#QatarGP – MOTO3: Alonso amazes in a last lap thriller ahead of Holgado
David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) wins the opening race of the season at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar after a thrilling move on the entry to the last corner. Alonso won by just 0.041 from Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) who was strong throughout the whole race. Joining them on the podium was Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), after battling his way through the field to a remarkable podium finish.
There was drama before the race started with David Muñoz stalling the BOE Motorsports’ bike on the grid, forcing the Spaniard to start from the pitlane. However, once the lights went out it was pole sitter Daniel Holgado who led into turn one, ahead of Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) in a tight Moto3™ field.
It was just a 16-lap race with passes getting made at every corner, in a thrilling start to the Moto3™ season. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was the rider on the move early on, making his way briefly into second and as the top Honda. However, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) battled back, before the #99 passed Holgado to take the race lead. On lap three of the race Rueda lost the rear, collecting Ortola at turn one. This incident promoted David Alonso to second place, ahead of Fernandez.
The lead group was 11 riders long with all manufacturers in the mix, in a nail-biting opening Grand Prix of the season. Positions within the group were constantly changing, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) being the next rider to battle up the order from 10th to fourth position.
Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) were the next riders to go down, after a highside from Farioli on lap six of the race.
Another rider who was beginning to make moves was Japanese rider Taiyo Furusato who battled to fifth after starting from 18th position. Furusato quickly made his way into the podium positions before making a stunning move to take the lead in the Qatar Grand Prix.
Holgado and Furusato had an incredible battle, with the Japanese rider making a mistake, dropping down to fourth position. This allowed the #80 Alonso to begin his attack for the lead with a handful of laps remaining. Alonso briefly took the race lead into turn one before Holgado reclaimed his throne.
Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) had a big crash after running off the edge of the curb, bringing a premature end to his race.
As the sun began to set in Doha it all went down to the final lap of the race with Holgado leading in front of Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power). However, it did not stay like that for long with it being an all-out duel between Furusato and Holgado. There was also drama behind the leading riders with Adrian Fernandez losing the rear, leaving Vincente Perez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) with nowhere to go.
Alonso made the move for the win at the final corner, leading across the line with nothing separating the front group. Riccardo Rossi came across the line to take fourth position, just 0.186 separating the top four. Dutchman Veijer came across the line in fifth position, in a solid race for the Husqvarna rider.
Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) finished in sixth place, a further 0.078 behind Veijer in a thrilling opening race of the season. Tatsuki Suzuki came across the line in seventh in his debut race with the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP. Australian Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) finished in eighth and ahead of Ortola who made an incredible recovery ride. Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ends his first Moto3™ race to round out the top 10.
Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Aspar Team) ended the race in 11th, ahead of rookie Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden. Nicola Carraro (LEVELUP – MTA) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) took the final point-scoring positions.
“It was a good race, even if it was difficult because everyone was very fast and there were a lot of aggressive attacks, but we know that this style of driving is typical of Moto3. I’m really happy, it’s a great result. I think next time we could try to work on the gear changes because I was struggling on the straight. We must continue on this path in Portimao, I am very, very happy and I thank the CIP Green Power team.”
Riccardo Rossi – P4
Tatchakorn Buasri – P19
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, and I would like to apologise to the team. I felt good from the beginning of the race, and I knew that I could fight to get a podium finish today. One thing is for sure, I will try even harder in Portimao”.
Adrian Fernandez – NC
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