Moto3 Argentina P2: Ayumu Sasaki confirms, Diogo Moreira in ambush

Less than a week after the Portuguese Grand Prix, the young guns of Moto3 are at it again in Argentina. Last week we witnessed a Grand Prix full of emotions. The race was marked by the first victory of Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) ahead of David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsport) and Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi). If the first managed his weekend in the best possible way, the other two had to work from more distant positions. José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), brilliant rookie, finished 4th in only his third race, and his first as a starter. Pole sitter Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna Liqui Moly Intact GP), 6th, was unable to convert his magnificent effort on Saturday.

Among the surprises, let us also note the misfortunes of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Garlic), 10th at the finish after stalling on the grid and relatively absent all weekend. As in MotoGP, the South American meeting will be marked by notable absences, starting with that of Lorenzo Fellon (KTM CIP Green Power), out for part of the season to treat his injured shoulder. Remember that he did not start last week. The Frenchman is replaced by Andrea Migno, double winner in the discipline. Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP), magnificent 9th on Sunday, came to embed itself in the saddle backrest of the winner Daniel Holgado after arrival! A rare and terrifying image, but above all unfortunate for the young Australian. The latter, injured in the ankle, must give way to David Almansa, a 17-year-old Spaniard currently in FIM JuniorGP World Championship.

During P1, Ayumu Sasaki stood out before the rain appeared, followed very closely by Jaume Masia et Tatsuki suzuki (Honda Leopard Racing). Daniel Holgado follows, while Diogo Moreira was the only rider to crash during the session. 

 

 

Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Argentine GP Moto3™	2022	2023
P1	1'49.268 Dennis Foggia	1'49.804 Ayumu Sasaki
P2	1'48.962 Izan Guevara	1'48.597 Ayumu Sasaki
P3	Canceled
Q1	1'49.822 Ryusei Yamanaka
Q2	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia
warm up	1'48.615 Deniz Öncü	XXXXXXXXXX
Course	Garcia, Foggia, Sasaki
All time lap record	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia (2022)

 

The rain seems to have left the circuit, and that's a good thing. The rookie Red Bull KTM Tech3 Filippo Farioli is the first to hit the track. Kaito Toba (Honda SIC58 Squadra Corse) achieves the first reference mark, in 1'50.408. There is no doubt that this one will be beaten shortly.

 

 

Diogo Moreira improves significantly, and comes close to the best time achieved this morning by Ayumu Sasaki. The latter joins Moreira at the top of the ranking, but without being able to match his own lap completed in the morning. On the home straight, Colin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) shifts and hits Ryusei Yamanaka (GasGas Aspar Team) ! Fortunately, both manage to get the situation under control and neither is on the ground. How hot it was! Let’s take this opportunity to congratulate the rookie Veijer, which, apart from this mishap, is well established in the top 10.

Diogo Moreira continues his effort, and even regains command. At this precise moment, three drivers are within 10 thousandths of a second in the combined ranking! 

 

 

A man carries out very interesting sectors: Daniel Holgado. Will he once again be the strong man of the weekend? As the pilots prepare for their final runs, David Almansa, replacing Joel Kelso, falls unfortunately. And Daniel Holgado took the opportunity to take the best time, in 1'49.742. In the pack, the young wolves look at each other...

 

 

Daniel Holgado still improves, but it is ahead of Jaume Masia et Tatsuki Suzuki. The leader is in 1'48.840, a huge lap just 0.4s from the record of Sergio García. There is no doubt that the Honda likes these long straight lines. David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Team) is also in sight, in the top 3. 

 

 

Amazing ! While Diogo Moreira was in a big ride, it's Ayumu Sasaki who surprises everyone with the best time. As tempers heat up, we note the fall of Joshua Whatley (Honda VisionTrack Racing Team). Many can improve and are able to go for the record, but traffic slows down the top drivers in the category. status quo. Ayumu Sasaki, like this morning, is in the lead followed by the other strong man of the day Diogo Moreira.

 

 

In the last moments, David Munoz moves into the top 15, so important for qualifying. After the line, Deniz Öncü almost falling on the finishing straight, passing through the grass! This is not the first time that we have seen a driver exit here in this way, after having pushed too hard in the last curve which determines the finish. Note that if the positions remain like this, the Turk will have to go through Q1 tomorrow. 

 

 

Results of P2 of the Argentine Moto3 Grand Prix at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Liqui Moly Intact GP