#AmericasGP – MOTO3: Rueda makes a statement at the rodeo as Quiles impresses on debut
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) put in another stunner at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, hitting the gas at the front and pulling a gap to take his second win of the year. Joel Kelso took his first dry weather podium in second, with LEVELUP – MTA teammate Matteo Bertelle completing the rostrum for his first Moto3 podium ever.
Off the line it was a stunning start for Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) and the debutant kept it pinned round the first lap too, leading his very first racing lap in the World Championship. The classic group fight at the front was in hot pursuit although it didn’t take long for some dramas to change the dynamic again.
David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the first as he slid out of the lead group, suffering another tough race and after starting on pole. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) had some dramas too, the first of which was nearly not making it out of pitlane on time after a technical issue. He was allowed to leave to line up on the grid despite the red light because the green flag hadn’t been removed, but he was at the back. And then he jumped the start and got two Long Laps.
Meanwhile, Quiles led the first lap but then came under attack, with Rueda making his way to the front and building a lead. By half race distance it was over two seconds, with Kelso and Bertelle in a duel in second and third. Then came Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Quiles on the chase, before a much bigger gap back to a big group battle from seventh place down.
Rueda began the final lap with some breathing space in the lead, with Kelso also managing to make it a safe second ahead of teammate Bertelle, who finally takes a podium after having also taken two poles to start the season but missed out on the rostrum. The fireworks came behind between Piqueras and Quiles, who had a spectacular last lap duel. Experience just won out as the #36 takes fourth and a good chunk of points. Quiles debuts in the top five after a stunning weekend, however with Carpe forced to settle for sixth but having already tasted his own rookie podium success.
Dennis Foggia (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) came out on top of what was a close group battle for seventh, ahead of Adrian Cruces (CIP – Green Power), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and a first top ten for New Zealander Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE). Fellow rookie Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was hot on his heels.
Fernandez, after starting at the back AND completing the two LLPs for the Jump Start, put in an impressive recovery ride to take P12 and some valuable points, with the scorers completed by David Almansa (Leopard Racing), the returning Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team). Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) crashed out of the fight for the top ten, the latter caught up in the former’s crash.
It was a positive weekend. We had a good qualifying and built on the weekend well. I was a little short of a chance to get on the podium or win. We made up positions and finished seventh. We know our potential and we have to take another step to be at the front. Thanks to the team for the work they’ve done. Now it’s time to analyze everything carefully to take that step forward in Qatar.
Dennis Foggia – P7
Not a day to celebrate. I just want to thank my team for their incredible work, for never giving up, especially today. I was able to go out on track, but in my haste I made some mistakes, both at the start and on the first lap. I tried not to give up, telling myself that I could always push a bit harder. I’m not happy with the result, but I feel very lucky to have the team that I have.
Adrian Fernandez – P12
It has been a tough race for me. I had a good start, moving up places, catching the reference and trying to brake a little later, giving my everything. Then I was leading the group in 7th place, and that’s where things started to get complicated because I didn’t have the pace. I started to struggle a lot to keep the rhythm I had in the previous laps, being overtaken to finish in 13th place today.
David Almansa – P13
Riccardo Rossi – NC
Tatchakorn Buasri
Tatchakorn Buasri has been declared unfit due to knee trauma after a crash during Q1. Rider is fine, his condition will be assessed in the following days.
Click the button below to find out all the images of the #KytCrew during the weekend in America.