Moto3 race at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas on April 14, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The Moto3™ race in Texas was a 14-lap thriller, kicking off Sunday’s action with dramatic twists and turns. However, for David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team), the race was a masterclass as he secured an incredible victory, narrowing the gap to the Championship leader to just two points. Behind him, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and rookie Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) engaged in a nail-biting duel to the finish, with the Spanish duo separated by a mere 0.013 seconds.
Pre-race discussions were dominated by numerous penalties for slow riding during qualifying and a reshuffled front row due to Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) withdrawing from the race due to appendicitis, promoting Holgado to second on the grid. When the race began, polesitter Alonso quickly pulled away, with Holgado in pursuit. Turn one proved tricky, especially for SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Filippo Farioli, who crashed at the start. Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) then clipped Holgado’s motorcycle, forcing him wide and dropping him to 10th.
Meanwhile, MT Helmets – MSI’s Ivan Ortola faced a difficult weekend, crashing twice in the opening laps. Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP - MTA) was caught up in Ortola's first crash, dropping to last place. At the front, Alonso built a commanding three-second lead over Holgado and rookie Piqueras in third. Six riders battled for the final podium spots, thrilling the fans. However, the battle soon reduced to five after Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato crashed at turn 15, allowing Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to move into third before briefly taking second.
As the race progressed, Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Veijer charged hard, setting the fastest lap and closing the gap to Alonso. However, Veijer then lost the rear, forcing the group to take evasive action and promoting Piqueras to second. The group bunched up again with two laps remaining, allowing Holgado to reclaim second. On the final lap, Alonso maintained his flawless performance, stretching his lead. The battle for second intensified, with Piqueras making a move at turn 12, but Holgado responded at turn 19, leading to an epic drag race to the finish. Holgado edged out Piqueras by 0.013 seconds, with Yamanaka finishing fourth, achieving his best GP result.
David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) completed the top five after a dramatic start dropped him to 18th. Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) secured his best result of the season in sixth, ahead of Kelso, who received a late LLP turned time penalty for his incident with Holgado. Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) finished eighth, with fellow rookie Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) in ninth. Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounded out the top 10, narrowly beating Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) after serving three LLPs during the race.
Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time |
1 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (CFMOTO) | 31m 38.427s |
2 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (GasGas) | +5.613s |
3 | Angel Piqueras | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +5.176s |
4 | Ryusei Yamanaka | JPN | MT Helmets - MSI (KTM) | +5.676s |
5 | David Munoz | SPA | BOE Motorsports (KTM) | +13.285s |
6 | Tatsuki Suzuki | JPN | Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (Husqvarna) | +13.730s |
7 | Joel Kelso | AUS | BOE Motorsports (KTM) | +16.963s |
8 | Jacob Roulstone | AUS | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (GasGas) | +19.126s |
9 | Joel Esteban | SPA | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (CFMOTO) | +19.325s |
10 | Matteo Bertelle | ITA | Rivacold SnipersTeam (Honda) | +20.657s |
11 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +20.689s |
12 | Nicola Carraro | ITA | LEVELUP - MTA (KTM) | +22.785s |
13 | Xabi Zurutuza | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +22.869s |
14 | Noah Dettwiler | SWI | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +27.575s |
15 | Filippo Farioli | ITA | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | +32.147s |
16 | Riccardo Rossi | ITA | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +38.953s |
17 | Joshua Whatley | GBR | MLav Racing (Honda) | +44.924s |
18 | Stefano Nepa | ITA | LEVELUP - MTA (KTM) | +45.075s |
19 | Luca Lunetta | ITA | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | =1m 19.752s |
20 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | MT Helmets - MSI (KTM) | DNF |
21 | Collin Veijer | NED | Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP(Husqvarna) | DNF |
22 | Scott Ogden | GBR | MLav Racing (Honda) | DQ |
23 | Taiyo Furusato | JPN | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | DNF |
24 | Jose Antonio Rueda | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo(KTM) | DNS |
25 | David Almansa | SPA | Rivacold Snipers Team (Honda) | DNS |
26 | Tatchakorn Buasri | THA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | DNS |
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.
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