KTM’s new star Pedro Acosta continued to shine in Jerez by claiming his third Moto3 win of 2021, and his fourth consecutive podium, in the SpanishGP.

A dramatic last corner incident saw fellow Red Bull riders Deniz Öncü and Jaume Masia taken out of podium contention, alongside Darryn Binder, after the trio’s race-long battle ended in the gravel. Romano Fenati and Jeremy Alcoba the lucky recipients of the Parc ferme celebrations in the dying seconds. 

Tatsuki Suzuki launched from pole as the Moto3 race kicked into gear, Gabriel Rodrigo and Andrea Migno fighting for position behind with Binder hard on their wheels. A highside for teammate John McPhee, at turn seven, cutting his fourth race of the year short again, in dramatic style once again. 

Rodrigo took charge as the second lap unfolded, Suzuki and Binder squabbling behind as Migno dropped to fourth, Alcoba attempting to defend from Fenati before the Italian advanced through for fifth, the Gresini rider beginning the pack's raft of long lap penalties, with his first of two. Lorenzo Fellon, Dennis Foggia, Riccardo Rossi and Ryusei Yamanaka picking up the detours after Saturday’s qualifying antics, with Kaito Toba receiving one thanks to causing a crash last time out in Portugal. Adrian Fernandez found himself with a triple dose of sanctions thanks to his part in both. 

Back in the action and Rodrigo remained in charge as Binder and Suzuki continued to bicker, Öncü taking the lead on the fifth lap as Rodrigo suffered a vicious highside at the disastrous turn seven, Migno and Acosta the next to fight for the lead as the Tech3 rider survived the limits of the track moments later. 

Binder looked to disrupt the KTM one, two as he advanced on Acosta with Öncü in his sights, Migno, Fenati and Ayumu Sasaki the next in line as Suzuki, Sergio Garcia, Carlos Tatay and Masia completed the tightly packed top-10 grouping.

Lap nine saw the man of the moment, Acosta, take the lead as Öncü swept through on Binder at turn one, the South African dragging Fenati with him as he looked to fight back before he claimed the lead moments later. The musical chairs continued as Öncü once again led the way, Binder, Acosta and Fenati close behind with Masia now up to fifth and biding his time for an opportunity to strike - the KTM rider on the wheels of his teammate just half a lap later. 

Half race distance and the pace showed no sign of slowing, Binder now on the back of a Red Bull KTM train as Öncü, Acosta and Masia took charge, Fenati, Sasaki and Migno behind as Garcia dropped back to eighth. Masia advancing on his rookie teammate with 10 to go. 

Pole-man Suzuki was the next to face disaster as the Sic58 rider crashed out at turn two, the Japanese rider collecting his sixth DNF from the past eight races.

Öncü continued to fend off his factory rivals as lap 14 began, Masia and Acosta repeatedly swapping positions as Fenati enjoyed a front row seat to the fight. 

Acosta returned to the front with seven laps to go before Fenati took charge at the start of the third sector, Binder holding on to the back of the four KTM’s (five if you include the Husqvarna) as the seven-rider battle continued, with track limit warnings aplenty.

Five laps to go and Tatay received a long lap penalty for exceeding track limits, Sasaki and Migno coming together as they clashed for position with the pair both surviving to continue the challenge.

The lead flickered between Öncü and Fenati as the final four laps unfolded, Acosta looking to break through as he hunted down another rookie podium, with Masia now firmly in contention for the celebrations with just three laps remaining. 

Binder, however, was far from done as he muscled his way back to fourth, Jason Dupasquier doing likewise as he suddenly found himself on the fringes of the leading group as Dennis Foggia crashed out in the closing stages and Acosta scattered the pack with a near highside moment at turn six.

A frenetic final lap saw Öncü in command from Masia and a recovered Acosta, Fenati, Migno and Binder holding fast as the final sector began. A block pass from Acosta gave the sensational youngster another incredible victory in just the fourth race of his rookie career, as Öncü slid out of contention in dramatic style at the final corner, taking Masia and Binder with him in the carnage. 

Fenati and Alcoba were gifted the podium due to the last turn drama, Migno, Sasaki and Tatay taking fourth to sixth with Dupasquier, Antonelli, Xavier Artigas and Yamanaka concluding the top-10. Izan Guevara, Yuki Kunii, Filip Salac, Garcia and Stefano Nepa collected the final points scoring positions, as Toba, Rossi, Andi Farid Izdihar, Max Kofler completed the top-19, Fallen riders Öncü, Masia and Binder recovered to sit 20th to 22nd at the flag with Fellon and Fernandez the final finishers.