José Antonio Rueda took pole position in the Moto3 Qualifying in a much calmer affair at TT Circuit Assen than yesterday’s practice sessions. It was another one-two line-up for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, with Álvaro Carpe advancing from Q1 to Q2 with ease. David Almansa locked out the front row for tomorrow’s feature race.
Cutting it Too Close to the Checkered Flag
After yesterday’s Moto3 Practice session, Máximo Quiles and Carpe were the surprise entrants into Q1, battling alongside the usual suspects, including Japanese riders Taiyo Furusato and Ryusei Yamanaka. Within the first few minutes of the session, all four found themselves at the top of the timesheet, where they remained and progressed forward.
MLav Racing put all their hopes in Eddie O’Shea and their new substitute rider, Leonardo Abruzzo (replacing the injured Vicente Pérez), to advance. However, both found it difficult to move beyond the tenth position.
All twelve riders entered the paddock and returned for the next run with two minutes to spare. Considering it takes just under that time to make it around the track, everyone was going to leave it to chance to get in a lap time if they crossed before the checkered flag. Only one managed to do so, the Kiwi Cormac Buchanan. However, it still wasn’t enough to advance him into Q2.
A KTM Lockout in Q2
Luca Lunetta, David Muñoz, and Joel Kelso were the three riders who came out on top on Friday, but their Saturday morning session was a little more subdued as they saved their bikes for Q2. After the anticlimactic end of Q1, the riders of Q2 wasted no time in coming out and setting fast lap after lap.
David Almansa put in everything he had to get the fastest lap of the pack, but he caused more annoyance than it was worth. A few riders, including Furusato, had to abort their laps due to his antics before entering the pit. Just like Mugello last weekend, Carpe and Rueda found themselves in the top two positions. Rueda did have trouble pulling up after he managed to snag the pole position away from his teammate.
With just over a minute before the session’s end, Guido Pini found himself in the gravel trap and caused the yellow flags to come out. But they came out once again as Lunetta crashed just before the checkered flag waved, signalling the end of qualifying.
Top 12 On the Grid
This is the second weekend in a row we find Rueda and Carpe on the front of the grid in a Moto3 GP. However, the Cathedral of Speed has already been a dramatic one for the Moto3 class this weekend. In full race conditions, we know that anything is possible, with upsets and underdogs a staple at this point. There’s only one way to find out, and we’ll be sure to get you the action-packed report at the final checkered flag.