Moto3 is back in Japan, and it starts right away with P1. This second session, crucial to start your weekend, is always interesting to follow. In terms of times, you had to follow David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team), winner again in Mandalika, and who can already be crowned world champion at the end of this weekend. Behind him, the opposition is doing what it can. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) were good outsiders, but mistakes and other recent glitches have eliminated them from the title race. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) is more tenacious, granted, but struggles to compete with the Colombian. Arriving in Japan, you also had to be wary of the Honda Leopard Racing pair made up of Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez, who have had a lot of speed for some time. This morning, David Alonso once again distinguished himself in a complicated session.
Do you already know the result of this session? It doesn't matter, come and relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table that summarizes the known facts. :
Moto3β’ Japan, Motegi |
2023 |
2024 |
FP | 1'57.260 Diogo Moreira | 1'59.280 David Alonso |
P1 | 1'57.068 Jaume Masia | 1'55.550 Ivan Ortola |
P2 | 1'56.148 Jaume Masia | |
Q1 | 1'57.161 Riccardo Rossi | |
Q2 | 1'56.331 Jaume Masia | |
Course | Masia, Sasaki, Holgado (See here) | |
All time lap record | 1'56.148 Jaume Masia 2023 | 1'55.550 Ivan Ortola |
While the track is now dry, Ivan Ortola quickly improves this morning's time. He is followed by the Japanese Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Aisa), who will have the pressure at home.
Painting those sectors red π΄
It's @IvanOrtola48 π Alonso for top spot and the Spaniard gets the upper hand π#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/CuiNbvOJhm
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
David Alonso, on the other hand, does motocross! After a little off-track, he finds himself plowing through the gravel traps. However, he still comes in second place.
Some Tokyo drifting and motocross from Alonso π₯π±
He's already back on track after a big moment π #JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/VoZPbvt0Xh
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
The Colombian, on fire as always, now takes first position, but is quickly dethroned by the rookie Angel PiquerasThe track record is already not far away.
Inching towards a new lap record π¨@AngelPiqueras18 goes top and gets very close π#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/akwMdqFrXP
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
The drivers are already setting off for the final run. Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM MT Helmets MSi) shines at home, with a new lap record! Can he become the first Japanese winner at Motegi since Youichi Ui in 2001? Adrian fernandez, also very fast, would like to prevent him from doing so. Daniel Holgado, in the depths of the ranking, struggle.
WHAT A LAP by @yamanaka_ryusei! π
The first-ever 1:55 set around Motegi in # Moto3!π₯π₯#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/zkdrEmg3Xk
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
Then, these are Ivan Ortola et David Alonso who go on the attack. But finally, at the end of the suspense, Ivan Ortola maintains its first position ahead of Angel Piqueras, who fell in the last lap, and David Alonso.
π @IvanOrtola48 sounds the charge!
He goes quickest seconds after Alonso ππ#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/KEpE2a40YZ
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
Moto1 P3 result at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: MT HElmets MSi