World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) heads into the weekend as the rider to beat in Moto3 after the #99 topped a delayed Practice on Friday afternoon. Rueda’s 2:11.152 was 0.035s quicker than second fastest Alvaro Carpe, as Red Bull KTM Ajo enjoy a perfect start to the Malaysian GP. Third place went the way of Brian Uriarte (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), the reigning Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion impressing on Day 1.
Following a lengthy delay due to an oil spillage on circuit before the session, Moto3 Practice was a frantic one that ended with Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) missing out on an automatic Q2 spot. The same goes for Indonesian GP podium finisher Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), the Italian far from impressed with Carpe after they got into a battle at the end of Practice, as the likes of Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) find themselves in Q1 too.
Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and David Almansa (Leopard Racing) had no such troubles; the Spaniards completed the top five, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) and Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) rounding out the fastest eight riders. Roulstone - like teammate Perrone - crashed late on at Turn 4, but that didn't stop the Australian from gaining Q2 entry.