Let's talk MotoGP: Moto3, half-exciting, half-disappointing

It’s time to take stock! As winter approaches, let's talk MotoGP does the math, and that starts with the Moto3 season. What did you think of it? Your opinion is of great interest to us, so do not hesitate to give it to us in comments. Now for our detailed analysis of a… mixed season.

 

Always a show

 

That, at least, doesn't change. Moto3 still delights in terms of battles. Whatever we say, whether we are tired of it or not, we cannot neglect the action on the track. The decisive Qatar Grand Prix was further proof of this. In fact, we can never really be disappointed on this point, but never really surprised either. Personally, it's been a while since Moto3 has been able to trigger that excitement in me, also because the action is the same year after year. I'm in no way denying the quality of the show, but human beings get used to everything.

So overall, we can't complain because we had good Moto3. I am referring to the nine different winners, but also to the great resistance of the Honda Leopard Racing, particularly in good shape this year compared to the 250cc four-stroke KTM, which has been superior for some time.

There were some great winners – we will come back to this in detail, some great performances, and overall, some great qualifying sessions. Even a reversal at the world championship, with a real tense battle in Qatar, thanks to Jaume Masia which happened with the intensity that we have already mentioned.

 

 

It wasn't the best since 2012 – or the introduction of the Moto3 category, but it remained very pleasant on the pure level of dramaturgy.

 

Quid level?

 

The most important is checked. But I still have to come back to the overall level of this promotion, which I found quite disappointing overall. First, the champion. Jaume Masiá fully deserved his title because he was better in the second half of the season, but not to the point of crushing the competition or offering “reference performance”. Come on, we can give him Assen and this jewel in the last lap. Finally, he was titled with “only” four victories, six poles, and a single best lap in the race, all with only two retirements. He thus totals barely more than 13 points per race, which is a low record – even very low on a historical scale.

The runner-up, Ayumu Sasaki, at Husqvarna Intact GP, was not ridiculous but paid for a great lack of realism and racing IQ. It was absolutely blatant; I stopped counting the number of times where he was lectured in the last moments. He takes a great victory in Valencia, that's for sure, but it doesn't make up for a lackluster year.

 

 

Daniel Holgado, at Red Bull KTM Tech3, seemed to be the clear favorite at mid-season but he suddenly collapsed. His two failed qualifiers in Catalonia and the Netherlands cost him dearly in accounting terms, but looking back, he never really knew how to hit the nail on the head in crucial moments, especially when he was at the top. It's a shame, but this disillusionment – ​​symbolized by the loss of a 26-point lead after Austria – must not affect him personally.

Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Ivan Ortola (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) offered some great things, no doubt about it, but not enough to claim anything. Overall, it's a shame - especially for the Turk, exactly as for David munoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) and Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi), which we expected to be stronger.

Among those promoted to Moto2, it is quite difficult to say that they will succeed at the next level given the competition, on the one hand, and the level they displayed, on the other.

 

 

Personalized rookies exceptional?

 

The 2023 financial year was definitely that of the rookies. David Alonso, at GasGas Aspar, stood out from the rest with four sensational victories. The Colombian has the profile of a future star even if it is difficult to say so early ; he has speed to spare, explosiveness, fire – sometimes too much, and a forward projection ability rarely seen at the highest level. Even though he is 24th at the start of the race, he remains a candidate for victory.

Collin Veijer was almost as brilliant. I noted his very good speed over a lap, but also a sense of racing which his teammate Ayumu Sasaki would do well to learn from. His victory in Malaysia is completely deserved, and he promises to be great afterwards.

Then, José Antonio Rueda, at Ajo, who was expected to be the biggest crack since Pedro Acosta. I think he rode well even if the results don't reflect it. Apart from a bad series on the overseas tour, he performed when he could, didn't make too many mistakes and above all, proved that he had the ability to be consistent in performance. And then, he stays with the sorcerer Aki Ajo. He needs to be monitored closely.

This crop of rookies was also in the spotlight due to the absence of a captain. It was easier for them to express themselves, and this should be taken into account so as not to bias the reading.

What did you think of this Moto3 season? Give it a rating out of 10 in the comments! Personally, for all the reasons previously explained, I would give it a score of 7/10.

 

 

Cover photo: Leopard Racing