Moto3 Japan Race: Jaume Masiá teaches a lesson to the grid

The Moto3 championship is completely relaunched in Japan, and today's race represents a new turning point. Indeed, Jaume Masiá is rewarded and does well in the general classification. While we thought Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was on his way to the world title, the latter collapsed somewhat over the last race weekends. And with competitors like this, a small moment of weakness is all it takes. Jaume Masiá (Honda Leopard Racing) benefited greatly from it ; he has been on fire for a few rounds, and in fact won in India last Sunday. Before the lights went out, Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) was only one point behind the two men. On his land, and in front of his future employer in Moto2 (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp), he was keen to do well.

As usual, we had to keep an eye on the many outsiders of this 2023 season. Starting with the rookie David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team), without forgetting Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Garlic).

Of course, you already know the outcome of this race. But to understand all the specificities, come and relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

 

Motegi Moto3™	2022	2023
FP1	1'57.252 Diogo Moreira	1'57.260 Diogo Moreira
FP2	2'09.684 Denis Foggia	1'57.068 Jaume Masia
FP3	CANCELLATIONDUE TO RAIN	1'56.148 Jaume Masia
Q1	2'11.779 Scott Ogden	1'57.161 Riccardo Rossi
Q2	2'11.246S Tatsuki Suzuki	1'56.331 Jaume Masia
Warm up	1:57.860 Ayumu Sasaki	XXXXXXXXXXXX
Course	Guevara, Foggia, Sasaki (See here)	Masia, Sasaki, Holgado
All time lap record	1'56.443 Hiroki Ono (2016)	1'56.148 Jaume Masia

 

The weather is still good in Japan, nothing to report. Let's go for another crazy race! 

 

 

At once, Deniz Oncu positions itself at the head, in front Daniel Holgado. Jaume Masia was unable to take advantage of his pole position! Very nice start to Stefano Nepa, author of A Weekend Under the Radar. David Alonso gives everything to come back and tries to sneak into the peloton, but he is in difficulty. Clearly, Öncü seems very comfortable and alone holgado is able to follow it.

 

 

Alors David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) performs maneuvers from another time to return as quickly as possible, Jaume Masia et Ayumu Sasaki manage to get back on the leading duo. A quartet stands out quite clearly.

 

 

Sasaki goes on the attack on holgado. The previous best lap in the race, dating from 2014, is beaten. This is the championship that is being played out, no more, no less! Then, it's Jaume Masia which frees itself from all its competitors in the group! By all accounts, victory will be between the four. For the moment, the big loser is none other than David Alonso, hovering around 11th place.

 

 

Eight laps from the end, the first fall of the Grand Prix was announced; that of Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP). Ahead, the battle is just magnificent even if Masia takes the advantage. His three pursuers multiply their high-class overtaking moves.

Warning ! Deniz Oncu ends up on the ground too! He was in a battle trying to catch up with the pilot Honda Leopard Racing but pushed too much!

 

 

Honestly, we don't see how victory could escape Jaume. Moreover, his teammate Tatsuki Suzuki just fell. Ayumu Sasaki et Daniel Holgado cross swords, but this benefits the leader who benefits from more than a second in advance.

 

 

Finally, Jaume Masia wins this Japanese Grand Prix in style, ahead of Ayumu Sasaki et Daniel Holgado. In fact, he takes the lead in the general classification here and confirms his very good form. In the final moments, Holgado was thought to be able to go second but his rear stalled in the last corner.

 

 

Moto3 Japanese Grand Prix 2023 result:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Leopard Racing