#CFMOTO Valresa Aspar

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Sasaki signs off in style with first win of the season

Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) has done it. He is a Grand Prix victor in 2023 – and he did in style! The Japanese rider put on quite some show as he fought tooth and nail in a five-rider scrap for victory at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The final race of 2023 went down the wire in typical Moto3™ fashion as David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) left everything he had out on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo as he pushed Sasaki right until the final corner. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) was very much in the mix as well. The Spaniard came home in P3 after getting his elbows firmly out on the last lap, almost snatching second from Alonso in a close drag to the line. The riders lined up on the grid for the final race of the 2023 Moto3™ season, and with the Championship decided it promised to deliver barnstorming lightweight action. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) started from pole position but it was Sasaki who took the hole shot down in Turn 1 as the Moto3™ bikes barrelled in. The Japanese rider had Veijer and Öncü for company as the riders scrapped for position in the opening sector. We lost a couple at Turn 2 as Vicente Perez (BOE Motorsports) and Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) went down and out of the race. Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) was later awarded a double long lap penalty after causing the incident. The top three remained line astern throughout the first lap as Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) and Ortola looked keen to threaten the podium spots. Veijer then took over the lead from his teammate one lap later as he dived up the inside at Turn 2. Veijer, Sasaki, Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Kelso, Ortola was the order as the race began to settle with 17 laps still remaining.

As the laps ticked away a leading group began to form as Alonso and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) put themselves in contention in a seven-bike battle for the lead – Alonso getting his elbows out as he got firmly stuck into the battle for victory. The pace was hot as they were consistently putting times under the race lap record with Veijer leading the way lap after lap. With 10 laps to go it became it a battle of five as Kelso and Rueda began to fall off the back of the group. A big move came from Alonso with seven to go as the Colombian chucked it up the inside of Öncü at the final corner with very little room to come through. The two made contact as they both ran wide and lost time to Sasaki and Veijer ahead. Alonso quickly recovered the time in a matter of corners and one lap later he made his move on Sasaki to put himself into P2. Veijer, Alonso, Sasaki, Ortola, Öncü was now the order in the top five with Öncü finding himself almost a second back. Veijer cracked for the first time with five to go as he finally lost the lead with a small mistake seeing him run wide and drop to fourth, promoting Sasaki to the lead with Ortola and Alonso hot on his tail. Sasaki led the way on the penultimate lap as Deniz Öncü was now back in the mix and joined onto the back of the group. The heat was turned up as Veijer shot up the inside of Ortola to take third. Ortola bit back at the beginning of the last lap and it was now or never on the final lap. Sasaki led the way as they barrelled through the first two sectors for the final time. Alonso was all over his rearwheel with Ortola shadowing Alonso's every move. It came down to the final corner in the end as the Colombian tried all he could to throw it up the inside but had couldn't find his way past the Japanese rider as he took his first Grand Prix victory ahead with Alonso fending off Ortola in close drag to the line. It was heartbreak for Veijer after he led the majority to end up having to settle for fourth, and Öncü did recover to catch the leading group but didn't manage to make any moves as he brought home P5. Rueda finished in a lonely sixth place with Kelso a further second back in P7. 1.5 seconds back from the Aussie was a 3-rider scrap for eighth place which was won by Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) who got the better of David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Ryusei Yamanaka (GASGAS Aspar Team) in ninth and 10th. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) finished his 2023 campaign with P11 ahead of Fillipo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing). The newly crowned Champion had a steady end to his title-winning season as he took 13th with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) taking the final point-scoring positions. And with that the 2023 FIM Moto3™ World Championship season sees its conclusion. It's been a rollercoaster ride as always as we've witnessed the stars of the future do battle in the lightweight class. Many will move on to pastures new for 2024, so make sure you stay tuned! For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com Read the full article

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Moto3: Holgado dominates Day 1

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) ended Day 1 of the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana fastest after his 1:38.706 saw him top the timesheets in Practice 2. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) got the closest to the Spaniard's time despite bringing out the red flags with a mid-session high side. The Turk was taken to the medical centre for a check-up and will be reviewed before Practice 3 in the morning, but his time stood strong as he remained the only rider to join Holgado in the 1:38 club in 2nd place. Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) finished the day in 3rd place overall after clocking a time just under three-tenths away from the top spot. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) missed out on the top three by just 0.047s as he took P4. Next up behind the Spaniard was Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), with 2023 World Champion Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) taking sixth. Ryusei Yamanaka (GASGAS Aspar Team) finished the day in P7 as half a second covered the top eight - the eighth of those riders being Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) and Vicente Perez (BOE Motorsports) rounded out the top 10. Rookie of the Year David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) suffered two big crashes in Practice 2, the second one involved Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) with the Japanese rider hitting the Colombian's machine on the exit of Turn 11. Both riders were up on their feet, Sasaki rider ok and Alonso heading to the medical centre for a check-up - he'll be reviewed tomorrow morning ahead of Practice 3. That session will decide entrants to Q2, before the final grid of the season is decided from 12:50 (GMT +1). For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com Read the full article

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Masia makes his mark on Friday

It's advantage Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) as the Motul TT Assen kicks off the weekend with Moto3™ Practice. The Spaniard put down a 1:41.579 to keep the field at arm's length, with Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) 0.350s behind. Just 0.053s behind his fellow Italian was Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) whose wide, swooping lines are playing perfectly to the fast, flowing characteristics of the Assen circuit. As the clock counted down to the chequered flag a flurry of fast laps came flying in during Practice 2. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) put the hammer down to secure 4th and 5th respectively, with rookie David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar M3) rounding out the top 6 ahead of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse). The intense rush for a time attack caught out Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets MSI) as the Brazilian crashed out with 3 minutes to go for the 2nd time in the afternoon. The youngster just managed enough to secure P8 on combined times. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is down in P9, just ahead of Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) who suffered a crash at Turn 16 with just under 30 minutes of P2 remaining. Moto3™ continues on Saturday, make sure not to miss any of the action with Practice 3 at 08:40 and qualifying at 12:50 local time (GMT +2). Moto3 Top 4 - Combined Practice - Dutch GP 1. Jaume MASIA - SPA - Leopard Racing - 1'41.579 2. Stefano NEPA - ITA - Angeluss MTA Team - +0.350 3. Romano FENATI - ITA - Rivacold Snipers Team - +0.403 4. Diogo MOREIRA - BRA - MT Helmets - MSI - +0.423 20. Scott OGDEN - GBR - VisionTrack Racing Team - +1.323 24. Joshua WHATLEY - GBR - VisionTrack Racing Team - +1.510 For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com Read the full article

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Ortola takes stunning maiden win in a close last lap shootout at COTA

Masia takes second after a late comeback charge, with Artigas back on the podium in third as Moreira just loses out. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) is now a Grand Prix winner! The Spaniard did it in style at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, fighting at the front throughout and then pushing to just stay ahead of a serious scrap for the podium. Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) took second, slicing back through after being forced into some avoiding action following a crash for then leader Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) completing the podium as Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) lost out late on. The race began as the classic Moto3™ freight train, but bit by bit a front, smaller group managed to escape: Sasaki, Masia, Artigas, Moreira, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ortola, after a mammoth wonder save early doors. And that's how it stayed despite some chopping and changing, with the key drama coming in the latter stages. That drama was a crash for Sasaki as the Japanese rider lost it in the lead, and in turn also forced Masia into avoiding action. That put the number 5 into a race against time to tag back onto the back of the now four-rider fight for the podium, but that he did and he was right back in the mix as the field prepared for the final lap.

Ortola led over the line, but Artigas attacked at Turn 1 and took over. It remained line astern for the rest of the sector, but the next move came from Moreira as he attacked Masia for third. And then he attacked for the lead, straight up, as Ortola also moved up into second. Moreira was in control heading onto the back straight though, somehow keeping the momentum, but the braking zone saw it come apart. Just a little too deep, the Brazilian opened the door and Ortola needed no second invitation, taking back the lead. The fight for third just behind was even tighter, with Masia vs Artigas vs Holgado on the brakes and the number 5 coming out on top. The next target was Moreira, and the move came at the final corner. Ortola nailed it to head over the line for his first Grand Prix win as Masia attacked for second just behind, sending Moreira off line and causing a shuffle as the group all tucked in and pinned it. Masia made it to the flag first, with Artigas then just pipping Moreira. Holgado was forced to settle for fifth but that fifth means he retains the Championship lead, although now equal on points with Moreira. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) headed up a close second group ahead of David Salvador (CIP Green Power), David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar), his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top ten. For full results see below, and buckle up for more in Jerez in two weeks!

Moto3 Top 4 - Race Result - Americas GP 1. Ivan ORTOLÁ - SPA - Angeluss MTA Team - 32:01.062 2. Jaume MASIA - SPA - Leopard Racing - +0.457 3. Xavier ARTIGAS - SPA - CFMOTO Racing - +0.558 4. Diogo MOREIRA - BRA - MT Helmets - MSI - +0.567 Moto3 Top 4 - Championship Points after - Americas GP 1. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) - 49pts 2. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) - 49pts 3. Xavier ARTIGAS - SPA - CFMOTO Racing - 32pts 4. Jaume MASIA - SPA - Leopard Racing - 31pts For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com Read the full article

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Five riders within a tenth on Friday

Leopard lead the way, but the top five are covered by just 0.076 on Day 1 for the lightweight class. Tatsuki Suzuki claimed Friday Free Practice honours in the Moto3™ class at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana in a Leopard Racing 1-2. Suzuki clocked a 1:39.467 late in FP2 before teammate Dennis Foggia moved into P2 with a 1:39.488 as he took the chequered flag. ‘The Rocket’ is still a good chance of taking second in the World Championship, needing to overcome an eight-point deficit to Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team), who is in sixth. Foggia is looking quick this weekend given he was fastest for much of FP2 after being among the pace-setters in FP1. Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team), who was already crowned World Champion, finished third-fastest on the day thanks to the 1:39.533 which he set right at the end of FP1, while Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) is provisionally into Q2 after jumping from outside the top 14 to fourth on combined times with a 1:39.537 on his penultimate lap of FP2. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) holds fifth courtesy of the 1:39.543 which he set in the morning session, and will be especially keen to maximise his qualifying position on Saturday afternoon given he will have to serve a Long Lap Penalty for crashing under a yellow flag in FP1. Garcia sits sixth on a 1:39.586 – just 0.119 seconds slower than Suzuki’s benchmark – ahead of David Salvador (Angeluss MTA Team), Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and the other chance for P2 in the Championship, Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) in 10th. The latter holds that position by virtue of a 1:39.715 in FP1, before a minor crash at Turn 6 in FP2. Come back for FP3 from 9:00 (GMT +1), before qualifying from 12:35! FRIDAY: TOP 3 1 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) - Honda - 2'12.226 2 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) - Honda - +0.021 3 Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) - GASGAS - +0.066 For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com Read the full article

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Sasaki pips Suzuki to pole at Assen

The two Japanese riders are split by just 0.066, with Guevara completing the front row. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) took to the top late on in Moto3™ Q2, the Japanese rider denying compatriot and initial pacesetter Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) by just 0.066 to grab pole at the Motul TT Assen. Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team) completes the front row, 0.206 off the top, with his teammate and the Championship leader, Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team), facing a fight back from P18. In dry conditions at the TT Circuit Assen, there were only two real contenders for pole as Sasaki vs Suzuki lit up the timing screens. The latter also suffered a crash, rider ok, but that saw him miss out on the chance to reply as Sasaki took over on pole. Behind the Japanese duo comes Guevara and then Friday's fastest, David Muñoz (Boe Motorsports), as the impressive rookie continued to be such and heads the second row. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) found some late time to secure fifth, ahead of fellow veteran Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Q1 graduate Adrian Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) complete Row 3, with rookie Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) next up as the rookie pipped John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) after a crash for the Brit. So where is Garcia? All the way down in P18, and he has fellow frontrunner Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) just ahead of him as the two look to make quick progress on Sunday. Can they? We'll find out from 11:00 (GMT +2), so make sure to tune in! Moto3™ FRONT ROW 1 Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) - Husqvarna - 1'41.296 2 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) - Honda - +0.066 3 Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) - GASGAS - +0.206 Ayumu Sasaki: "I’m very happy. Four weeks ago, I didn’t imagine to come back in Germany and to do a pole position here. I feel very good, the bike was very good today, I felt very good over all the weekend, I have a great pace. I hope we can go to the summer break celebrating something amazing." For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

Moto3™ polesitter Sasaki (L) with Guevara. Suzuki didn't make it to parc ferme after his crash Read the full article