Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had left himself precious few opportunities to make his pole bid count at the Red Bull Ring, but when the decisive lap arrived, he only needed the one. The Spaniard fired in a stunning 1:39.544 on his final flying lap to snatch pole position from David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) by just 0.064s, setting a new all-time lap record in the process.
Almansa had looked set to continue his sensational qualifying streak. The #22 first lowered the benchmark into record territory with a 1:39.608, putting himself in position for another pole before the final-lap shuffle began. But Uriarte saved his very best for last, finding more than half a second compared with his previous valid effort to steal P1 at Red Bull KTM’s home Grand Prix.
Behind them, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) produced a late escape of his own. The Championship contender had endured a frustrating session in which lap times disappeared for exceeding track limits, including an effort lost after touching the green. With the pressure firmly on, Carpe finally put together his one and only valid flying lap: a 1:39.859 that launched him onto the front row in third.
That sealed a double front row for Red Bull KTM Ajo on home soil, while Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) had to settle for fourth despite another headline-making moment earlier in the session. The Spaniard produced an incredible save after overshooting at Jochen Rindt before regrouping to post a 1:39.981, leaving the top four in the World Championship occupying the first four places on the grid.
Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) heads the second row from Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) and Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing), with Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA), David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completing the top ten.
With Almansa’s pole streak finally halted and both Red Bull KTM Ajo machines on the front row, Sunday’s Moto3 showdown at the Red Bull Ring is perfectly poised to be a lightweight for the ages.