Qualifying, Aragon: Pole-setter David Almansa (Intact) with nerves of steel

One of the surprises at MotorLand Aragon: Brian Uriarte, a two-time winner in 2026, found himself back in the first Moto3 qualifying session after a disastrous start, which included a massive crash in FP1. But the young Spaniard had bounced back – in Q1 he set the clear fastest time and thus also progressed to the decisive qualifying session.

Joining the KTM Ajo rider in Q2 was David Gonzalez, who is also standing in for David Munoz at Intact GP in Aragon. Moto3’s ‘crash king’ Cormach Buchanan and Joel Esteban were also quick enough to make it through to the final qualifying session.

Back in action in the Spanish heat was World Championship leader Maximo Quiles. The Aspar rider had recovered from his broken collarbone sustained in England and put in an impressive performance to finish eighth in qualifying. Things went even better for the second Intact rider, David Almansa. After setting the fastest times at MotorLand, the Spaniard went into Q2 as the favourite for pole position.

At the same time, Almansa was in the crosshairs of the competition. The number 22 was expected to lead the field – but David Almansa tried to stay out of all the tactical manoeuvring. This only worked to a limited extent. Almansa was used as a pacemaker, but just as the Intact rider was about to set a faster time, Brian Uriarte squeezed past him. That meant the chance was gone for Almansa – and Uriarte was the fastest.

Maximo Quiles wurde in der Schlussphase von der Spitze verdrängt

Foto: Gold & Goose

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Whilst Almansa made another attempt, Quiles spring a surprise. With a solo run, the World Championship leader set a new fastest time shortly after the halfway point: 1:56.390 mins! Shortly afterwards – a yellow flag following a crash by David Gonzalez at Turn 5. Almansa returned to the pits. The third-placed rider in the World Championship still hadn’t set a timed lap.

The order three minutes before the chequered flag: Quiles ahead of the Ajo riders Uriarte and Carpe, Casey O’Gorman and the Tech3 riders Perrone and Salmela. Then more bad luck for David Almansa. On his penultimate lap, Joel Esteban crashed – yellow flag. That left David Almansa with just one lap – and the Silverstone winner made the most of it. 1:56.347 mins! With a record-breaking lap, he secured pole position at the very last second. Quiles was also relegated to P3 by his team-mate Marco Morelli. Row 2 on race Sunday will be made up of Bertelle, Cruces and Uriarte. The first Honda, ridden by Leopard rider Adrian Fernandez, is only in 8th place.

German-speaking motorbike fans had little to cheer about when it came to Leo Rammerstorfer’s performance. On the five-kilometre-long circuit near Alcaniz, the Austrian could only manage 10th place in Q1 – and consequently 24th on the grid – after a promising Friday.