Here is the first champion of the season! David Alonso clinched the Moto3 title this Sunday with a victory at the Japanese GP in Motegi. In doing so, he also equaled the record for most wins in a single season since the class was created in 2012, becoming the first Colombian world champion and now the rider with the most victories in the category.
Good start by Iván Ortolá (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) to take the lead ahead of Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar), with Ángel Piqueras (Leopard Racing/Honda) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) in fourth after a strong start. The Spaniard continued to recover and finished the first lap in second place.
At the start of the second lap, Alonso lost a position to Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing/Honda) but quickly regained it. With Holgado ahead of him, the Colombian couldn’t yet celebrate the title this Sunday, although it seemed only a matter of time.
A new leader emerged on the third lap when Fernández made an impressive double overtake on Holgado and Ortolá. Meanwhile, Alonso lost more positions and was seventh by the fourth lap.
🚨 @31AdriFernandez has hit the front @daniholgado96 is right in the front group as Alonso finds himself in 7th at the moment 📉#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/dzyftGyHWF
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 6, 2024
With ten laps to go, Fernández continued to lead, Ortolá was second, Piqueras third, and Holgado fourth. Alonso was in sixth and needed to be third to claim the championship this Sunday.
In the final ten laps, the Colombian began to recover positions. On the tenth lap, he briefly held third place, but Holgado quickly overtook him again. A lap later, Alonso managed to make the pass and hold the position, chasing down Ortolá and Fernández.
This might be a decisive overtake from Alonso! 🚨
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 6, 2024
He barges through @daniholgado96 for 3rd 💪
And as it stands, this scenario would be good enough to clinch the title!#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/DpkaZkhC2v
With five laps remaining, Piqueras crashed at turn ten, falling out of contention. Alonso moved up to second, bringing the title closer, along with the possibility of winning the race. Fernández made a mistake at turn three with four laps to go, allowing Alonso to take the lead, but the Spaniard quickly reclaimed it.
However, on lap 15, everything changed as Alonso secured the lead for good. Now, it was up to Ortolá and Holgado to try to stop this result, which would crown the dominant rider of the championship.
ALONSO TAKES THE LEAD! 🔥🔥#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/9Lzl0nwaVi
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 6, 2024
While Alonso maintained a calm lead, Ortolá and Fernández battled for second place. Alonso’s task became easier on the penultimate lap when Ortolá crashed at turn ten. Fernández moved up to second, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) taking third, ahead of Holgado.
In the end, Alonso held firm to take the victory and the title. Veijer overtook Fernández to finish second, Holgado finished third, and José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top five.
