Leopard’s Dennis Foggia claimed a dramatic photo-finish in the first MotorLand Aragón race on Sunday, claiming the Moto3 victory by 0.041s from Tech3 KTM’s Deniz Öncü.
The tight and chaotic lightweight class battle saw Ayumu Sasaki complete the podium as both championship contenders crashed out in the closing laps.
Petronas SRT’s Darryn Binder lined up at the head of the Moto3 grid for the third time in his career, Gabriel Rodrigo and Tatsuki Suzuki alongside as the lights went out. The South African maintained his lead as the pack stormed off the line, Sergio Garcia getting the better of the SIC58 rider into the first corner to take third before advancing to second at turn five. The top four continued to battle as the first lap unfolded, Rodrigo hitting the front on the approach to turn 16.
Binder was down to third at the start of lap two, Andrea Migno arriving to challenge as Suzuki faded to fifth. The Rivacold Snipers rider continued his climb towards the end of the second revolution, Pedro Acosta doing likewise as he advanced to sixth.
Migno was in charge one lap later, Binder following the Italian back to the front as Öncü challenged the championship leader for position. The Tech3 man was pushing hard, finding second by the end of lap three, as Filip Salac succumbed to turn 12.
The Turk took charge across the start/finish straight, Binder and Migno holding tight in the top three with Garcia, Acosta and Suzuki behind. A third sector move found Migno dropped back to sixth with Acosta joining his KTM colleague out front.
Xavi Artigas was making waves further back as he joined the top five fun, Sasaki and Romano Fenati rounding out the top 10 for the time being.
Garcia’s GasGas was back on the hunt as lap six fired up, the Spaniard taking third, then second as he battled with the title challenger, Artigas getting the better of Binder and taking Leopard teammate Foggia with him, for fourth, moments later.
It was rookie on rookie for third as the long lap played out, Artigas advancing on Acosta to second before disaster struck Rodrigo, the Gresini rider crashing out with a massive highside from ninth at turn 13. The aftermath dropping Fenati to the back as the Italian ran wide to avoid the collision.
Öncü had a two-tenth gap out front as lap eight got going, the top nine breaking free of the pack as track limits began to play a part. Garcia circulated in second with Artigas looking for a way through, the rookie finding the opportunity next time around. Izan Guevara advancing to fourth to make it a double Leopard/GasGas battle in the top five.
The manufacture battles continued further back as Sasaki and Acosta bickered for sixth, Binder finding himself in eighth at mid-race distance.
Artigas took charge at the halfway stage, Öncü dropping into the clutches of Garcia and Guevara as Acosta began to take at look at Foggia. The Turkish rider returned to the front with nine laps to go, Foggia bettering Guevara as Sasaki did the same on Acosta but the KTM rookie is never down for long and he immediately struck back.
Carlos Tatay crashing out before rejoining at the close of lap 11.
Foggia was up to second as the next lap began, Artigas slotting in behind with Garcia, Acosta, Guevara and Sasaki now in pursuit. Lorenzo Fellon receiving the first long lap penalty as he sacrificed his top 10 position but returned inside the points.
Foggia claimed the lead thanks to the front straight slipstream, Acosta utilising similar tactics as he advanced to fourth but Öncü returned the favour in the final sector as the lap concluded.
With six laps to go the front fight was far from over, Öncü holding Garcia and Artigas at bay as Foggia dropped to fourth, before it was the Aspar rider’s turn to drop back. Fenati attempting a comeback as he found 19th.
Further drama saw Acosta down and out after a collision with four laps to go. Sliding out at turn five and taking Artigas with him.
Back at the front Öncü had Foggia for company as the race wound down, Sasaki rising to fourth and on the wheels of Garcia before Guevara struck back. A late race battle found Binder battling Niccolò Antonelli and Migno for top six honours, Jaume Masia eight-tenths back in ninth.
Foggia was through with two laps to go, Garcia threatening Öncü for second as Guevara circulated just off the podium. The final lap saw contact between the GasGas teammates as Öncü made a tight strike for victory. The Aspar bickering punished with Guevara dropping to fifth with Garcia sliding out of contention two corners later.
A photo-finish gave Foggia the win, 0.041 seconds ahead of Öncü. Sasaki claiming the final podium position at the flag from Guevara, Antonelli, and Migno. A late race crash finding Jeremy Alcoba and Fellon in the dust at the final corner.
