David Almansa led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Almansa used his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda to lap the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track in 1:46.981, which led the field of 26 riders and broke Sergio Garcia’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:48.429 from 2022.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:47.345.
His teammate, Jose Antonio Rueda claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:47.451.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Almansa slams in lap record to head Carpe and Rueda on Day 1. The Spaniard leads a session for the first time in style, heading rookie sensation Carpe and Thailand winner Rueda.
David Almansa (Leopard Racing) heads the Moto3™ timesheets on Day 1 at Termas, topping a session for the first time in his career and with a new lap record. His advantage was impressive too, with 0.364 in hand over rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Carpe already raised eyebrows in Thailand with a maiden podium first time out and at a venue he’d never previously ridden. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was third fastest as the Thai GP winner proved a key player once again, and was also second fastest in FP1.
Fourth goes to home hero Valentino Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who impressed to head a tightly packed group of riders where thousandths made the difference. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA), Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and his teammate Angel Piqueras were next up, ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Buriram podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing).
One notable name not heading straight through to Q1 is David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) as he ended Practice in P15 – and after topping FP1. But the #64 was involved in an incident with Foggia in the afternoon which remains under investigation for now. Muñoz already has a pitlane start here for causing a crash with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in Thailand though, so qualifying won’t be his key focus. Lunetta too is another surprise who heads for Q1, as does Buriram polesitter Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) after a crash in the afternoon in Argentina. The incident brought out the Red Flag briefly, but rider ok.
Check out the FULL RESULTS from the session and come back for more on Saturday as Moto3™ head out for another free practice in the morning before qualifying from 12:50 (UTC-3)!