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Moto3 Italy Warm-Up: Gabriel Rodrigo leads ahead of the 2 Tech3 riders

by | May 30

Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24) flew through qualifying this Saturday in Tuscany. The Japanese driver could almost have gone directly to Q2, but he missed him by just 81 thousandths. He would nevertheless take the lead in Q2, then pocket the sixth pole position of his career, at the very end of the session. The representative of the SIC58 Squadra Corse team was actually ahead after three sectors and also benefited from the slipstream phenomenon, being positioned in the wake of Pedro Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37), himself even improving. As a result, almost six tenths separated them at the end of these qualifications. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #2) inherited third place on the starting grid.

Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) is the best qualified Italian driver, he will start from the second row, accompanied by Jaume Masia (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) and Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52), also through Q1.

The third line will be composed of Romano Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #55), Niccolo Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23) and John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17).

Ayumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #71) completes the top 10, he who was involved in the spectacular incident at the exit of turn 9, also involving Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52). If the drivers of the Tech3 and Gresini teams came away somewhat stunned, the Swiss remained on the ground for a long time. He was taken by helicopter to Florence hospital where he is hospitalized in serious condition.

Who will be in the best shape this morning during this Warm-Up session? Italian Grand Prix ? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Mugello Moto3™

 2019

2021
FP1

1'58.188 Niccolò Antonelli

 1'57.724 Andrea Migno
FP2

1'57.467 Tatsuki Suzuki

 1'56.661 Darryn Binder
FP3

1'56.637 Tony Arbolino

 1'56.234 Andrea Migno
Q1

1'57.792 Raúl Fernández

 1'56.875 Tatsuki Suzuki
Q2

1'56.407 Tony Arbolino

 1'56.001 Tatsuki Suzuki
Warm Up

1'57.085 Gabriel Rodrigo

 1'57.271 Gabriel Rodrigo
Course Arbolino, Dalla Porta, Masia
All time lap record

1'56.407 Tony Arbolino (2019)

 1'56.001 Tatsuki Suzuki

At the start of the morning, the air temperature was 21°C and that of the track 18°C. All our thoughts go to the friendly Swiss pilot Jason dupasquier (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #50), his family, his loved ones and his team.

The Race Direction tells us that Xavier Artigas (Honda, Leopard Racing, #43) received a double long lap penalty for today's race for driving slowly between Turn 12 and Turn 13 during Q1.

As the green flag is shown exiting the pit lane, the drivers take their time in their pits. Ayumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #71), involved in yesterday's impressive crash, will be present on his KTM. The first to set off is Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53), while 3 minutes have already passed. Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Moto3, #99) follows suit, but the rest of the paddock takes its time before getting into action this morning.

Logically, Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53) was the first to set a time, in 1'59.822. He improved and kept the advantage in 1'58.576, ahead Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #2) and Ayumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #71). The French Tech3 team seems in good shape this Sunday.

While the mid-session has just passed, Jaume Masià (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) takes the lead in 1'58.058, ahead Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53) and Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7). Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37) is in tenth position.

Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53) is keen to be at the top of the timesheet and is improving. He is the first driver to go under 1'58, completing the 5.2km of the Tuscan circuit in 1'57.976. All the drivers improve from lap to lap.

While the checkered flag will be presented in less than 5 minutes, it's the turn ofAyumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #71) to put Tech3 in the spotlight with a time of 1'57.691, ahead of gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #2) and Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53). The first 10 are held in 1 small second.

At the end of this Warm Up session, Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #2) leads in 1'57.271 ahead of the 2 Tech3 riders, Deniz Oncu et Ayumu Sasaki.

Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #6) will not start the race, in support of his teammate Jason dupasquier (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #50), hospitalized in Florence in critical condition following his fall yesterday.

Ranking of the Warm Up session of the Italian Moto3 Grand Prix at Mugello:

Credit Ranking: motogp.com