Ortola converts pole to a birthday victory at Silverstone

It was time to battle at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) coming out as the master after an unbelievable overtake on the final lap of the race. The Spaniard celebrated his birthday in style, taking victory by 0.123s from David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team), who put together a great end to the Grand Prix, battling within the front group and securing second. The Colombian took a further 20 points on Sunday, finishing ahead of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who converted his front row start into a podium.

Once the lights went out it was a brilliant start from Ortola, who got a brilliant launch off the line, claiming the holeshot on the run to Turn 1. This lead did not last long as Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) pounced, entering the lead at Turn 2 on the opening lap. It was a strong start from the Australian, unlike Veijer who dropped down to seventh on Lap 1, leaving the #95 with work to do.

David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Jacob Roulstone ran off the circuit at the end of Lap 1. This dropped the #64 and #12 to the back of the field. There would also be early drama for Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and Fibre Tec Honda - MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden and Vicente Perez, who crashed at the end of Lap 2. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) soon became the next faller – crashing at Turn 11.

Meanwhile at the front, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) entered P1 after a sensational move as the #96 tried to control the pace at the front. Holgado was at the head of an 11 rider lead group, with Championship leader Alonso sitting in fifth position in the early stages as tension began to build.

Ortola soon became the rider on the move, creating and making some brave moves to steal the lead with 10 laps remaining. It was a breathtaking battle as the lead changed hands at every opportunity, treating the British crowd to a fantastic show.

In the closing stages, Alonso, Veijer and Holgado began to make moves, entering the podium places and aiming to close the gap to Ortola. The Dutchman took control and caught Ortola in Lap 12, with the #48 soon dropping to third as Alonso entered P1 for the first time at Silverstone.

Heading onto the final lap of the British Grand Prix, Veijer stole the lead as a small mistake from Alonso dropped him to fourth place with Holgado leaping to second. Alonso had work to do on the final lap, scrapping with Ortola, who began to set his sights on Veijer. The key move from Ortola soon came on the final lap, as the Spaniard made the move stick at Maggots. Alonso and Veijer tried to respond at Stowe, only for Ortola to hold his line and remaining P1. Ortola would run wide on the entry to Vale, recovering quickly and holding on to claim a sensational victory at Silverstone.

Holgado narrowly missed out in fourth, crossing the line 0.107s adrift from the podium places of Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), who rounded out the top five. It was an impressive performance from the Italian, beating Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) by a mere 0.066s. Yamanaka settled for sixth position and is currently sixth in the Championship after finishing ahead of Kelso at Silverstone. The Australian dropped further down the order in the closing stages, picking up a strong top 10 finish in seventh. Adrian Fernandez finished eighth in the sole Leopard Racing machine in front of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in ninth. Meanwhile, the final spot inside of the top 10 went the way of Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to end a fantastic race.

The paddock now heads to Austria for the unpredictable Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich in two weeks. The title battle is beginning to heat up in Moto3™, so make sure you don’t miss anything on motogp.com!

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