Jaume Masia finishes the 13th round of the 2021 season in tenth position, as Pedro Acosta crashes out with 4 laps to go when part of the leading group.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 experienced a difficult Sunday at the Aragon Grand Prix. Jaume Masia achieved tenth place, despite suffering a crash in the warm-up that forced the team to undertake rapid repair work on his bike. Pedro Acosta crashed out with four laps remaining, when part of the leading group in five position.

Acosta, who began from the third row of the grid, once again made a good start, going from ninth to sixth on the opening lap. The Spaniard joined up with a large group of riders, and ascended to second place by Lap 4, followed by constant overtaking around him. Unfortunately, four laps before the chequered flag and riding in fifth, he fell at Turn 5 and was unable to re-join the race.

The Aragon Grand Prix began well for Masia, who got off the line strongly and subsequently latched onto the large chasing pack trying to close down the leaders. Pushing hard throughout, with various tussles for positions and several incidents for the rivals ahead of him, he eventually crossed the line in tenth place.

Acosta remains leader of the Moto3 World Championship with 201 points. Masia is 5th with 111. Red Bull KTM Ajo will be in action again next weekend at the San Marino Grand Prix, from September 17th-19th.

Results (Moto3 Race)
1. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 37:53.710
2. Deniz Öncü (KTM) +0.041
3. Ayumu Sasaki (KTM) +0.644
4. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) +0.708
5. Niccolo Antonelli (KTM) +0.878
10. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +4.714
DNF. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2021
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 201 points
2. Sergio Garcia (GASGAS) 155 points
3. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 143 points
4. Romano Fenati (Husqvarna) 134 points
5. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 111 points

Moto3 World Championship Team Standing 2021
1. Red Bull KTM Ajo 312 points
2. Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team 227 points
3. Leopard Racing 173 points
4. Red Bull KTM Tech3 160 points
5. Petronas Sprinta Racing 160 points

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER

“Moto3 is always a challenging class for maintaining consistency, as the battles are tough in every respect. Of course, we cannot be 100% satisfied today, because it was not our best performance of the year. However, after a difficult weekend, we have to analyse everything in order to be strong and fight for the podium next weekend. I’m sure Pedro [Acosta] and Jaume [Masia] will be at the front at Misano, fighting for the rostrum.”

5 JAUME MASIA

“Today’s race was very difficult and I tried to do my best, but it was tough because there were parts of the circuit where it was hard to maintain the pace. We fought and I want to thank the team, because they repaired my bike after the crash this morning in the warmup. We will continue working to be at the front in the coming rounds.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“It was a bittersweet race because it was tough for us to follow the riders on the straight, but we were in the leading group and the feeling was good – which was the important thing. After today’s contest I can only apologise to the team, because it was my mistake. Although the crash did not affect us in the World Championship standings, it was something that we did not want to happen. Now we have to focus on the next few rounds, so as not to make more mistakes like today.”