Moto3 qualifying is over in Japan! While David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team) is in a position to grab the world title tomorrow, his rivals are moving heaven and earth to delay the deadline. Clearly, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to stop the Colombian. In any case, until now, he has been rather fast in all circumstances. He was the fastest in the FP, the introductory session, and was among the first in P1. In this last session, however, Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) distinguished himself even more by smashing the previous lap record. In any case, it was necessary to keep an eye on the outsiders, and keep an eye on Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3), who has been struggling until now. Earlier in the morning, in P2, Angel Piqueras (Honda Leopard Racing) distinguished himself in the rain, in a session that did not upset the pre-established order during P1. His teammate Adrian Fernandez was no less dangerous.
Even if you already know the outcome of this session, come relive it with us! Before starting, here is a table which 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 | 2'05.716 Angel Piqueras |
Q1 | 1'57.161 Riccardo Rossi | 1'56.016 David Munoz |
Q2 | 1'56.331 Jaume Masia | 1'54.761 Ivan Ortola |
Course | Masia, Sasaki, Holgado (See here) | |
All time lap record | 1'56.148 Jaume Masia 2023 | 1'54.761 Ivan Ortola |
Here we go for Q1, which promises to be quite interesting. On the big customer side, we notice David munoz (KTM BoΓ© Motorsports), on the podium at Mandalika, but also the Japanese Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), like the Australian rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GasGas Tech3). The rain has calmed down, and everything looks dry. Here we go!
# Moto3 QUALIFYING starts now! π
Many raincoats spotted in the grandstands as the riders roll out for Q1 π§οΈβοΈ#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/tAqLmYodFG
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
David munoz is the first to achieve a significant time. He is followed by Stefano Nepa (KTM LEVELUP MTA) as the rain falls a little on the Motegi track.
Rain is not getting heavier but it's still rather tricky out there! β οΈ@david64official jumps to the top! #JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/dCj7CSA0zz
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
A few moments later, Stefano Nepa takes the lead, while Scott Ogden (Honda MLav Racing) also enters the all-important top 4.
A margin of over six tenths for @stefanonepa82 πͺ
The Italian improves and takes top spot from @david64official #JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/fJL4tDOsGj
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Finally, David munoz takes back his first position and concludes this Q1 in the lead. Stefano Nepa is second, just ahead Taiyo Furusato et Riccardo rossi (KTM CIP Green Power). Joel Esteban (CFMoto Aspar Team) is the first of those eliminated.
Moto1 Q3 result at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix:
Here we go for Q2, which will pit the best drivers in the smallest category against each other. The rain is also arriving, and will spice up this Q2. The drivers are giving it their all in these first laps, be careful not to make any mistakes. Collin Veijer is the first to draw, but he is closely followed by David Alonso. times are a second slower than yesterday due to rain. But Ivan Ortola, he doesn't care! the pilot MT Helmets MSi improves considerably, with a new lap record.
π€― @IvanOrtola48 has just set a NEW ALL-TIME LAP RECORD
Utter bravery and skills from the Spaniard ππ©#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/eHh1qX6VLc
- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Just one more run to make the difference. In the final moments, Collin Veijer achieves a great time, but Ivan Ortola does even better with an incredible 1'54! A new pole for ortola, which will be followed by Veijer and David Alonso on the grid. Daniel Holgado, he will start ninth. Alonso could perhaps have claimed better, but a visor problem on his Airoh helmet prevented him from fully concentrating on his effort on the final lap.
1:54.761! π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅
Needless to say, that's a record and POLE POSITION for @IvanOrtola48
π₯
Just outstanding! π#JapaneseGP π―π΅ pic.twitter.com/DwHvevzmmm- MotoGP @ π (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
2024 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying results:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: MT Helmets MSi