Moto3™ brought drama by the bucketload at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) charging to pole position at the Mobility Resort Motegi. It was an unbelievable lap from the #48, clocking a 1:54.761 and obliterating the lap record. It was a tense fight for pole position, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) grabbing second on the grid, ending Saturday 0.356s behind. It ends a great day for the Dutchman, placing ahead of Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who claims the final spot on the front row in a weekend which could see the #80 leave as Champion.
1:54.761! 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Needless to say, that's a record and POLE POSITION for @IvanOrtola48 🔥
Just outstanding! 👏#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/IygAgIwoIL
Lap records destroyed in Q2
Due to rain overnight, no riders were able to improve on their times from Friday, with Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) fastest on Saturday morning and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) remaining at the top of the combined standings. It was a tense Q1, with the top four spots decided on the final flying lap, with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) topping the session and earning a spot in Q2 alongside Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and CIP Green Power's Riccardo Rossi.
It's starting to rain heavier! 🌧️
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Q2 begins and it's going to be a crucial one 👀💨#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/pKHFfX5RVc
It was a hectic start to Q2, with rain beginning to fall around the circuit it led to a frantic opening five minutes, which saw Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) in P1 before Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) destroyed the lap record. It was a dramatic end to Q2, with Veijer continuing to improve on his second run, reclaiming P1 in the final minute of the session, before Ortola responded and entered the 1:54 bracket.
Holgado starts from P9
Heading the second row of the grid on Sunday will be Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), ending the morning 0.315s adrift from a spot on the front row. The Spaniard had a rock-solid session, qualifying as the top Honda and will now be joined by Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) on the second row. It was a strong qualifying for the Australian, who will set sights on a good result on Sunday to prepare himself for his home GP next time out.
Meanwhile, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) starts at the head of row three, setting a strong 1:55.928 to place in front of Muñoz. The #64 battled hard from Q1, earning eighth on the grid ahead of Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who jumped from 18th to ninth on his final run. Further back, home hero Furusato starts from 13th on the grid, ending Q2 ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Do not miss a potential title-deciding Japanese GP, with action getting underway at 11:00 local time (UTC +9), as we prepare to go racing on Sunday!
Top 10:
1 | Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets - MSI) | 1:54.761 |
2 | Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.356 |
3 | David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) | +0.409 |
4 | Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) | +0.724 |
5 | Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets - MSI) | +0.733 |
6 | Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) | +0.918 |
7 | Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) | +1.167 |
8 | David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) | +1.170 |
9 | Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +1.404 |
10 | David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) | +1.473 |