Moto3 France Le Mans Race: David Alonso wins a barely believable race!

It's time for the Moto3 race in France, on the legendary Le Mans circuit. But who could beat David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team), leader of all sessions until the start, and who had improved the track record during each session? Finally, David Alonso, again, won under the noses of all the competitors. Even if the Colombian seems to begin a slight domination over the weekends in the smallest of the categories, it was tighter than expected when the lights went out. Daniel Holgado, still leader of the world championship (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) had failed only 11 thousandths behind Alonso in qualifying, while José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), back after two Grand Prix of absence due to an attack of appendicitis, started from third place. We had to be wary of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), winner in Jerez, but also of Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi), regular outsider for a year.

Do you already know the result? It's not serious ! Come relive this race with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the facts known so far:

 

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	1'40.121 David Alonso
Q1	1'42.646 Andrea Migno	1'41.370 Jacob Roulstone
Q2	1'41.630 Ayumu Sasaki	1'40.114 David Alonso
Course	Holgado, Sasaki, Masia (See here)	Alonso, Holgado, Veijer
All time lap record	1'41.399 Jaume Masiá (2020)	1'40.114 David Alonso (2024)

 

The weather is good for this Moto3 race. Tempers heat up, and here we go!

 

 

From the start, Daniel Holgado don't let it escape David Alonso, and decides to pass it on first braking. Very good start David munoz, in contrast to Collin Veijer who loses any advantage gained in qualifying. Jose Antonio Rueda et Adrian fernandez (Honda Leopard Racing) are very fast, ready to attack. Be careful, because Adrian Fernandez received a two-long penalty following yesterday, he will have to show great determination to stay in this group.

After two rounds, it seems that David Munoz et Daniel Holgado have something more over their opponents. Fernandez takes his first long lap in the third round. David Alonso is not quite ahead, while Colin Veijer definitely woke up.

 

 

Angel Piqueras, the brilliant rookie from Honda Leopard Racing, achieves a sumptuous overtaking from the outside. He's the fastest man on the track, and he's already been on the podium in the United States. Only one group reformed, but still led by Daniel Holgado. Piqueras continues his effort, what a driver!

 

 

The penalty dashed all hopes ofAdrian Fernandez, the little brother of Raul, MotoGP rider. Although? The Spaniard is very fast, he rushes at his opponents. In the huge leading group, we must be wary of Riccardo rossi (KTM CIP Green Power). Despite a mixed start to the season, the Italian is well established at the forefront and is now trying to attack David Alonso. For second place, Collin Veijer comes to the end of David Munoz and now sets out in pursuit of Daniel Holgado.

But the efforts of Riccardo rossi fall into the water! A fall to the blue S eliminates him! There was contact with David munoz, it's obvious, but difficult to attribute the fault to one of the two thieves. At the same time, Collin Veijer take the opportunity to find the opening on holgado, and Munoz also benefits from it. The GasGas Tech3 driver is not giving up, he has not said his last word.

 

 

Hard blow for David munoz ! The Spaniard is penalized two long lapses for contact on Riccardo Rossi ! His hopes of victory are dashed. So, he decides to go into overdrive, taking the lead just before going through the long lap at Garage Vert. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) was also punished, while Scott Ogden (Honda MLav Racing), rather convincing this weekend, fell.

Absolutely should not be underestimated Ivan Ortola, of course, regular outsider for a long time now and present in the right group. holgado is struggling like hell, and definitely wants to lead this race exactly like he did last year.

 

 

With seven laps remaining, a small group of four escaped. It is composed of Collin Veijer, Daniel Holgado, Ivan Ortola and of course, the one that should not be overlooked, David Alonso. But behind, Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM MT Helmets MSi) is becoming more and more pressing, and is now joining this breakaway.

The lead is hotly contested. holgado et Veijer come to touch each other at the bottom of six, at the start of the Dunlop Curve! What a crazy ride. Behind Yamanaka, the rookie Joel Esteban (CFMoto Aspar Team) whip to come back with very interesting times. David munoz, already in great difficulty, fell in turn, got back in the saddle, but had to abandon a few laps later. Matteo Bertelle (Honda Snipers Team) suffers the same fate after an extremely complicated weekend.

 

 

With four rounds remaining, Ivan Ortola attempts a huge overtake on Alonso, but this creates a big gap with the first two. Did it just help Veijer et holgado to escape? Clearly not, because Alonso, quite discreet after all, seems to have a lot of speed in reserve. Besides, the latter attacks at Chemin aux Bœufs, it's rough, but it passes. He gets caught right after and the race gets carried away.

At the start of the last round, holgado leads for nothing Alonso. But the Colombian manages to overtake him after a maneuver of which he has the secret. David Alonso, a great braker, can keep him behind but he is not safe from an attack. The two are closer than ever. But after the blue S, there is nothing more to do!

 

 

David Alonso wins this 3 French Moto2024 Grand Prix! Daniel Holgado fails for a tenth, while Collin Veijer, unable to react late, completes this podium. The French fans who came in large numbers were able to witness an incredible race. The rookie Joel Esteban is fourth, and Ivan Ortola fifth. Adrian fernandez, despite two long laps, is sixth! What a fantastic comeback from “pitito”. Just before arrival, we learned of the fall of Nicholas Carraro (KTM LEVELUP MTA).

This means that Daniel Holgado is still leader of the world championship, despite his only victory in Portugal against the three by Alonso (Qatar, United States and France). See you in two weeks, in Catalonia, for a new Show Moto3!

 

 

Ranking of the French Moto3 Grand Prix 2024:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Aspar Moto3