The last race for the Moto3 boys this season at the twisty, undulating, MotoX type track in Portimao. All to play for, or maybe fight for, as the World title is up for grabs right here, right now. Albert Arenas, Ai Ogura and Tony Arbolino, with a spectacular win in Valencia, all in contention.
Quali ended up like this: 1. Raul Fernandez 2. Jeremy Alcoba 3. Ayumu Sasaki. Tony Arbolino 27th!
The Race:
Drama from the outset with Gabi Rodrigo’s bike failing on the grid, a pit lane start for him. Raul Fernandez, the pole man went off the start line with purpose, a third in Valencia it was clear he wanted to show the others the way, but had Tatsuki Suzuki and Ai Ogura following close and Arenas fourth, the latter two very much in the mix for the World title.
After three laps it was Raul gapping the others with Arenas now second and Jaume Masia third. Sadly for Masia he and his teammate Dennis Foggia had to do two long lap penalties, yes I did say two, for being naughty, or “irresponsible riding” as the stewards would have it, before the race.
Lap 7 and Raul was pulling a lead rarely seen in Moto 3, Arenas 2nd and Jeremy Alcoba 3rd. Ai Ogura was 6th trying to keep Arenas in his sight, for the Championship. Tony Arbolino had gone from 27th to 9th, keeping his title chances positive.
With 8 laps to go Raul Fernandez was running his own race well ahead at the front, followed by Alcoba and Suzuki. Somehow Dennis Foggia and his teammate Jaume Masia had pulled their way up to 4th and 6th respectively, after their onerous two-lap penalties. Having got to 3rd Masia then crashed out.
Lap after lap the Championship calculation was changing. Arbolino racing like he didn’t care, and he probably didn’t, win it or bin it, Tony!
Over the line, it was: 1. Raul Fernandez Red Bull KTM Ajo 2. Dennis Foggia Leopard Racing (after the two long lappers) 3. Jeremy Alcoba. 4. Sergio Garcia 5th Tony Arbolino (from 27th missing the title by four points!) Ai Ogura was on 170 points like Tony but placed third in the title on countback.
So after a fraught race Albert Arenas, Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3, was crowned World Champion 2020.
Photo by @motogp
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Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
