Weier wins and Alonso saves the day after falling
David Alonso was the heavy favorite for this Sunday’s Moto3 race in Jerez. After dominating practice and taking pole position, the Jorge Martinez Aspar-trained driver decided to try and go and win the Spanish Grand Prix. However, excess desire played a cruel joke on him in the first round, precisely trying to make room for competitors. Thus, the race was open to the rest, which he took advantage of Collin Weier beats David Munoz to his second World Championship victory. Holgado, the overall leader, was seventh, with Alonso back up to eleventh. In the overall standings they are separated by 6 points in favor of Holgado.
The minor race was set to start in good weather in Jerez, with the sun shining, but with the risk of patches of moisture appearing on the asphalt despite rain falling on Saturday morning. . Sports-wise, the man to watch was David Alonso. As in Austin, the Spanish-Colombian driver dominated practice for the Spanish Grand Prix and took pole position on Saturday. He threatened to run away, just like he did on Highway of the Americas.
At the start, David Munoz performed better in the first few meters and was ahead of Alonso, even with a couple of touches before the first turn. However, before the first lap was completed, Aspar’s team regained their place and tried to escape. But The attempt did not last long as too much pressure caused him to crash at the final corner of the Andalusian circuit.. Alonso managed to get up and continue driving, but found himself behind the grid and forced to return.
In the classification without a favorite, the leader remained Collin Weier, who caught up and overtook Munoz. Soon after, Ivan Ortola did the same. And after BOE Motorsports there were Ryusei Yamanaka, Joel Esteban, Joel Kelso, Nicola Carraro, Stefano Nepa, Tatsuki Suzuki, who did not last long due to technical problems, and Daniel Holgado, leader of the general classification, who, after failing in the “qualifications” and starting 18th place, was already gaining places.
The pace set at the front was very fast, especially thanks to Joel Esteban, who completed a lap of 1:45 less, already a record. This led to Weier, Muñoz, Ortola, Esteban himself, Yamanaka and Kelso will be more than two seconds off the lead. to a group under the command of Nepa and Holgado.
However, this front sextet was not grouped together, but It became longer thanks to the rhythm of Weyer, Ortola and Munoz., which opened the gap for Yamanaka, Esteban and Kelso, although the Japanese from MT Helmets – MSi was able to catch on. Meanwhile, after 8 laps and reaching the middle of the race, Alonso was already behind him, taking twentieth place.
As the corners progressed, Weier managed to maintain the lead, with the only move coming from Munoz, who moved into second place behind teammates Ortola and Yamanaka. Although the Valencian regained position over the Spaniard 7 laps before the end. Behind him, Alonso contacted one of the groups that included Taiyo Furusato, David Almanza and Filippo Farioli. #80 easily overtook everyone and took twelfth place.
Thus came the final corners and a 3-way victory was on the line as Yamanaka eventually took the lead from his comrades with 3 laps remaining. Ortola began to put pressure on Munoz, although the Andalusian defended well. In the penultimate round In fact, Brenes focused on Weyer more than on his compatriot. And the last one came.
Munoz tried to prove himself in turn six, but Weier drew very well to maintain the position. The Dutchman closed again before reaching the fast corners, where he also Munoz lost his rhythm a little. Weier overcame Jorge Lorenzo’s ever-bright Turn 13 to eventually win for the second time in his category.. True, Munoz tried to put pressure on him in the slipstream, crossing the finish line at 45 thousand. Ortola finished third.
In the rear group we had to regret Joel Esteban’s fall with his last breath. Rounding out the top ten were Yamanaka, Joel Kelso, Adrian Fernandez, Daniel Holgado, Nicola Carraro, Stefano Nepa and Angel Piqueras. David Alonso took Esteban’s eleventh place, ahead of Jacon Roulston, Filippo Farioli, Matteo Bertelier and Almanza.
In the general classification, Holgado leads Jerez with 74 points, although he is only six ahead of Alonso on 68 points after retaining his ballot after a fall.
Moto3 2024 race results in Jerez
In development…