Holgado makes impressive progress at Argentina GP

03/04/2022

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rookie gets his best finish ever, placing seventh at Termas de Rio Hondo. Masia DNFs after contact by another rider.

 

Two seasons on from the last Moto3 race at Termas de Rio Hondo, the circuit held the third round of the 2022 campaign, the Argentina Grand Prix. Dani Holgado continued to adapt to the class quickly and, in his first experience at the track, finished in seventh place. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie accumulated valuable experience, battling against some of the strongest competitors in the class and he got his best finish ever. Meanwhile, Jaume Masia was hit by another rider with six laps to go, crashing out when in second position.

Holgado had achieved his best grid position to date by qualifying on the second row, and made a great start to the race, holding his sixth place. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rookie did his best to join the leading group, in which he was involved in an intense exchange of overtaking moves throughout the contest. Keeping his cool in a tight end, the Spaniard crossed the finish line seventh, a new personal best.

From the fourth row of the grid, Masia began well and pushed hard from the start, moving from 12th place to third in the space of just three laps. Throughout the race, he had to face constant attempts at an overtake from his rivals in the leading group and he was very competitive at all times. Unfortunately, the Spaniard suffered a crash when up into second, after contact with another rider. He was unable to re-join the contest and ended the Argentina GP empty-handed.

Holgado occupies 13th position in the Moto3 World Championship standings with 16 points. Masia is 17th with 9. The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo now travel to Austin, where the Americas GP takes place from April 8th-10th.

Results (Moto3 Race)
1. Sergio Garcia (GASGAS) 38:23.433
2. Dennis Foggia (Honda) +0.146
3. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) +0.375
4. Riccardo Rossi (Honda) +0.507
5. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) +0.484
7. Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.715
DNF. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2022
1. Sergio Garcia (GASGAS) 58 points
2. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 54 points
3. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) 28 points
4. Kaito Toba (KTM) 27 points
5. Deniz Öncü (KTM) 26 points
13. Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 16 points
17. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 9 points

 

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER

“This weekend was very hectic because of the special schedule, in just two days we had all the practice sessions and the race. Basically, we’re really happy with our performance with both Masia and Holgado and especially with how good a pace we had in the race was. Unfortunately, Jaume’s contest ended early because another rider caused an accident and he was taken out. On the other hand, Dani was seventh, which is an excellent result in his rookie season. We hope to keep this performance and pace up, and we’re ready to fight for the top positions.”

#5 JAUME MASIA

“It was a shame about the crash, which prevented us from finishing the job in today’s race. We felt very strong here and I am confident that we could have fought for the podium and even to win the Grand Prix. However, that’s racing and these things can happen. Next week, in Austin, we will come back stronger and try again.”

#96 DANI HOLGADO

“It has been a positive weekend for us, since we were fast in practically every session. I am very happy, because we have taken steps forward lap after lap and that is important in our learning process. As for the race, it was quite hard, because the pace was fast. However, we managed to stay in the leading group throughout, except for a couple of laps in the middle in which I lost touch slightly. I feel very satisfied and I am looking forward to continuing to work hard in Austin, where we hope to keep progressing. Every round we are getting closer to the riders at the front, and that is a good thing. I want to thank the team, all the people who support me, my family and my friends.”

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