After yesterday’s pole position, Diogo Moreira achieved his first career win in the Moto3 World Championship at the Indonesian GP in Mandalika this Sunday. The rider was always in the fight for the podium places, but he only took the lead to keep it for good in the last lap.

Taking advantage of his pole position, Moreira (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) got off to a good start and took the race lead. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) moved into second place during the first lap, while the battle for third unfolded between Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar).

The lead changed hands during the second lap, with Holgado taking the front position while Moreira also lost ground to Veijer. Meanwhile, Ivan Ortolá (Angeluss MTA Team/KTM), who had briefly entered the top five, received a double Long Lap penalty for a jump start.

The front group remained big, with constant position swaps even for the race lead. One of the contenders in the battle was the championship leader, Jaume Masiá (Leopard Racing/Honda).

Within the first five laps, Holgado managed to create a slight gap to solidify his lead, with Masiá and Alonso chasing him. Veijer also joined the fight in the first half of the race.

While Holgado kept the lead, his rivals remained close and continued to trade positions, vying for second place. On the tenth lap, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) set a new race record time, despite being a bit further back in the race.

The leader changed again with eight laps to go, as Moreira overtook Holgado, who quickly regained the position but was later penalized with a Long Lap for cutting a corner at turn nine. Simultaneously, Moreira had a track excursion that demoted him to seventh.

After serving the penalty, Holgado dropped to tenth, and Masiá took the lead ahead of Alonso. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports/KTM) also entered the podium contention, with Moreira making a comeback. When he had reclaimed a podium position, Holgado received another Long Lap penalty on the penultimate lap.

Meanwhile, Moreira returned to the lead, with Muñoz moving into second place and Alonso in third. Masiá dropped to sixth. Holgado failed to serve the penalty, ultimately finishing in 14th place after losing positions on track and being penalized in three seconds.

Moreira managed to retain his lead, securing the win with Alonso and Muñoz completing the podium. Veijer finished fourth, José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took fifth place, and Masiá crossed the line in sixth.

Results:

O conteúdo Diogo Moreira stronger in Mandalika celebrates his first Moto3 win aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Diogo Moreira dominated the qualifying session at the Moto3 Indonesian Grand Prix, securing the pole position in Mandalika. This marks the second one of his career in the world championships.

It was in his very first flying lap of the Q2 that Moreira (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) took the lead, ahead of David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports/KTM), who was later surpassed by David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar).

Moreira kept his lead, but Jaume Masiá (Leopard Racing/Honda) closed in, being just 0.223s behind. Alonso, therefore, dropped to the third position.

No one managed to overtake Moreira, who secured his first pole position of the season. Masiá came close but was 0.040s behind. Alonso guaranteed the third position on the grid, ahead of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished in fifth.

Q2 results:

Qualifying results:

O conteúdo Diogo Moreira assertive in returning to pole positions at the Moto3 Indonesian GP aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Diogo Moreira took the lead at the start of the Indonesian Moto3 Grand Prix by leading the first session in Mandalika. Championship leader Jaume Masiá suffered two crashes.

After the initial flying laps, Moreira (MT Helmets MSi/KTM) was already in the lead, but he was later surpassed by Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse/Honda) before reclaiming the top position. However, it was Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team/Honda) who first managed to establish himself at the top for a more extended period.

The Italian led from the 11th minute to around the 29th minute when he was beaten by Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP). After briefly regaining the lead, Moreira was overtaken by Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3). He reacted a few minutes later to secure the top position for good. The Brazilian then improved to set the benchmark time: 1m40.590s. Holgado finished in second place, 0.421s behind. José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took third place, with the top five rounded out by Kelso and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Masiá had a challenging start, finishing in 16th place. The Leopard Racing rider crashed twice, once at the beginning and another time ten minutes before the checkered flag. In both cases, Masiá did not suffer any physical consequences.

Timesheet:

O conteúdo Diogo Moreira led the opening Moto3 practice in Mandalika; double crash for Jaume Masiá aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Diogo Moreira started the Moto3 Japanese GP as the fastest rider in the first practice session. It was right at the end of the session that the Brazilian rider set the morning’s benchmark time in Motegi.

After constant changes in the lead during the first 15 minutes, Jaume Masiá (Leopard Racing/Honda) held the top spot for about 13 minutes until he was overtaken by Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GasGas Aspar). The last 15 minutes were again intense, with a lot of instability in the timing table.

At the very end, Moreira (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) – who had briefly taken the lead before – posted two fast laps in succession that put him at the front. His best time was 1m57.260s, allowing him to beat David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports/KTM) by 0.206s. Masiá finished in third. Further down the field, the other rider tied for the championship lead, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), placed sixth.

Timesheet:

O conteúdo Diogo Moreira opens Moto3 Japanese GP on top of P1 aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Diogo Moreira will take the next step in his racing career in 2024. The rider who currently competes in the Moto3 World Championship will move up to Moto2 with the Italtrans Racing Team.

Currently 19 years old, the Brazilian made his Moto3 debut last season with MT Helmets-MSi, finishing eighth as the best rookie. This year, he stayed with the team and started with his first two podiums.

Although he hasn’t been able to finish in the top three since the Argentine Grand Prix, he has been constantly among the top ten. He is seventh in the championship and is 18 points away from equaling his tally from last year.

O conteúdo Diogo Moreira officially confirmed in Moto2 for 2024 with Italtrans Racing Team aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.