Moto3 Argentina Qualifying: The Ayumu Sasaki show continues!

Who will start from pole position in the Moto3 category? This weekend, one man in particular stood out in the dry: Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), 1st during the first two practice sessions. Already a poleman in Portimão, he will be keen to continue on the Termas de Río Hondo route. Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) was not far away, as were the two riders from the Honda Leopard Racing team, Jaume Masiá and Tatsuki Suzuki. Their top speed gives them a definite advantage on this track. Also watch out for the rockets Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports), still in the game. During P3, contested on a disillusioning track, Roman Fenati (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team) stood out but will have to go through Q1, just like the two Red Bull KTM men Ajo Deniz Öncü and José Antonio Rueda.

Since Portugal, the plateau has lost Lorenzo Fellon et Joel Kelso, injured, respectively replaced by Andrea Migno (KTM CIP Green Power) and David Almansa (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP).

 

 

Before starting this session which promises to be fascinating, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Argentine GP Moto3™	2022	2023
P1	1'49.268 Dennis Foggia	1'49.804 Ayumu Sasaki
P2	1'48.962 Izan Guevara	1'48.597 Ayumu Sasaki
P3	Canceled	1'53.875 Romano Fenati
Q1	1'49.822 Ryusei Yamanaka	1'50.034 Iván Ortolá
Q2	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia	1'49.539 Ayumu Sasaki
warm up	1'48.615 Deniz Öncü	XXXXXXXXXX
Course	Garcia, Foggia, Sasaki
All time lap record	1'48.429 Sergio Garcia (2022)

 

16°C in the air, the rain is no more. The conditions are not yet optimal and we can see many damp spots on the track, but one thing is certain; all will start on slicks. Pitlane reporters still mention drops in the air, a phenomenon to watch out for. 

At the green flag, the drivers do not rush to attack, to say the least. Filippo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who had made a good impression earlier in the day, was the first to set off. Only four drivers can qualify for Q2: missing the slightest apex point is prohibited.

 

 

Deniz Oncu draws first, in 1'50.689. He showed very interesting speed at the end of P3, and there is no doubt that he will try to confirm. Ivan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) joins him in 2nd position, at 0.113s. 

 

 

Surprisingly, the reference brand signed Deniz Öncü from the first try seems difficult to achieve. Note the appearance of Syiarifuddin Azman (KTM MT Helmets MSi) in the second position. Malaysians are comfortable in these latitudes. Remember the historical performance of Khairul Idham Pawi right here in 2016. 

Two minutes from the end, Ivan Ortolá takes command. Will this be enough? José Antonio Rueda places 3rd, and therefore provisionally in Q2. Ivan Ortolá stays in the lead until the checkerboard, followed by Deniz Oncu et Jose Antonio Rueda. Ryusei Yamanaka (GasGas Aspar Team) is the last qualified. 

 

 

Here are the full results from Q1: 

 

And now, the race for pole. David Munoz sets off, and records the first beat of this session. The promising young driver has been relatively discreet since the start of the weekend, but we know that he will be present tomorrow, regardless of his starting position. After the first round, it's Deniz Oncu who leads in 1'49.142, helped by his teammate José Antonio Rueda. Diogo Moreira, still in ambush, follows closely. Ayumu Sasaki is 3rd, ready to break free from the competition.

 

 

Six minutes from time, the brilliant rookie Jose Antonio Rueda falls and struggles to restart his machine. Fortunately, he succeeds a few minutes later; the Spaniard was 8th at the time of his error. Jaume Masia pushes and catches up, while we were expecting the more efficient Hondas on this track. 

 

 

Tours are subject to cancellations. Ayumu Sasaki incurs the costs, and has to start all over again. Three minutes before the presentation of the checkered flag, the drivers set off for their last run. Deniz Öncü always leads. Sasaki only has one turn, no room for error. And as incredible as it may seem, he took pole! What an effort! 

Incredible, in a single round, without aspiration, to make such a difference. Deniz Oncu will start 2nd (relegated to more than 0.6s), while Diogo Moreira will complete the first row. Ivan Ortolá is 4th after a good performance, which confirms its good form at the start of the season. 

 

 

The poleman speaks about his thundering lap to the microphones of journalists from MotoGP.com : " I am very happy. I think I hadn't hit the green part, but they canceled my turn. It was when I returned to the pits that I found out. The team did a fantastic job, doing this lap so quickly surprised me. Let's hope not to be disappointed like in Portugal and continue this effort tomorrow.  »

 

Results of P2 of the Argentine Moto3 Grand Prix at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit:

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Intact GP