Moto3 Portugal Portimão Race: Daniel Holgado's recital

Who will triumph in the first round of the 3 Moto2023 championship? During the weekend, many drivers distinguished themselves and can all claim victory. As usual, the race will be tough, tight and extremely tight. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Team) is the favorite. Yesterday, he crushed the competition in qualifying with a stratospheric time which now stands as a new record. In sight since the winter tests, the Japanese is one to watch in Portimão, of course, but also in the race for the Moto3 title.

Despite yesterday's blow, his opponents are not going to let him do it. Starting with the feeling Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Garlic), winner of FIM JuniorGP World Championship as well as Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2022, a feat never before achieved. The 17-year-old Spaniard qualified second, and could well, like a certain Pedro Acosta, make an impression from his first race as a starter. So keep an eye out for #99.

Behind, Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) have the fangs, especially since Holgado was very visible during the first two practice sessions. Ivan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), also below the record during the weekend, starts from 5th position. Pay particular attention to the probable rises in David Munoz (KTM Boé Motorsports – 13th) and of Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi – 16th), who, given their respective performances early in the weekend, are not “in their place”.

Before getting started, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Moto3™ Portimão	2022	2023
P1	2'02.658 Daniel Holgado	1'48.006 Diogo Moreira
P2	2'02.491 Mario Suryo Aji	1'47.320 Daniel Holgado
P3	2'03.866 Sergio Garcia	1'46.971 Iván Ortolá
Q1	2'07.198 Deniz Öncü	1'47.694 Xavier Artigas
Q2	2'03.955 Deniz Öncü	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki
warm up	1'50.089 Deniz Öncü	-
Course	García, Masiá, Sasaki	Holgado, Muñoz, Moreira
All time lap record	1'47.274 Sergio Garcia 2021	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki (2023)

 

Once again, the weather is particularly good with the gladiators of Moto3. Amazing ! On the grid, Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) seems in difficulty and has to return his motorcycle to the box. He will therefore start from the pit lane, which greatly reduces his chances of victory. As for Lorenzo Fellon, he dislocated his shoulder again on the starting line and was therefore withdrawn! That our sport is cruel.

 

 

As soon as the lights go out, Joel Kelso takes the best of his opponents and directly imposes a high pace. Ayumu Sasaki follows, as well as Jose Antonio Rueda. At the same time, we note the abandonment of Lorenzo Fellon who had a particularly difficult weekend so far. Fall of Scott Ogden (Honda VisionTrack Racing Team), while Sasaki lost considerable ground to Daniel Holgado and Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP).

 

 

Daniel Holgado is now in the lead, under threat from the Australian Joel Kelso. Diogo Moreira has already moved up to 9th place. Ayumu Sasaki is under threat of David Muñoz, who, like Diogo Moreira, has come a long way.  David Alonso (GasGas Aspar team) undergoes the harsh law of Moto3: Pushed by Ivan Ortolá at turn 1, he ended up on the ground, and retired later in the race. For this stroller, the Spanish pilot must go through the long lap… Twice. The group is tighter than ever; around fifteen pilots train it. Philip Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) will also not see the finish line for his Grand Prix debut. Daniel Holgado escapes somewhat, and displays a particularly impressive speed. But be careful of the suction phenomenon, very effective on these hills.

 

 

Ayumu Sasaki has not said its last word. Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing), second on the podium last year and already a six-time winner in the category, is also in the running. But Daniel Holgado is the most proactive with 12 rounds to go. Joel Kelso is no longer there, and it is now David Muñoz which directly threatens the Tech3 pilot.

 

 

The speed of the Husqvarna allows Ayumu Sasaki to get back in front, but escaping seems difficult. The style of David Muñoz, carried forward, allows it to engage a lot of speed and offers it remarkable incisiveness. Daniel Holgado is still in the game, but watch out for the rise in Diogo Moreira, now in the leading group. All the riders are at the limit, like during every Moto3 race. 

 

 

Once again, holgado gets a mattress of around 0.5s. Can he make the break? in any case, such a lead allows him to cross the finish line in the lead quite comfortably, and not to be overtaken at the end of the straight. However, Sasaki et Muñoz take advantage of an error to take it back. Everything suggests that we are heading towards a most spectacular arrival. 

 

 

With six rounds to go, Ayumu Sasaki is stuck in the leading group but has not said his last word. Daniel Holgado is warned about track limits, but does not slow down. Jose Antonio Rueda gets going, and in what way! What a maneuver on the part of the brilliant rookie, who took the lead briefly before being caught by Daniel Holgado, definitely the strongest. 

 

 

At the start of the last lap of this Moto3 race, Daniel Holgado is still in the lead, and that is enough to win. What a race! David Muñoz is second, while Diogo Moreira completes the podium. After arrival, Joel Kelso (9e) fell on the finish line and unfortunately for the Australian who made a good start. Currently at the medical center, he is conscious. The fall is rather impressive, and holgado, hit, nothing. 

 

 

At the microphone motogp.com, the winner declares: “ I had a great race today, and I'm very happy to take my first victory in the Grands Price. » Certainly not the last given his mastery! 

 

 

Here are the results of the 3 Moto2023 Portuguese Grand Prix: 

 

Classification credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: Tech3 Racing