Moto3 Sunday Australian GP

Alonso draws level with Rossi’s record after inch-perfect Island display

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) once again demonstrated his dominance with yet another stunning performance, claiming his 11th victory of the season. This win ties Alonso with Valentino Rossi’s single-season victory record in the lightweight class, with three races still remaining in the 2024 season. The reigning World Champion’s win featured a special throwback celebration, adding even more significance to the moment. Alonso pulled away in the closing stages to secure victory, finishing 2.9 seconds ahead of a fierce battle for the remaining podium spots. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) edged out Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) for second place by an incredibly close 0.003 seconds.

The race began with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) launching off the line from pole position, taking the holeshot into Doohan Corner. However, David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) made a bold move at Turn 2, taking the lead. Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) then relegated Ortola to third at Turn 4, while Australian home favorite Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) made an impressive start, immediately joining the battle for the podium on the opening lap.

On Lap 2, Nepa briefly led before serving the first of his two Long Lap penalties, allowing Kelso to take the lead. As expected, the lead changed hands rapidly, with the top 13 riders separated by just 1.4 seconds. Soon, Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) joined the group, extending the front pack to 14 riders.

A few laps later, the lead group expanded further to 17 riders. Nepa completed his two Long Lap penalties and rejoined the podium fight, while Kelso dropped to 17th after making contact in the tight group.

With 10 laps to go, disaster struck for two of the top four riders in the championship. Ortola and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) collided at Turn 4 after Veijer clipped Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), sending both Veijer and Ortola crashing out. Thankfully, both riders were uninjured, but the incident put a dent in their hopes of securing second place in the World Championship.

This left a tightly contested 30-rider battle at the front with eight laps remaining. Alonso led the pack as the group began to stretch out with four laps to go. The top four riders—Alonso, Muñoz, Fernandez, and Holgado—had broken away, creating a 1.3-second gap from the chasers. Alonso, however, pulled ahead even further, using the harder rear tire to his advantage.

As Alonso checked out and extended his lead to 1.7 seconds by the final lap, attention turned to the fight for second place. Fernandez led Muñoz and Holgado onto the final straight, with Nepa and others close behind. In a dramatic drag race to the finish line, Holgado claimed second place by just 0.003 seconds over Fernandez, while Fernandez narrowly held onto third by 0.018 seconds. Nepa finished fourth, with Muñoz slipping to fifth. But all eyes were on Alonso, whose 11th win tied Rossi’s 1997 lightweight class record, and he also became the first rider to win four consecutive lightweight class races since Marc Marquez. Alonso’s name is now etched alongside some of the sport’s greatest.

Elsewhere in the race, Yamanaka secured sixth place ahead of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Angel Piqueras, who finished 10th. Home hero Kelso had to settle for 11th in front of his fans at Phillip Island. Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) crossed the line in 12th, followed by another local favorite, Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who earned points in his rookie season. Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) rounded out the points scorers in 14th and 15th, respectively.

What a race it was, yet again. As Alonso now sets his sights on a record-breaking 12th victory of the season in Thailand, all eyes are on him. Can he surpass Rossi’s record? It would be difficult to bet against the Colombian sensation.

RESULTS

Official MotoGP Press Release