Moto3 Argentina P1: Ayumu Sasaki first before the rain

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 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 Sea Defence 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 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.

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

Argentine GP Moto3™	2022	2023
FP1	1'49.268 Dennis Foggia	1'49.804 Ayumu Sasaki
FP2	1'48.962 Izan Guevara
FP3	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)

 

Despite the presence of threatening clouds, the track is dry, ready to receive the Moto3 riders. Diogo Moreira is the first to complete a lap, in 1'51.765. Riccardo Rossi (Honda SIC58 Squadra Corsica) is already hampered by problems on his machine, forced to stay in the box.

 

 

The same Diogo Moreira gets trapped some time later, without consequences. He is the first to enter the gravel trap of turn 1. The times are starting to get interesting: Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing) records a 1'51.389. Daniel Holgado is already very fast, just like Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP). The 1'50 mark, crossed by Dennis Foggia last year, is threatened by Daniel Holgado.

 

 

Daniel Holgado still holds the lead in the first Moto3 session, more than half a second behind his pursuer, with less than 20 minutes to go. A significant number of drivers stay in the pits after a few laps, so as not to risk breaking something or worse, getting injured at the start of the day. The track is still perfectly dry, but conditions could change in the next few minutes.

 

 

10 minutes from the checkered flag, we see a few drops on the objectives of international achievement but that does not prevent the two drivers Honda Leopard Racing to improve their sectors. The white flags with red crosses signaling changing conditions are waved by the track marshals, while Jaume Masia is the first to go below 1'50. Just after, Ayumu Sasaki improves and figure 1st, in 1'49.804. The fine drops do not seem to bother these young wolves.

Two minutes from the end, the rain is here, for good this time. There will be no more improvements on this session. 

 

 

Results of P1 of the Argentine Moto3 Grand Prix at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit:

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com