Mission accomplished: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will start from pole position for the first time in Grand Prix racing, an accolade he was ravenous for heading into the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The 2021 World Champion smashed his final lap, setting a 1:38.668 to beat Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) by 0.310s, as Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) completes the front row for Sunday’s season finale.
CALLED HIS SHOT! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) November 13, 2021
As he promised, @37_pedroacosta signs off in the lightweight class with pole position! ????#Moto3 | #ValenciaGP ???? pic.twitter.com/wx1MwKwmGp
Acosta delivers – a familiar story in 2021
Guevara set a 1:39.223 to lead the way in the early stages of Q2, with Q1 graduate Sergio Garcia making it a Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team 1-2. That soon changed though, Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) was up into P2 after a second flying lap, but the Italian – along with Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) in third – was a tenth down on Guevara.
A pause in proceedings took place as the riders piled into pitlane, before the final Moto3™ qualifying session burst into life. All the riders would only get one lap in, and the timing screens were littered with orange and red sectors. Garcia, who had been shoved down to P6, climbed back up to P2 but the Spaniard wouldn’t stay there. Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Migno, Foggia, Suzuki and finally Acosta all crossed the line in quick succession to fire in personal best times, with the 2021 World Champion getting that pole position he so desperately craved.
The top 10 for the final Moto3™ race in 2021
Migno spearheads Row 2 and he’s joined by Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) and Fellon, with Foggia P7. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) joins his compatriot on Row 3, Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) makes it an all-Italian third row in ninth after coming through Q1, with Garcia having to settle for 10th after the late flurry of times.
Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was taken to the medical centre for a check-up after a highside in Q1, the Japanese rider was conscious.
The Moto3™ riders will go into battle for the final time in 2021 on Sunday morning at 11:00 local time (GMT+1), will Acosta go out with a bang before his Moto2™ adventure begins? Tune in to find out!
Top 10:
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 1:38.668
2. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.310
3. Izan Gievara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.385
4. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.392
5. Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) + 0.424
6. Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squdra Corse) + 0.465
7. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 0.466
8. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.475
9. Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) + 0.481
10. Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) +0.641