Today’s Italian Moto3 World Championship race was a frantic and fast 17 laps of the Mugello circuit, where Honda riders’ were in the mix throughout experiencing thrills and spills, which saw Taiyo Furusato finish as the top Honda-man. 

The race got underway at 11am, local time, and from the start it was clear it was going to be a busy race with the front pack in a fierce battle and trading places lap by lap. Leopard Racing’s David Almansa got a superb start off the line coming from eighth to third during the opening lap. Running with the front group Almansa took the race lead on the second lap, but it wasn’t to be, as on the third rotation he crashed out while in third place. 

Meanwhile Luca Lunetta (Sic58 Squadra Corse) had made his way to the front and slotted into third place. The next few laps saw the front group trading places, where Lunetta was third, fifth and at one point leading the pack. With the group side by side across the line coming into the eighth lap, Almansa’s Leopard Racing teammate Adrian Fernandez had joined the party and was up into third with Lunetta second. However, it was a disaster for the duo, who while sitting second and third, crashed out at turn one on the ninth lap. 

Not far behind were Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) in fifth and Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato in sixth, and across the next few laps Furusato was making moves and joined the front three looking to score a podium place. As the race neared the end the positions rapidly changed and Furusato was third, fourth and back to third; he eventually crossed the line in sixth place after a gallant effort over the 17-lap race. Carraro came home 11th. 

Further down the field GRYD-MLav Racing’s Eddie O’Shea pushed hard during the early stages, setting the fastest lap times of the race at that point, and making his way up through the field. Despite his best efforts O’Shea crossed the line in 18th, after he was forced across the gravel as a result of having to make evasive action to avoid a fallen rider on-track. 

Just finishing in the points was Stefano Nepa (Sic58 Squadra Corse), who made his way through to 14th place after starting back in 20th. Honda Team Asia’s Tatchakorn Buasri eventually finished 17th, but had been running 15th during the race. Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Vicente Perez (GRYD-MLav Racing) were DNF’s after 16 laps. 

The next round of the Moto3 World Championship takes place next weekend (27-29 June) in The Netherlands at TT Circuit Assen.