Moto3 Portugal Race: Daniel Holgado wins the battle of Portimao! What a race!

Moto3 has spoiled us with a spectacle since the start of the weekend in Portugal, and the race is no exception to the rule. The race, as usual in the smallest of categories, was extremely competitive. Finally, after 35 minutes of hard work, it was Daniel Holgado who won and took, , a nice advantage over its competitors in the general classification. However, things got off to a bad start: the FP, or the first session, was canceled because no driver dared to tackle the delicate conditions of the track. Then, during P1, David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team) was the first to draw, soon imitated by the Australian Joel Kelso (KTM Boé Motorsports), in the form of his life. Both thought they were fighting for pole, but to their great astonishment, José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) picked them up in the final seconds and launched from the front. With four favorites in the first four places – including Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3), the Sunday round could only be spectacular.

Even if you already know the result of this round, come relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

 

Moto3™ Portimao	2023	2024
FP	1'48.006 Diogo Moreira	canceled
P1	1'47.320 Daniel Holgado	1'47.202 David Alonso
P2	1'46.971 Iván Ortolá	1'47.175 Joel Kelso
Q1	1'47.694 Xavier Artigas	1'47.979 Ryusei Yamanaka
Q2	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda
Course	Holgado, Munoz, Moreira (See here)	Holgado, Rueda, Ortola
All time lap record	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki (2023)	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda

 

There are clouds in Portugal, but the track is still dry. Let’s hope it stays that way… or not, for the show! Here we go ! the fires have just gone out.

 

 

From the start, Jose Antonio Rueda achieved a sensational first sector, and managed to take advantage of his pole position. He is chased by Daniel Holgado et David Alonso, but the latter are having a hard time containing No. 99. He has a half-second lead at the end of the first lap. Behind, two falls should be noted. That of Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM MT Helmets MSi), and the rookie Angel Piqueras (Honda Leopard Racing).

 

 

holgado et Alonso contain well Wheelas Joel Kelso, brilliant since the start of the weekend, is fourth. In the peloton, the rookie Joel Esteban (CFMoto Aspar Team) makes a spectacular comeback. Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) is also part of the leading group; we know that there remains poison in these positions. Wheel still leads after three laps. His pursuers are not far behind, but are not in contact. Another fall further, this time to Luca Lunetta (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica). He manages to get up despite the violence of the highside.

Even though it does not appear on the screen due to problems with its transponder, Riccardo rossi (KTM CIP Green Power) is among the best placed. David Alonso fights, trying desperately not to let Rueda escape. But he can't do anything about it. David Alonso pass now holgado, and tries, in turn, to chase away the leader. Without much success. The return of Ortola et holgado in its exhausts gives rise to a three-way battle, which disadvantages Alonso. Wheel takes advantage of it, without knowing what is going on behind his back.

 

 

Joel Kelso struggling to keep up with the pace set by the men in the lead. Daniel Holgado holds on, and gets closer to Rueda, without managing to overtake him. Alonso, in a free electron, almost falls. Note that halfway through, Wheel has been leading since the lights went out… but shortly after, David Alonso goes to the front. Can he keep it until the end? His speed in turn 9 is absolutely stunning. holgado takes advantage of the mayhem to come second.

 

 

It's great Moto3, as it often is. David Alonso escapes little by little, thus managing to build a cushion of half a second in advance with seven laps to go. José Antonio Rueda decides to take second place, in a somewhat fragmented group, largely led by David Alonso. But holgado take advantage of the aspiration to take back his property.

 

 

The latter went into gear, helped by the lightning top speed of his GasGas. Here he takes first position in the Grand Prix! At the same time, Riccardo Rossi, already in difficulty, falls in turn. There is no doubt that the final battle will be fought between the three thieves most often mentioned in this article. The three come and go, and all can win.

 

 

And here now Joel Kelso which returns in the exhausts of Wheel, third ! What a story if he wins this Grand Prix. The Australian takes with him Ivan Ortola ! It's very close, and even jostling, relegating Kelso out of the top 5 with two laps remaining. holgado take advantage of all this agitation to gain a few meters on the competition. Alone Wheel can compete with him for victory from now on. Alonso is too far away.

 

 

In the final moments, Rueda tries everything but fails to win this huge race! Daniel Holgado imposes itself in front Jose Antonio Rueda et Ivan Ortola ! Like last year, the Tech3 driver repeats in Portugal! David Alonso is fourth after an end of the race unworthy of its standards, while Joel Kelso completes the top 5.

 

 

Moto3 Portuguese Grand Prix 2024 results:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Tech3