The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider will be on the front row of the Moto3 grid for the first time after setting the second-fastest time in qualifying. Máximo Quiles will start fourth after progressing through Q1 at Sachsenring
The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team has had a superb qualifying session at the German Grand Prix. Marco Morelli has enjoyed his best Saturday of the season and will start tomorrow’s Moto3 race from second on the grid. The Argentine was just 24 thousandths off pole position, which went to rookie Brian Uriarte. Hakim Danish, in third, missed out on beating Morelli by five thousandths. Máximo Quiles also put in a strong performance and, after progressing through Q1, set the fourth-fastest time of the day.
Saturday’s practice sessions allowed the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders to reach their full potential. Máximo Quiles was barely able to ride at the Sachsenring the previous day due to a crash, but in the first session of the day he made the most of every minute to take the top spot and work on his race pace for tomorrow. Marco Morelli was also one of the most consistent riders in the category and finished third. In the afternoon, the Argentine continued to perform at a high level, improving his lap times and becoming one of the few riders to lap in under 1:25. Despite this being his first Grand Prix at the German circuit, he achieved his best-ever qualifying result: he will start second thanks to a time of 1:24.904, just 24 thousandths slower than pole position. His teammate Máximo Quiles had to compete in Q1, something he hadn’t done for a year, but his lack of experience in this session posed no problem and he progressed to Q2 with ease. The Moto3 leader was once again among the contenders for the top positions and set the fourth-fastest time (1:25.102), his personal best of the weekend. Tomorrow’s race will be a great opportunity for the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders, who will aim to maintain their pace on one of the most challenging circuits, particularly given the tyre wear.
2nd Marco Morelli 1:24.904 (+0.024): “The day went very well. This morning we prepared for the race and I felt comfortable, including with the tyre’s durability. I worked on my pace because yesterday I didn’t do many long stints as I was focused on going straight through to Q2. The qualifying was tricky because you only have one lap with the tyre at 100 per cent: it wears out a lot on the left-hand side and it’s hard to maintain the pace, so I couldn’t afford to make a mistake. It wasn’t a perfect lap, but I’m on the front row and I’m very happy about that. Today I’ve taken a big step forward because I’ve always found it hard to be quick right from the start, and today we’ve managed it. I’ve felt really good all weekend and every little change we’ve made has made me feel more comfortable; we’ve never taken a step backwards. That’s very important. I think tomorrow I’ll be able to be up there fighting at the front; I’ve got good pace, just like my team-mate. We’ll see how the race plays out: if it’s fast, the leading group could stretch out. It’ll be a long, tough race, but I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”
4th Máximo Quiles 1:25.102 (+0.222): “I’m happy with today’s result. After yesterday’s crash, I’m feeling really good and managed to maintain a good pace in this morning’s session. In qualifying, I got through Q1 and in Q2 even fought for a front-row grid position. We came very close to achieving it. Tomorrow’s race will be very fast; there’ll be several riders who won’t make things easy for us, but we’re going to enjoy it to the full.”
