Moto3 race at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas on April 16, 2023. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) is now a Grand Prix winner! The Spaniard did it in style at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, fighting at the front throughout and then pushing to just stay ahead of a serious scrap for the podium. Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) took second, slicing back through after being forced into some avoiding action following a crash for then leader Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) completing the podium as Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) lost out late on.
The race began as the classic Moto3™ freight train, but bit by bit a front, smaller group managed to escape: Sasaki, Masia, Artigas, Moreira, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ortola, after a mammoth wonder save early doors. And that's how it stayed despite some chopping and changing, with the key drama coming in the latter stages.
That drama was a crash for Sasaki as the Japanese rider lost it in the lead, and in turn also forced Masia into avoiding action. That put the number 5 into a race against time to tag back onto the back of the now four-rider fight for the podium, but that he did and he was right back in the mix as the field prepared for the final lap.
Ortola led over the line, but Artigas attacked at Turn 1 and took over. It remained line astern for the rest of the sector, but the next move came from Moreira as he attacked Masia for third. And then he attacked for the lead, straight up, as Ortola also moved up into second. Moreira was in control heading onto the back straight though, somehow keeping the momentum, but the braking zone saw it come apart. Just a little too deep, the Brazilian opened the door and Ortola needed no second invitation, taking back the lead.
The fight for third just behind was even tighter, with Masia vs Artigas vs Holgado on the brakes and the number 5 coming out on top. The next target was Moreira, and the move came at the final corner. Ortola nailed it to head over the line for his first Grand Prix win as Masia attacked for second just behind, sending Moreira off line and causing a shuffle as the group all tucked in and pinned it. Masia made it to the flag first, with Artigas then just pipping Moreira. Holgado was forced to settle for fifth but that fifth means he retains the Championship lead, although now equal on points with Moreira.
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) headed up a close second group ahead of David Salvador (CIP Green Power), David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar), his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top ten. For full results see below, and buckle up for more in Jerez in two weeks! (Source MotoGP)
| Pos | Rider | Team | Bike | Time/Gap |
| 1 | Ivan Ortola | Angeluss MTA | KTM | 32:01.1 |
| 2 | Jaume Masia | Leopard Racing | Honda | 0.457 |
| 3 | Xavier Artigas | CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP | CFMoto | 0.558 |
| 4 | Diogo Moreira | MT Helmets – MSI | KTM | 0.567 |
| 5 | Daniel Holgado | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | KTM | 0.657 |
| 6 | Deniz Öncü | Red Bull KTM Ajo | KTM | 9.493 |
| 7 | David Salvador | CIP Green Power | KTM | 9.547 |
| 8 | David Alonso | GasGas Aspar | GasGas | 9.663 |
| 9 | Ryusei Yamanaka | GasGas Aspar | GasGas | 9.975 |
| 10 | Jose Antonio Rueda | Red Bull KTM Ajo | KTM | 10.085 |
| 11 | Kaito Toba | SIC58 Squadra Corse | Honda | 12.43 |
| 12 | Mario Aji | Honda Asia | Honda | 15.789 |
| 13 | Collin Veijer | Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP | Husqvarna | 15.967 |
| 14 | Scott Ogden | VisionTrack Racing | Honda | 16.179 |
| 15 | Riccardo Rossi | SIC58 Squadra Corse | Honda | 16.214 |
| 16 | Romano Fenati | Rivacold Snipers | Honda | 23.833 |
| 17 | David Almansa | CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP | CFMoto | 24.204 |
| 18 | Filippo Farioli | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | KTM | 24.401 |
| 19 | Andrea Migno | CIP Green Power | KTM | 24.676 |
| 20 | Taiyo Furusato | Honda Asia | Honda | 24.913 |
| 21 | Ana Carrasco | BOE Motorsports | KTM | 35.94 |
| 22 | Stefano Nepa | Angeluss MTA | KTM | 36.04 |
| 23 | David Munoz | BOE Motorsports | KTM | 36.194 |
MotoGP
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the oldest established motorsport world championship and the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Grand Prix motorcycles are purpose-built racing machines that are unavailable for purchase by the general public and unable to be ridden legally on public roads. The championship is currently divided into four classes: the eponymous MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE.
Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is the premier destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the United States. Just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music. At its heart is a 3.41-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world's most exacting competitors while providing a thrilling spectacle for audiences.
The 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit takes advantage of the naturally undulating landscape, including an intimidating 133-foot hill at Turn 1. It has hosted the Formula 1 United States Grand Pix, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, ESPN's X Games, the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and more. Nestled within the track is Germania Insurance Amphitheater, the largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Texas, and its 251-foot signature observation tower.
MotoGP
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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