Moto3 Valencia Race: Ayumu Sasaki wins his first race of the year!

The first of the last games of 2023 has just ended! The Moto3 category in Valencia always promises a great race, and this edition is no exception. After 35 minutes of intense effort, Ayumu Sasaki has just won the final round of the season. However, before the start, it was difficult to give a favorite. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had dominated the first two practice sessions, but did not do the same in P3, which saw Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) at the top of the standings. Then, during qualifying, the Dutch rookie Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took his second pole position this season, to everyone's surprise. He was ahead of big names like Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing), the 2023 world champion, and his teammate Ayumu Sasaki. David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Moto3), like Daniel Holgado and Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) experienced very violent falls; it was a parameter to monitor.

So, even if you already know the result of this Moto3 race, come and relive it with us. Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

 

Moto3 ™ Valencia	2022	2023
P1	1'39.561 Izan Guevara	1'38.919 Daniel Holgado
P2	1'39.467 Tatsuki Suzuki	1'38.706 Daniel Holgado
P3	1'38.482 Ryusei Yamanaka	1'38.569 Joel Kelso
Q1	1'38.857 Ayumu Sasaki	1'38.929 José Antonio Rueda
Q2	1'38.479 Izan Guevara	1'38.311 Collin Veijer
Warm Up	1'39.553 Deniz Oncu	XXXXXXXXX
Course	Guevara, Oncu, Garcia	Sasaki, Alonso, Ortola
All time lap record	1'38.286 Darryn Binder 2020	1'38.286 Darryn Binder 2020

 

The weather is still beautiful in Valencia, and that's so much the better. Collin Veijer, on pole, fell during the grid lap! Fortunately, Intact GP mechanics were able to repair it in time. The lights come on, then go out...here we go!

 

 

Excellent startAyumu Sasaki, second on the grid, who takes the holeshot to the detriment of his teammate. Behind, in the first turns, we notice the fall of Vincent Perez (KTM Boé Motorsports) and Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi), the winner in Indonesia. Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing Priustel GP) caused this accident. He receives two long penalties. The problem is that Daniel Holgado was also involved. It was slowed down.

 

 

Deniz Oncu is very well placed, right in front Joel Kelso in the top 5. Colin Veijer absolutely does not give up, and here he takes the lead against his teammate. Our French Lorenzo Fellon (KTM CIP Green Power) falls heavily after a highside. He concludes an extremely difficult season. David Alonso, who started from afar, came back very strongly as usual. There is no doubt that he will be in the leading group when necessary.

 

 

The group is compact; for sure, it’s a Moto3 race. The two Intact GP drivers in front try to create a small gap, but Deniz Oncu Don't let go of them. Only one missing at the forefront, and not the least; Jaume Masia, the world champion. David Alonso, the rookie quadruple winner in 2023, rewards us with some high-class overtaking moves.

 

 

Collin Veijer holds on. Great performance fromIvan Ortola (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) for the moment, he who had been heavily penalized for contact in Qatar. Twice winner this season, he wants to taste success again. Sasaki lost a few places, but has not said its last word. The Japanese seems to be struggling in the last corner.

 

 

The rise of Daniel Holgado is quite impressive! The Spaniard, involved in the accident at the start of the race, worked miracles in the peloton. In front, we look for each other, we bicker, but that's the status quo. David Alonso et Deniz Oncu touch each other, rub each other! It's hot, and it allows you to Veijer et Sasaki to escape further.

 

 

The Turk is experiencing some problems, perhaps because of his big fall on Friday. The pilot Red Bull KTM Ajo struggling a bit, watch out for him! The leading group is now made up of only four drivers, namely Colin Veijer, Ayumu Sasaki, David Alonso et Ivan Ortola.

But the Dutchman makes two errors consecutively, and he loses his entire lead. His teammate Sasaki inherits the head. However, he seems able to return again. The Japanese manages to create a small gap on his closest pursuer, either Ivan Ortola three rounds from the end. And here it is again Deniz Oncu, but where does it come from? He is monstrous!

 

 

It’s going to come down to the last round, there’s no doubt about it. Sasaki has the advantage one lap from presenting the checkered flag. He seems a step above. It's elbows, Alonso is untenable. Can he finally hold his place in the last lap, having been beaten so often in this situation? Alonso is more threatening than ever. Well no !

Amazing ! On the line, Ayumu Sasaki wins the Grand Prix, ahead David Alonso et Ivan Ortola. The Japanese takes his third career victory, and the first of the year. In the end, he only finished a few points behind a James Masia in distress in Valencia, who perhaps did not want to stake his life on this race without stakes. That's all for this Moto3 season! See you in Qatar in early 2024, and thank you for following this season with us!

 

 

Result of the 3 Moto2023 Valencian Community Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Intact GP