Moto3 France Le Mans P1: David Alonso is unstoppable

Moto3 is back in action in France, and it starts straight away with P1, the second session of this long and exciting Grand Prix weekend. As a reminder, this counts for the establishment of the pre-qualifying ranking. Thus, the pilots do 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. This morning, David Alonso, again, has already distinguished himself by passing under the track record. 

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	1'40.470 David Alonso
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)	1'40.470 David Alonso

 

It's back to Le Mans, where the crowd is already very large. The times will go down again, there is no doubt about it.

 

 

The times are immediately very fast, and Angel Piqueras (Honda Leopard Racing), very promising rookie, manages to take the best place, just in front Philip Farioli (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica), which, let us remember, was very prominent this morning. David munoz (KTM Boé Motorsports), who missed victory by nothing two weeks ago, is the first to fall. Shortly after, his teammate Joel Kelso also fell. Then, it's Farioli who falls with a big hisghide. Clearly, fast drivers are not spared.

 

 

David Almansa (Honda Snipers Team) fell in turn. Piqueras, in 41.8, is still not worried in the lead. 18 minutes from time, the favorites wake up. Daniel Holgado is the first to shoot, but does not put such a big gap between him and his closest pursuer. It is followed by David Alonso a few minutes later, without much surprise, it must be admitted. He panics the clock on two consecutive laps, it's strong.

 

 

Scott Ogden (Honda MLav Racing) finds his way to the gravel, he who had led this morning's session. A few seconds later, his teammate and compatriot Joshua Whatley also falls. Daniel Holgado resists David Alonso.

An CFMoto Aspar points in the lead… but it’s not Alonso! Joel Esteban, his teammate, is the first to go down to 1'40 during this P1. What a talented driver, a rookie too. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Garlic), absent from the two previous Grands Prix due to an attack of appendicitis, is finally back among the elite. Collin Veijer is there, unlike this morning.

 

 

More David Alonso, again, manages to get back into the lead. He goes down to 1'40.470, the new lap record, half a second faster than everyone else. It makes you wonder if anyone can beat him. He finished this P1 in the lead, ultimately without being worried.

The end of the session was particularly lively: Angel Piqueras et Collin Veijer fell, but are both well placed in the rankings. Joel Esteban is second and validates the Aspar double. Daniel Holgado is third, but very far from David Alonso.

 

 

Ranking of the P1 Moto3 at the 2024 French Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Aspar Team