Moto3 Barcelona Race: First victory for Darryn Binder, Ai Ogura new leader of the Championship

Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) was well on his way to winning a new pole, but that was without counting on a crazy last lap from Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team). The Italian completed the 4,655km of the Catalunya circuit in 1'47.762, thus relegating his opponent to more than six tenths. He hadn't tasted pole since Silverstone 2019, it's a perfect way to celebrate his Moto2 signing with Liqui Moly Intact GP for 2021.

gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), author of a time identical to that of Raúl Fernández, completes the first line.

The second row will be made up of the leader of the World Championship, Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), who rose to this position after going through Q1, from Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) and Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse), also passed through Q1.

Filip Salac (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) will start from seventh place. Kaito Toba (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), Darryn Binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) and Sergio Garcia (Honda, Estrella Galicia 0,0) complete the Top 10 of these qualifications. As for Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), currently second in the Championship and who has not missed a podium all season, he will start from 24th position.

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

Catalunya-Barcelona Moto3	2019	2020
FP1	1'49.167 Alonso Lopez	1'48.853 Raúl Fernández
FP2	1'49.213 Lorenzo Dalla Porta	1′.49.134 Jaume Masia
FP3	1'48.433 Aron Canet	1'48.635 Tony Arbolino
Q1	1'48.970 Tatsuki Suzuki	1'48.894 Alonso Lopez
Q2	1'48.450 Gabriel Rodrigo	1'47.762 Tony Arbolino
Warm Up	1'49.134 Lorenzo Dalla Porta	1'49.715 Niccolò Antonelli
Course	Ramirez, Canet, Vietti	Binder, Arbolino, Foggia
All time lap record	1'48.433 Aron Canet 2019	1'47.762 Tony Arbolino

 

At the end of the morning, the air temperature was 19°C, as was that of the track. Clouds have appeared on the Spanish track.

The drivers are ready to set off for this 21-lap race.

When the lights went out, the quickest to escape the grid was Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) and he keeps the advantage over Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota).

Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) has already moved up 9 places from the 1st sector, he is 15th! As for Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power), having for once no extraordinary comeback to make, since he was 9th on the grid, he is already fighting in the leading pack.

Turn 10, very impressive in terms of braking, saw the leading men regroup. This is the most impressive braking with that of turn 1, where from the 2nd lap, Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) takes the advantage, followed very closely by Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power). gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) is then 3rd. But the ranking evolves at every turn, the battle rages at the top, that John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) joined quickly.

Everything seems possible during this race, as often in Moto3. After only 5 rounds, Maximilian Kofler (KTM, CIP-Green Power) has a warning for exceeding track limits. Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) leads in front John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota).

But at turn 4, during the 6th lap, John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) does the brakes Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), but falls and takes the leader of the World Championship with him. The Spanish driver is furious, because despite the very poor position in the standings of Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) – he is currently out of the points – he threatens his place as leader in the World Championship.

The incident between these two drivers will be investigated by Race Direction after the checkered flag has passed. The 2 Championship is still completely open. Would this be an opportunity to Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) to finally get on the podium, after their very good results during free practice and qualifying?

Also, with 13 laps to go, Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3) falls very impressively at turn 4, and Jose Julian Garcia (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) leaves the track to avoid him. This incident will also be studied by Race Direction at the end of the race.

We see John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) go and apologize in the Aspar team box, toAlbert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota). Very nice gesture from the Scottish driver towards his opponent on the track, who didn't even take the time to take off his helmet.

With 10 laps to go, Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) crosses the line in the lead, in front Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) and Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), but from the first turn, the classification changes. A group of 1 has formed at the front, and the battle for first place is raging, halfway through the race: the drivers can be up to 10 abreast on the hardest braking!

One lap later, 17 drivers regrouped, Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) entering the points. It's difficult to know who will be able to win in Montmelo! What a battle at the forefront, which becomes more and more virile! Contacts and elbows to elbows are becoming more and more frequent.

Kaito Toba (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) is then penalized with a “Long Lap” for having flirted a little too much with the limits of the track, just like Jeremy Alcoba (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3)

There are then 5 laps remaining, and the first 15 are held in less than 2 seconds.

Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) missed braking at turn 10 and lost many places in the standings. There are 4 rounds left! Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) performs magnificent braking to stay with the leading trio. For the moment, he is 3rd, behind Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing) and Jaume Masià (Honda, Leopard Racing).

The Leopard Racing teammates are managing to hold off their pursuers for the moment, but this means a very hot final lap!

Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) retires 3 laps from the finish. Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) manages to slip between the 2 Honda Leopard Racing, less than 3 laps from the finish.

Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) received a second “Long Tour” penalty, for not having observed his first penalty quickly enough.

Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) widened at turn 5, he lost his lead on the leaders. Last round, Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing) still leads Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) and Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team).

More Binder is very good at braking, will he take the lead? He does it spectacularly and Arbolino takes the opportunity to go second.

After a very hectic final portion of the circuit, it is Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) who wins in front Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) and Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing). Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) receives a 6s penalty for having taken only one of his 2 penalties.

Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) and Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) will be demoted one place each for exceeding track limits on the final lap

Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) is not unworthy, 2nd from pole, a superb result.

Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing) reached the podium for the second time this season.

Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) only scored 5 points but that was enough to take the lead in the World Championship.

Un Binder can he hide another one? Brad Binder comes to congratulate his brother following his superb victory in Moto3.

Ranking of the Moto3 Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com