Piqueras Snatches Victory from Furusato in Thrilling Lusail Photo Finish

Piqueras Snatches Victory from Furusato in Lusail Thriller and Takes Moto3 Championship Lead

In a breathtaking final sprint to the line under the lights of the Lusail International Circuit, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) edged out Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) by a razor-thin margin of just 0.009 seconds, claiming a dramatic win and taking control of the Moto3 World Championship.

Joining them on the podium was Piqueras’ teammate Ryusei Yamanaka, who backed up his first-ever pole position with a determined ride to third—his second career Grand Prix podium. However, the race wasn’t without heartbreak, especially for Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who was forced out of podium contention in the closing stages due to a mechanical issue.

Calm Start, Early Penalties, and Unlucky Incidents

Yamanaka got off the line perfectly to take the holeshot into Turn 1, leading the pack cleanly as the opening lap unfolded without major incident—at least initially. A leading group quickly began to form, setting the tone for what would become a classic Lusail slipstream battle.

Behind them, however, the stewards were busy. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was handed a Long Lap Penalty, and rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was given two for earlier infractions, costing both riders early track position and momentum.

Drama soon followed with a crash involving Dennis Foggia (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team), who collided with David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). Foggia’s race ended there and then, while Muñoz was forced wide and dropped well down the order—although his day wasn’t done yet.

The Leading Pack Shapes Up

At the front, a four-man breakaway emerged consisting of Yamanaka, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA), Rueda, and Piqueras. A second group chased, led by David Almansa (Leopard Racing), but as laps ticked down and pressure built, the field began to splinter. Almansa, pushing hard, crashed out of the chase, reducing the front group further.

With Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) unable to hang onto the lead pack’s pace, the battle for the podium came down to a group of five—until fate intervened once more.

Championship Shakeup: Rueda’s Nightmare

Just before the final lap, Lusail delivered one of its trademark twists. Jose Antonio Rueda, who looked poised to challenge for victory—or at the very least, the podium—was suddenly sitting up. A mechanical issue brought a premature end to his race, costing him not only a potential win but also his Championship lead.

That left four riders—Piqueras, Furusato, Yamanaka, and Kelso—to battle it out for the win and podium glory.

The Final-Lap Showdown

The final lap unfolded exactly as you’d expect from a Moto3 classic. Positions shuffled repeatedly as each rider searched for the best line and perfect launch point for a final attack. Coming into Turn 14, Furusato made his move, diving up the inside to take the lead.

Intent on defending his position at all costs, Furusato kept it tight through the final corner, forcing Piqueras to find another way. And he did. Getting the power down perfectly on the exit, Piqueras launched himself out of the final corner and tucked in for the drag to the finish line.

In a heart-stopping photo finish, Piqueras inched ahead by just 0.009 seconds to deny Furusato his maiden Grand Prix win—and, in the process, claim his own first victory of the 2024 season and take the lead in the standings.

Podium Runners and Notable Performances

Behind the top two, Yamanaka fought off a spirited late charge from Kelso to secure third place, ensuring both FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI riders stood on the podium in Lusail. Kelso, who was in the mix all race long, had to settle for a bittersweet fourth, once again just missing the rostrum.

Riccardo Rossi finished fifth, followed by an impressive comeback from David Muñoz, who recovered to take sixth after being pushed wide in the Foggia incident.

Luca Lunetta and Stefano Nepa brought both SIC58 Squadra Corse machines home in the top ten, while Nicola Carraro edged out top rookie Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) for ninth and tenth respectively.

Despite serving two Long Lap Penalties, Alvaro Carpe showed real grit to fight his way back through the field and finish 11th—a solid result on a tough day.

Looking Ahead

With his victory and Rueda’s heartbreak, Angel Piqueras now leads the Moto3 Championship standings. After just two rounds, the title picture is already full of tension and unpredictability.

The paddock now heads to Spain, where the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto awaits. A classic venue known for drama, it’s the perfect stage for the next chapter in this already-thrilling Moto3 season.

Stay tuned for full coverage and analysis right here in two weeks’ time.

Official MotoGP Press Release