Tatsuki Suzuki has become the first rider to win a race in Jerez from pole position after a stunning performance in the Moto3 race at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.

As always, the Moto3 race was a fiery 12-rider battle from lights to flag. Pole-sitter Tatsuki Suzuki led the majority of the 22-lap race but was in close attendance with Gabriel Rodrigo and Red Bull KTM AJO’s Raul Fernandez who had both made bright starts.

In contrast, John McPhee slipped from this 8th position grid slot down to tenth with work to do once again for the Scott.

In an aggressive 12-rider scrap, eyes were on Darryn Binder and Celestino Vietti, who both had made bright starts from tough qualifying positions who were slowly creeping up to the leading group.

Hard passes were made throughout the field, with Ai Ogura looking to get back on the podium and was locked in battle with Rodrigo and Fernandez.

However, thing’s started to turn even more aggressive on lap eight when Andrea Migno made a pass on Ayumu Sasaki, but lost the front at turn one, wiping both himself and the Japanese rider out of contention.

Later that same lap, Jaume Masia, who had set the fastest race lap earlier on in the race, came together with Ai Ogura at turn nine, putting an early end to their race.

Back at the front, championship leader Albert Arenas was making his presence known, the victor of the last two races was right in the mix of the leading group, but suffered a massive front end crash at turn 11, putting an end to his race.

While the carnage was unfolding behind them, the leading train, which now included Binder and Vietti was starting to knuckle down ahead of the final few laps.

McPhee dropped off the pack slightly, but a few consistent laps brought the Petronas Sprinta Moto3 rider back in contention, and immediately got himself back into the podium positions.

As the field started their final tour of the Jerez circuit, Suzuki held a comfortable lead over McPhee, who had Darryn Binder hot on his heels. Binder looked to the inside at turn five but ran wide in the middle of the corner and dropped back to sixth.

Suzuki held on to the lead through the stadium sector and defended his line excellently into the final corner on the track, leaving no room for McPhee who had also protected his second position perfectly.

Celestino Vietti followed Suzuki and McPhee through the final corner and across the line.

With that win, Tatsuki Suzuki claimed his second-ever Moto3 victory ahead of John McPhee who made up for a disappointing end to his race one week ago and Celestino Vietti who once again put in an impressive performance.

Darryn Binder fought back to take fourth position, after his DNF seven days ago with Gabriel Rodrigo rounding out the top five.

Raul Fernandez finished 6th ahead of Jeremy Alcoba, who was awarded a long lap penalty, Sergio Garcia, Ryusei Yamanaka and Tony Arbolino completed the top ten.

Kaito Toba took a lowly 11th position ahead of Jerez winner in 2012 and 2014, Romano Fenati.

Carlos Tatay, Stefano Nepa and Niccolo Antonelli took the final points positions in 13th, 14th and 15th.

After crashing out of the Andalucia GP, Arenas’ championship advantage has been cut to just six points over Suzuki with John McPhee jumping up to third, ten points behind Arenas.

Ai Ogura remains in an excellent fourth place, six points clear of Rodrigo, while Vietti completes the top six.

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