In a difficult rain race Deniz Öncü makes the decisive overtaking maneuver on the last lap – Ayumu Sasaki narrowly beaten – Joel Kelso third
Tough rain race for the Moto3 class in Australia! With an overtaking maneuver in the last lap Deniz Öncü (KTM) captured his third victory of the 2023 season. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) had to admit defeat once again and finished second for the sixth time.
“The race was really long! I was really freezing after just ten laps,” Öncü described. “When your whole body is shaking like that, it’s hard to concentrate. I just tried to drive as cleanly as possible.”
“Winning was honestly not my objective at all. I just wanted to do as well as possible. In the end, the win came out of it. I guess that shows how fast we are. Thanks to my team and everyone for the support.”
Local hero Joel Kelso (CFMoto) celebrated third on the podium at Phillip Island (race result). For the first time in his career, the Australian was present at the victory ceremony. Jaume Masia (Honda) retained a narrow world championship lead (to the overall standings).
The dramas began even before the start. In the inspection lap Diogo Moreira (KTM), Matteo Bertelle (Honda) and Daniel Holgado (KTM) crashed. Their motorcycles were quite damaged in the process. Hectic repairs were made on the grid.
In addition, it began to rain harder again during the start preparations. Vicente Perez (KTM), the replacement for the injured Ana Carrasco, also had a crash during the inspection lap. His bike was repaired in the pit lane. He had to start from the back of the field.
@31AdriFernandez leads as they start Turn 2!
He’s up eight places but the big mover is Aji who’s up 16 places! AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/6SGBBzbpOB
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 21, 2023
The race over 21 laps was started as scheduled. Despite difficult conditions, all went well on the first lap. Moreira had to start from the pit lane. In the early stages, Adrian Fernandez (Honda) took the lead ahead of the IntactGP duo of Sasaki and Collin Veijer.
Fernandez led the race in the first laps in a commanding manner. Behind him a group formed with Öncü, Kelso, Sasaki and Veijer. The second group, starting in seventh place, included Holgado and Masia.
At times Fernandez had a lead of up to one second in the first half of the race, but after nine laps the chasers caught up with him. The top 5 had a lead of over 20 seconds over the second large group.
10 to go! @31AdriFernandez is still holding onto this! But the pressure is beginning to build! AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/NWUv9uKzt3
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 21, 2023
Fernandez continued to maintain the lead ahead of Öncü. Behind them, Sasaki and Kelso engaged in a duel for third place. As the final third of the race began, Sasaki turned up the heat and grabbed second place from Öncü, who had several slides.
Adrian Fernandez flies off in the lead
On lap 16 then the decisive scene. Fernandez crashed with a second to go in turn 11 and skidded through the wet grass. The younger brother of MotoGP rider Raul Fernandez continued in fifth place after his crash.
This left a three-way battle for the lead between Sasaki, Kelso and Öncü. Sasaki picked up the pace. Öncü was able to keep up, but Kelso lost some ground. In the last three laps it started to rain again.
HE’S THROWN IT AWAY! @31AdriFernandez crashes out of a potential first-ever victory! AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/mXtinStr7o
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 21, 2023
Sasaki started the final lap in the lead, but Öncü put on the pressure and lurked for his chance. But no attack came in the Miller hairpin. Finally in turn 10 Öncü made his maneuver and braked his way past Sasaki.
That was the decision! Once again, Sasaki missed out on the win on the last lap. For the sixth time this season, the Japanese finished second. “It was probably the craziest race I’ve ever done,” commented Sasaki. “I was just trying not to crash.”
“I knew Deniz was behind me. On the last lap, he still passed me. Then in the last two corners I couldn’t get past, but to reduce the gap in the WRC, that was very important. Many thanks to the team. We will continue to attack. “
Moto3 RACE @Denizoncu53 DENIES SASAKI ON THE LAST LAP! AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/W4epPjsSLn
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 21, 2023
To the delight of Australian fans, Kelso stood on the podium for the first time in his career in third. Veijer finished fourth. Fernandez retained fifth place until the end. Following behind were Riccardo Rossi and Taiyo Furusato (both Honda).
Masia was in the large second group and finished eighth. With Sasaki missing out on victory on the final lap, Masia retained the championship lead. His lead shrank to four points.
Holgado saw the checkered flag in 13th place, and his championship deficit is 22 points. In total, only 18 riders made the distance. Xavier Artigas, the second rider from PrüstelGP, did not collect any championship points after a crash in 16th place.
The next Grand Prix will already take place next weekend. On October 29, the race will be held at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand.
