Moto3 Catalonia Barcelona P1: Is it possible to beat David Alonso?

Moto3 is evolving, and this is further confirmed with the P1 in Catalonia. Since the start of the season, one driver in particular has distinguished himself with a certain grandeur. His name: David Alonso, driver for CFMoto Aspar Team. The Colombian, in his second year, has already won three times this season, in Qatar, in the United States as well as at Le Mans two weeks ago. Blocking his path seems difficult, but Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3), winner in Portugal, is still ahead in the general classification due to his outstanding consistency. He does everything he can to keep him at bay. Behind, the competitors are struggling to assert themselves, even if Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) also stood out at Jerez. Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) and José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) remain serious contenders. Here is how the hierarchy is arranged a few hours before a race that we hope is incredible in Catalonia. This morning, without much surprise, David Alonso took the lap record, as well as first place.

So, even if you already know the result of this session, Come relive it with us in the comments! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Moto3™ Barcelona, ​​Catalonia	2023	2024
FP	1'48.300 Jaume Masia	1'46.838 David Alonso
P1	1'48.702 Iván Ortolá	1'46.897 David Alonso
P2	1'48.003 Collin Veijer
Q1	1'49.077 Daniel Holgado
Q2	1'48.205 Iván Ortolá
Course	Alonso, Masia, Rueda (See here)
All time lap record	1'47.597 Gabriel Rodrigo 2021	1'46.838 David Alonso

 

A bright sun invades the stands of the Catalunya circuit, which bodes well for a new descent in the times. Here we go for P1!

 

 

Like this morning, Collin Veijer draw first. But as long as David Alonso has not started, then the hierarchy is not defined. Daniel Holgado, finally, seems to have passed a milestone and is getting closer to the lead. Stefano Nepa (KTM MTA LEVELUP), quite discreet since the start of the season, is also present but impossible to decide on any order before the last minutes, where the drivers give everything.

 

 

David Alonso quickly takes control, and drops to 1'46. Collin Veijer Stay at a safe distance though. The favorites are all there, with the possible exception ofIvan Ortola. The Colombian is only improving, he's very, very strong, even though his tires are no longer fresh.

More Daniel Holgado, well helped by his rookie teammate Jacob Roulstone, manages to climb to first place thanks to aspiration. The current leader of the world championship has resources. holgado improves again, just ahead Ivan Ortola and the astonishing Philip Farioli (Honda Snipers Team). Times are still slower than this morning.

 

 

Then it's the turn of Jose Antonio Rueda to take the hand. Absent from two Grands Prix due to an attack of appendicitis that went wrong, he came back strong. But David Alonso begins to attack, while we pass below the five minutes mark to be played. And inevitably, he instantly takes the lead. However, the Aspar driver was unable to improve on this morning's mark, and unlike the others, the checkered flag fell in front of him!

Wheel and others therefore have one more turn to respond, but they do nothing. None improves the mark of the Colombian, who finishes in front Wheel for a tenth, while Daniel Holgado is third.

 

 

Ranking of P1 Moto3 of the 2024 Catalan Grand Prix:

Classification credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: Aspar Team