#DUTCHGP – MOTO3: ORTOLA WINS AND DENIES VEIJER THE DUTCH DREAM
It was finally time to go racing at the Motul TT Assen, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) storming to a sensational victory after an unexpected last lap overtake in the Netherlands. The #48 put together the perfect end to the Grand Prix to finish ahead of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) in second as he missed out on victory at home by just 0.012s. Joining Ortola and Veijer on the podium after a brilliant race was David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), who enjoyed an intense battle from P11 on the grid.
Once the lights went out it was a fantastic launch off the line from polesitter Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who led the field through Turn 1 for the first time. However, early on Ortola had other ideas – stealing the race leading on the opening lap. Further back, a handful of riders had to serve a single/double Long Lap with Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) taking his first Long Lap on Lap 2 from the lead group.
Veijer soon entered the podium places and chased down Ortola and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) to create an exciting front group to battle for the win. Veijer soon grabbed second from Furusato before stealing the show and taking the lead for the first time on Lap 12 – sending the crowd to their feet.
As soon as the #95 hit the front he instantly put the hammer down, with the front group responding to Veijer’s pace. The familiar sight of the #80 soon began to carve through the field after a tough weekend so far, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) entered P2 for the first time after a tough battle through the field where the Colombian was forced to drop one position due to overtaking under yellow flags.
The front group continued to battle, allowing Veijer and Ortola to clear into the distance, with the battle for the lead coming down to the last lap. It was a thrilling end with Ortola putting together the perfect final lap, closing the gap and waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce – at the final corner. The final chicane once again delivered fireworks, with Ortola swooping past Veijer in the braking zone to charge to victory and win by 0.012s.
While it was delight for Ortola and a small dose of disappointment for Veijer, the final spot on the podium would go the way of Muñoz, who charged hard in the latter stages. Meanwhile, missing out on the podium and not by much was Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who took fourth after the #99 defended against Alonso on the final lap. The #80 will hold onto the Championship lead after finishing in fifth place.
Behind Alonso was SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Luca Lunetta, who finished as the top Honda on Sunday in sixth. Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez finished ahead of polesitter and teammate Piqueras, who was eighth as the chequered flag flew.
The final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP MTA) and Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), who were less than three seconds away from victory.
IT WAS NOT THE END WE HAD HOPED FOR TODAY. WE HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB DURING THE WHOLE WEEKEND, AND TODAY WAS THE TIME TO COMPLETE IT PROPERLY. I WAS FIGHTING FOR THE PODIUM POSITIONS TOWARDS THE END OF THE RACE, WHEN 4 LAPS TO GO I RAN OFF THE TRACK AFTER CLASHING WITH ANOTHER RIDER, DROPPING BACK SOME PLACES. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING, WE’RE NOT GIVING UP.
ADRIAN FERNANDEZ – P7
THE WEEKEND GOT OFF TO A GOOD START EVEN THOUGH FP1 DIDN’T GO SO WELL, BUT I WAS CONFIDENT FOR THE REST OF THE RACE BECAUSE I HAD A GREAT FEELING. BUT ON THE3RD LAP OF FP2, I CRASHED HEAVILY, WHICH MEANT I MISSED OUT ON Q2. I MADE A GOOD START TO THE RACE, BUT FROM THE SECOND LAP ONWARDS I WAS NO LONGER COMFORTABLE AND I LOST ALL FEELING WITH THE BIKE. WE’RE NOW GOING TO ANALYSE THE DATA TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE WE START OUR WEEKEND AT THE SACHSENRING NEXT WEEK. WE’LL BE WORKING HARD OVER THE COMING DAYS TO MAKE SURE WE LEAVE GERMANY WITH A GOOD RESULT.
RICCARDO ROSSI – P18
TODAY WE MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS, AND I AM PLEASED WITH THE INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN MY RIDING STYLE AND HANDLING OF THE BIKE. HOWEVER, I AM BIT DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RACE RESULT, AS I FINISHED IN P20. IT’S A SHAME, AS I HAD HOPED TO FINISH WITHIN THE POINTS ZONE, BUT I BEGAN TO STRUGGLE MIDWAY THROUGH THE RACE. THE SECOND HALF OF THE RACE PROVED TO BE MORE CHALLENGING. NONETHELESS, IT WAS A GOOD RACE OVERALL, AND WE ARE MAKING INCREMENTAL PROGRESS. I AM COMMITTED TO COMPETING FOR POINTS AND ACHIEVING A STRONG RESULT NEXT WEEK AT SACHSENRING.
TATCHAKORN BUASRI – P20
Click the button below to find out all the images of the #KytCrew during the weekend in Assen.