Ayumu Sasaki 5th and Colin Veijer 12th in the #PortugueseGP

A strong start to the season for the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 team after pole-sitter Ayumu Sasaki finished the Portimao Grand Prix in sixth position with ten points and world championship rookie Collin Veijer scored four points with a fantastic twelfth place at his first world championship round.

The Moto3 Grand Prix of Portimao was unsurpassed in terms of excitement and overtaking maneuvers and right in the middle of the leading battle was 22-year-old Ayumu Sasaki, who started the 19-lap race from pole but found himself in a close and heated company within just a few corners. According to the Japanese rider, the conditions were not comparable to qualifying Saturday, which made it harder to keep up in the myriad of position battles that lasted until the final corner of the last lap. In the end, Sasaki crossed the finish line in sixth position.

Collin Veijer finished his first race on the world championship stage with bravery. The 18-year-old was on course for points right from the start but struggled with a lack of feeling on the front wheel at times. The Dutchman held his own against the countless attacks of his opponents and celebrated his first success with P12, which was also his first four points of the season.

In just one week’s time, the season will continue in Argentina, where the Gran Premio Michelin de la República Argentina will be held from 31 March to 2 April 2023. The two LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 team riders are already eager to continue their work and improve on their results from Portimao.

Ayumu Sasaki
P6 – (+1.090)
Moto2 World Championship 2023 – P6 – 10 Points

“It was a very difficult race, especially because the conditions were very different compared to yesterday which made it difficult for me to push the same way in the race. In the group battle, we had some good working aspects of our bike but also some negative ones. Finally, we finished in P6 and we didn’t expect it but we scored points and we learned from it and we will do better in Argentina for sure.”

Collin Veijer
P12 – (+6.904)
Moto2 World Championship 2023 – P12 – 4 Points

“The first race was not bad but it felt a bit difficult in the first few laps. Finally, I found my feeling and overall we knew we could be there but the front was not perfect in the first few laps as my feeling improved, I could push a bit more in the final laps. We know we could have fought with the front group in this race. The speed was there and next time, we will be there. I am happy about the points and now onto the next one.”