Maximo Quiles led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Quiles used his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team KTM to lap the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) track in 2:13.757, which led the field of 25 riders and broke Matteo Bertelle’s All-Time Lap Record of 2:13.939 from 2025.
Guido Pini was second-best with a time of 2:13.929 on his Leopard Racing Honda.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 2:14.202.
moto3 Practice
More from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Quiles sets new lap record to top Friday running at COTA. Back at the track where he debuted last year, Quiles was fast out the blocks this year.
Moto3’s opening day of action has concluded with Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) setting a new lap record and setting himself as a favourite for honours this weekend. A 2’13.757 saw him ease to the top of the standings ahead of Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), although there’ll be plenty of surprises across Saturday and Sunday.
New lap record bagged, Quiles was in fine form to lead the charge into Saturday at COTA as the Championship leader set to work straight away and never dropped out of the top two positions, eventually securing P1. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) was the first rider into the 2’13s and his lap time was good enough for second at the chequered flag, whilst Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who was fastest in the morning session, was able to complete the top three.
Just in behind them was COTA podium finisher from 12 months ago, Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA). The Italian flew up the order into the top three before finishing fourth, just ahead of Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Joel Esteban (LEVLUP-MTA). Other highlights from the session included Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) and teammate Eddie O’Shea who both make it directly into Q2, as well as a flock of rookies, such as: Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia).
