After yesterday’s pole position, Diogo Moreira achieved his first career win in the Moto3 World Championship at the Indonesian GP in Mandalika this Sunday. The rider was always in the fight for the podium places, but he only took the lead to keep it for good in the last lap.
Taking advantage of his pole position, Moreira (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) got off to a good start and took the race lead. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) moved into second place during the first lap, while the battle for third unfolded between Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar).
The lead changed hands during the second lap, with Holgado taking the front position while Moreira also lost ground to Veijer. Meanwhile, Ivan Ortolá (Angeluss MTA Team/KTM), who had briefly entered the top five, received a double Long Lap penalty for a jump start.
The front group remained big, with constant position swaps even for the race lead. One of the contenders in the battle was the championship leader, Jaume Masiá (Leopard Racing/Honda).
Within the first five laps, Holgado managed to create a slight gap to solidify his lead, with Masiá and Alonso chasing him. Veijer also joined the fight in the first half of the race.
While Holgado kept the lead, his rivals remained close and continued to trade positions, vying for second place. On the tenth lap, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) set a new race record time, despite being a bit further back in the race.
The leader changed again with eight laps to go, as Moreira overtook Holgado, who quickly regained the position but was later penalized with a Long Lap for cutting a corner at turn nine. Simultaneously, Moreira had a track excursion that demoted him to seventh.
After serving the penalty, Holgado dropped to tenth, and Masiá took the lead ahead of Alonso. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports/KTM) also entered the podium contention, with Moreira making a comeback. When he had reclaimed a podium position, Holgado received another Long Lap penalty on the penultimate lap.
Meanwhile, Moreira returned to the lead, with Muñoz moving into second place and Alonso in third. Masiá dropped to sixth. Holgado failed to serve the penalty, ultimately finishing in 14th place after losing positions on track and being penalized in three seconds.
Moreira managed to retain his lead, securing the win with Alonso and Muñoz completing the podium. Veijer finished fourth, José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took fifth place, and Masiá crossed the line in sixth.
Results:
