Piqueras pips Holgado to clinch maiden win after a stunning comeback

Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) pulled off a stunner at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, serving up a Misano classic. Piqueras had a dramatic Grand Prix, dropping to 17^th after serving a double Long Lap before carving through the field in the 20-lap shootout. The #36 took Honda’s first win of the season by a mere 0.035s from Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who pushed to the edge on the final lap, losing out. Meanwhile, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) settled for the final spot on the podium, after spending most of the Grand Prix in P1.

At the start, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) maintained the lead before Piqueras launched into P1 at Turn 2. The #36 set an incredible early pace and began to eke out an advantage from Ortola, as Alonso dropped down to fourth on Lap 1. However, there would be drama on Lap 1 the weekend for Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), who were all involved in an incident at Turn 2.

It was red hot pace at the front, with Piqueras needing to serve a double Long Lap for an incident in Practice 2. Piqueras completed the first of his Long Laps on Lap 3 before serving his second on Lap 4 – dropping to 17^th. Long Laps were also handed out further back, after a jump start from Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing).

Seizing control at the front was Ortola with a breakaway group forming after Alonso was overtaken by Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). It was a crucial stage of the Grand Prix, with the #80 putting the hammer down – edging closer each lap. Furusato and Alonso’s duel did not stop there, but they would still successfully catch a now five-rider lead group.

Meanwhile, Piqueras was on a charge, quickly beginning to pick off riders, before starting to dice with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) at the halfway point. The #36 also set the fastest lap of the race, as they began to slowly edge closer to the lead group.

It was a breathtaking battle at the front, with Furusato continuing to make moves as he picked off Holgado on Lap 14, before storming past Ortola for the lead at the start of Lap 15. However, positions changed at every opportunity with Alonso entering the lead on Lap 17, pulling the pin for the final four laps.

It was a dramatic end to the Grand Prix, with Piqueras entering the top five, before incredibly stealing a spot on the podium on Lap 19. It was a close moment for the #36, touching the back wheel of Alonso. However, Piqueras did not stop there, taking the lead on the final lap. After riders continued to battle behind, Piqueras completed an incredible comeback – bagging 25 points.

Missing out on a podium place, was Furusato, who looked back on form in Misano and will be aiming to go one step further next round. The Japanese star placed ahead of Veijer, who rounded out the top five spots after the #95 showed an incredible late-race pace. Kelso was sixth, with the Aussie completing another strong ride after Alonso was demoted one position to seventh after exceeding track limits on the final lap. The #80’s advantage has been reduced to 70 points, with Alonso beating Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who took eighth. Meanwhile, SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Lunetta and Filippo Farioli took the final spots inside the top 10.

Moto3™ will be back in action in two weeks, as we return to Misano for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where we will see if Piqueras can take back-to-back wins, so make sure you join us then where another classic awaits!

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