David Alonso Wins in Thailand, Increases His Legend in Moto3

David Alonso is now a unique rider. The reigning Moto3 world champion stands alone in the history books of the small category with his twelfth victory in 2024. No one has won so many races in a season in the smallest class, neither when it was the 125cc World Championship nor the current Moto3. To put the numbers of the Spanish-Colombian rider in context with some of the great references of all time: Marc Márquez achieved ten victories in 2010, and until this year, the record was held by Valentino Rossi with eleven in 1997. David Alonso is beginning to write a new era in motorcycling.

The race in Thailand followed the script of his recent victories, with Alonso waiting until the final laps to make his decisive and relentless attack. However, to win, he had to face very delicate conditions, as rain had appeared in the morning, and the Moto3 race was shortened by seven laps. Although the race was declared wet, almost everyone opted for slick tires on the grid, the winning option, because soon a dry line appeared on the Buriram circuit.

As if it were a MotoGP sprint, the twelve laps were a frenzy of overtakes, as if the track were completely dry, despite the rain flags waving at times. It barely had any influence as the asphalt did not get soaked, and Alonso once again worked his magic at the end, even though Ortolá overtook him on the last lap. But he quickly regained the lead to rewrite the history books. "Inside, I did want to achieve this record. After winning the title, it hasn't been easy to maintain concentration, and all this is like a dream, and I just want to keep dreaming."

Alonso gave no chance, and chaos erupted behind him in the last corner, as Ortolá went wide in the braking, and Lunetta, second, Furusato, and Veijer passed him. The latter collided with the Japanese rider, who was unseated from his bike, and both bike and rider crossed the finish line separately. A legal situation because the regulations state that it is enough for both to cross the line, and the time is marked by the first element, so he ended up classified fifth. Dani Holgado struggled with these conditions, finishing 12th, maintaining second place in the overall standings, but seeing Veijer and Ortolá closing in on the battle for the runner-up spot.