Moto3: Daniel Holgado Wins the Italian Grand Prix.
By Dawn Hammersley
Daniel Holgado wins the Moto3 race after a battle with his fellow KTM rider Deniz Öncü for the victory.
It’s the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley Grand Prix at the magestic Mugello circuit, the Moto3 championship got things underway on race day. Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Deniz Öncü was on pole position, Australia’s Joel Kelso was in second place with Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Ayumu Sasaki rounding out the front row.
Deniz Öncü got the holeshot into turn one, the Turkish rider got the perfect start. Daniel Holgado was in second place with Sasaki in third place. The leading trio were making a slight break from the rest of the field.
Holgado took lead after getting in Deniz Öncü’s slip stream on the start finish straight. Scott Ogden was in 15th place. Xavier Artigas crashed out at turn nine with 15 laps to go.
The leading group consisted of eight riders with 14 laps to go, lead by Öncü to Taiyo Furusato. Sasaki made his way in to second place, putting the Turkish race leader under pressure. Jaume Masia joined the leading duo in third place. Deniz had a massive moment but held on to the lead, the KTM rider was riding on the limit!
Sasaki took control of the race with 12 laps remaining to the race, Holgado was in second place with Deniz being pushed back to third place. The leading group was now just down to five riders.
Joel Kelso crashed out at turn 15 whilst running in just outside the points. As the laps were coming down, Sasaki and Deniz were swopping positions for the lead, Masia was in third place. With five laps to go one of five riders could take the victory, it was that close at the front.
On the final lap there was nothing in it! Deniz Öncü made a move on Holgado for the lead with six corners remaining to the race, Holgado just snatched the victory from Deniz Öncü as the KTM riders crossed the line, Sasaki finished in third place, David Alonso finished in fourth place, Masia was fifth.
Featured Images: Daniel Holgado, MotoGP.com.