Moto3 Japan FP2: Jaume Masiá sets the record straight

The Asian tour continues for Moto3 riders with FP2 in Japan, a second meeting in two weeks. In India, the action was intense; the championship is now completely relaunched. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was in great difficulty in the first days, and was caught by another serious competitor, in the person of Jaume Masiá (Honda Leopard Racing). The latter won in style at Buddh, well ahead of all his competitors. He is now tied for first overall, but just one point ahead of Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). The Japanese, third in India, is having a very solid season so far even if he has still not won a single Grand Prix.

Behind, the young guns are pushing, notably two rookies: David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team), the Colombian currently fourth overall, as well as the Dutch Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), in contention for the podium in India but pushed by his teammate Sasaki in the final moments. Among other talents, they should be watched with the greatest attention. But who will win this battle of Motegi, decisive for the attribution of the title? Earlier in the morning it was Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) who dominated the first session.

Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Motegi Moto3™	2022	2023
FP1	1'57.252 Diogo Moreia	1'57.260 Diogo Moreira
FP2	2'09.684 Denis Foggia	1'57.068 Jaume Masia
FP3	CANCELLATIONDUE TO RAIN
Q1	2'11.779 Scott Ogden
Q2	2'11.246S Tatsuki Suzuki
Warm up	1:57.860 Ayumu Sasaki
Course	Guevara, Foggia, Sasaki (See here)
All time lap record	1'56.443 Hiroki Ono (2016)

 

The weather is good for this second session of the day, which might not last given the forecasts for tomorrow. The pilots will be able to express themselves in the best possible way.

 

 

Quickly, Daniel Holgado takes the advantage in this FP2, while the Spaniard has shown major signs of weakness in recent races. He saw his championship lead melt away like snow in the sun. Pay attention to the small drop to Matthew Bertelli (Honda Snipers Team). Jaume Masia is also in good shape, as every time since the summer recovery.

Local Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) rises to the level of the best; could it be the surprise of this weekend? Especially since it is very fast in the wet, conditions that the drivers could well encounter tomorrow.

 

 

The Husqvarna squad wakes up, and Colin Veijer now achieves the best time ahead Ayumu Sasaki. The Dutch rookie is definitely very impressive since his pole in Austria. In the meantime, Daniel Holgado failure to collide with his teammate Filippo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3). That said, that doesn't prevent the co-leader of the championship from taking the lead in the standings! It's official: he's back!

 

 

However, others are just as fast, if not faster. Among them, Ivan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), also disqualified for non-compliant oil from the Catalan Moto3 Grand Prix. Since less in sight, he seems fast in Motegi. Jaume Masia also is having a good day. The session is over, and everything should be decided in the last round.

Finally, it's still Jaume Masia who takes the lead in this session. The pilot Leopard Racing confirms its very good form at the moment, and appears as the favorite for the end of the season.

 

 

Moto2 Japanese Grand Prix FP3 results at Motegi:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Leopard Racing