the top of the timings with a 1:46.234, just +0.197seconds ahead of Alonso in 2nd. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) currently sat in 3rd, but +0.794 tenths of a second back to Veijer at the top.
Jacob Roulstone in the exact same corner as his teammate at turn 5, went down and out of qualifying. A disaster for the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team today in Jerez.
3mins left of the session and Alonso stormed to the front. Alonso with a brilliant lap, smashed Veijer’s time with a 1:45.232. It seemed like Alonso and Veijer were in a class of their own with 3rd place Yamanaka +1.796 seconds back to Alonso’s provisional pole lap time.
Alonso is back on provisional pole by quite a margin! 🤯
The first man into the 1:45s today, Alonso looked to cement his place on pole position with a 1:44.954.
David Munoz right at the end of the session was close but no cigar, just 2 tenths shy of the pole lap set by Alonso. Fantastic for Munoz and the first front row start for the Spaniard this season. Veijer rounded off the front row and will start from 3rd on the grid tomorrow.
Total dominance from the Colombian teenage sensation David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) this weekend in Austin, Texas. Quickest in practice, pole position and an easy race with Alonso leading every lap of it.
Alonso would have been unaware of the chaos and drama behind him, especially the terrific fight for the remaining podium places. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) finished the Grand Prix with a photo finish. Holgado finished 2nd and Piqueras just a bike wheel behind in 3rd.
Holgado continued his great run of form and hasn’t finished outside of the top 3 so far this season. The championship lead cut down to just 2 points to Alonso as we head to Jerez in two week’s time.
Image Credit: @AsparTeam on X
AS IT HAPPENED
Unfortunately due to illness, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was unable to compete in today’s race despite the excellent qualifying session yesterday. This promoted everyone up the grid one slot and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) up onto the front row.
After the antics in yesterday’s sessions, most of the field had a long lap penalty and some a triple long lap penalty to take during the Grand Prix.
A great start from pole position from Alonso and Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) went down on the first corner with several riders taking evasive action to avoid any collision. Farioli far too late on the brakes went into the back of Veijer and Veijer lucky to stay on the bike past turn 1.
Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) collided with Holgado into turn 8, luckily both riders stayed on their bikes. Alonso with the chaos behind him gained a half a second lead at the front on the opening lap.
Holgado into turn 12 went up the inside of Veijer and back up into 3rd. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Stefano Nepa ( LEVELUP – MTA) crashed out with Ortola too keen to get by. Ortola confused in the melee almost re-joined the race on the wrong bike. Holgado after the incident with Kelso got by Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) and back up to 2nd place as we headed into lap 2.
Into lap 2 and Alonso pulled away at the front with Piqueras, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Veijer all getting by and swapping places with Holgado.
With all of the field fighting behind, Alonso started lap 3 over 2 seconds clear at the front. Piqueras lead the chasing pack with Holgado 3rd and Furusato in 4th.
Yellow flags waved in sector 1 as Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) crashed out with 11 laps to go. Lunetta able to re-join but would end up finishing in last place. Alonso now had a 3.5 seconds lead at the front. The chasing pack of 6 riders lead by Holgado but Holgado was unable to break away from Piqueras and co. behind.
Holgado, Piqueras, Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Veijer all in a fantastic fight for the 2nd and 3rd podium places here in Austin. At the half way point of the race, it was Alonso’s to lose with a huge advantage of 4 seconds at the front. Kelso caught up to the chasing pack and now a group of 5 emerged to fight it out for the podium places.
5 laps to go and Holgado set the fastest lap of the race, reducing the gap to 3 seconds to Alonso ahead in the lead. Kelso crashed out at turn 1 to remount and was still in the top 10 as Kelso re-joined in 8th place.
Alonso’s gap shrunk by over a couple of seconds as Veijer went down in sector 1 through the fast twisty section with Yamanaka and Holgado narrowly missing Veijer and his bike. The crash handed breathing room for Piqueras and was on target for his first ever podium for Leopard Racing.
OH! @CollinVeijer95 with a highside through the fast S bends! 💥
3 laps to go, Alonso lead with Piqueras 2nd and Yamanaka in 3rd. Holgado and Yamanaka fought it out through the twisty section for 3rd place. Veijer retired on lap 12 after a more than eventful Grand Prix for the young dutchman. Hit multiple times from other rider’s before a high speed crash himself. Through turn 12 and up the inside of Yamanaka, Holgado moved back up into 3rd place.
2 laps to go and Holgado moved ahead of Piqueras into 2nd place late on the brakes up the hill into turn 1. Yamanaka and Piqueras both fighting for their first ever podiums in Moto3. Piqueras up the inside of Yamanaka and started the last lap of the race in 3rd place hunting down Holgado.
Onto the last lap and Piqueras was on the back wheel of Holgado and looked to take 2nd place away from the Red Bull GasGas rider. Down the long straight, Piqueras went up the inside of Holgado into 2nd. Holgado though patiently waited to attack and into turn 19 Holgado made his move. Up the inside of Piqueras and we had a photo finish on the line between the pair of them. Holgado took 2nd place by just a bike wheel ahead of Piqueras who finished in 3rd.
Image Credit: MotoGP
With all of the carnage behind him, David Alonso kept his cool and cruised to victory in Austin. Alonso capped off a fantastic weekend today and was dominant in every session.
After a brief break with the Argentinian race cancelled, everyone was raring to go here in Austin, Texas this weekend.
Championship leader and winner last time out in Portimão, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) continued his great run of form rounding off the front row of the grid qualifying in 3rd.
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was close, had a lap cancelled and then had pole snatched away from him in Q2 this afternoon. Teenage Colombian wonderkid David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) took his first pole position in Moto3 and has looked unstoppable this weekend so far.
With a front row of the top 3 title protagonists for 2024, it’s all set up to be a great battle in Texas tomorrow.
Image Credit: @AsparTeam on X
AS IT HAPPENED
Qualifying 1
Being in the leading group in the opening races of the season, we would certainly not of expected to see Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) in this Q1 session.
David Almansa (Rivacold Snipers Team) went over the handle bars at turn 20, hopefully Almansa is ok after that as the first batch of flying lap times filtered through with just 8mins left of the session.
Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez sat at the top of the timings after the first batch of flying laps were posted. The top 4 heading through to Q2 with 4mins of the session remaining were Fernandez, Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Aspar Team) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets MSI) had a lap cancelled and only 2mins remained in Q1. Only one more attempt to salvage something from the session and progress to Q2 with a final flying lap.
The lap is 5.5km’s in distance and with a 15mins qualifying session and over 2mins per lap time, nobody in Moto3 can afford to make a mistake.
Yamanaka pulled up on the long straight as Roulstone lit up the sectors red at the half way point of the last flying lap. Both Rossi and Yamanaka had a day to forget not getting into the top 4 to progress to Q2,
The fastest and through to Q2 were Fernandez, Roulstone, Esteban and Lunetta
Qualifying 2
Could anyone stop the charging David Alonso in this Q2 session? Alonso has been flying this weekend and was on course in practice to set a new all time lap record but instead opted to cruise into the pits.
With long out laps completed, it was Rueda who got us started with flying laps with 12mins left of the session.
Rueda set the bench mark of a 2:15.063 and as the rest of the field filtered through Alonso moved back to the top a tenth of a second quicker than Rueda with a 2:14.907. Alonso on provisional pole after most of the field completed their first runs.
Holgado moved up to 5th with 8mins left of the session and teammate Roulstone went into 2nd. Superb from the young Australian rider.
Alonso on his next flying lap went quicker setting a new provisional pole lap time of 2:14.661. Roulstone and Rueda filled the rest of the front row with 4mins left of the session.
Rueda out of the pits and to the top of the timings with a new lap record but dipped his wheels into the green coming out of the last corner. Rueda would later have this lap cancelled with just 1 min left of the session.
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) with the last sector of his career jumped onto pole as the chequered flagged waved. Rueda, Alonso and David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) though all on final flying laps lighting up the sectors red.
Rueda crossed the line but only had pole position for a few seconds as Alonso snatched it away to take pole position here in COTA.
Holgado managed to fight onto the front row just ahead of Veijer in 4th.
A first pole position for David Alonso in Moto3 and well deserved. Alonso will be hard to stop in tomorrow’s race.
