The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider secures back-to-back pole positions, his fourth of the season, and will lead the Moto3 starting grid
Máximo Quiles has secured two consecutive poles for the first time after leading every session at the Qatar Grand Prix. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider made the most of his strategy to stay at the top of the timesheets, with a one-tenth advantage over David Almansa, who finished second and was the only rider capable of getting close to the champion’s time. Brian Uriarte will start from third place, five tenths behind Quiles. Marco Morelli had a difficult Saturday and will start from eighteenth place tomorrow.
The Qatar Grand Prix continues to have its star rider in the Moto3 class: Máximo Quiles. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider was once again the fastest rider this morning despite having completed just five laps. A heavy crash at practically the same spot as the one he suffered yesterday prevented him from continuing the session, but his lead of two tenths was enough to ensure no other rider could beat him. In the afternoon, the battle for pole position at Lusail was shaped by a very clear strategy from Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’’s team. Quiles needed just three laps to set his best time of the weekend, 2:02.288, which also became the time to beat in the final minutes. Having achieved his objective and following a pit stop, the Moto3 world champion pushed as hard as he could to get back out on track, thereby preventing other riders from matching his pace and improving on his time on the final lap. This manoeuvre enabled him to secure his second consecutive pole position of the season, and he came within just twelve thousandths of a second of breaking the all-time track record. His team-mate Marco Morelli is having a Grand Prix of mixed fortunes. After securing his place in Q2 yesterday, he once again struggled to find his rhythm on Saturday, which affected his performance in qualifying. Morelli was unable to beat his best time of the weekend and will have to fight his way up the field tomorrow from the sixth row of the starting grid, in eighteenth place.
1st Máximo Quiles 2:02.288: “Thanks to the team for all the work they’ve put in to repair the bike after this morning’s crash. Everything came together perfectly and that’s what allowed me to take pole position this weekend. Friday’s crash brought me back down to earth, and this morning’s was even harder because the bike completely slipped out from under me: I was riding more calmly, but I went into the corner leaning too far over. Having said that, I know the kerb between turns eight and nine very well. This morning, Dani Holgado told me, ‘You’re mad because you want to beat my record’. They were heavy crashes and that made me take a step back. In qualifying I got my confidence back and when I crossed the finish line the first thing I saw was 2:02 and I thought, ‘Which thousandth?’. I came within a hair’s breadth of breaking the record; I’m sure Dani will be reminding me of that for the rest of the Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to the race and to racing at night. I’ve got a good pace, but my rivals will be there too. We’ll have to fight and push hard right to the end. I hope the group isn’t too big. I’ll be giving it my all to make sure it goes as well as possible.”
18th Marco Morelli 2:05.221 (2.933): “It’s been a tricky Saturday; today’s result didn’t turn out as we’d hoped. This morning I found it a bit hard to take that extra step forward, but all things considered it wasn’t too bad. In qualifying I felt uncomfortable again, especially with the front tyre, and in the second session I made a mistake and couldn’t finish the lap. I’m confident I’ll get my feel back tomorrow so I can enjoy the race.”
