Moto3 France Le Mans FP: David Alonso already under the record, but who can beat it?

Moto3 is back in action in France, and it starts straight away with the FP, the first session of this long and exciting Grand Prix weekend. As a reminder, this does not count for the establishment of the pre-qualifying ranking, it is just used as a test, simply. However, the pilots did not take long to shine; none amuses the field. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3), already winner here last year, is in the starting blocks but just like David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team), winner of two races already and dominant in Jerez before his fall during the race . Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), winner of the said Spanish GP, wants to continue his good momentum, while Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi), lacking speed until now, wants to prove that he is capable of rising to the level of the best. And what about the rookies! In short, you will have understood, it is not to be missed.

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

 

Moto3™ Le Mans, France	2023	2024
FP	1'42.402 Ayumu Sasaki	1'40.792 David Alonso
P1	1'41.846 Jaume Masia
P2	1'53.767 Andrea Migno
Q1	1'42.646 Andrea Migno
Q2	1'41.630 Ayumu Sasaki
Course	Holgado, Sasaki, Masia (See here)
All time lap record	1'41.399 Jaume Masiá (2020)	1'40.792 David Alonso

 

Let's go for a FP Moto3 under the sun at Le Mans! Let's take advantage of it, because we know that the weather conditions can quickly change in Sarthe.

 

 

Times are constantly improving at the start of the session, but Joel Kelso (KTM Boé Motorsports) is the first to record a significant lap. Others are already fast, but those we expected are definitely gone. Scott Ogden (Honda MLav Racing Team), for example, or Riccardo rossi (KTM CIP Green Power). At the same time, Matthew Bertelli (Honda Snipers Team) is the first to fall, in the Dunlop chicane, the corner which causes the most drivers to fall over the season.

 

 

Pay attention to Daniel Holgado, who came back very strong and even took first position. As a reminder, he won the Grand Prix last year by leading all laps. Small fall for the rookie Angel Piqueras (Honda Leopard Racing), Without gravity.

 

 

Then, as usual, the arrival of David Alonso don't wait. The Colombian sticks two tenths to Daniel Holgado, but he is certainly not as dominant as in Jerez. He is already close to the track record.

Ivan Ortola in turn experiences a strange fall, at the exit of the Connection. Buasri (Honda Team Asia) suffered the same fate in the Dunlop chicane.

 

 

We are forced to recognize the excellent session of Scott Ogden, one of the British hopes. Collin Veijer, on the other hand, is not there at all but he will have the opportunity to reveal himself later in the day.

For now, everyone's eyes are on David Alonso, who breaks the track record! It's not possible, but who can stop the Colombian this season, except himself like in Jerez!

In the last moments, Philip Farioli (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica) gets closer to Alonso, without being able to overtake him. Good effort nonetheless. But David Alonso, not happy, achieves the first 1'40 in history at Le Mans! Incredible, he is seven tenths behind his closest pursuer. Daniel Holgado is third, while Tatsuki suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), discreet since the start of the season despite his experience, is fourth. Veijer, winner in Jerez, finished 10th.

 

 

FP Moto3 ranking at the 2024 French Grand Prix:

Classification credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: Aspar Team