Moto3 COTA Qualifying: Jaume Masia takes first pole since Qatar
Jaume Masia took his first pole position since Qatar at COTA.
Jaume Masia took his first pole position since the season-opening races in Doha, Qatar way back at the start of the year, since then he has failed to achieve another P1 result to start at the front of the grid however the tables turned today allowing him to take his first pole in 13 races. It was a bit of a tactical nightmare for the Red Bull KTM Ajo boys who were aiming to have Acosta in P1 to help ensure he can have the best start possible to gain enough championship points to win the title next time out in Misano however it was a tactical disaster with Acosta dragging Masia around the track with Masia utilising the tow of Acosta to take pole position.
For Masia it was perfect and he took an incredibly well deserved pole position watch leading Dennis Foggia and Jeremy Alcoba on the front row, Foggia’s front row start is perfect for the Italian who has slungshot himself directly into the title contention following a flurry of extremely impressive races taking maximum points possible race by race to close down Acosta in the standings and with Acosta starting tomorrows race from 13 places back hands the Italian a strong advantage.
Row two was headed by a rookie duo of Izan Guevara and Xavier Artigas, both are very used to racing against one another with some incredible battles together last year in the FIM CEV, if they can stick together tomorrow with the front group we can expect some really good racing! Joining the pair on row two is Tatsuki Suzuki.
Filip Salac was the man in P7 heading row three, he led a furious Andrea Migno who suffered yet another technical issue with his Snipers Moto3 machine which ironically was the exact reason that Salac left the team earlier this year with Deniz Oncu joining the pair on the third row and John McPhee rounding out the top 10.
Niccolo Antonelli was able to pick up P13 and will need to work hard tomorrow if he wants to continue his recent run of form and with Pedro Acosta back in P15 there’s no doubt the pair will be pushing through to arrive at the front of the grid with Lorenzo Fellon in P16 chasing points.
Q2 Results –
Q1 Results –
Featured image – Red Bull KTM Ajo
