Alonso takes historic first Grand Prix victory for Colombia in Moto3™

The Grand Prix paddock heard the Colombian anthem for the first time as David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) not only took his first Grand Prix victory but the very first for his nation. The rookie put in a stellar last-lap performance after climbing up from last on the grid to snatch victory ahead of the Moto3™ big-hitters, with Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) taking P2. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) strengthened his title campaign as the Championship leader took an important podium with his title rival Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) crashing out of the lead and failing to recover points. 

It was heartbreak for the British fans before the lights even went out as Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) was unable to get off the line on the Warm Up lap. By the time the Brit had gotten his bike restarted he was behind the safety car and was forced to start his home Grand Prix from the back of the grid.

The lights went out and it was a good start for Holgado, who snatched the holeshot from Masia into turn 1. Masia, who started from pole, bit straight back though as Holgado who was then pushed back to 4th place with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sasaki getting themselves stuck in on lap one. 

Öncü led as they came across the line for the first time ahead of Masia and Holgado. The typical Moto3™ freight train then began to form as Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) joined the battle at the front. 

With 13 laps still remaining it was a disaster for Masia as the Spaniard crashed out at Village corner, remounting straight away and firing himself back into the race, but with a mountain to climb to the top 15, he was unable to score a point. 

Meanwhile at the front, Diogo Moreira (MT Helemts MSI) and Alonso had joined the party whilst Masia's title rival Holgado was leading the freight train, with 20 riders locked together in victory contention. 

It was blink-and-miss-it stuff as the laps ticked away with the Moto3™ riders banging bars, swapping paintwork, and bashing elbows in a hard but fair battle for victory. 

Alonso was looking racey with eight laps remaining as the youngster wasn't shy of battling with the big names at the front. Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) also threw his name into the mix with six laps to go, utilising his unique wide-swooping style to take the lead with an incredible round-the-outside move, but only to battered back down the order. 

The lead continued to change as moves were being made at every corner of the 5.891km Silverstone circuit. The teams watched on through their fingers as any of the top 20 could've put themselves in victory contention on the final lap. 

Last lap time came around and it was Holgado that led Alonso and Öncü with Ortola, Sasaki, and Moreira eager to break into the top 3. Alonso took the lead halfway around but it didn’t last long as Sasaki pushed his way to the front ahead of the final sector.

Alonso snatched the lead back on the hangar straight as Öncü jumped into P2 to then be pushed wide creating a gap in the group, this allowed the Colombian to hold onto the lead until the line as the youngster took his debut win in his rookie season at Grand Prix level, ahead of Sasaki who fended off Holgado to the line.

Ortola narrowly missed out on the podium in P4 as he fended off the menacing David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) who rounded out the top 5. 

Ogden was a rider on a mission as he pushed his way into the top 20 with 12 laps remaining, tagging himself onto the back of the leading group. The Brit pushed his way into the points with 4 laps to go but dropped back to P16 in the closing stages, then classified one further back due to track limits on the last lap. 

The Championship story continues to run its rollercoaster course in the 2023 Moto3™ season. There are still plenty of points available as the attention now turns to the next round at the Red Bull Ring in Austria which will take place from the 18th to the 20th of August... and last year Sasaki reigned. In the meantime make sure you keep up to date with everything MotoGP™ on motogp.com!

Top 10:

1. David Alonso (GASGAS Aspar Team)
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) +0.152
3. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +0.203
4. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) +0.337
5. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) +0.471
6. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) +0.767
7. David Salvador (CIP Green Power) +0.839
8. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.892
9. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) +0.941
10. Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) +0.977

FULL RESULTS

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