Matteo Bertelle led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas. Bertelle used his Pirelli-shod LEVELUP-MTA KTM to lap the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) track in 2:23.704, which led the field of 26 riders.
Maximo Quiles was second-best with a time of 2:24.181 on his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team KTM.
Scott Ogden, piloting his CIP Green Power KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 2:24.369.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bertelle blasts to P1 in Moto3™ Practice, debutant Quiles sensational in second. An established name and a fresh face lead the way in Moto3 as their Friday action concludes.
Practice for the Moto3™ World Championship saw a familiar name on top as Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) continued his prowess from the opening two Grands Prix. In a session that was once again wet, he led a very fast rookie in Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team), whilst Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) was P3.
For the fifth time this season so far, a session was topped by Bertelle, as he took P1 once again and led the charge for the riders going straight to Q2 but there was a whole new name behind him. Get ready to hear more about Maximo Quiles who on his Moto3 debut took second ahead of a field packed full of established stars. Briefly going top in the closing stages, the wet weather was certainly kind to the #28 who’s already causing a stir. Great Britain’s Scott Ogden clinched third place, ahead of David Almansa (Leopard Racing) and David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP).
Sixth may have been enough to keep Jose Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) run of top six finishes in all sessions alive but it didn’t tell the full story as he crashed at Turn 20 and lost eight minutes, briefly putting him at risk of not making the cut before bouncing back with a late flying lap. Adrian Fernandez joins teammate Almansa in Q2 with P7 ahead of Rueda’s teammate Carpe and a late-improving Riccardo Rossi. However, save of the year has gone to Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) in P10, who tucked the front at the final corner but somehow held onto it in miraculous fashion.
Through to Q2 for the first time in his rookie season, Cormac Buchanan (BOE Motorsports), ahead of Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), with the Japanese rider squeezing in. Joel Kelso (Level Up MTA), Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Team Asia) and Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) all crashed and thus find themselves going via Q1.
Practice results confirmed, get ready for more action in Moto3 tomorrow!