Moto3 Jerez: Suzuki speeds to pole position in Spain

Missing out on a final flying lap did not dent Tatsuki Suzuki’s qualifying with his timesheet topping time holding firm for pole position ahead of the Moto3 Spainish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Tatsuki Suzuki was amongst a gaggle of riders who all took the chequered flag instead of starting their final flying laps, but remained on top of the timesheets after setting a strong banker lap earlier in the session to take pole for the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix, the fourth round of the world championship at Jerez.

The SIC 58 Squadra Corse rider followed Jaume Masia in taking the chequered flag after another episode of leaving the pits late ended Moto3 qualifying.

Unlike most, the Japanese rider had already set a handful of fast laps, with his best of 1m 45.807s leading the way.

It continues a strong run of qualifying success at Jerez for the number 24, becoming his third pole in a row after also managing the feat at both of the races held at the track last season, where he went on to win the Andalucian round. 

At home in Spain, Jeremy Alcoba got his final time attack in and used it to move into second in the final seconds of the session for Gresini, finishing just 0.125s behind Suzuki after his final run.

Andrea Migno arrived at qualifying quickest, with a new lap record set in the superfast FP3 session. His 1m 44.988s was the first sub 1m 45 lap at the track for the class but he couldn’t quite match that pace for Rivacold Snipers in a warmer Q2. The Italian also took the chequered flag before his final flying lap could start, but had done enough to only drop one position to third for an all Honda front row.

Gabriel Rodrigo slipped in a final chance, which initially saw him in the top three before Alcoba’s time shuffled him back to fourth on the second Gresini.

Rodrigo set his time following Romano Fenati as a marker around the track. The Italian’s pace lifted him to fifth for Sterilgarda Max Racing Team.

John McPhee hit the top 14 for the first time this weekend in FP3, which saw the Petronas rider move straight into Q2. From there he left it late to make moves, his last effort pushing him up to sixth, just ahead of his Petronas Sprinta Team Mate Darryn Binder.

The South African was unable to defend his place on the timesheets - sitting in third for much of the session after a fast fall at turn seven saw him sent tumbling through the gravel. Though able to return to the pits Binder looked a little worse for wear, keeping his helmet on as his time dropped to seventh best.

Ayumu Sasaki and his Red Bull KTM Tech 3 team-mate Deniz Oncu worked together, taking it in turns to provide a tow. Sasaki moved to eighth, while Oncu will round out the top ten.

The duo were seperated on the timesheets by Niccolo Antonelli who will line up ninth for Avintia Esponsorama.

Izan Guevara took top rookie honours in qualifying for GasGas Aspar with a lap strong enough for eleventh on the grid.

Portimao winner and championship leader Pedro Acosta is yet to find his qualifying feet and on home soil had to go through Q1 for the first time.

Leaving the pits early in the first qualifying session he was immediately followed out by the pack, looking to advantage from his speed. An early scare on his bike caused the train behind him to back up and back off a little.

The sixteen year old left the pits for his final run as late as possible and even swapping positions with Ryusei Yamanaka was not enough to prevent the Red Bull Rider going to Q2 as the fastest of the all Spanish quartet moving up with fellow rookie Guevara, the solo running Carlos Tatay, with Alcoba also progressing.

His final run in Q2 was only good enough for 13th as again a group of riders slowed on the racing line, this time ahead of him, but grid position has not proven dent to his race progression and success so far, so another Sunday recovery could be on the cards.

Fellow podium finisher in Portugal, Dennis Foggia also needed to move into Q2. He missed out after leading the final flying lap charge from the front in Q1, slipping to ninth in the session, which translates to 23rd on the grid for the Leopard rider. 

Adrian Fernandez and Kaito Toba both have a long lap penalty to serve after their actions lead to crashes in Portimao. Neither of the pair made it out of Q1 - Fernandez starts 22nd and Toba 26th.