Jose Antonio Rueda earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo on Pirelli control tires, the championship point leader topped the 25-rider field with a lap time of 1:54.826.
Valentin Perrone was the best of the rest with a 1:55.064 on his Red Bull KTM Tech3, and Joel Kelso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:55.080 on his LevelUp MTA KTM.
Row-two qualifiers included Frinsa- MT Helmets – MSI KTM’s Angel Piqueras (1:55.094), Team Asia Honda’s (1:55.187) and Leopard Racing Honda’s Adrian Fernandez (1:55.220).
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More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Rueda back on top after last dash Motegi pole. The Championship leader pulls out a gap as Perrone and Kelso give chase – with Piqueras looking to cut the deficit from fourth.
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is back on top at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, taking pole position by just under quarter of a second as he looks to hammer home his advantage ahead of a looming championship point in Indonesia. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) impressed once more to take second place following his pole in Misano, with Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) completing the front row after getting denied late on.
Rueda was holding provisional pole until the final minute and a half, with Kelso then taking over on top – and right before a yellow flag caused by a crash for Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Rueda was left with one final shot at the top and pulled out that quarter of a second to grab pole position, with Perrone likewise improving on his final flying lap – forcing Kelso to settle for third.
That denies Angel Piqueras (MT Helmets – FRINSA – MSI) the front row as the #36, second in the standings, looks to start a final stand against Rueda. He lines up fourth ahead of home hero Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) completing Row 2 in P6.
Friday’s fastest David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Intact GP) edged out Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) for P7, with the David Almansa (Leopard Racing) next up. Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) completes the top ten, just over a tenth off Almansa.
The stage is set for another Moto3 classic. Find full results from Moto3 qualifying at Motegi HERE and tune in for race day on Sunday!