Ayumu Sasaki gets his maiden 2023 Moto3 victory in Valencia

For the final Moto3 Grand Prix of the 2023 season Colin Veijer was on pole position, Ayumu Sasaki qualified in second place with Deniz Öncü rounding out the front row. Third place in the championship standings is up for grabs between Daniel Holgado, David Alonso and Deniz Öncü.

Britain’s Scott Ogden was unable to compete in the Moto3 race after sustaining a dislocated left shoulder, after crashing during Practice Three.

Drama for the pole man Colin Veijer as he high-sided on the sighting lap, he managed to remount and make his way to the grid. Lights out and Ayumu Sasaki lead the field of Moto3 riders into turn one, two riders crashed out at turn one; Diogo Moreira and Vincente Perez.

Sasaki looked comfortable leading the field followed by his team-mate Veijer, Öncü was in third place with Joel Kelso for company.

After three laps there was a leading group of nine riders from Sasaki to David Munoz. David Alonso was the fastest rider on track whilst running in sixth place.

The current Moto3 champion Jaume Masia was having a quiet ride in ninth place, home rider Daniel Holgado was down the order in 19th place.

At the half-way point of the race Veijer was leading from Sasaki, the leading group consisted of just seven riders. Öncü did his famous seat tap and then went on to take second place from Sasaki.

With eight laps to go Kelso and Jose Antonio Rueda were losing touch with leading group. Alonso and Öncü were sharing the same part of the track, fighting for third place, Öncü was forced wide and was pushed back to fifth place.

The Intact GP team-mates were coming under pressure from Alonso and Ivan Ortola in the final laps, Veijer made a mistake losing two places with just four laps to go. Öncü caught the leading group, it was now a five-way battle for the Valencian victory!

Last lap time and it was Sasaki leading from Alonso, Sasaki kept his cool and defended the first place and crossed the finish line to take his maiden victory of the 2023 Moto3 season, in what was is last Moto3 race. Alonso finished in second place with Ortola finishing in third place.

Featured Image: Intact GP