Alonso bags statement pole as Lunetta takes a late P2

The Moto3™ field brought further drama on Saturday at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, with David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) dominating proceedings, setting the pace in Practice 2 before storming to pole in an intense qualifying session. The Colombian left it late to set his time, claiming a 0.417s advantage over the field. Alonso crushed Luca Lunetta’s (SIC58 Squadra Corse) hopes of pole, with the Italian finishing qualifying in a phenomenal second position – earning a front-row start on Sunday. It was another strong ride from the #58, starting alongside Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), with the Spaniard charging to third.

An intense battle for pole awaited

Alonso was the fastest rider on Saturday morning, setting a relentless pace and breaking the lap record in a competitive session. This forced some big names to end the session outside the top 14, including Tatsuki Suzuki, who after crashing in the early stages, took 15^th. This led to a dramatic Q1 session where Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), Vicente Perez (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Filippo Farioli all earned a spot in Q2.

Once Q2 got underway it was a strong start to the session for Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with the Dutchman stealing top honours after setting a 1:41.060. However, Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) would respond later in the session, stealing P1 briefly before Veijer improved and then crashed. Lunetta leapt into a miraculous provisional pole as Alonso put down the hammer, cementing a new lap record.

Rueda back on the fourth row

Back in fourth place was Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who has a tough task ahead on Sunday, with the #36 forced to serve a double Long Lap after an incident at Turn 13 with Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda - MLav Racing) in Practice 2. Piqueras will start alongside Veijer in fifth, who was unable to improve after his crash at Turn 2. Meanwhile, Kelso was pushed down to sixth, rounding out the second row of the grid after also suffering a crash in Q2.

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) heads the third row, starting from P7 after setting a strong 1:41.028, placing in front of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing). The #31 secured a strong starting point for Sunday, aiming to build on a good weekend. Meanwhile, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) takes the final spot on the third row with some big names further back as Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda is forced to start from 12^th on the grid.

Join us on race day, where Moto3™ will prepare for another unpredictable San Marino GP, with lights out on Sunday at 11:00 local time (UTC +2)!

Top 10:

FULL RESULTS!