Carpe can’t be caught for stunning COTA pole

The #83 heads the grid, with O’Gorman putting Ireland on the front row ahead of Perrone in third

Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took a stunning pole position in Texas, setting a 2:12.107 to lead the way by over four tenths. Casey O’Gorman (SC58 Squadra Corse) takes second to lead the chasers, with Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) just 0.007 off O’Gorman in a tight front row.

There was only one name really on top in the session. By a few minutes left on the clock, Carpe was already leading the way, and then the #83 put in another stunner. Over half a second clear with a minute left, the gauntlet was thrown down.

O’Gorman, already the rider in second and the only rider within seven tenths of the top, was closest through the first sector next time round but it was starting to get busy out on track. The Irishman was able to cut down the deficit to the top to 0.412, but could get no closer.

Row 2 is headed by rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) after another stunner from the Indonesian rider. He also looked on to improve before a track limits infringement cancelled his last attempt. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) complete Row 2.

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) is P7, with a scrappy session for Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) seeing him forced to settle for eighth. Rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) takes ninth on his first visit to COTA, with Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) taking 10th.

Check out full Moto3 qualifying results from the Red Bull US GP and come back for more on race day as Moto3 take on COTA!

The Madness Starts Now

Follow the 2026 season LIVE and OnDemand with MotoGP™ VideoPass

Subscribe Now!
Get the official MotoGP™ Newsletter!
Create a MotoGP™ account now and gain access to exclusive content, such as the MotoGP™ Newsletter, which features GP Reports, incredible videos and other interesting information about our sport.