Moto3 rookie Angel Piqueras – or Joan Mir / new Moto3

It has a certain tradition, also in the spirit of a technical partner, that the elite of the Red Bull Rookies Cup, which is held on KTM machines for the 18th year, is later promoted to a World Cup team with a KTM connection. . In 2023, Angel Piqueras achieved the double feat of winning the Rookies Cup and the Junior GP class. However, Piqueras already competed in the final on a Japanese Honda from the Estrella Galicia team.

Through the Honda network, team owner Miodrag Kotur managed to find the best talent for the Leopard Honda team. There was no need to use many feet. After all, Leopard is the team that won the World Cup title last year with Jaume Masia. Joan Mir also won his first world title on Leopard Racing Honda.

The transfer of the young star seems to be a direct hit to the leadership of Leopard. In just the third race of his GP career, Angel Piqueras climbed onto the podium for the first time. The Spaniard’s performance level is rapidly rising. After missing out with a crash in Qatar, Piqueras bravely took the World Championship points in 12th place in Portimao. Piqueras then provided the ultimate proof of talent at the World Cup level in the United States. The first announcer was not only surprising in the race. On a completely unknown special piste in Austin, Piqueras got into the groove so well that he was able to face the GP from the second row.

The 18-year-old started getting involved in music from the beginning of the race. In the final five laps, the lone Honda driver in front clashed with world championship leader Dani Holgado. Piqueras missed second place by just a few centimetres.
Despite zero at the start, the visitor already holds a respectable eighth place in the World Cup table.

The visual appearance of the successful new face is also amazing. Although Angel Piqueras calls record world champion Marc Márcquez his biggest idol, on the Moto3 rookie slope he is the exact mirror image of 2017 Leopard Racing world champion Joan Mir. Thanks to the gesture of grace towards his former driver, who is struggling with Repsol Honda in his second year, Angel Piqueras now has to live with the fact that he is only called “little Joan Mir” in the paddock.

Results round Moto3 World Championship, Austin
1. Alonso, CFMOTO, 14 Rdn
2. Loosen, GASGAS, + 5,163 sec
3. Piqueras, Honda, + 5,176
4. Yamanaka, KTM, + 5,676
5. Munoz, KTM, + 13,285
6. Suzuki, Husqvarna, + 13,730
7. Kelso, KTM, + 13,963
8. Roulstone, GASGAS, + 19,126
9. Esteban, CFMOTO, +19,325
10. Bertelle, Honda, +20,657
11. Fernandez, Honda, +20,689
12. Carraro, KTM, +22,785
13. Zuruzuta, KTM, + 22,869
14. Dettwiler, KTM, +27,575
15. Farioli, Honda, +32,147
16. Rossi, KTM, + 38,953
17. Whatley, Honda, + 44,924

Moto3 World Championship standings after 3 of 21 races:
1. Holes 65 Points. 2. Alonso 63. 3. Kelso 28. 4. Ortola 23. 5. Suzuki 22. 6. Veijer 21. 7. Wheel 20. 8. Piqueras 20. 9. Stephen 20. 10. Nepa 19. 112. Roulstone Munoz 18 . 23. Farioli 1. 24. Lunetta

World Builders Championship:
1. GASGAS 55 points. 2. CFMOTO 63. 3. KTM 46. 4. Honda 38. 5. Husqvarna 31.

World Cup Team:
1. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 84 Points. 2. CFMOTO Aspar Team 83. 3. BOE Motorsports 46. 4. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP 43. 5. MT Helmets MSI 36. 6. Leopard Racing 31. 7. Red Bull KTM Ajo 25. 8. Level up MTA 2 2 . Honda Asia Team 16. 10. CIP Greenpower 15. 11. Rivacold Snipers Team 10. 12. MLAV Racing 4. 13. SIC58 Squadra Corse 2.