Gqeberha’s Ruche Moodley Climbs from P20 to P13 in Qatar Moto3 Battle

South African Moto3 rider Ruche Moodley continued to impress in his debut season by picking up championship points for the third time in four races—this time with a gutsy performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Despite starting from 20th on the grid after a tricky qualifying session, the 18-year-old fought his way through the field at Lusail International Circuit to finish 13th and add to his growing points tally with Denssi Racing BOE Motorsports.

Fighting through the pack under the lights

It was Moodley’s first experience racing under floodlights, and the conditions provided an entirely new challenge. Riders often describe the experience as surreal, with the combination of artificial lighting and high-speed concentration creating a tunnel-vision effect—something also noted by Formula 1 drivers racing at similar circuits.

“This was my first time at Lusail and first time racing under lights. It was tough, but I learned a lot,” Moodley said.

Though he’d shown promise during early practice sessions, a lack of slipstream in qualifying left him stranded in the middle of the pack. Still, Moodley made a strong recovery during the race, passing seven riders to secure a spot in the points.

Tyre gamble pays off as Moodley manages late charge

Moodley’s team opted for a harder tyre compound, which impacted his grip early on but gave him consistency later in the race. It was a strategic choice that paid off as he moved up steadily while others faltered due to mechanical issues or crashes.

“The heat really pushed us today—both for the tyres and the riders. I had to manage my tyre wear well and I’m glad I kept enough in reserve for the final laps,” he said.

A well-timed charge saw him climb into the top 15 midway through the race, with enough pace to secure 13th place at the chequered flag. While not his best result—he placed 11th in the season opener at Sepang—it was arguably his most hard-earned finish.

Moodley building confidence in competitive field

Moodley, from Gqeberha, now sits level on nine points in the rider standings alongside teammate Cormax Buchanan. With 29 riders battling it out each race weekend, every point matters, and the teenager is showing he belongs on the world stage.

As his confidence builds and experience grows, Moodley is proving to be one of South Africa’s most exciting young motorsport prospects.

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Sourced:IOL

Picture: BOE Motorsports.