The Moto3 leader finished fourth in Saturday’s qualifying session and will be fighting to clinch the championship title from the second row of the grid
The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team is all set for the first major battle of the season. Máximo Quiles will start the Japanese Grand Prix from the second row of the grid, in fourth place. The Spaniard will have to overtake the only three riders who can prevent him from clinching the title at Motegi, all of whom will be on the front row. David Almansa has once again secured pole position – his seventh of the year – followed by Brian Uriarte in second and Álvaro Carpe in third. Marco Morelli was unable to challenge for the top spots and finished ninth.
Máximo Quiles and Marco Morelli prepared thoroughly for Sunday’s race during this morning’s free practice session. Both riders carried out a race simulation and made the most of the 16 laps each completed to fine-tune the final details ahead of qualifying. After both riders secured a place in Q2 yesterday, the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team took to the track determined to fight for pole position at Motegi. Máximo Quiles set his own pace and remained among the frontrunners. In the final minutes, all the riders tried to improve their times, but the Moto3 leader was unable to beat his personal best. With a time of 1:54.854, Quiles finished the qualifying session in fourth place, two tenths of a second off pole position. Tomorrow will be an important Sunday for the rider from Murcia, who faces his first chance to be crowned Moto3 champion, although to do so he must finish the Grand Prix with a lead of more than 150 points over his direct rivals. This means that Quiles must finish first or second, and hope that his three rivals finish either in ninth place or lower if he wins, or in fourteenth place or lower if he finishes second. His team-mate Marco Morelli did not feel as confident as he had on the previous day, when he was the fastest in the category. The Argentine was unable to challenge for a place on the first two rows of the grid and had to settle for the ninth-fastest time of the session, although he remains very confident of putting in a strong race and catching up with the leading group to fight for a podium place.
4th Máximo Quiles 1:54.854 (+0.282): “I’m a bit frustrated because I always aim to be at the front, but it didn’t happen today. I set a good time, but I know I could have improved in a couple of corners, and that’s what’s annoying me. There are other times when I give it my all and know everything went perfectly. It was a bit of a strange qualifying session: halfway through, I wanted to pit to change tyres but wasn’t sure if I’d have enough time. Also, I’m at a slight disadvantage compared to other riders when using the medium, but I feel comfortable with it, which is why I’m using it. Tomorrow will be a tough race because, even though we have a chance to clinch the title, the other riders need to finish quite far behind. We’ll try to secure it as soon as possible, but I don’t feel any pressure. I have to make the most of every opportunity I get.”
9th Marco Morelli 1:55.469 (+0.897): “Today didn’t go as well as yesterday. I’m happy because I improved my grid position compared to the last qualifying session in Austria, but I’m less satisfied because I was first yesterday and ninth today. We tried a couple of things on the bike today, and it didn’t work out the way we wanted. I’m calm, and I think we can be up at the front tomorrow. It’s a matter of going back to what I feel most comfortable with. I’m one hundred percent convinced it will be a good race.”
