Moto3 Sunday

Cloud nine: Alonso victorious again as Fernandez and Muñoz complete podium

David Alonso Shines Again with Ninth Victory of the Season in Indonesia

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) has claimed yet another stunning victory, marking his ninth win of the season and further solidifying his march toward the 2024 Moto3™ World Championship title. The Colombian rider executed a perfectly timed attack to clinch victory in Indonesia, edging closer to the championship as he triumphed over Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), who secured his first-ever Grand Prix podium, and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), who completed the top three.

Early Race Action

Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) made a strong start from the outside of the front row, seizing the holeshot and pushing polesitter Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) into second place, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) initially sitting in third. Veijer quickly took the lead on the exit of Turn 10, while Ortola was forced to take his first of two Long Lap penalties on Lap 2, dropping him outside the top 10.

A leading group of 10 riders soon formed as Ortola completed his second Long Lap penalty, leaving him down in P17 and five seconds behind the leader with 15 laps remaining.

Mid-Race Battle

By Lap 8, Veijer was still out front, followed closely by Fernandez, Alonso, Furusato, and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) in a tightly contested top five. Despite struggling with injury, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) fought hard to stay within the top 10, while Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Muñoz, Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) all battled for positions in the lead group.

Ortola’s hopes of climbing back into contention were dashed as he received a third Long Lap penalty, this time for a shortcut at Turn 9, extending his gap to the leader to eight seconds.

Late Race Drama

The race took a dramatic turn when Veijer, who had been leading the pack, crashed out at Turn 8, leaving Fernandez in command. Holgado, making his way through the field, climbed to second with seven laps to go.

As the race neared its conclusion, Fernandez continued to lead with Muñoz and Holgado close behind. Alonso, however, was on a charge, moving up from P6 to P4 within half a lap as the final laps approached.

Holgado briefly took the lead on Lap 17, with Fernandez dropping from P1 to P4 in quick succession. Alonso, now in P1, defended his position as Piqueras made a push for the podium. Furusato’s race ended with a crash at Turn 1 with three laps to go, although the rider was unharmed.

Final Lap Showdown

With two laps remaining, Fernandez led from Muñoz and Alonso, with a small gap separating the top three from Lunetta in P4. On the last lap, Alonso overtook Muñoz at Turn 1 and set his sights on Fernandez. In Turn 10, Alonso grabbed the lead, and although Fernandez briefly regained P2, Alonso held firm in the final sector to take the checkered flag.

Alonso’s victory was followed by Fernandez in second and Muñoz in third. Piqueras won a close battle with fellow rookie Lunetta to claim P4, with Lunetta settling for P5.

Key Finishes

Holgado finished P6, maintaining his second place in the overall standings but losing more ground in the title race. Suzuki took P7, marking his seventh top-10 finish of the season, while Kelso secured P8, just 1.8 seconds behind the race winner.

After serving three Long Lap penalties, Ortola finished P9 in what could have been a much more promising race for the Spaniard. Nicola Carraro (LEVELUP – MTA) rounded out the top 10, his first since the Spanish GP.

Other point-scoring finishers included Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Scott Ogden (Fleetsafe Honda – MLav Racing), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), and Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), the latter also serving three Long Lap penalties.

The Title Race Tightens

With another victory under his belt, David Alonso’s dominance continues as he inches closer to the 2024 Moto3™ World Championship title. All eyes will be on Japan next week, where Alonso has a strong chance of being crowned champion.

RESULTS

Official MotoGP Press Release