Xavi Artigas and David Almansa, good results at Argentine Grand Prix

MotoGP made a quick trip to Argentina for the eighth Grand Prix at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit last weekend and CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP fought for the podium all the way in Moto3. After a long trip to South America, Xavi Artigas was ready for the 18-lap chase.

-Artigas shows sharp competitiveness once more with CFMOTO to fight in the lead pack and obtains 8th after a brief late crash at the Gran Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina
-Young rookie David Almansa fills in for Joel Kelso, while the Australian rider recovers from a broken ankle and shocks the establishment by running in the top three
- CFMOTO tackles the pace and 14 corners of Termas de Rio Hondo for only the second time.
- MotoGP remains in the Americas and gathers again for round three at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas in two weeks’ time.

Portugal opened the 2023 FIM world championship and saw the bright CFMOTO bikes fighting for the lead and for podium positions in Moto3. Only slithers of a second divided the CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP from their second trophy in successive years at Portimao. Although the unfortunate incident after the chequered flag meant that Joel Kelso was out of action for the long flight across the Atlantic and the second chase of the campaign, Xavi Artigas travelled with the crew to Termas de Rio Hondo happy with his competitiveness at round one and hungry for more.

Compared to the hills and flow of the Algarve International Circuit, Termas de Rio Hondo was a flatter and faster track where the slipstreaming and racecraft of the Moto3 riders would come to the fore. Fourteen corners and almost three miles of layout was a suitable stage for the event even if the hot weather conditions threatened showers and a stormy climate. On Saturday Artigas managed 15th in the Q2 qualification run when the track was still damp in places which meant the fifth row of the grid.

The red light went out at 11.00 local time and after a morning of rainfall. Artigas was immediately thrust into the battle for the podium around the soaking asphalt. 17-year-old substitute Almansa, for his part, embraced his first Grand Prix experience to the maximum by continually putting his CFMOTO into the squabble for second place! When Artigas made a mistake and briefly crashed (meaning he classified down in 8th after remounting) Almansa engaged in the last lap duel for trophies behind runaway leader Tatsuki Suzuki. The Spaniard was desperately unlucky to be hit by Sean Ogden with only a few corners remaining and crashed. He picked up the bike to make 17th but should have capped an amazing second-ever GP appearance with a spray of podium Prosecco.

Artigas sits 7th in the Moto3 championship standings and just 11 points from the top three. MotoGP shifts gear again in two weeks for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas at one of the longest and most complex venues on the calendar: COTA in Austin, Texas.

Xavier Artigas: “Of course I am unlucky. I had a small crash in the last part of the race. I was in second place at that time and had a really strong pace. We were fast in both dry and wet conditions, which is important. The team did a great job again and set up the bike very well. Now it’s on to Austin in Texas at one of my favourite tracks, so I’m looking forward to that.”

David Almansa: “Today was the most important race of my life and I was not only able to gain experience, but also to compete for the podium in the top. Despite the difficult conditions, I had a perfect feeling with the CFMOTO and was completely focused on myself and my race. Unfortunately, I was pushed off the track on the last lap and had no chance. I am very happy about the chance to prove myself in the World Championship and thank the CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP team for the great job! Thanks also to my supporters!”

Moto3 2023 Gran Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina

1. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Honda 35:18.099
2. Diogo Moreira (BRA) KTM +4.571
3. Andrea Migno (ITA) KTM +4.699
4. Daniel Holgado (ESP) KTM +8.814
5. Scott Ogden (GBR) Honda +11.512
8. Xavier Artigas (ESP), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +12.467
17. David Almansa (ESP), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP +41.959

Moto3 2023 Gran Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina world championship standings

1. Daniel Holgado (ESP) KTM, 25 points
2. Diogo Moreira (BRA) KTM, 36
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Honda, 27
4. David Muñoz (ESP) KTM, 20
5. Stefano Nepa (ITA) KTM, 19
7. Xavier Artigas (ESP), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 16
15. Joel Kelso (AUS), CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP, 7