Moto3 Catalonia Race: What planet does David Alonso come from?

The Moto3 race has delivered its verdict in Catalonia. After more than 40 minutes of an intense battle, it was David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Moto3) who emerged victorious from this clash. The start of the weekend, relatively strange given the drivers' lack of pace, promised a more open event than ever. Certainly, Iván Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) started from pole position, the first of his career. Yes, he was followed by Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), a usual suspect, also winner in Austria. But the danger could come from further afield. Beyond the top 10, we found the championship leader Daniel Holgado (KTM Red Bull Tech3) as well as Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), his runner-up. Rookie Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) surprised more than one during the first practice sessions; unfortunately, he was the victim of a fall in qualifying which destroyed his foot; he wasn't at the start. 

Yes, you know the result of this Grand Prix but that should not prevent you from coming to relive it with us! Before starting the story of this race, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

 

Catalunya-Barcelona Moto3™	2022	2023
FP1	1'48.675 Izan Guevara	1'48.300 Jaume Masia
FP2	1'48.979 Izan Guevara	1'48.702 Iván Ortolá
FP3	1'47.765 Dennis Foggia	1'48.003 Collin Veijer
Q1	1'49.389 Scott Ogden	1'49.077 Daniel Holgado
Q2	1'48.290 Dennis Foggia	1'48.205 Iván Ortolá
Warm Up	1'49.182 Izan Guevara	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Course	Guevara, Munoz, Suzuki (See here)	Alonso, Masia, Rueda
All time lap record	1'47.597 Gabriel Rodrigo 2021	1'47.597 Gabriel Rodrigo 2021

 

Even if the sky is cloudy on the Barcelona side, the track is still dry. Let's go ! See you in 18 rounds for the final outcome.

When the lights go out, Deniz Oncu takes the best of all its competitors and performs the hole shot. He is closely followed by Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) and the poleman Ivan Ortolá. Average departure for Daniel Holgadoas Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing) steals second place.

 

 

And now, Jaume Masia attacks the leader. The Hondas are very strong in Barcelona, ​​will this be the Leopard driver's second victory this season? Too early to say, especially since the brilliant rookie David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Team) is now part of the discussion.

 

 

The package is tighter than ever! Only 6,2 seconds separate the first from the last; This is understandable on a circuit where the aspiration is very effective. Deniz Oncu iron David Alonso and tries to chase Jaume Masia in turn. For the world title, the latter no longer has the right to make mistakes after two consecutive blank results. On aspiration, David Alonso comes first but it is too difficult to establish a representative hierarchy. Remember that the last two Catalan GPs were won by Aspar Martinez's team. Furthermore, we announce the fall of the rookie Philip Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) in turn no. 4.

 

 

Discreetly, Daniel Holgado has come back on the head, and passes everyone to the aspiration! The championship leader cannot be ruled out. The absence ofAyumu Sasaki is felt, he who must remain in contact of Holgado to maintain a chance at the championship. And now it's David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) which is showing its nose! All sizes are there.

 

 

The peloton is so tight, it's simply impressive. Ten laps to go, and advantage Deniz Oncu for the moment, who has built a lead of 0.3 s. Is he trying to escape? It's very difficult here but the Turk seems easy. Unfortunately, at the back of the pack, the French Lorenzo Fellon (KTM CIP Green Power) receives a long penalty, for having cut turn no. 2.

The Ajo driver manages to keep his advantage on the pit straight, which is an important indication. Fourteen drivers make up this leading group with eight laps to go.

 

 

Then, Daniel Holgado resumes leads. Fellon must repeat his long lap, but ahead, a new suitor asserts himself; Stefano Nepa (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), author of a magnificent maneuver in the last bend. Jaume Masia is on fire, and begins to raise the level of play, overtaking in mouse holes.

Deniz Oncu did the majority of laps in the lead, but for having won via an overtake in the last corner at the Sachsenring, he knows that it means nothing. Advantage Jaume Masia two laps from the end, Then, holgado, in the caophony. The Spaniard approaches the final loop in front, but it will be difficult for him to maintain this advantage for one lap.

 

 

Last crazy ride! Daniel Holgado falls at turn 10 with only a few turns left to go! In the final turns, it's David Alonso, the winner of Silverstone, who won to the great dismay of David Muñoz, who also suffered a fall a few meters from the line! Driven by Deniz Oncu, the Turk received two long time penalties, or six seconds added to his race time. At the end of the effort, it was Alonso who won in this fabulous Grand Prix, the third victory in a row here for Aspar!

 

 

The driver's penalty Red Bull KTM Garlic benefits his teammate, the rookie José Antonio Rueda, who takes his first world podium here! Fourth, Ayumu Sasaki saves the furniture while Deniz Oncu is demoted to 12th position.

 

 

What did you think of it? Tell us in the comments!

Result of the 3 Moto2023 Catalan Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Gaviota Aspar GasGas Moto3