David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) continued his Moto3 qualifying dominance at Motegi, storming to a seventh pole position of the season with a new all-time lap record. The Spaniard’s 1:54.572 was enough to hold off Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by just 0.045s, with teammate Alvaro Carpe completing the front row.
Uriarte had been the early benchmark, putting himself provisional fastest with a 1:54.617 on his third lap. Almansa responded soon after, though, delivering the lap that would ultimately decide the Japanese GP polesitter on his fourth tour as the clock ticked into the final six minutes.
The closing stages were anything but straightforward. Uriarte had a crash with around three minutes remaining while pushing on a fast lap, but the Spaniard was quickly back to his feet, picked up his KTM from the gravel and got straight back to it. Despite all that, the #51 came within 0.072s of his own best on his final lap, but Almansa’s pole lap time remained out of reach.
There was late drama elsewhere too. Carpe took the scenic route through the gravel before regrouping for one final attack, and the Championship contender delivered when it mattered with a 1:54.647 on his last lap to jump into third. It secured the #83 a second consecutive front-row start, while giving Red Bull KTM Ajo two riders alongside Almansa on row one.
Yellow flags also played their part in a frantic finale. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) went down at Turn 5 before getting back on his bike, while teammate Adrian Fernandez later tucked the front at Turn 9. Earlier in the session, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) suffered a nasty highside but thankfully got back to his feet; the Indonesian was unable to set another lap and finished 18th.
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) entered the final moments with one last opportunity to threaten the front row, but the Championship leader was unable to improve on his 1:54.854 and will head up row 2. Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) claimed fifth, while David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) made a late move into sixth with a 1:55.147.
Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) leads row three in seventh, ahead of teammate Valentin Perrone and Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), with home hero Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) completing the top ten.
For Almansa, it’s pole number seven in 2026 and another statement Saturday as the title fight enters its final stretch. With seven Grands Prix remaining, Quiles has his first opportunity to wrap up the crown in Japan, although Almansa, Uriarte and Carpe, from row 1, can all ensure the fight rolls on.