Ivan Ortola earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Phillip Island, in Australia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, Ortola topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:35.872
Colin Veijer was the best of the rest with a 1:35.996 on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, and Adrian Fernandez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:36.023 on his Leopard Racing Honda.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Ortola stuns with late Phillip Island pole, Alonso P10. The #48 has secured a third pole position on the bounce, starting alongside Veijer and Fernandez.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) continues an incredible qualifying form in 2024, storming to pole position at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The #48 claimed a third consecutive pole of the season after setting a late 1:35.872, improving on his final lap to start ahead of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who bagged a front row start of a dramatic session. The Dutchman recovered well after an earlier crash at Turn 4, ending Q2 just 0.124s adrift from pole position. Meanwhile, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was another rider who pulled off an incredible recovery battle from Q1 to P3.
Ortola shines in Australia
It was a wet start to Saturday’s action, with times improving from Friday and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) once again topping the standings in tricky conditions as newly crowned Champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) suffered a crash at Turn 6 – rider OK. This led to an action-packed Q1, which saw home hero Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) reign supreme, securing a spot in Q2 alongside Fernandez, David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato.
It was a busy start to Q2, with Alonso pushing from the early laps with a train of riders behind. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) set an early benchmark in Q2, only to be bettered by Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA). This led to an intense final run, with home hero Kelso taking provisional P1 before a handful of riders responded and moved the goalpost further, allowing Ortola to claim a late pole position.
Alonso heads from P10
David Muñoz (BOE Motorsport) will head the second row of the grid in Australia, finding time on his final run after using the newly crowned Champion as a marker. The #64 briefly had provisional pole but will start ahead of Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing), who clocked an impressive time to place fifth ahead of Nepa in sixth.
Meanwhile, Kelso dropped to seventh at the flag after the Aussie was unable to improve further on his final lap. Kelso has a strong starting position for Sunday and will be joined by Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and Furusato on the third row of the grid. However, it was a tough day for Alonso, qualifying in 10th with work to do on Sunday as the #80 attempts to add to his win tally in 2024. Roulstone will also set sight on finding time from 13th after qualifying ahead of teammate Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).
Next up for Moto3™ at Phillip Island, it is time to go racing, with lights out at 11:00 local time (UTC +11) on Sunday!