Ortola flies under lap record to claim pole from Veijer

Saturday stirred up further drama at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) storming to an impressive pole position, setting a 1:37.332 in the closing minutes of Q2. It was a new lap record for the #48, who will have to serve a double Long Lap on Sunday after slow riding in Practice 2. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) will start alongside Ortola, with the Dutchman pulling off an incredible front-end save on his final flying lap. Veijer was 0.257s adrift from pole position, starting ahead of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who claimed third despite a crash in the closing minutes.

Crucial late times in Q2

It was a hot pace on Saturday morning in a dramatic Practice 2, which saw Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) top the timesheets despite a crash from the Italian in the closing moments, while Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was forced to battle in Q1. Then once Q1 began, it was a strong showing for Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda - MLav Racing), who delivered top honours to place ahead of Rueda, Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) and Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power).

Then in Q2, it was a red-hot pace from the start, with Ortola bagging provisional top spot on the first run of the session. Meanwhile, it was the start of a dramatic session for Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who saved multiple crashes on the first run. The field left the remaining time attacks for the closing minutes, where Veijer set a stunning time to briefly take provisional pole before Ortola broke the lap record moments later on his penultimate lap.

Alonso on the second row

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was able to improve throughout the session, landing the Spaniard on the second row of the grid and ahead of Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). The #80 was half a second adrift and was unable to improve in the closing moments. Alonso heads from fifth alongside Lunetta as the Italian continued to look impressive in Indonesia, showing pace after setting a 1:37.976 in Q2.

Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Tatsuki Suzuki will head the third row of the grid, unable to dip into the 1:37 bracket – starting from seventh. The Japanese star will have tough competition on the second row as Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) charged to eighth ahead of Piqueras, who, after an eventful Q2, starts from ninth. Meanwhile, Rueda heads from 10^th, with the #99 needing to serve a Long Lap on Sunday. Nepa and Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) also have penalties to serve, with both riders receiving a double Long Lap.

The action continues on Sunday as we prepare to go racing for the Indonesian GP at 12:00 local time (UTC +8)!

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