World champion David Alonso earned a record-breaking 12th Moto3 victory of the season at the Thai GP in Buriram.
The Colombian had equalled Valentino Rossi’s record for most wins in the lightweight class in Phillip Island last weekend, but victory in Buriram means Alonso stands alone in the record books.
Before the race began, it was shortened to 12 laps due to rain in the area, giving the riders a dilemma as to which tyres to choose.
Polesitter Joel Kelso got a fantastic start and was able to hold his lead from Collin Veijer into the first corner.
On the third lap, Veijer overtook Kelso to take charge of the leading group of seven as world champion Alonso progressed through to second.
Alonso was then able to take the lead from Veijer as the red and white flags started to wave as spots of rain became visible.
The leading pack continued to jostle for position which allowed Taiyo Furusato to get to the front and build a gap of six tenths to the 10-rider group.
The champion moved to the head of the chasers and set a lap record to close the gap to Furusato, and was able to move past the Japanese rider to regain the lead.
Leopard’s contenders Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez continued their strong showing in the flyaways, but a collision between the pair saw them both exit the race on the penultimate lap.
Ivan Ortola took the lead from Alonso on the final lap, but Alonso was quick to respond as it was a dash to the line between five riders.
Alonso was able to hold his line into the final corner and clinched his 12th victory of the campaign.
The race for the podium was behind the world champion, as Luca Lunetta, Veijer and Furusato duelled it out for the final two spots on the rostrum.
Lunetta was able to hang on to second, but a collision between Veijer and Furusato saw the Japanese rider crash out before taking the flag as Veijer stole third.
Ortola was fourth after running wide at the final corner as Furusato was reinstated to fifth.
David Munoz led the pair of Boe Motorsport bikes over the line in sixth, as Kelso took seventh.
Scott Ogden crossed the line in eighth ahead of Stefano Nepa in ninth, while Tatsuki Suzuki rounded out the top 10.
Ryusei Yamanaka took the flag in 11th, narrowly clear of Dani Holgado in 12th and Riccardo Rossi in 13th.
Filippo Farioli was 14th as Jose Antonio Rueda completed the points finishers in 15th.
