Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Daniel Holgado wins a hard fought Moto3 race in Portugal, to top the championship standings.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda took pole position for the Portuguese Grand Prix, BOE Motorsports Joel Kelso lined-up in second place with Aspar’s David Alonso rounding out the front row. Britain’s Scott Ogden qualified at the tail end of the third row in ninth place.

Jose Antonio Rueda lead the field of Moto3 riders into turn one, Scott Ogden didn’t get the start the young Brit wanted and was pushed back to 16th. Angel Piqueras and Ryusel Yamanaka crashed out at turn nine.

Daniel Holgado was in third place, the Spaniard was piling the pressure on David Alonso. Riccardo Rossi was making aggressive maneuvers to get him in third place. Joel Kelso was the fastest man on track after three laps.

Rueda was controlling the race with Holgado for company. Luca Lunetta crashed out turn five, the Italian rookie had a highside. Scott Ogden composed himself and was catching the leading group.

Six laps in and there was a six-way battle for the lead from Rueda to Kelso. Collin Veijer was just bridging the gap to the leading group in seventh place. There was contact between Holgado and Alonso in the heated fight for second place at turn three. Rueda was able to keep his own comfortable pace at the front.

With ten laps remaining to the race Veijer had joined the party and was making his mark on the leading group. Alonso took the lead at the Craig Jones corner, Rueda was pushed back to fourth place. Alonso put the hammer down edging a slight gap from Holgado.

Holgado caught Alonso on lap 15 and made his move for the lead and made it stick. Riccardo Rossi crashed out at tight turn five. Alonso and Rueda were swapping paint for second place. Ivan Ortola was joining in on the fight whilst running in fourth place.

Daniel Holgado crossed the line to take the victory, he just held off Rueda who had to settle for second place, Ortola finished in third place, Alonso won the battle for fourth place with Kelso crossing the line in fifth place.

Featured Images: Joel Cooper Photography.