Moto3 Thai GP Race Report

The first round of the 2025 Moto3 World Championship has now finished at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. We saw explosive battles and 11 DNFs, with the first race reminding us exactly what we have been waiting for over the winter break. 

The race began with a strong start from Red Bull KTM Ajo riders Jose Antonio Rueda and Alvaro Carpe, with Scott Ogden not far behind after launching forward from the second row. As the riders wrapped up lap one, the final corner saw Brit Eddie O’Shea being taken out by Cormac Buchanan which forced O’Shea to retire from the race. 

In the laps which followed, there was a big group effort due to the simple nature of the circuit. With impressive showings from Stefano Nepa and Joel Kelso, backing up their strong progression in 2024 demonstrating lots of attack, but still not able to make their way onto the podium.  

Home rider Tatchakorn Buasri and rookie Valentin Perrone shortly crashed out together. As well as both Japanese runners Taiyo Furusato and Ryusei Yamanaka both crashing out in separate incidents.

There were also surprise showings from Italian compatriots Luca Lunetta and Matteo Bertelle during the race after Bertelle secured pole position on Saturday. With both riders fighting comfortably in the front group and looking exceptionally fast.

The ever-boisterous David Muñoz then begins to scrap with Lunetta, receiving some moves which left him fired up. Now seeking revenge - Muñoz retaliates and slows up to intentionally brake alongside Lunetta, affecting his exit and causing contact between the pair. Lunetta then has to abandon his apex and the racing line and rides into the gravel. Lunetta was able to rejoin at the back of the grid but essentially his race was run.

After being wired up from this incident, Muñoz began to challenge Rueda at the front for the lead. Becoming the only rider to displace Rueda of his lead after the initial laps of the race. They battled for a couple of laps while the stewards were reviewing Muñoz’s previous incident with Lunetta.

Crossing the start line, Muñoz looked across at his pit board to see he had been awarded a long lap penalty. Before he even had the opportunity to take the penalty, Muñoz high sided in turn 3 after trying to make up time to Rueda ahead of him. With remnants of Moto3 veteran, Romano Fenati - the paddock was hoping Muñoz would have ironed out this reckless behaviour, as he’s now in his fourth Moto3 season. Muñoz penalty has now been upgraded to a pit lane race start in his next Grand Prix

As the final laps heated up, there was an incident between Joel Kelso, Dennis Foggia and Angel Piqueras at the final corner as there were 5 abreast. With Kelso misjudging the corner and clipping the back of Piqueras’ bike, and Foggia having to dodge the both of them.

With the front group now quite sporadically spread about due to the many incidents, the battle for the final two spots on the podium was between Adrian Fernandez, Stefano Nepa and Alvaro Carpe. Our winner was solidified by this point, as Rueda had edged out a 6-second gap to second place.

We saw a last lap battle between the three of them with Rueda, 1-2 Carpe on the podium in his rookie Grand Prix. Rueda wheelied across the finish line celebrating his Rueda led from lap 1, after a strong showing in testing of consistency.

Scott Ogden and David Almansa collided on the last corner of the final lap, with Ogden crashing out as well as suffering a burn on his fingertips from the handlebars of his KTM machine.

After an explosive race out in Buriram - we look forward to what Argentina holds for us next week.