Qualifying, Sachsenring: Quiles without a time after crash, rookie Pratama 1st.

The start of the first qualifying session for the Sachsenring GP began with a shock for the team of championship leader Maximo Quiles. The dominant force of the 2026 season crashed out during the very first flying lap – the violent crash at Turn 7 of the Sachsenring initially sidelined the Aspar rider. The Spaniard’s bike was badly damaged, and Quiles was taken back to the paddock.

The mood within the German Intact GP team was also subdued. David Almansa, who had travelled to the Sachsenring in third place in the World Championship, was forced to sit out the crucial 35-minute qualifying session following FP1. The Spaniard is currently being treated in hospital for an infection and a fever.

The session, which determines whether the top 14 qualify directly for the second qualifying session, claimed its next victims after just under ten minutes. Once again, there was a crash in the fast left-hand Turn 7. Following a highside by Guido Pini, CIP rider Adrian Cruces was unable to avoid him. The Italian and the Spaniard both ended up in the gravel. Neither of the young riders sustained any serious injuries. No sooner had the Moto3 bikes been recovered than the second CIP-KTM, ridden by Scott Ogden, also came to a halt off the track.

Whilst rookie Brian Uriarte was setting his first significant lap time, Quiles reappeared in the Aspar pit. Despite a few knocks, the six-time winner of the current season wanted back on the track, but with 20 minutes to go, the KTM in CFMOTO colours was still not back in the pits.

Meanwhile, on the track, two Honda riders had picked up the pace. Joel Kelso took second place, followed by rookie Jesus Rios (Snipers), whilst behind them, Intact stand-in rider Marcos Uriarte surprised everyone with the fourth-fastest time. With Rico Salmela, Hakim Danish and Marco Morelli, three further newcomers had fought their way into the top 10. Rookie Leo Rammerstorfer, racing at the Sachsenring – a circuit he knows well – was 1.2 seconds off the fastest time at the halfway stage, which meant 22nd place on the short 3.67 km circuit.

The final 10 minutes or so once again turned into a frantic finale, which Maximo Quiles was unable to take part in. The 250cc prototype bearing his number had not been got running again. In the final stages, the action came thick and fast. Pratama, Buchanan, Esteban and Jesús Ríos overtook Ajo rider Brian Urirate. Further sector best times appeared on the screens. The biggest improvement was achieved by Honda Asia rookie Veda Pratama, who clocked a time of 1:25.848 minutes five minutes before the chequered flag. Just 0.008 seconds behind him was Joel Esteban.

In ideal conditions, Eddie O’Shea moved up to third place shortly before the end. Alvaro Carpe, the fastest rider in FP1, climbed as high as fifth. There were no further changes at the top. Reflecting the strong performance of the rookies, Veda Pratama ended Friday in Saxony with the fastest time. With Rios (4th), Morelli (6th), Danish (7th) and Rico Salmela (14th), four further rookies progressed directly to the second qualifying session. Leo Rammerstorfer from Linz was unable to improve on his time. 1:27.164 mins – Q1 after finishing 22nd for the Honda rider.