Albert Arenas is the 2020 FIM Moto3 World Champion after a mature race to 12th position in the Grande Prémio MEO de Portugal and the fifteenth and last race of the season. The Spaniard became KTM’s fourth title winner in the class with the Solunion Aspar KTM RC4 and delivered KTM’s 314th FIM crown.
Albert Arenas is the 2020 Moto3 World Champion after the KTM RC4 rider recorded his eleventh points-scoring finish in Portugal on Sunday. The 23-year old added his race result to three wins and a total of five podiums to lay his hands on the FIM gold medal and become the latest KTM Moto3 world champion after Sandro Cortese, Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder.
Arenas claimed his three victories in the first five rounds by setting the pace in Qatar, Jerez and Austria. He suffered some bad luck in his home event in Barcelona when he was blamelessly sent into the gravel but bore the pressure of sitting at the top of the standings to post four more top-five results to remain in contention. He took 12th after an action-packed and nervy final lap at Portimao.
The Grande Prémio MEO de Portugal was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard sett-off from Pole Position for KTM’s eight victory from 15 in 2020.
Albert Arenas: “Incredible! I need some time to believe this. It was a good race in the beginning and I was enjoying it a lot but then the rear tire became unrideable and I don’t know why. The group behind came up fast and it was really tough. Wow, what a last lap! I’m so happy. We overcame some difficult moments this season and we did the job this weekend. Thanks to my family, to KTM and all those who followed me and helped make this possible.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “This title means a lot to us and we’re really happy it is coming back to Austria. I have to say thanks and big compliments to the Aspar Team and a big ‘well done’ to Albert: the combination was very strong throughout the whole season and the championship was very well deserved. He had some bad luck at times - that was not his fault - so the title is in the right place. As KTM we are super-happy and proud to win Moto3 because it is the championship that brought us back into the MotoGP paddock. Thanks to the team and all the staff at home.”
Results Moto3 Grande Prémio MEO de Portugal 2020
1. Raul Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull KTM Ajo 38:06.272
2. Dennis Foggia (ITA) Honda +5.810
3. Jeremy Alcoba (ESP) Honda +5.866
Results Moto3 FIM World Championship standings 2020
1. Albert Arenas, KTM, 174 points
2. Tony Arbolino, Honda, 170
3. Ai Ogura, Honda, 170
4. Raul Fernandez, Red Bull KTM Ajo, 159