Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) put in another stunner at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, hitting the gas at the front and pulling a gap to take his second win of the year. Joel Kelso took his first dry weather podium in second, with LEVELUP – MTA teammate Matteo Bertelle completing the rostrum for his first Moto3 podium ever.
Off the line it was a stunning start for Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) and the debutant kept it pinned round the first lap too, leading his very first racing lap in the World Championship. The classic group fight at the front was in hot pursuit although it didn’t take long for some dramas to change the dynamic again.
David Munoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the first as he slid out of the lead group, suffering another tough race and after starting on pole. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) had some dramas too, the first of which was nearly not making it out of pitlane on time after a technical issue. He was allowed to leave to line up on the grid despite the red light because the green flag hadn’t been removed, but he was at the back. And then he jumped the start and got two Long Laps.
Meanwhile, Quiles led the first lap but then came under attack, with Rueda making his way to the front and building a lead. By half race distance it was over two seconds, with Kelso and Bertelle in a duel in second and third. Then came Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Quiles on the chase, before a much bigger gap back to a big group battle from seventh place down.
Rueda began the final lap with some breathing space in the lead, with Kelso also managing to make it a safe second ahead of teammate Bertelle, who finally takes a podium after having also taken two poles to start the season but missed out on the rostrum. The fireworks came behind between Piqueras and Quiles, who had a spectacular last lap duel. Experience just won out as the 36 takes fourth and a good chunk of points. Quiles debuts in the top five after a stunning weekend, however with Carpe forced to settle for sixth but having already tasted his own rookie podium success.
Dennis Foggia (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) came out on top of what was a close group battle for seventh, ahead of Adrian Cruces (CIP – Green Power), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and a first top ten for New Zealander Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE). Fellow rookie Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was hot on his heels.
Fernandez, after starting at the back AND completing the two LLPs for the Jump Start, put in an impressive recovery ride to take P12 and some valuable points, with the scorers completed by David Almansa (Leopard Racing), the returning Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team). Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) crashed out of the fight for the top ten, the latter caught up in the former’s crash.
Now we head for Qatar and another fresh challenge, with Rueda now squarely in the crosshairs for the likes of Piqueras and Fernandez. Can they hit back? We’ll find out in two weeks!
