16/04/2023

Rookie Veijer scores with P13, Sasaki crashes while leading the race

The Grand Prix of the Americas ended in high drama for one LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP rider. Ayumu Sasaki led for almost the entire race but crashed in the final sprint and, unlike fellow rookie Collin Veijer in P13, went away empty-handed in terms of championship points.

The Moto3 field started the 14-lap race at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday morning in slightly different conditions at the gates of the Texan metropolis of Austin.

But the cooler temperatures and increasing wind did not seem to affect Ayumu Sasaki in particular, as the Japanese rider got off to a good start from his second place on the grid and already took the lead towards the end of the first lap. The 22-year-old Japanese dominated the race, putting in countless leading kilometres until he was attacked for the first time by Jaume Masia four laps from the end. From then on, a battle unfolded, which Sasaki could finally decide in his favour. But then came the drama: three laps before the end of the race while leading the race, Sasaki crashed out with a highsider, losing everything for which he had fought so hard for in the previous eleven laps.

In the midfield, young Dutchman Collin Veijer was fighting for his next World Championship points on the last groove. After starting the race from 21st place, the Moto3 rookie made up numerous positions within a few laps and found himself fighting for 13th place in the final kilometres. The 18-year-old had to hold his own against well-known names like Kaito Toba and Ricardo Rossi. In the end, Veijer managed to collect three points with a thirteenth-place finish and is now ranked 19th in the world championship standings.

After two overseas GPs, the journey now takes the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team back to European soil, where the Gran Premio de España will be held in Jerez de la Frontera from 28th to 30th of April 2023, offering Ayumu Sasaki a fourth chance to underpin his undeniable competitiveness with a well-deserved top result.

Results

Moto3-Race
1. Ivan ORTOLÁ/ SPA/ KTM
2. Jaume MASIA/ SPA/ HONDA – (+0.457)
3. Xavier ARTIGAS/ SPA/ CFMOTO – (+0.558)
13. Collin VEIJER / NED / Husqvarna – (+15.967)
DNF Ayumu SASAKI / JPN / Husqvarna

Moto3 Championship Standings
1. Daniel HOLGADO / SPA / KTM / 49
2. Diogo MOREIRA / BRA / KTM / 49
3. Xavier ARTIGAS/ SPA/ CFMOTO/ 32
16. Ayumu SASAKI / JPN / Husqvarna / 10
19. Collin VEIJER / NED / Husqvarna / 7

Ayumu Sasaki

DNF
Moto3 World Championship 2023 - P16 - 10 Points

"It was a very disappointing race and right now I just want to apologize to my team because we had the speed. I can't complain about anything and I felt great on the bike. We were leading all throughout the race so, it's just extremely disappointing to end it like this. It was my fault all the way again and it's shattering to crash two times in a row. I try to learn from it and come back stronger in Jerez but right now, I'm devastated."

Collin Veijer

P13 (+15.967)
Moto3 World Championship 2023 - P19 - 7 Points

"Today was a good race. I felt confident right from the start. Unfortunately, one rider in front held me up a bit which is why I kinda lost the connection to the second group. The wind during the race was pretty strong which made it hard to find a rhythm but overall I am happy about the points. We surely need to improve on certain aspects but I am still happy with how the race went. I want more so let's head to Jerez and keep working."

Jürgen Lingg

Team Director

"Let's start with the positive because Collin made it into the points again. That was already the second time in the third race. For a rookie, it's really impressive to see how he’s performing at this level and how he can improve even more in the races. It's really nice what Collin and his crew are delivering. If they continue like this, we'll have a lot more fun with him."
"Ayumu once again proved very impressive that he has the speed. We've all known that for a long time. But he also has to bring it to the line. Today he started the race from second on the grid and led it for most of the time, but in the end, he made a small mistake and then it was over. The disappointment is obviously very big, but I think we have to look at the positive, and that is his breathtaking speed. In the practice sessions he can do his times on his own, and very regularly. We have to build on that and maybe think a little bit about the race strategy next time. The situation with two zeros in a row doesn't look very nice. But that's racing, and if you want to be upfront, the air is very thin. So it was a bit unfortunate. The race continues in two weeks and we have to shake off today's setback by then. Then it can already look very different, the potential is definitely there."

Americas GP Moto3

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