Moto3 Argentina Race: Masterstroke from Tatsuki Suzuki in a crazy race!

Ayumu Sasaki: Here is the name of the man to beat in Moto3. Yesterday, the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP rider rewarded us with an exploit in qualifying. In just one lap, without aspiration and on a difficult track, he was more than 0.6s behind the second, in the person of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Already pole-sitter in Portimão, Ayumu Sasaki will have to get rid of his opponents so as not to experience the same fate as in Portugal, that is to say stuck in the peloton until the presentation of the checkered flag. Let's keep an eye on Tatsuki Suzuki, who excels in these conditions. 

Behind him, none of his competitors want to make his task easier. Be careful with Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi), rookie of the year 2022 and determined to establish himself permanently among the best in the category. You will also have to be wary of the two Hondas of the Leopard Racing which benefit from a very good top speed on these lands. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), winner in Portugal, will start from 10th place but it is impossible to underestimate him. Also monitor the probable rise in David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports), who even if he will be in 16th place at the end of the formation lap, will undoubtedly be one of the fastest. A scenario that we experienced together just a week ago on the hills of Portimão.

 

Before getting started, 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	1'53.875 Romano Fenati
Q1	1'49.822 Ryusei Yamanaka	1'50.034 Iván Ortolá
Q2	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia	1'49.539 Ayumu Sasaki
Warm up	1'48.615 Deniz Öncü	XXXXXXXXXX
Course	Garcia, Foggia, Sasaki	Suzuki, Moreira, Migno
All time lap record	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia (2022)

 

Conditions are not optimal: the second race of the year is declared wet! Of course, everyone opted for the right tires. 18 laps to go, who will emerge victorious? We know it : Roman Fenati (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team) particularly likes these conditions. 

Let's go ! Ayumu Sasaki gets a good start, but has to veer off at the first corner. He is overtaken by Diogo Moreira as well as other top drivers. Deniz Öncü is very ambitious on its trajectories, but remains clean. It plays. 

 

 

Diogo Moreira fails in turn; without a warm-up to prepare, it's very difficult to get the measure of the track. Joel Kelso's replacement David Almansa (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) had a blast in the peloton, and gained many positions. This animation allows Deniz Öncü to give yourself a half-second lead but the latter falls! INCREDIBLE ! Deniz Oncu then in the lead, makes a mistake at turn 11! What a disappointment for the Turk.

 

 

From now on, it is Tatsuki suzuki who occupies the lead, although we expected him to be fast on a track which has always smiled on the Honda. The Japanese has a one second lead. David Almansa is unleashed, it now exceeds Ayumu Sasaki clinically, then Jaume Masia. Impressive. 

 

 

Remember that the Spanish replacement started from 25th position on the grid. However, he struggles to get rid ofAyumu Sasaki and his teammate Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP). This benefits Tatsuki suzuki, in the lead with more than two seconds ahead now. Daniel Holgado is in contact with the second group, while Diogo Moreira is struggling. David Almansa has calmed down a little, and no longer seems able to make a difference in the first group. 

 

 

Tatsuki suzuki, almost three seconds away, is on another planet. He's heading straight for victory, unless he makes a mistake by trying to push too hard. Ayumu Sasaki is warned: he must return a position for dangerous piloting. It is difficult to understand this decision by the race management, as driving is so difficult in these conditions. 

The fall ofIvan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), which is struggling to enter its season. Ayumu Sasaki, after letting go David Almansa, escapes… but he too falls ! INCREDIBLE ! The Japanese, double pole-sitter this year, is on the ground even though he could have secured a second place. 

 

 

Tatsuki suzuki is separated from the peloton by more than four seconds! Unless I'm mistaken, the pilot Leopard Racing a race won. Jaume Masia is solid second, while David Muñoz made a notable appearance in the leading group after a bad start! 

 

 

Jaume Masia is getting faster and faster, currently author of the best lap in the race. He moves up substantially on his teammate Tatsuki Suzuki…until the fall! INCREDIBLE ! We will end up believing that we are bringing them bad luck. Also note the fall of Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia). 

 

 

Xavier Artigas et David Muñoz are both on the ground, at the same turn and without touching each other! It's an elimination race, almost all the top drivers are on the ground. Daniel Holgado can perform a very good operation, just like Diogo Moreira. This race never ceases to surprise us: Xavier Artigas is already back in the top 10 after getting back on his machine in no time. It is not over, except for the victory which seems acquired for the cause of Tatsuki Suzuki. 

 

 

Now Andrea Migno (KTM CIP Green Power) on the provisional podium, replacing Lorenzo Fellon ! What a battle between him and David Almansa, the battle of the substitutes takes place in Argentina. But Almansa falls at this epic end of the race! We can salute his effort, he will not have been unworthy. 

Finally, Tatsuki suzuki wins by more than seven seconds, a majestic performance on his part. Diogo Moreira emerges from the chaos in 2nd position, ahead of a Andrea Migno heroic. In the last moments, Riccardo rossi (Honda SIC58 Squadra Corsica) falls in turn. Daniel Holgado maintains the lead in the world championship thanks to his 4th place, because after the finish, Scott Ogden (Honda VisionTrack Racing) is given a six-second penalty for irresponsible driving.

 

 

Here is the standings for the 3 Moto2023 Argentine Grand Prix:

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Leopard Racing