Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) took hold of the Moto3™ qualifying session at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas and sat firm at the top of the timesheets putting himself in the perfect place to start Sunday's race. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) set red sectors throughout the session but just missed out on pole by 0.101s and will line up in the middle of the front row with Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) rounding out the top 3.
As ever it was a hard-fought battle in Q1 as the Moto3™ riders battled it out for Q2 glory. Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Pruestel GP) controlled the session nicely defending the top spot as the session went on. A flurry of fast laps at the end of the session decided the order as Syarifuddin Azman (MT Helmets - MSI), David Salvador (CIP Green Power), and Ryusei Yamanaka (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) joined the Spaniard and progressed to Q2.
The riders swarmed the Circuit of the Americas ready to get everything out of their machines for a chance at pole position. As the group took to the circuit Ayumu Sasaki remained calm in the box and waited for the field to get half a lap down before rolling out of the pitlane in clear space.
Masia set the benchmark after the first run of laps, with Ortola and Sasaki in hot pursuit. Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) suffered a big high side as the riders began to return to the pits before their second run. The Japanese rider recovered quickly and jumped back onboard his Honda machine.
Three minutes of the session remained, and it was looking positive for Sasaki who was setting red sectors in his quest for the pole. The final sector let the Japanese rider down as he was unable to topple Masia, slotting himself into P2 in between the two Spaniards of Masia and Ortola. The times remained unchanged as the clock ran down and the top 3 were decided.
Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) fought hard throughout the session but with a scrappy lap at the end of was unable to break into the top 3, missing out by 0.310 to take P4. The Brazilian will be joined by Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team).
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto3™ action set to commence on Sunday at 11:00 local time (GMT -5)!
Top 10:
1. Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) – 2:16.250
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) + 0.101
3. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.306
4. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) + 0.616
5. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) + 0.662
6. Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.766
7. Ryusei Yamanaka (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) + 1.080
8. Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 1.098
9. Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Pruestel GP) + 1.122
10.Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) + 1.157