Austin 2024, Race: Alonso unreachable, first podium for Piqueras | FP

Applause for Alonso and Piqueras

The fight for victory was non-existent to say the least American Grand Prix of Moto3, with David Alonso an unattainable result for all the riders behind him from the start to the finish line. The 5 second advantage over is proof of this Daniel Holgadowho takes 2nd place in the photo finish with an excellent result Daniel Piqueraswho completes an applause-worthy performance by winning the first podium in his career. Several crashes in an uncertain race until the checkered flag.

Race report

A GP that started with the absence of José Antonio Rueda2nd in yesterday's qualifying but underwent surgery during the night following an attack of appendicitis. For the Spaniard, the question mark also remains for participation in the next GP in Jerez de la Frontera. The race, characterized by eight drivers out of 23 penalised, saw only one protagonist: David Alonso. Author of an excellent start, the Colombian took the lead, distancing all his pursuers, also favored by some episodes: among these, the fall at the first corner of Farioli after hitting Veijer and Kelso's long shot after contact with Holgado, also here during the first lap. Race also compromised for Stefano Nepain this case hit by Ortola after a risky maneuver by the latter again on Veijer in the second lap. GP of the Americas to forget for the Italians, with Lunetta also crashing and the three long lap penalties served by Bertelle, especially when the latter was in the podium area. While Alonso gradually increased the gap on his pursuers, the fight for the top-3 between Piqueras, Holgado, Veijer, Yamanaka and Kelso heated up. The first twist, however, occurred five laps from the end, precisely with the Kelso fallbut above all with the thrilling one of Veijer, miraculously missed by Yamanaka. At that point, with Alonso now unreachable, Piqueras definitively took the lead in an all-Spanish battle with Holgado, won by the latter after an overtaking on the last lap and by a few thousandths of an advantage at the finish line over the young Iberian, who takes away the satisfaction of the first podium in his career amidst the applause of the Texan public.

Moto3 – GP of the Americas 2024: order of arrival (top 15)