Moto3 Barcelona Qualifying: Pole and record for Tony Arbolino

This Saturday morning during FP3, the objective was the same for all the drivers: to be among the first 14 to qualify directly for Q2. Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who had dominated the first day, started favorite during this relatively cool morning. But that was without counting on Tony Arbolino who climbed to the top of the combined standings at the end of this third free practice session in Montmeló.

Thus, the Madrilenian was beaten by the Italian, author of a 1'48.635 lap, but also by the winner of the last Grand Prix, Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), who took the checkered flag one tenth behind his compatriot. Raul Fernandez, victim of a fall in turn 5, was thus relegated to third.

James Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) and Sergio Garcia (Honda, Estrella Galicia 0,0), are now fourth and fifth in the combined standings. gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) moved up to sixth place. Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing), classified 21st overall in the first two free practice sessions, made the most impressive climb up the hierarchy with the seventh fastest time. Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46), Kaito Toba (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Darryn binder (KTM, CIP – Green Power) close the top 10.

Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46), Ayumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Filip Salac (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) complete the top 14 and are automatically qualified for Q2.

The surprise of the morning concerns the first 3 in the World Championship ranking: the leader Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) will have to go through Q1, just like his two main opponents Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) and John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing).

What will this promising qualifying session bring? Before answering this question, here is the table that refreshes our memory…

Catalunya-Barcelona Moto3	2019	2020
FP1	1'49.167 Alonso Lopez	1'48.853 Raúl Fernández
FP2	1'49.213 Lorenzo Dalla Porta	1′.49.134 Jaume Masia
FP3	1'48.433 Aron Canet	1'48.635 Tony Arbolino
Q1	1'48.970 Tatsuki Suzuki	1'48.894 Alonso Lopez
Q2	1'48.450 Gabriel Rodrigo	1'47.762 Tony Arbolino
Warm Up	1'49.134 Lorenzo Dalla Porta
Course	Ramirez, Canet, Vietti
All time lap record	1'48.433 Aron Canet 2019	1'47.762 Tony Arbolino

 

At the beginning of the afternoon, to start Q1, the air temperature was 18°C ​​and that of the track 19°C, under bright sunshine.

The drivers quickly entered the track to seize this final chance to reach Q2. Only 4 of the 16 drivers participating in this Q1 will qualify for Q2, which will take place immediately afterwards. And there are a lot of people in this Q1, including Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), current leader of the World Championship

Barry Baltus (KTM, PruestlGP) suffers a violent highside at turn 5, the bike remains in the middle of the track. This is the first corner where the braking is supported on the corner. Fortunately, the Belgian driver was unhurt and got back on his bike to return to the pits. This is probably not the best way to start Q1.

Riccardo rossi (KTM, BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy) quickly took the lead in 1'49.346, ahead Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Arizona 77), Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) and Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) is quite upset on his return to the pits, because he has led the chasing pack and finds himself far away in the standings for the moment. He was unable to take advantage of the slipstream on the long straight of the Montmelo circuit.

Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Arizona 77) is feeling quite warm, but manages to stay in the saddle.

It's then Riccardo rossi (KTM, BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy) who fell less than 3 minutes from the end of Q1.

During the last run, the times went crazy and the ranking was completely turned upside down. Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) largely abused the limits of the track and several of his times were canceled, but that did not prevent him from completing several laps with the knife between his teeth.

In the end, these are Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in 1'48.894, Nicolò Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse), John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) who advance to Q2.

Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), which has so far always finished on the podium this year, will start 24th.

Now it's time for Q2, these 4 drivers joining the other 14 fastest from the 3 practice sessions. The temperature of the track is then 26°C, and the riders are in a hurry to get into the saddle. Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) and his teammate Celestine Vietti are on the track together, as usual.

The first to cross the timing line is Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) in 1'48.611. He then advances Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) and Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power).

John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing), who was fifth, saw his time canceled. There are still 10 minutes left, nothing is decided. Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) improves and is leader in 1'48.566, during his 3rd flying lap.

We are then halfway through the session, the drivers return to the pits to prepare for the last run, the one which will determine the positions on the starting grid. The KTMs from the Red Bull KTM Ajo team set off first, with Raul Fernandez et Kaito Toba.

The drivers wait for turn 10 before setting off for a flying lap.

1 minute from the end of Q2, Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) breaks the lap record in 1'48.310. He leads the dance in front Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) and Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse). There is one final lap left!

And what a last ride! The Madrid driver's record was beaten by Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) in 1'47.762. Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), who had pole, crashed on the last lap. He qualified 2nd. gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) completes the first row. Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) is fourth.

Ranking of Q1 of the Moto3 Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com