Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) remains the rider to beat in Moto3 as he secured pole on a sweltering Saturday afternoon at the Malaysian Grand Prix, edging out Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit - MT Helmets – MSI) for the top spot. Danish takes the front row on home turf, however, becoming the first Malaysian rider to do so since 2012.
Q1
Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) led Q1 early with a 2’11.614s lap before a 2’11.4s from Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) rang in early to send the Italian to P2. Replacement rider Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was on the receiving end of contact from Kiattisak Singhapong (Rivacold Snipers Team), but the FIM deemed it no further action.
Farther up the order, Pini didn’t improve his time in the session, but as it turned out, he didn’t need to. Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit - MT Helmets – MSI) took a spot in Q2 with the third fastest lap, just five hundredths behind the Italian’s time. Snagging the final ticket into Q2, Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) set a very late 2’11.708s, punching in just ahead of a pack of riders, including Valentin Perrone, who mistimed their final stint and didn’t cross t...