David Almansa led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Almansa used his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP to lap the 2.83-mile (4.55 km) track in 1:40.990 to lead the field of 26 riders.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:41.068.
Valentin Perrone, piloting his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:41.194.
MOTO3 PRACTICE
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
So often was the case last year, 2026 has started in the best possible way for the #22 in his new team.
Moto3’s first day is in the books at the Chang International Circuit with plenty of headlines both in and out of the directing seeding to Q2. Leading the way on his debut with his new team, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) continued on from his 2025 Practice and was the pacesetter on Friday.
Almansa got straight down to business and never found himself too far away from the top of the timesheets. The first and only rider in the 1’40s, he had just under a tenth of a second in his pocket over fellow countryman and Buriram podium finisher from 2025, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The #83 starts his second season in P2 but got very much down to business on day one. He in-turn had over a tenth of a second to the next rider, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). Watched on by new team CEO Gunther Steiner, it was a positive day for the Argentinean.
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) secured fourth and was just one place ahead of his teammate Marco Morelli, who likewise made it two Argentinean riders in the top five and both directly into Q2. Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) rounded out an all-KTM top six with the Brit less than half a second from Almansa’s top time.
Elsewhere, notable performances consist of Honda’s top finisher and class rookie Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) and fellow star rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) as both came home in P7 and P8 respectively. Irish star Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was also impressive as he got into Q2 with 13th. The biggest name to miss out was three-time Grand Prix winner from 2025’s season David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), unable to replicate his teammate’s strong start and rooted to 16th place, having to go through Q1.
