Already author of the new Motegi track record in Friday practice, Ivan Ortola he wasn’t satisfied at all in today’s qualifying. The Spaniard, after having further lowered his time in the first part of Q2, definitively stopped the clock at 1:54.761, a performance which earned him the fifth pole position of the season ahead of Collin Veijer and David Alonso, who sees the goal of the world title ever closer.
Q1: two Italians in Q2
The first qualifying session begins for better or for worse David Munoz: author of the best performance in 1:56.016, the Spaniard is currently under investigation for having obstructed Taiyo Furusato in his fast lap. A maneuver that could lead to a penalty, all while the same Japanese driver narrowly managed to get into the second and final session between two Italians like Stefano Nepa (84 thousandths behind the fastest lap) e Riccardo Rossi.
Q2: Record-breaking vegetables
Just before the green light it starts raining. Despite the unfavorable conditions and the traffic in front of him, Ortolà stands out by once again setting the Motegi track record. However, precisely on the occasion of the last run, the Spaniard emerges as the real protagonist of the day: after having temporarily lost the start from the first spot on the grid to Veijer, Ortolà once again lowers his time to 1:54.761, setting a new track record ahead of the aforementioned Veijer and David Alonso, who will have a good chance to become world champion in tomorrow’s race. An objective that is approaching precisely after this qualification following the performance of his direct pursuer Daniel Holgado, only 9th.
Moto3 / Japanese Grand Prix 2024: starting grid (top 18 of Q2)
POS. | PILOT | MOTORCYCLE | TIME/GAP |
1 | Ivan Ortola | KTM | 1:54.761 |
2 | Collin Veijer | Husqvarna | +0.356 |
3 | David Alonso | CFMoto | +0.409 |
4 | Angel Piqueras | Honda | +0.724 |
5 | Ryusei Yamanaka | KTM | +0.733 |
6 | Joel Kelso | KTM | +0.918 |
7 | Adrian Fernandez | Honda | +1,167 |
8 | David Munoz | KTM | +1,170 |
9 | Daniel Holgado | GasGas | +1,404 |
10 | David Almansa | Honda | +1,473 |
11 | Stefano Nepa | KTM | +1,570 |
12 | Luca Lunetta | Honda | +1,599 |
13 | Taiyo Furusato | Honda | +1,657 |
14 | José Antonio Rueda | KTM | +1,659 |
15 | Matteo Bertelle | Honda | +1,675 |
16 | Riccardo Rossi | KTM | +2,023 |
17 | Tatsuki Suzuki | Husqvarna | +2,191 |
18 | Filippo Farioli | Honda | +2,459 |
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