Portimao Moto3 test: Rossi rules the rollercoaster on final day

Sic58’s Riccardo Rossi claimed the Moto3 crown as 2023 pre-season testing concluded from Portimao on Sunday.

With just a week to the opening race of the season, Rossi’s 1’47.211 midday effort set the benchmark for the lightweight class on the final day of preparation at the Algarve International Circuit. Red Bull KTM Ajo’s new recruit Jose Antonio Rueda and BOE’s David Muñoz completed the top three just a tenth adrift of the Italian, with Ayumu Sasaki’s late afternoon push enough for fourth on the Liqui Moly Husqvarna.

Rivacold Snipers’ Romano Fenati sat fifth after three days on the 4.6km layout, and despite sitting out of the final session. Red Bull KTM’s Daniel Holgado and Leopard’s Tatsuki Suzuki holding off VisionTrack’s Scott Ogden as the 19-year-old Brit continued his front group fight from eighth thanks to a 1’47.567 personal best.

2022 rookie of the year Diogo Moreira kicked off his sophomore campaign from ninth in the combined standings while this season’s new talent David Alonso took tenth on the GasGas Aspar, half a second adrift of the outright target.

VisionTrack’s second rider, Josh Whatley, showcased his strongest form in Sunday’s opening action, with a 1’49.217 in the morning run. The 17-year-old circulating two seconds shy of Rossi’s benchmark having dispatched 50 laps across the closing day.

Portimao Moto3 test Sunday combined times

1 54 Riccardo Rossi ITA SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 1’47.211 2 99 José Antonio Rueda SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 1’47.262 0.051 3 44 David Muñoz SPA BOE Motorsports KTM 1’47.318 0.107 4 71 Ayumu Saski JPN Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP HUSQVARNA 1’47.402 0.191 5 55 Romano Fenati ITA Rivacold Snipers Team HONDA 1’47.403 0.192 6 96 Daniel Holgado SPA Red Bull KTM Tech3 KTM