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Moto3 Aragon-1 Race: Jaume Masia wins at the wire, Fernández finally on the podium

by | October 18, 2020

Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is still chasing his first podium in Moto3, will in the meantime have the privilege of starting in pole position for this Aragón GP. This is the fourth time that such a situation has occurred this season, he seems subscribed to this place on the grid. To tell the truth, no one will have been able to get their turn in 1'57.681. It remains to be seen if he will manage to grab his first podium of the season.

Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) still managed to get close at the end, but not enough to dethrone him. 59 thousandths behind the Madrilenian, the Italian had to settle for second place. Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), current leader in the Championship standings, will also be present on the front row, after improving his time in the last minute.

The second line will be made up by Alonso Lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), the 2 teammates having worked in pairs, Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) having on the other hand managed to get in between them.

Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Arizona 77), who advanced from Q1, will start from seventh place. Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), main opponent by Albert Arenas in the Championship, gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing), also through the repechage, complete the Top 10.

What will this first race of the day bring? Before answering this question, here is the table that refreshes our memory…

Aragon-1 Moto3™ 2019 2020
FP1

1'58.987 Tatsuki Suzuki

 1'59.813 Darryn Binder
FP2

1'58.566 Andrea Migno

 1'58.144 Raul Fernandez
FP3

2'09.757 Alonso Lopez

 1'58.383 Gabriel Rodrigo
Q1

1'58.800 Dennis Foggia

 1'58.644 Carlos Tatay
Q2

1'58.197 Aron Canet

 1'57.681 Raúl Fernandez
Warm Up

2'11.162 Aron Canet

 1'59.160 Raúl Fernandez
Course Canet, Ogura, Foggia
All time lap record

1'57.066 Jorge Martin 2018

 

At the end of this morning, the air temperature was 17°C and that of the track 22°C. We recall that John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) will have to carry out a “Long Lap” penalty during the race following irresponsible driving in Q1. As for Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), he will have to carry out the same penalty, following an incident during the French GP.

The drivers are ready to set off for this 19-lap race.

When the lights went out, the quickest to get into action was Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), who passes the first turn in the lead. Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) is not to be outdone and takes the lead after only a few turns. Will he finally get on his first podium? Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) completes the top 3, which is already a few steps ahead of the pursuers.

gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) falls at turn 13. That's it for him for this weekend. We will later learn that he will go to the hospital for further examinations.

At the end of the first lap, which has already been very lively, the drivers concerned can carry out their “Long Lap” penalties. John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) sets the best lap in 1'58.229. It's not his penalty that will taint his motivation. He also achieves his penalty perfectly, and scores 18e at the end of it.

At the front, a group of 4 stands out: Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), closely followed by Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse), Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) and Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). The latter in turn achieved the best lap in the race in 1'58.214.

Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in turn realizes his penalty, and comes out just ahead John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing).

With 15 laps to go, Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) joins the battle in the leading group, which is now made up of 5 drivers. The South African driver is very pumped up, he sets the best lap in the race in 1'58.070 while he fights to move up to third provisional position.

Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) is so far a solid leader, but he is increasingly threatened by the rider of the CIP-Green Power team, who is making, as usual, a fairly extraordinary comeback.

With 13 laps to go, Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) takes control at turn 16. The group of 5 riders is compact to say the least and the fight rages on.

The pole sitter has not said his last word and regains the lead of the race on the next lap. Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), which is one of the most serious competitors for the title, is only sixteenth.

Fall for Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) at turn 16, a loss of the front at high speed. There are 11 rounds left.

Meanwhile, discreetly, John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) has already moved up to 6e position. Despite his penalty, will he be able to get on the podium?

The junction is made, and the leading group now includes around ten pilots. The Scottish driver is already fifth, and is putting pressure on Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) to get closer to the podium. There are 8 rounds left to go!

Seoul, Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who was not involved in any fight, managed to take a slight lead. The pursuit is organized and Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) joined him very quickly.

Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) is also in good shape: he came up from 17e place on the grid until the fight for the top 5, currently with John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing).

With 6 laps to go, Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) is warned for exceeding the limits of the track.

There are 5 rounds left, Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) has just regained control of Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo). The pole-sitter was undoubtedly destabilized because he lost 4 places at once, but quickly returned to the front.

A group of 8 fight for the lead of the race. The Madrid pilot, Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), finally has his first podium within reach, he is doing everything to keep the leadership.

A Moto3 race as we like to see them, with braking 5 (or more) abreast! In this little game, Jaume Masià (Honda, Leopard Racing) did well and took the lead during a few corners, which was not to the taste of Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), which immediately doubles it.

Last lap, nothing is going right! Jaume Masià (Honda, Leopard Racing) starts in the lead, in front Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who brakes brilliantly at the first corner and takes control. But Jaume Masia has not said its last word, and regains the advantage after a few contacts on the track. Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) is third for the moment.

Finally, the Leopard team rocket made the difference in the straight line and Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) wins, ahead Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) and Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who finally has his first podium!

Starting 17th on the grid, Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) wins his first Grand Prix of the season and is the 100th Honda driver to win a race.

Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) is back on the podium with a very good 2nd place.

Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is subscribed to pole positions this year, finally gets on the podium!

Despite his 7th place, Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) increases its lead in the championship.

Aragon Moto3 Grand Prix results: 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com