Álvaro Carpe scored his first pole position in Moto3, making it a 1-2 on the front row for Red Bull KTM Ajo. It was a highly challenging and fast-paced qualifying session in Mugello, with several surprising results.
Last Minute Drama in Q1
Crucial mistakes made by David Muñoz and Máximo Quiles in the final minutes of the Practice Session saw them fall short of the Top 14, failing to advance straight to the Q2 session. They were in the company of several rookies, including home favourite Italian Guido Pini. With 15 minutes on the clock and only four riders advancing on to Q2, the riders staggered their releases out of the pit lane for their out laps and set fast lap after fast lap.
Cormac Buchanan got on the board first, with Muñoz, Ruché Moodley, and Stefano Nepa following up with an equally blistering pace. As the tyres warmed up, Quiles, Pini, and Eddie O’Shea moved further up in times with four minutes to go. However, Quiles entered Turn 5 too quickly, coming off the bike very close to the edge of the track. He was able to bring it back to the garage as the team worked under immense pressure to get that bike back out on the track. Pini also had his time deleted for a track limit infraction.
With one minute to go, no one improved upon their personal best lap times. It all came down to the wire after the checkered flag, with Muñoz, Vicente Pérez, and Dennis Foggia unable to beat Quiles. However, Quiles’ bike had work done to compete for a front-row position.
Bike and Track Limits Tested in Q2
Scott Ogden had gone fastest in Free Practice 2 in the cooler morning climate, but could he maintain his position in the warmer afternoon heat?
All 18 riders tucked in close together as they geared up for their flying laps. Quiles was able to join the session with an operational bike, but a rear tyre change pulled Pérez back in again before going back out on another sighting lap. Track limits were once again tested, with a few riders finding themselves on the green strip, effectively deleting their lap times.
Ryusei Yamanaka made his way back to the garage after his fuel tank exhibited issues, quickly raising his hand to flag the problem while avoiding Joel Kelso and Muñoz. Unfortunately, the MT Helmets team were unable to find a solution in time to get Yamanaka back out, ending his session. Jacob Roulstone presented his best qualifying performance to date, finding himself in the Top 5 as the checkered flag waved. It all came down to which KTM would be in pole position. Carpe answered the question, achieving his first Moto3 pole position, followed by teammate José Antonio Rueda. Ogden was also able to secure a front-row spot in third place.
Top Ten on the Grid
- Álvaro Carpe
- José Antonio Rueda
- Scott Ogden
- Ángel Piqueras
- Jacob Roulstone
- Valentín Perrone
- David Muñoz
- Máximo Quiles
- Joel Kelso
- David Almansa
The lineup for the first rows on the grid of the Italian Race is an interesting one, with some names a lot higher up the ladder than we are used to seeing. Can Carpe convert his first pole into a Moto3 Grand Prix winner? Or will another front-runner looking for their first win in the championship steal it out from under him? If it’s anything like Aragón, it will all be decided in the final sectors.