Moto3 Spain Qualifying: Deniz Öncü in pole position, as expected!

Can anyone stop Deniz Öncü from taking pole position in the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix? That is the question. Red Bull KTM rider Ajo has dominated the weekend so far, breaking the previous track record this morning during P3. Others resent his favorite status. Jaume Masiá (Honda Leopard Racing), poleman in Austin, is fast, although his package is not the most advantaged on these lands. Impossible to forget Ayumu Sasaki, who started from pole position twice in three races!

Behind, the young guns are not amusing the field. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), co-leader of the general classification with Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) is always well placed. Also pay attention to Ivan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), author of a masterstroke in Austin. The two mentioned above must go through Q1, which offers the possibility of four drivers being drafted for the last session.

Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Moto3 ™ Jerez Spain	2022	2023
P1	1'47.888 Deniz Öncü	1'46.173 Deniz Oncu
P2	1'46.341 Izan Guevara	1'46.915 Jaume Masia
P3	1'45.736 Diogo Moreira	1'45.401 Deniz Oncu
Q1	1'46.858 Kaito Toba	1'45.908 Romano Fenati
Q2	1'45.880 Izan Guevara	1'45.668 Deniz Oncu
warm up	1'46.601 Deniz Öncü	XXXXXXXXXXXX
Course	Guevara, Garcia, Masia
All time lap record	1'45.880 Izan Guevara 2022	1'45.401 Deniz Oncu

 

The sky has regained its azure blue, and the sun, like yesterday, once again hits Jerez de la Frontera with all its might. Matthew Bertelli (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team) is the first to record a significant time, in 1'46.625. David Almansa, wildcard on Husqvarna at Finetwork Intact GP, still almost falling. Brilliant during the Argentina race as a replacement for Joel Kelso, the young Spaniard is having difficulty on his land.

 

 

Matthew Bertelli holds firm in first place while we are rather waiting for the sensation Diogo Moreira. Five minutes from time, the Brazilian finally got up to speed and took the lead. Philip Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) plays the acrobats by saving an impossible situation! What class from the rookie, judge for yourself:

 

 

Logically, Ivan Ortolá is also in the mix in second position. But that's without counting on the old veteran Roman Fenati (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team), who, in 1'45.908, took command of operations! The Italian has been more than discreet since his return, but perhaps the European circuits are more successful for him. 

Finally, the four qualified for Q2 are, in this order: Roman FenatiFollowed by Diogo Moreira, Matthew Bertelli et Ivan Ortolá. The first injured party is David Salvador (KTM CIP Green Power).

 

Here are the results of Q1 of the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix: 

 

Time for Q2, with 27°C in the air. Immediately, Deniz Oncu gets ready but Ivan Ortolá challenges his head. Even Romano Fenati goes for it, and joins the two men at the top of the general classification. Winner twice on this track, can he do it again? 

 

 

Daniel Holgado et Ayumu Sasaki, as expected, are lurking. The session is relatively calm, and now thanks to Deniz Öncü. The Turk knocks out the competition with two fast laps close together, while Jaume Masia is the big absentee from this race for the pole.

 

 

kick of Matthew Bertelli, the drafted one. Ayumu Sasaki gets a turn canceled, whileIvan Ortolá is in for a big ride. The two protagonists of this session are no longer improving. It's over. Without surprise, Deniz Oncu will start from first position tomorrow. Even if Ivan Ortolá has made a good comeback since Q1, the Turk is the man to beat.

 

 

In the last moments, David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) suffered a very violent fall. Unfortunately, the Brazilian, then third on the grid, seemed affected. Remember that he will receive a double long lap tomorrow for having taken Stefano Nepa (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) to USA. 

 

 

Here are the qualifying results for the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix: 

 

Credit rankings: motogp.com

Cover photo: Red Bull KTM Ajo