Moto3 Spain Race: Iván Ortolá triumphs in Jerez!

The Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix has delivered its verdict. Before the race, the mission for the riders in the smallest category was simple: Stop Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo). In pole position and track record holder, the Turk had an almost perfect weekend, where his speed was matched only by his consistency throughout the sessions. Clearly, he was the man to beat. Behind, Iván Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), winner in Austin, hoped to challenge him for victory and rightly so. Impossible to forget the tandem previously leading the championship, composed of Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Remember that the latter won during the opening round in Portugal.

The surprise could also come from Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing) fastest man in P2 and fourth on the grid, or even, the veteran Romano Fenati (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team), author of an astonishing qualifying session yesterday (3rd). Unfortunately, we learned yesterday of the injury of David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports). After qualifying third, a violent fall threw him to the bottom of the gravel trap, hitting his heel at the same time. He was not present at the start.

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

Moto3 ™ Jerez Spain	2022	2023
P1	1'47.888 Deniz Öncü	1'46.173 Deniz Oncu
P2	1'46.341 Izan Guevara	1'46.915 Jaume Masia
P3	1'45.736 Diogo Moreira	1'45.401 Deniz Oncu
Q1	1'46.858 Kaito Toba	1'45.908 Romano Fenati
Q2	1'45.880 Izan Guevara	1'45.668 Deniz Oncu
warm up	1'46.601 Deniz Öncü	XXXXXXXXXXXX
Course	Guevara, Garcia, Masia	Ortolá, Alonso, Masia
All time lap record	1'45.880 Izan Guevara 2022	1'45.401 Deniz Oncu

 

The sky is slightly cloudy, but no rain in the forecast. Will we see an explanation in the last curve Jorge Lorenzo ? Response in 45 minutes. Good start from the poleman, quickly caught by Daniel Holgado from 6th position. Ivan Ortolá follows closely, but Ryusei Yamanaka (GasGas Aspar Team) is the surprise guest of this leading group. The Japanese is third after one lap.

 

 

Deniz Oncu passes through Daniel Holgado, but above all, Ivan Ortolá, now first. The two men try to escape and open up a small gap on the Turk. Jaume Masia, Deniz Öncü et Ryusei Yamanaka slow down and struggle to get back on the leading duo. The gap is increased to 0.8s. Here is the excess that allowed this situation: 

 

 

Daniel Holgado goes to the front. The two men do not widen the gap, while Jaume Masia double Deniz Oncu. The Spaniard is very committed to his maneuvers, be careful not to overdo it. Immediately, Jaume comes back to the leaders in a flash. He takes Yamanaka in his wake. The leading group is now made up of four drivers.

 

 

Terrible start to the race for Deniz Oncu ! The poleman loses positions and as if that wasn't enough, he is warned by the race management because of his too frequent off-track exits. While the escape fails, we note the fall of david savior (KTM CIP Green Power). A terrible highside, certainly one of the biggest this year. He is announced to be conscious. 

Terrible news for Ryusei Yamanaka ! Very strong, the Aspar driver experienced mechanical damage to his Gas Gas which forces him to return to the pits!

 

 

Of all the leading men, Jaume Masia seems most comfortable. Now first, he wants to set sail without delay. Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) is also part of the good group, and could perfectly create a surprise. Diogo Moreira is the big absentee from this Spanish game, stuck in the pack. New fall for Riccardo Rossi (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica), fortunately without serious consequences. 

Daniel Holgado regains his property, while the Colombian rookie David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Team) invites himself to the party, party 16th. Six pilots make up the first group; impossible to say who will win with nine laps to go. 

A few loops later, Daniel Holgado et Jaume Masia appear to be the main favorites for victory given their form. Fall for the rookie Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). 

 

 

Kaito Toba (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica) is also on the ground. Zero points for Paolo Simoncelli's team. With four rounds remaining, Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda Leopard Racing), Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Deniz Oncu come back! We are heading towards an explanation with nine pilots! 

 

 

The Turk receives a long lap penalty due to his exits in the green part! All his hopes are now reduced to nothing in this Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix. Jaume Masia always leads.

But in the last breaks to the right, Ivan Ortolá takes the best of his opponents starting with David Alonso. What an excess! Amazing after his Austin effort. As is often the case, victory was decided in the final curves. He is ahead David Alonso et Jaume Masia. Ayumu Sasaki is fourth.

 

 

Here are the results of the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix:

 

Spain Moto3 ranking credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: Angeluss Racing Team