Qualifying:
Quali for moto3 was a mix of the old and new. In P1 Darryn Binder, with P2 taken by the 16-year-old Izan Guevara, and P3 John McPhee. Izan is the Moto3 Junior World Champion, so I guess no surprises, but P3 in your first quali, nice.
Race schedule being what it is, the Moto3 guys had the honour of opening up the 2021 Dorna MotoGP season, and if you have missed the racing as much as us, I am sure it was a welcome sight.
The Race
A blistering start saw Darryn Binder hit the front with Gabriel Rodrigo and the rookie Izan Guevara in close pursuit. As these riders battled it out, Dennis Foggia hit the deck, taken out by Carlos Tatay, the Leopard rider unable to re-start, then Deniz Oncu went down after getting too much into the sandy part of the track, a problem; Deniz was able to re-start.
The first few laps were the usual Moto3 insanity, with P1 changes by the corner, not the lap, Rodrigo, then Binder, then a crash! Xavier Artigas, the other Leopard rider made a crazy move into a left-hander and took out himself, John McPhee, Andrea Migno and Jeremy Alcoba, none of them, finished this race.
With 15 laps to go, Jaume Masia hit the front with 16-year-old Pedro Acosta second and Binder 3rd. Acosta is the Red Bull Rookies Champion from 2020, and he dominated it, and it shows, as he went from 11th to second then first in less than two laps. With 13 laps to go Gabriel Rodrigo was P1, Sergio Garcia P2 and Jaume Masia P3, Jaume getting more settled as the race progressed.
There were 14 bikes in a line, with anyone able to hit the lead at any time, which is why Masia, Binder, Kaito Toba and Ayumu Sasaki all took P1 in just a few laps.
Eight laps to go and the rookie Pedro Acosta was P1 with his Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Jaume Masia very close in P2 and Darryn Binder P3, Sasakisan lurking. Five laps to go and we saw a brief foray into the lead by Ayumu Sasaki before Acosta hit P1 again, then Sasaki, until with 2 laps to go Niccolo Antonelli hit the front, after a steady race.
Last lap and it was the Ajo boys, Jaume Masia and Pedro Acosta holding off Darryn Binder and it was close, very close.
The Result
Over the line, it was Jaume Masia Red Bull KTM Ajo P1, his teammate Pedro Acosta P2 and Darryn Binder Petronas Sprinta Racing P3.
Jaume had the nickname “Macaulay”, and too often he found himself home alone, but he’s all grown up now, and in this race he showed how much, judging the finish to perfection. His teammate Pedro Acosta, well we knew he is good, but this good in your first race, outstanding.
Once again the Moto3 firework crew did not disappoint.
Next week the MotoGP grids will be back at the Losail circuit in Qatar, see you there for more sparked
・・・
Every ride should be an adventure… Tell us where you’re riding @bikedirectory and we will feature your pics and add your location to our directory. Also, we want to crowdfund and publish a book with 50 of the best short stories/poems or anecdotes that we can, and we need your help to do it. Be bold and get writing, and re-writing, and drop us a story. Stay safe! Visit https://bikedirectory.co.uk/get-published and don’t forget to follow and/or like us!
・・・
#bikedirectory #MotoGP #Moto3#BTsport #QatarGP #JaumeMasia #PedroAcosta #DarrynBinder #Motorcycle#Racing #Motorsport #MotoGPisBack#ThisIsMotoGP
Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
