Moto3 Argentina | Tatsuki Suzuki splashes clear for dominant victory

Tatsuki Suzuki has returned to the Moto3 World Championship winners’ circle after sprinting clear of the competition in tricky wet conditions at Termas de Rio Hondo.

The Japanese rider took control of the race when clear leader at the time Deniz Oncu crashed out on lap four at Turn 11 moving clear of a lively battle for second that repeatedly changed hands proved at times chaotic.

In the end it was Brazilian Diogo Moreira who prevailed on the MT Helmets - MSI KTM from Andrea Migno, the Italian back on the podium on his return to the novice GP category.

From the start Ayumu Sasaki got the hole-shot into Turn 1 on the Husqvarna IntactGP machine, btu a drift wide opened the door for Moreira to assume the lead from Oncu, though it was the Turkish rider who got in front on lap two, going on establish an early advantage.

However, his pursuit for a maiden Moto3 win came to an abrupt conclusion on lap four when he slid off at Turn 11.

That promoted Suzuki into the lead on the Leopard Honda, the Japanese rider pushing on to establish a margin that he’d simply need to protect to the chequered flag.

And so it proved, Suzuki crossing the line for his first win since the Andalusian Moto3 race at Jerez in 2020.

Countryman Sasaki was on course for second place after he too managed to move clear, only for him to high-side at the penultimate corner and retire from the race.

That promoted Suzuki’s team-mate Jaume Masia into contention for a Leopard 1-2, but a crash with five laps to go scuppered his hopes, while David Munoz and Xavier Artigas’ tangle also ended their podium dreams.

It allowed Moreira to keep it clean for second, with Migno coming on strong in the closing stages on the CIP Green Power bike for third.

Daniel Holgado