Moto3™ delivered fireworks on Saturday at the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) completing a remarkable day – securing pole position after battle from Q1. The #72 dipped into the low 1:40 bracket, setting a magnificent 1:40.394. It was an impressive ride from the Japanese star, qualifying ahead of David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who suffered a late crash and ended the day 0.059s behind. The Colombian secured a strong front-row start, placing in front of San Marino GP winner, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who took third position.
TAIYO FURUSATO! 🙌
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 21, 2024
The Japanese youngster takes his FIRST-EVER pole position and he does so by coming through Q1! 🔥#EmiliaRomagnaGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/aHFw0KuDUb
Q1 to P1
Practice 2 brought further drama on Saturday morning, as David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) went quickest, and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) were just some of the riders who were forced to battle in Q1. Once the first part of qualifying got underway, it was a fierce battle with Rueda coming out on top ahead of David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Furusato and FleetSafe Honda - MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden.
The championship leader is on the deck! 💥
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 21, 2024
Alonso's pole position is looking vulnerable! 👀#EmiliaRomagnaGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/8CJcbvQ4EQ
Once Q2 began, it was a hot pace from Alonso, with the Colombian locking down the top spot early on. However, as usual, the fast laps arrived in the final five minutes with Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) becoming the next rider to improve – charging into the top 10. Red sectors began to show as Ogden suffered a fall at Turn 4 in the final minute before Championship leader Alonso also crashed. Amidst the drama, Furusato used his Q1 experience, to grab pole position on his final flying lap.
Holgado starts from P11
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) will start from fourth in a competitive second row, as the #48 is forced to start alongside LEVELUP – MTA’s Stefano Nepa. The Italian rounded out the top five riders on the grid and will be joined by Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) on the second row. Veijer improved on his final run, jumping inside the top 10 to end another solid day.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) heads the third row of the grid, beating Muñoz, who was unable to replicate his success from Practice 2. Muñoz was a mere 0.319s away from pole and will be alongside Rueda, who qualified in ninth. Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) heads from P11 on the grid, starting ahead of SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Luca Lunetta and Filippo Farioli.
Make sure you set your alarm clocks for race day, as the Moto3™ field now prepares for lights out on Sunday at 10:00 local time (UTC +2)!
Top 10:
1 | Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) | 1:40.394 |
2 | David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) | +0.059 |
3 | Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) | +0.066 |
4 | Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets - MSI) | +0.067 |
5 | Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP - MTA) | +0.116 |
6 | Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.220 |
7 | Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) | +0.283 |
8 | David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) | +0.319 |
9 | Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +0.350 |
10 | Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) | +0.378 |