It’s one thing to wait until the final lap to claim your first victory, but it’s quite another to do so in the last turn. At the GoPro GP of Aragon, however, David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) ultimately finished the job in style, winning the first race after a last-minute corner charge on rookie sensation Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team). Another rookie is continuing to show promise in P3, as Red Bull KTM Ajo driver Alvaro Carpe came on strong in the closing laps. Meanwhile, championship leader and teammate Jose Antonio Rueda finished in P8 after making a last-lap error.
HOW IT BEGIN: The seasoned leader Rueda
Rueda took the holeshot and easily navigated the opening sector, but Quiles, who was moving quickly, passed Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) at Turn 3 and entered P2. As Moto3’s typical early freight train began to take shape, Quiles wasted no time in jumping on the back wheel of the #99 before him. Further back down the field, Vicente Perez (LEVELUP-MTA) eliminated Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse) at Turn 9, continuing his difficult weekend.
On Lap 4, Rueda and Quiles were joined by Muñoz and David Almansa (Leopard Racing), who both maintained excellent pace throughout the weekend, creating a distinct group of four at the front. Three laps later, though, it was all one large group once more, but one rider was eliminated when Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Jacob Roulstone had to retire due to a technical issue.
Phases of closure: the lead shifts
As the 17-lap race entered its second half, Almansa was regaining ground on the podium, but Sunday specialist Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) was also in the lead, ahead of Carpe, Championship contender Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmet – MSI), his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka, and Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA). For the first time, Lunetta and Muñoz passed Rueda, who had dropped to sixth place, on Lap 12, changing the lead. Before long, Almansa had taken the lead, displaying his weekend speed when it counted.
Quiles led the 10 riders into the last two laps, but Muñoz was right behind him and took the lead going into the final lap. Following Quiles’ retaliation, Rueda made a costly mistake that cost him numerous positions as the Championship leader went completely awry into Turn 1. When it came to a final slipstream fight, Quiles’ #28 appeared to have everything under control until Muñoz made a daring move into the last corner, keeping it clean and making it stay. As Muñoz emerged as the most recent Moto3 victor, Quiles attempted to counter the drag to the line but failed. Carpe could only witness the duel for glory, but he still won home his second rostrum of the rookie season. Quiles, however, lost out by just 0.050s as he waits for his own first triumph while being quiet in third.
Almansa, who is getting closer to a first podium, had a career-best P4. He finished ahead of Lunetta and Piqueras, the latter of whom separated Championship leader Rueda by a few points. Rueda, who regrets his final lap error, was overtaken by Kelso for P7, while Yamanaka and Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE) completed the top ten, with the New Zealander achieving his best finish to date. Furusato, who was unable to fully capitalize on his season-best qualifying, was just defeated.
Italy is next. Moto3 promises another stunning performance, so see you at Mugello shortly for more.
