Moto3 qualifying at Sepang: Quiles shone, Malaysian Danish on the front row

As the second qualifying session got underway in the smallest engine capacity class of the Motorcycle World Championship, conditions were typical of the tropics: an air temperature of 32 degrees and dry, hot tarmac. Prior to this, four young riders from Q1 had made their way into the top ranks of the Moto3 field. Adrian Cruces (CIP-KTM), Honda rider Guido Pini, Yamanaka-san (MSi) and Aspar rookie Marco Morelli joined the Moto3 elite in the grid position shootout.

Honda rider Joel Kelso got off to a strong start in Q2. The Aussie was the first to break the 2:11 mark. On the second flying lap, Matteo Bertelle’s best time was beaten: 2:10.844. But the Spanish Red Bull KTM Ajo rider overtook him shortly afterwards. Alvaro Carpe ahead of Uriarte, Bertelle and Kelso – that was the order after the first few laps.

Maximo Quiles, however, came charging through later

Whilst local hero Hakim Danish moved up to 6th and Honda Asia prospect Veda Pratama to 8th, the lead now passed to Intact GP’s top rider David Almansa. The number 22 was a further 0.033 seconds faster than Carpe. In second place – Maximo Quiles. The newly crowned Moto3 World Champion was initially around three tenths off pole position.

Hakim Danish aus Malaysia fuhr in Sepang auf Startplatz 3

Foto: Gold and Goose

But the Aspar rider had something in reserve. Three minutes before the chequered flag, Quiles set a best time of 2:10.396 minutes, which was good enough for the fifth pole position of his still-young career. Right on the champion’s tail, Brian Uriarte secured second place. Amidst the cheers of the fans, Hakim Danish also managed to improve his time. The Malaysian finished third, just 0.133 seconds behind Quiles.

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On the final lap, David Almansa was once again on course for the fastest time. However, the World Championship runner-up pushed too hard, ended up in the gravel and had to settle for fourth on the grid. Alvaro Carpe (KTM-Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (MTA) will line up in fifth and sixth place respectively. With Veda Pratama in eighth place, another rider from South-East Asia secured a strong result in Q2.

Things did not go well in the Sepang qualifying session for the only German-speaking GP rider, Leo Rammerstorfer. The class rookie from Austria was forced into the gravel trap through no fault of his own in Q1 and was subsequently only able to qualify for 25th on the grid.