#ItalianGP – MOTO3, Holgado denies Öncü victory in last-lap
Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took his 3rd victory of the 2023 season with an incredible performance at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley securing him back-to-back wins on his KTM machine. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was the rider to beat going into the race after dominating the weekend up until Sunday. No one had shown Holgado the Moto3™ script, however, as the Tech3 rider snatched the win from his former team in the final seconds, forcing Öncü to settle for 2nd. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) was in the mix until the end as the Japanese rider rounded out the Italian GP podium.
As ever, Moto3™ served as the perfect appetiser for the racing action at the iconic Mugello circuit. There was drama before the lights even went out as the revs were rising on the Mugello grid. Heads were down and full attention was on the lights when a glove rose above the grid as Romano Fenati’s Rivacold Snipers machine lost life ahead of the race start. The Italian rolled his bike into the pitlane and was forced to start form the pitlane.
The lights then went out and it was a very good start for Öncü from pole position as the Turk took the holeshot into T1. Holgado slotted himself just behind Ajo rider with Sasaki glued to his rear wheel. The order changed the first time across the line though as slipstreaming came into full effect, seeing Öncü lose his four tenths lead to drop down to P3 with Holgado leading Sasaki.
A group of 4 then began to form as Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) latched himself onto the back of the top 3 to then draft his way into the lead down the start-finish. Whilst positions continued to swap in typical Moto3™ fashion the prospect of a runaway Öncü victory began to seem less likely.
13 laps to go and the group of 4 was now a group was now a group of five as David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) joined the mix. And the group continued swapping and changing positions as the laps ticked away, and the riders were eager to put themselves in the perfect position for the battle brewing ahead of the closing laps.
Just as we thought Öncü wasn’t able to use his superior pace the Turk stretched out 0.5s lead ahead of the pack with five laps to go. The front straight came around again though and slipstreaming came into full effect once again as Holgado and Sasaki caught and blasted past the Turk, unsettling the Ajo man on the brakes as his ran on at turn 1 rejoining the group in P3.
It was now crunch time as the final lap was nearing. Holgado, Sasaki, Öncü, Masia, and Alonso was the order with three laps to go as the calm before the storm began to settle.
Sasaki found his way to the front as the last lap began and the group was banging bars into Turn 1. Holgado pushed his way through in the first sector as Öncü quickly followed pursuit demoting Sasaki to P3.
Positions continued to swap and it was Öncü, Holgado, Sasaki as they barreled into the final sector. Öncü had a few tenths in his back pocket as they came into the final corner but a brilliant final turn from Holgado saw him blast past Öncü in a dramatic drag to the line, seeing the Spaniard take the victory in Italy and extend his Championship lead.
Sasaki gave his all on the final lap to take the victory but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for 3rd after a strong showing from the KTM duo in front. Alonso put in a strong performance to stay in podium contention until the chequered flag as the rookie got the better of Masia to finish 4th place and well inside the leading group.
There were battles all the way through the field as 12 seconds adrift from the leading quintet a freight train of riders were battling for 6th place. Just like the leading group, this battle was decided in an epic drag to the line as Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), and Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) came across the line three abreast taking 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively.
Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) took P9 as Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the top 10 with Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) taking P11.
Top 10:
1. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
2. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.051
3. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) +0.056
4. David Alonso (GASGAS Aspar Team) +0.172
5. Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) +0.487
6. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) +13.321
7. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) +13.332
8. Ricardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +13.360
9. Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) +13.429
10. Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +13.460
“We finish the Italian Grand Prix with a bittersweet taste. Today we gave absolutely everything, but there were a few corners where I was struggling. We’ll work even harder next week”
Jaume Masia P5
“After a few subdued races we finally got back into the top ten. I’m happy with the race at Mugello and I hope to do well at Sachsenring too, we’re on the right track!”.
Riccardo Rossi P5
“The race was so hard. In the beginning it was difficult to stay in the first group because I was suffering with some chatter. I could not ride like I want. I was trying to manage it…but I lost the leaders and then it was a difficult fight with the slipstream. On the last lap I lost a few places in my group and it was not the best way to finish this GP. We have to keep working to improve our position.”
Ryusei Yamanaka P15
“I don’t know what to say…it’s a shame. I felt well in the first part of the race, but suddenly I struggled with the grip, both in front and rear. It was impossible to ride as I liked it. I want to refocus for the next race, trying to forget this disappointment. It isn’t the end of the world. I will keep working and pushing the two races we have before the summer break. The key is to continue learning and growing, and we will find the way.”
Mario Suryo Aji P20
Click the button below to find out all the images of the #KytCrew during the weekend in Italy.