David Muñoz led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Muñoz used his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex to lap the 2.98-mile (4.80 km) track in 1:55.234, to lead the field of 26 riders.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda was second-best with a time of 1:55.402.
Ryusei Yamanaka, piloting his Frinsa – MT Helmets -MSI KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:55.590.
Classification practice moto3
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Muñoz takes Moto3™ honours at Motegi on Friday. The #64 was able to pip Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda to lead the way on the opening day.
David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) led the way on Friday at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Moto3™, topping the timesheets with a 1’55.234. He headed the session and was a late improver, getting the better of Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and home-hero Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI).
The #64 was on top having been in the top ten in the morning, whilst Rueda was just under two tenths away from P1. Yamanaka’s session was eventful with a trip to the medical centre after a Turn 9 fall before returning to the track to set his best lap time and bag P3 and a spot in Q2. Teammate Angel Piqueras was in P4 ahead of David Almansa (Leopard Racing), who led for most of the session but suffered two crashes – one at Turn 9 and another at Turn 11 – on his way to fifth.
Sixth place and bettering his lap time towards the end, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was just ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), who fell at Turn 13 but stayed seventh. Joel Kelso (LEVEL-UP MTA), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) rounded out the top ten. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) just avoided going through Q1, taking 13th at the chequered flag.