Moto3 Portimao: Pedro Acosta takes victory to secure the title

Pedro Acosta has been crowned 2021 Moto3 world champion after winning the Algarve Grand Prix, with main title rival Dennis Foggia being taken out of contention by Darryn Binder on the final lap.

Acosta is the first rookie to win the lightweight title since Loris Capirossi in 1990, however the Italian keeps the accolade of youngest ever champion by a single day (17 years 165 days).

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The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider hadn’t made things easy for himself after qualifying 14th on the grid, however, he kept his cool in the early stages, stayed out of trouble and was soon with the leading group of six. Meanwhile, Foggia had controlled the majority of the race out front.

Heading onto the final lap it looked like the pair were going to put on almighty show for the crowd as Acosta went down the inside of Foggia at turn three. Binder, from a long way back, attempted to do the same but went in way too hot and hit Foggia. Just like that, the Leopard Honda rider’s title dream was over.

Binder, who had developed the nickname divebomb as a result of his sometimes-risqué riding style over the years, was disqualified as a result of the accident, which also ended Sergio Garcia’s race. The South African went to the Leopard Honda garage to apologise, but was quickly told to leave. Binder’s performance has put him in the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons, with many still questioning his big promotion to MotoGP next season.

It’s a bitterly disappointing way for Foggia’s title fight to end. The Italian had won three of the previous four races heading into Portimao, and was on a run of nine podiums in the last 11. Based on current form, Foggia will no doubt head into 2022 as the title favourite.

Away from all the drama, Acosta crossed the line to become 2021 champion with his sixth victory of the season. It’s been a year to remember for Acosta, who will move into the Moto2 class with Aki Ajo’s team next year.

Andrea Migno and Niccolo Antonelli inherited the final two spots on the podium as a result of the incident ahead of them. Jeremy Alcoba and Izan Guevara completed the top five in the penultimate race of 2021. John McPhee crashed out of the race at turn 13 on lap five.

Moto2: Remy Gardner will have to wait until Valencia to seal the intermediate class title despite winning the Algarve Grand Prix. Teammate, and championship rival, Raul Fernandez finished second, meaning that Gardner holds a 23-point lead with 25 points still available.