David Alonso won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Sepang, in Malaysia. Using his Pirelli-shod Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO, the Colombian won the 15-lap race by just 0.088 second.
The 2024 Moto3 World Champion is the first rider to achieve 13 wins in a single lightweight class season.
The Japanese, Taiyo Furusato, was the runner-up on his Team Asia Honda.
Spaniard Jose Antonio Rueda finished third, just 0.411 second behind Alonso, on his Red Bull Ajo KTM.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Alonso’s remarkable streak continues as Rueda returns to the podium. The Colombian took an emotional victory, clinching a sixth consecutive win ahead of Furusato and Rueda.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) has made history at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, claiming a 13th victory of the season. The Colombian completed a masterclass at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit as he worked hard – battling back to P1 after dropping to 13th. It was Alonso’s sixth consecutive win, taking victory from Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) after the #72 missed out by a mere 0.088s at the line. Furusato showed strong pace throughout the Grand Prix, beating Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the Spaniard made his awaited return to the podium – his first since Aragon.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed the holeshot on the run to Turn 1, snatching P1 after an incredible launch. The #48 was chased by David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) on the opening lap, with the #22 charging from ninth to second. Almansa was on the attack, attacking at Turn 9 and snatching the lead at Sepang.
There was some early drama with Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) crashing out of the Malaysian GP on Lap 1. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) would suffer a similar fate, crashing on Lap 2. Meanwhile, Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez and Angel Piqueras also had a disappointing end to the weekend, retiring in the opening stages.
Alonso was down in P13, with the newly crowned World Champion left with work to do after he was forced to take avoiding action for Holgado’s incident. The Colombian began to carve through the field, soon entering the battle for the podium on Lap 6.
Furusato had his opportunity in P1, with Alonso in pursuit and Almansa now beginning to drop down the order. The gloves were off, with Alonso and Ortola pouncing on Furusato’s mistake at Turn 14. The #72 responded, finding a gap in the #48’s armour – returning to second.
Tension was high at the front, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) entering the podium fight as the Dutchman began to duel for P3. However, the #95 had Rueda on his tailpipe, with the #99 showing an incredible late-race pace after qualifying in P10.
On the final lap, Alonso was under pressure for Furusato, with the #80 aiming to create further history at Sepang. Alonso held onto P1, crossing the line to claim a 13th victory of the season after battling from P13. The Colombian crossed the line ahead of Furusato as Rueda was able to fend off Ortola, increasing his margin to 0.996s.
Ortola took fourth, finishing less than one second adrift from victory and crossing the line in front of Veijer. The Dutchman rounded out the top five and is now tied with Holgado for P3 in the Championship. Meanwhile, Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) was sixth, bagging solid points and placing ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka, who completed a strong day for the MT Helmets – MSI squad. Stefano Nepa would secure eighth and finish as the sole LEVELUP – MTA rider after an early crash from teammate Nicola Carraro.
Further back, Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the 10 as Almansa finished in 11th. The #22 was 10 seconds adrift from P1, with Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Honda Team Asia’s Tatchakorn Buasri securing the final points.
After Alonso capped off a noteworthy weekend in Malaysia, make sure you keep up to date on motogp.com to get the latest news regarding the final round of the season.