#FRENCHGP – MOTO3: ALONSO ENJOYS THE SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY IN FRANCE
After a tough weekend at the Spanish GP, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) returned to the top step of the podium at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France. It was a masterclass from the Colombian who picked the perfect moment to attack to win the #80’s third race of the season. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) claimed a strong second after a super race, where the Spaniard controlled the race from the front throughout. Spanish GP winner, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took third, missing out on a second victory of the season by 0.242s.
It was lights out and on the charge to turn one, polesitter Alonso initially claimed a great start before Holgado pounced at turn three, pushing instantly. David Muñoz was the rider on the move early on, qualifying in eighth before clawing through the field to second at the end of lap one.
There were 14 riders in the lead group with moves made at every opportunity, Alonso battled for fourth position with, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who pulled off some incredible moves throughout the race. Meanwhile, Holgado looked confident at the front, now led from Veijer, who made a move stick and attempted to stretch a lead.
Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) had a great race to battle inside the top five, eventually passing the #80 of Alonso. However, it all ended in disaster for Rossi as the Italian crashed after contact with Muñoz, who received a double Long Lap for the incident.
The lead continued to change at the front, with Holgado reclaiming the lead before Muñoz hit the front at his first LLP – dropping to 16th. At the front, there was a huge moment between Holgado and Veijer who touched, while further back, MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden crashed out before Muñoz crashed at turn 11 with five laps to go. It was a hot pace at the front with tension building for what looked to be a battle which would rage onto the last lap.
It was two for the price of one for Alonso, stealing the lead with three laps remaining before Holgado instantly returned the favour. It all came down to the final lap and it was fireworks in France and Alonso pounced at turn one and stole the race lead, perfectly picking his moment. Holgado could not respond in the final sector, with Alonso picking the perfect brake market and shooting out the final corner to win in France.
Behind the strong top three was the second CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider Joel Esteban, who clawed through the field to finish fourth, with the fastest lap of the race. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) took the final position inside the top five, after a good tussle with Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez, who made the comeback of the race after serving a double Long Lap. The second MT Helmets – MSI machine of Ryusei Yamanaka was ahead of the returning Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with Tatsuki Suzuki and Piqueras taking the final spots inside the top 10.
“I LEARNED A LOT TODAY. I LOST A LOT OF TIME DUE TO THE DOUBLE LONG LAP PENALTY, BUT IN SPITE OF IT, I WAS ABLE TO FIND A GREAT PACE AND RECOVER POSITIONS LITTLE BY LITTLE. I WOULD’VE LIKE TO PUSH A BIT HARDER IN THE LAST LAPS, BUT OVERALL I’M REALLY HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME OF THIS RACE AND I’M EAGER FOR THE NEXT ONE!”
ADRIAN FERNANDEZ – P6
“WE WERE STRONG TODAY FIGHTING FOR THE WIN, THEN A CONTACT WITH ANOTHER RIDER CAUSED ME TO SLIP. I FEEL SORRY FOR THE WHOLE TEAM WHO WORKED REALLY WELL ALL WEEKEND. WE’LL MAKE UP FOR IT IN BARCELONA, THANKS TO EVERYONE AT MY SIDE. OUR TIME WILL COME.”
RICCARDO ROSSI – NC
“THIS RACE WAS A BIT CHALLENGING FOR ME SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST-TIME RIDING ON THIS TRACK AT LE MANS. COMPLETING THE RACE HERE WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND NEED TO FOCUS ON MINIMIZING SMALL MISTAKES TO ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS IN THE NEXT RACE. THE POSITIVE ASPECT IS THAT THE NEXT GRAND PRIX WILL BE HELD IN BARCELONA, A TRACK THAT I AM FAMILIAR WITH AND ENJOY. I HOPE TO PERFORM MUCH BETTER THERE AND ACHIEVE A GOOD RESULT. I AM FULLY COMMITTED TO GIVING MY BEST IN THE UPCOMING GP.”
TATCHAKORN BUASRI – P20
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