Garcia produces more last lap brilliance for victory

Valresa GasGas Aspar Team's Sergio Garcia dug deep to pull off yet more last lap brilliance to secure a second win of the season at the Tissot Grand Prix of Portugal. After his early breakaway failed, the Spaniard was forced to fight it out with a leading group of five before holding off Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) on the final lap to retake control of the Moto3™ World Championship.

EARLY CAT AND MOUSE

Red Bull KTM Tech3's Deniz Öncü fired away perfectly from pole position to take the holeshot but he was immediately under pressure from Garcia, who settled into second after starting from the middle of the second row. The young Spaniard moved through on the Turk as they came across the line and began to pull away.

Garcia's teammate Ivan Guevara could see the Valresa GasGas Aspar machine edging clear and knew he had to make a move on Öncü. The Mallorcan slipstreamed ahead at the end of the second lap but Öncü responded immediately. The determined Tech3 rider made life difficult for Guevara, meanwhile, Garcia's advantage became 1.5 seconds. Guevara finally dived through on Öncü at the start of Lap 5. The Turk, in the blink of an eye, was then demoted to fourth as Sasaki found a way through.

Guevara and Sasaki began working together, chipping away at Garcia's lead. Half a second behind them, Masia had moved through to fourth and was towing Öncü along. Twelve laps were left in Portimao before Garcia's early advantage was gone. Guevara caught and passed his teammate with Sasaki, Masia and Öncü joining the Aspar duo in the fight at the front.

THE LAST LAP MASTER

Over the next ten laps, the five riders at the front swapped places lap after lap. They all had their chance at leading the race at one stage or another, with Garcia and Masia even having contact on the run down to Turn 1 as they squabbled over track position. 

Two and a half laps left and it was Garcia leading the way ahead of Sasaki, Öncü, Masia and Guevara. The GasGas man got swallowed up down the straight though as they started the penultimate lap, as Sasaki and Masia both managed to get ahead of him. But Garcia wasn't giving up easily, battling back on Masia for second. 

We started the final lap with Sasaki leading but it didn't last long. Garcia flew past him and had enough on the brakes to emerge at the front. It was incredibly congested through Turn 1 but a big and brave move from Masia saw him jump from second to fourth. He heaped pressure on Garcia, desperately looking for the smallest gap to try and nudge through. 

But Garcia was perfect on the final lap once again, fending off a determined Masia to take the chequered flag and his second win of the season. The Ajo rider had to settle for second, 0.069 seconds behind Garcia, for back-to-back podium finishes following his victory in Austin. Third went the way of Sasaki, his second rostrum of the season, ahead of the frustrated Öncü and Guevara in fourth and fifth.

TITLE FIGHT SWINGS AGAIN

Title leader Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) had an afternoon to forget as he came across the line in eighth and, therefore, surrendered the title lead to Garcia. The Spaniard and the Italian are now split by just one point as we head to Jerez next weekend.

Foggia was down in 17th on the first lap but recovered well to fight his way through to the front of the third group, with both Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) in sixth and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) in seventh ahead of him. Completing the top ten behind Foggia were Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power), a great ride from 22nd on the grid, and Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI), who was demoted two places from eighth to tenth after the race.

Moto3™ Portuguese GP Top 10:
1. Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team)
2. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.069
3. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.110
4. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) + 0.210
5. Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.373
6. Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) + 4.094
7. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 4.729
8. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 7.170
9. Joel Kelso (CIP GreenPower) + 7.241
10. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) + 7.165*