David Alonso set yet another record in Moto3. The 2024 champion won the Thai GP in Buriram this Sunday, becoming the rider with the most wins in a single season in the entry-level class across all eras. This achievement breaks a record held by Valentino Rossi since 1997.
Due to mixed track conditions, race control decided to delay the start by a few minutes and shorten the race distance from 19 to 12 laps. Nearly all riders opted for slick tyres, as the asphalt was almost dry.
At the start, Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports/KTM) made good use of his pole position, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) moving into second and even challenging for the lead, although unsuccessfully. Ángel Piqueras (Leopard Racing/Honda) was in third, but an error on the first lap allowed Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) to overtake him.
Slipstream down to Turn 3! @CollinVeijer95 slingshots to the lead! 💨#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/HDTpFTV0ux
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 27, 2024
On the second lap, Veijer briefly took the lead, while Piqueras regained his position over Furusato. Kelso reclaimed first place at the start of the following lap, only to be overtaken again shortly afterward by Piqueras.
A group of six riders separated themselves at the front, and with nine laps to go, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) had already moved into second… and soon after, took over the lead. Meanwhile, the rain flag was displayed momentarily but was quickly taken down.
Rain flags!
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 27, 2024
There are some very light spots in the air and everyone is on slicks! ⚠️#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/cqILQnlpgS
Meanwhile, Iván Ortolá (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) overtook Furusato, while Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse/Honda) also put pressure on the Japanese rider. On the penultimate lap, Piqueras and Fernández got involved in an incident that took both out of the race as they chased podium positions.
The final lap began with Alonso in the lead, though he was overtaken by Ortolá. However, the Colombian did not give up and regained the lead at Turn 4. Ortolá made a last-ditch attempt at the final corner, but Alonso defended his position, securing the victory and setting a record of 12 wins in a single season in the entry-level category.
🏁 #Moto3 RACE! 🏁
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 27, 2024
DRAMA ACROSS THE LINE! 😮
BUT IT'S THE PERFECT DOZEN! DAVID ALONSO MAKES IT 12! 🏆#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/ukJDyxk0At
Ortolá went wide in his attempt to pass Alonso, losing two positions to Lunetta and Veijer, who completed the podium in second and third, respectively. Furusato had contact with Veijer, causing him to crash on the main straight and miss a potential podium, ultimately crossing the finish line in fifth.
