MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Motegi was on its best, dry and nearly sunny behaviour in preparation for title celebrations in the lightweight class and got to witness the crowning of the first Colombian world champion at the end of 17 hard-fought laps. Breaking his screen on the sighting lap was the most drama that David Alonso would suffer all day, the Colombian keeping his cool after a modest start and steadily making his way onto the top step of the podium for the 10^th time this season, where he got to celebrate not only an emotional victory but the Moto3 world title as well. Collin Veijer couldn’t quite halt his rival’s charge and settled for second, with Adrian Fernandez back onto the podium in third. 

Poleman Ivan Ortola was in the spotlight at the start of proceedings, leading the way off the line ahead of Alonso and Angel Piqueras, with a fast-starting Dani Holgado instantly up to 4^th and soon deposing Alonso of second by turn nine. Fernandez quickly joined the top five, ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka and David Muñoz, while Veijer dropped from the front row to 8^th position by the end of the opening lap, with David Almansa and Jose Antonio Rueda in the early top 10. 

Ortola continued untroubled at the front, while Holgado was resisting some early harassment from Fernandez, and it was the latter who first threatened the poleman. Fernandez pulled off an impressive double overtake at turn 5 to take control of the field on lap three. It was then Holgado and Ortola’s turn to swap paint for second position, with the likes of Piqueras and Yamanaka close in tow. After a challenging first few laps, Alonso had dropped down to 7^th and Veijer to 9^th and were both trying to make up some ground. Muñoz, Rueda and Joel Kelso were also in the top 10 – at least until lap six when Kelso crashed out at turn 10 and allowed Taiyo Furusato in. 

Although Fernandez continued to lead the way, Ortola was hogging the limelight with the best race laps over the next few laps, while Holgado got deposed by Piqueras and Yamanaka and dropped to 5^th. Alonso and Veijer were just outside the top five, with Muñoz as the last rider able to hold onto the leading group – the chase led by Rueda and Furusato dropping eight tenths of a second behind by the halfway point of proceedings. 

All eyes were on Alonso on lap 10, who posted the best race lap and started making more expedited progress amongst the leading group, up to 4^th behind Fernandez, Ortola and Holgado, and with Veijer in tow. Piqueras and Yamanaka were still holding onto the leaders, while Muñoz started fading and dropped into the next group, over a second down the road. Alonso joined the top three only a lap later, and then battled Ortola for second over the next couple of laps. The Columbian saw an opportunity when Fernandez ran a little wide at turn 3 with four laps to go, but the Spaniard immediately retaliated at turn 5 to resume control. Alonso had another go into turn 11 later that lap and made that one stick to keep the lead going into the final three laps. Ortola was next to attack Fernandez, with Holgado, Veijer and Yamanaka next in line. Although Piqueras had abandoned ship in a crash a couple laps earlier, the group of podium contenders had increased in numbers, the likes of Rueda and Suzuki closing back in.

Ortola looked particularly keen to challenge the leader, but the eagerness cost him on the penultimate lap, as he crashed out of second position at turn 10, allowing Alonso three tenths of advantage going into the final lap. Veijer picked up the pace in the closing stages and then picked up the pursuit on the last lap, but was left half a second behind Alonso and ran out of time to reel him in. Alonso took the chequered flag for his 10^th victory of the season, with Veijer and Fernandez following him home half a second later. Holgado settled for 4^th, with Rueda joining the top 5, ahead of Yamanaka and Suzuki. Muñoz and Furusato crossed the finish line a second and a half later, with Stefano Nepa completing the top 10. 

Alonso sealed the deal on the title with a quick ride on his old mini moto machine, but the battle for the remaining podium positions continues, with Holgado three points ahead of Veijer and 21 points ahead of Ortola.

Results: