The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider clocked the second-fastest time, 88 thousandths off the fastest, in what is set to be a decisive weekend for him
Máximo Quiles got off to a flying start at the Indonesian Grand Prix, making his intentions clear right from the first session. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider remains the man to beat and has once again battled it out with David Almansa for the top spot in the Moto3 class. Quiles was just 88 thousandths behind Almansa and finished this first day of practice in second place. Matteo Bertelle was third, two tenths off the pace. Marco Morelli narrowly missed out on Q2 by just 30 thousandths and will have to go through Q1 tomorrow after finishing sixteenth.
The Mandalika circuit welcomed the riders from the lightweight class with intense heat from early in the morning, although the temperature was more bearable than in previous years. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team completed a crucial free practice session to adapt to the tough conditions and secure a place in Saturday’s Q2. With Máximo Quiles and Marco Morelli in the top 10 this morning – third and ninth respectively – the team prepared thoroughly for the afternoon session. Máximo Quiles, who was the only rider in the class not to change tyres throughout the session, managed to improve his personal best by one second in the final minutes. The Murcia-born rider also completed a total of 22 laps, even more than the distance of Sunday’s race. Quiles will go straight through to Q2 in Indonesia, something his team-mate Marco Morelli narrowly missed out on. The Argentine managed to feel more comfortable than in the morning session and also improved his lap times in the afternoon, although the places securing a spot in Q2 were hotly contested. With a time of 1:38.091, Morelli finished the day in sixteenth place, just 30 thousandths of a second off the cut-off. Tomorrow he will have another chance to keep improving and get through Q1.
2nd Máximo Quiles 1:37.257 (+0.088): “I’ve had a really good feeling since I hit the track this morning. I’m doing exactly what the team and everyone around me told me to do: enjoy myself. The pressure of fighting for the championship actually gives me more motivation. I think I was putting too much pressure on myself in Japan; I lost focus a bit last weekend, but now I’m locked in on what matters. That’s something that always happens to me at the start of the Asian tour. I think David Almansa is helping me grow; we’re pushing each other, and we’re both improving every day. Whenever we battle with other riders, not just him, we make each other better. Everyone is very fast, and they’re going to make things tough. As for me, I won’t get complacent; I’ll keep working hard and try to enjoy the race. I get good advice from a lot of people, and it’s helping me stay grounded.”
16th Marco Morelli 1:38.091 (+0.922): “It’s been a bit of a tricky day. I didn’t feel entirely comfortable at first this morning, although we later found a tyre that allowed me to ride better. I came very close to making it straight through to Q2. I think I need to focus more on myself and on finding that good feeling on the bike, something I’ve been struggling with in recent races. Tomorrow is a new day; I can improve, and I’ll try to prepare for qualifying as best I can.”
