Kelso improves late and heads Alonso on Saturday morning

Moto3™ returned for further drama at the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich on Saturday morning, with Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) heading into qualifying on top, finishing fastest after setting an unbelievable 1:39.921. It was a sensational time from Kelso, who crashed at Turn 2a moments before setting his impressive run. Times remain close as David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) ended the session 0.087s adrift from the Australian’s benchmark in second. Alonso improved on his final flying lap, unable to enter the 1:39 bracket and finishing ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The Spaniard took third, unable to improve on his 1:40.171 which he set on Friday afternoon.

Only a handful of riders improved in the early stages of the session, with the field leaving their fast laps until the last 10 minutes of Practice 2. Kelso quickly improved on Rueda’s time from Friday, with red sectors beginning to show throughout the field. The Australian would further improve, becoming the first rider to enter the 1:39 bracket in Moto3™.

It was a competitive field with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), also unable to improve with the Dutchman entering qualifying in fourth position. The #95 was in front of Leopard Racing’s Angel Piqueras, with the rookie taking the honours as the top Honda. Piqueras looked strong, improving late to place ahead of Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who took sixth. Holgado was a further 0.002s behind Piqueras and finished the session ahead of Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA). The #82 was seventh in the combined standings as BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz took eighth.

Further back, MT Helmets – MSI’s Ivan Ortola and Ryusei Yamanaka rounded out the top 10, with both riders unable to improve on their times. Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) would take P11 after a late crash at Turn 4. Meanwhile, Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was 12^th, while the final spots inside the important top 14 went the way of Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team). Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Vicente Perez (Fibre Tec Honda - MLav Racing) both had a tough start to Saturday, also crashing at Turn 4.

Next up, the grid will be decided, with qualifying getting underway at 12:50 local time (UTC +2), so make sure you don’t miss any of the action on motogp.com!

Combined top 10:

FULL RESULTS!