Can an 18-year-old player become an experienced player at the World Championship? It sounds unrealistic, but on a motorcycle this is perfectly achievable. This will be what starts in 2024 with Daniel Holgado (San Vicente del Raspeig, 2005) as one of the main candidates for the title in his third season in Moto3.
The man from Alicante has postponed the move to Moto2 through a painful point this year in order to complete his unfinished business. Holgado was the best of the championship in the first stages with his first three wins in Portugal, France and Italy and three other podiums in Germany, Great Britain and Austria.. His rivals were increasing the level, but the man from Alicante did not fall until the end of the fight for the category title. However, he finished the World Championship in fifth place with 220 points, losing not only to the champion Jaume Masià, but also to Ayumu Sasaki, David Alonso and Deniz Öncu, but could not achieve an outstanding result in the last six races. .
Now it’s time to open a clean slate. As we said, he starts as a clear candidate for the championship. Among other things because Three of his 2023 rivals (Masià, Sasaki and Öncu) have moved to Moto2. Colombian Alonso, along with his new blood, will be Holgado’s rivals to win a championship, which is within reach due to his bike and qualities.
First place in tests
In fact, your first impressions of your new machine couldn’t be better. In the tests held in Valencia after the 2023 championship ended, San Vicente del Raspeig became the fastest replacement, increasing the record of the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste track by almost one second.
Holgado completed these sessions very satisfied, having participated in two of the three planned laps and completing a total of 36 laps on the track in question. “I’m very happy with our test day because we had both our new KTM bike and Pirelli tyres, and I was very fast,” said the man from Alicante. «The grip (of the wheels) was also very good. Everyone worked very well, I would like to thank both KTM and the Tech3 team for this great day because We enter the pre-season on a very positive note. “Now is the time to rest and recover after this busy year,” he added.
After a well-deserved holiday break for all riders, the next event on the World Motorcycle Championship calendar is planned for the end of February with testing at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. There you can see whether this initial positive feeling about the 2024 KTM is confirmed.
In a few weeks (March 10) the first race of the season will be held in Qatar. A total of 22 events are planned; Two more than in 2023, four of them on Spanish territory: Jerez (April 28), Montmeló (May 26), Alcañiz (September 1) and València (November 17). This final Grand Prix will once again mark the closing of the campaign.
Successful Terol
Holgado made his World Cup debut in June 2021 and secured a point in Catalonia.. He was invited to two more races the same year. His good performance in the lower categories earned him a permanent seat in 2022, in which he finished tenth overall and took his first podium place in Aragon. This year, he took the next step with victories, leadership and placing his name among the candidates for victory.
Now Holgado wants to add his name to a motorcycle legend in the state: Nico Terol. The man from Alcoy is the only man from Alicante who has the honor of becoming world champion, having won the 125 cubic centimeter category in 2011. At the time, the current candidate was only six years old and probably couldn’t even dream of being next. champion from the province. It may be time for him to take the next step in his career and reach the most privileged position on the podium in 2024.