Marco Morelli and Máximo Quiles have set the second and third fastest times in the Moto3 qualifying session after battling for pole position, which was decided by thousandths
The CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team has achieved one of its best qualifying sessions of the season. Marco Morelli and Máximo Quiles battled for pole position at MotorLand Aragón, with both riders falling just a few thousandths short of securing it. With just ten thousandths separating them, Morelli will start from second on the grid after falling +0.033 off pole, whilst his team-mate Quiles will start from third. David Almansa was the only rider to outperform the CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team and will lead the Moto3 starting grid after setting his fastest time on the single lap he completed.
Marco Morelli and Máximo Quiles have done a great job throughout the day. The CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team has thoroughly prepared for this Sunday’s race, which will be a real challenge for the Moto3 riders due to tyre degradation and the high temperatures they are facing throughout the Grand Prix. Marco Morelli continues to show great progress in every session, particularly this morning, when he finished third and improved on his Friday time by more than a second. Máximo Quiles followed a similar pattern in free practice, finishing in the top five. In the afternoon, with both riders having qualified directly for Q2, it was time to give it their all. Máximo Quiles brought out the best in himself to set his personal best of the weekend (1:53.390) in the opening laps. This time also saw him hold the top spot until the final minutes, when he dropped to third after being overtaken by David Almansa and his team-mate Marco Morelli, who enjoyed one of his best Saturdays with the CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team. The Argentine remained in the top ten, but wasn’t content with this result and went for pole position with a superb final lap.With time practically running out, he pipped Quiles by just ten thousandths of a second, although he then saw Almansa raise the bar and take pole by 33 thousandths. As a result, he will start from second place tomorrow, equalling his best-ever qualifying result. Furthermore, the Aragon Grand Prix will mark the first time this season that the entire CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team will occupy the front row of the starting grid.
2nd Marco Morelli 1:56.380 (+0.033): “I’m really pleased with today’s result. Today I was more explosive, which is something I’d always been lacking. I was also coming off the back of a difficult weekend at Silverstone, where I struggled with everything. Little by little, I’ve started to get the same feel as in previous races, and today I felt much better. This morning we did a good job preparing for qualifying and everything went well. I almost took pole position, but we’re happy nonetheless. There are still a few details to iron out – the ones that make all the difference – so that we can be 100 per cent on a par with the fastest riders. I’m sure we’ll get there bit by bit. It’s my first time riding here on this bike; it’s a bit different from others I’ve ridden before, but it’s just a matter of adapting. Tomorrow I’ll try to stay with the leading group. It’ll be a fast race and we’ll have to keep a cool head because the tyres wear out a lot.”
3rd Máximo Quiles 1:56.390 (+0.043): “I think this was my best qualifying session of the season. Although I didn’t secure pole position, I felt really good out there. I managed to stay calm; this session was a challenge for me – I’d set myself that goal because the Silverstone weekend didn’t end well. I’m very happy with the work we’ve done. Starting from the front row is very positive, especially on a weekend where we’ve had to take things step by step. When I’m on the bike I don’t feel any pain at all, but even so, today I’ve taken it a notch down to take things a bit easier. Tomorrow will be a fun race and I’m really happy to be racing here. I can see lots of people in the stands wearing my shirt, and that’s very special. We’ll try to do well so that both they and we can enjoy it. I’m not under any pressure because I’m not the one who needs to make up points in the standings. I’m going to take it easy, but if I have a chance to fight for it, I’ll go for it.”
