Masià Beats Sasaki To French Moto3 Win

Grid Talk Reporter 11:20 15/05/2022

Jaume Masià took a last lap win to climb up to second in the Moto3 world championship standings in a dramatic outing at Le Mans.

The Moto3 race began in chaotic fashion as rain began to fall from the opening lap of 22, with drama striking at the final corner. Championship leader Sergio García crashed in tandem with Aspar teammate Izan Guevara, Snipers Honda rider Andrea Migno and Sterilgarda Max Racing Husqvarna’s Ayumu Sasaki. Then up at Turn 3 at the start of the second lap Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Daniel Holgado crashed, with more riders tumbling later in the lap as MT Helmets - MSI KTM rookie Diogo Moreira - who grabbed the holeshot - trading the lead with Leopard’s Tatsuki Suzuki. Due to the rain, the race was red-flagged and restarted over 14 laps. However, by the time the race resumed the rain had gone and sunshine battered the track.

After an intense 14-lap battle in dry conditions, it was Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jaume Masià who prevailed to take his second win of the season after pulling off a daring move to retake a lead he held for much of the race from Sasaki on the last lap. Masià took the chequered flag 0.150s clear of Sasaki, with Guevara third after his Aspar team managed to repair his damaged GasGas during the red flag break. Poleman Dennis Foggia was fourth on his Leopard Honda from teammate Suzuki, Prüstel GP’s Carlos Tatay, championship leader García, MT Helmets - MSI rider Ryusei Yamanaka, Tech3 KTM’s Deniz Öncü and Migno. García’s championship lead now stands at 17 points, with Masià jumping up to second level on points with Foggia in third.