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Moto3 France, Race: Tactical Alonso Charges Late to Beat Holgado

Gold and Goose

David Alonso started from his third consecutive pole position for the Moto3 French Grand Prix, after setting a new lap record in FP, P1, P2, and qualifying. It was a pole position he would convert, despite the race being dominated - on paper - by Dani Holgado.

It was Holgado who made the holeshot, and he led the majority of the laps. For the first eight laps, he was tailed by David Munoz, but then Collin Veijer came through and immediately took himself to the front at turn six on lap nine. He, though, like Holgado, was unable to break away.

Angel Piqueras leads Moto3 group, 2024 Moto3 French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.

Munoz took himself out of the battle when he took out Riccardo Rossi at turn 11, and the omission of the #64 took some intensity out of the fight.

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Alonso at this point was third, behind Holgado and Veijer, and perfectly happy to be there. He was passed on a couple of occasions by Angel Piqueras, who found a neat line around the outside of turn three, and Ivan Ortola, but each time he was pushed outside the top three or four positions he was quick to pass back.

With three laps to go, Alonso made his move. Veijer moved to the inside of Holgado approaching turn nine, and Alonso used the opportunity to pass the pair of them. Holgado fought back at turn 11, but Alonso came back immediately at turn 12.

Holgado was then able to pass on the pit straight in the slipstream, and he lead the penultimate lap, but Alonso passed at turn two on the final lap and pushed Holgado wide enough to ensure he couldn't attack at turn three.

Holgado's big run came on the way to turn nine, but a late swerve from Alonso caused Holgado to roll the throttle, and Alonso held on. The #96 was unable to get close enough at turn 11, but he tried - without success - at turn 12 to regain the lead. This failed attempt cost him a chance at the penultimate turn, and Alonso then had the race won - his second of the season.

Holgado held onto second place, ahead of Spanish GP winner Collin Veijer who completed the podium.

Joel Esteban made it an Aspar 1-4 with his best career result, while Ivan Ortola rounded out the top five, and Adrian Fernandez finished sixth after serving a double long lap penalty for cruising in qualifying.

Ryusei Yamanaka was seventh, Jose Antonio Rueda scored his first points since Portugal in eighth after illness forced him out of the Texan and Spanish rounds, while Tatsuki Suzuki and Angel Piqueras rounded out the top 10.

Full Moto3 results from the French Grand Prix are below.

2024 Moto3 French Grand Prix | Bugatti Circuit | Grand Prix Results | Rd 5/21
PosRiderNat.Moto3 TeamManufacturerTiming
1David AlonsoCOLCFMoto Aspar TeamCFMotoWIN
2Dani HolgadoESPRed Bull GasGas Tech3GasGas0.105
3Collin VeijerNEDLiqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GPHusqvarna0.242
4Joel EstebanESPCFMoto Aspar TeamCFMoto0.476
5Ivan OrtolaESPMT Helmets MSIKTM0.612
6Adrian FernandezESPLeopard RacingHonda0.797
7Ryusei YamanakaJAPMT Helmets MSIKTM0.958
8Jose Antonio RuedaESPRed Bull KTM AjoKTM1.035
9Tatsuki SuzukiJAPLiqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GPHusqvarna1.101
10Angel PiquerasESPLeopard RacingHonda2.163
11Luca LunettaITASIC58 Squadra CorseHonda6.715
12Jacob RoulstoneAUSRed Bull GasGas Tech3GasGas6.903
13Joel KelsoAUSBOE MotorsportsKTM7.217
14Taiyo FurusatoJAPHonda Team AsiaHonda10.776
15David AlmansaESPRivacold Snipers TeamHonda11.350
16Xabi ZurutuzaESPRed Bull KTM AjoKTM13.275
17Stefano NepaITAMTA TeamKTM16.200
18Noah DettwilerSUICIP Green PowerKTM27.941
19Nicola CarraroESPMTA TeamKTM28.799
20Tatchakorn BuasriMLYHonda Team AsiaHonda34.168
21Josh WhatleyGBRMLav RacingHonda47.787
DNFDavid MunozESPBOE MotorsportsKTMDNF
DNFScott OgdenGBRMLav RacingHondaDNF
DNFRiccardo RossiITACIP Green PowerKTMDNF
DNFMatteo BertelleITARivacold Snipers TeamHondaDNF
DNFFilippo FarioliITASIC58 Squadra CorseHondaDNF

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