Masia delivers a lights to flag victory to take charge of the Moto3 championship standings.

Leopard Racing’s Jaume Masia was on pole position for the first ever Moto3 race at the Buddh International Circuit, Rivacold Snipers Team’s Matteo Bertelle qualified in second place with Intact GP’s Ayumu Sasaki rounding out the front row.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Deniz Öncü had to start the race from the back of the grid and was handed a Long Lap Penalty; due to crashing during in Free Practice Three for ignoring a Black Flag and not returning to the pits for a medical check up.

Lights out and it was Masia who lead the pack into turn one, Scott Ogden was running in the leading group. Daniel Holgado was in eighth place, a much better start for the current championship leader.

Joel Kelso crashed out on lap two at turn three, just as Deniz Öncü took his Long Lap Penalty. After three laps Ogden was down in 13th place, the Brit got beat up during the first few laps. Masia and Sasaki had a second gap at the front.

Matteo Bertelle crashed out at turn one, the young Italian was running in third place when he crashed. Kaito Toba was in third place and leading a group of nine riders. The leading duo now had a 2.5s lead from Toba.

David Alonso and Holgado were battling for fifth place, Deniz Öncü was in 20th place with nine laps to go, a podium finish for the KTM rider was out of the question. As the laps were coming down various riders were getting Track Limit warnings.

Colin Veijer and Toba were in third and fourth place respectively and had broke away from the rest of the field, Veijer just looked stronger ahead of Toba for the third place.

Masia was pulling away from Sasaki by lap 11, Suzuki and Scott Ogden both crashed out at turn 12, Scott suffered a highside in front of Suzuki, the Leopard rider had no where to go and also crashed, thankfully both riders were up and ok.

With just three laps to go Veijer was catching his team-mate Sasaki, Toba was in the podium hunt too in fourth place. Masia had a 3.5s lead at the front.

On the final lap Sasaki, Veijer and Toba were dicing for second place, Veijer and Sasaki touched at turn 12 and the Dutchman crashed out, Sasaki’s move was aggressive on his team-mate; would Ayumu get a penalty for his move?

Masia crossed the line to take the victory and the lead of the Moto3 championship standings, Toba crossed the line in second place, Sasaki was third, Holgado finished in fourth place with Alonso finishing in fifth place.

Featured Images: Leopard Racing, MotoGP.com