Máximo Quiles will start the race from the third row of the grid after finishing half a second off pole position, while Joel Esteban will have to fight his way up the field

The Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying session proved to be a great challenge for the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders. Máximo Quiles was the only rider from the team to compete in Q2 and will start tomorrow's race from the third row, in eighth position. Joel Esteban, on the other hand, was unable to get through Q1 and will be forced to fight his way up from the back of the grid. The pole position in the lightweight category, which was decided on the last lap, went to David Almansa. Taiyo Furusato will start in second position after also beating Moto3 champion José Antonio Rueda, who finally finished third.

The second day of the Malaysian Grand Prix allowed the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders to continue preparing for Sunday's race. In the morning, both Máximo Quiles and Joel Esteban improved on their Friday times and fine-tuned the last details ahead of a qualifying session that promised to be difficult. In the afternoon, Joel Esteban competed in Q1 in search of a result that would allow him to join his teammate in Q2. The Spaniard gave it his all to achieve this, but his best time was not enough to secure one of the top four positions and tomorrow he will have to start the race from twenty-first position. Máximo Quiles, meanwhile, faced a different situation than initially expected. Due to another rider's injury, the Moto3 rookie went straight to Q2 and was able to focus all his energy on fighting for the top positions on the starting grid. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider suffered from heavy traffic on the track in the final minutes and, despite setting his best time of the weekend, he was half a second off pole position, in eighth place. 

8th Máximo Quiles 2:10.351: “I'm happy with how today went. I had good feelings in both sessions, although I wasn't able to do my best lap in qualifying because another rider got in my way. I felt comfortable riding, so I'm looking forward to the race to be back at the front and fight for the win. That will be our goal tomorrow.” 

21st Joel Esteban 2:12.027: “Today wasn't an easy day either. In the morning, we tried a few things in the race simulation, but it didn't work out well for us. However, the pace wasn't bad, especially at the end with the used tyre. The qualifying didn't go as I wanted, I made a mistake that prevented me from getting into Q2, so I'll have to fight my way back. Tomorrow the points are up for grabs and I think if we get a good start we can be at the front, because on Sundays we always have something extra.”