Just 0.026 seconds made the difference at the end of FP3 in Austria
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü has booked his place in Moto3™ Q2 at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich with the fastest lap of FP3. The Turkish rider clocked a 1:41.285 in the final time attack phase of the session at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg as overcame the likes of Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) and Izan Guevara (AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team) in the battle for Saturday morning honours. Sasaki had gone quicker, but the lap in question would not count due to a breach of track limits and he officially missed out on top spot by just 0.026 seconds.
With the threat of rain holding off, the riders who had not been able to get into the combined top 14 on Friday had another chance to try and earn a bye past Q1. However, it took more than 10 minutes for there to be any change to top 14 and when there was, it was Sasaki creeping up the order. He eventually reset the fastest lap of the weekend in setting a 1:41.311 just past the half-hour mark, as the rest were coming out for the final runs, before Öncü took over top spot with less than four minutes remaining.
Sasaki set a 1:40.965 with the chequered flag out and while the time was scrubbed off, he would be classified second anyway, and therefore safely into Q2. Guevara and fellow AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team rider Sergio Garcia initially looked in some danger of missing the cut but would eventually do enough to take third and fifth respectively, with lap times of 1:41.442 and 1:41.717. Splitting the top two in the World Championship is another of the title contenders, with Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) fourth on a late 1:41.673.
Who else made Q2, and who missed out?
Sixth through 10th all-told were Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max), Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power). Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) earned 11th despite a crash at the Turn 2b section of the new chicane with five minutes to go, with the rest of the all-important top 14 being Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), and Scott Ogden (BOE Motorsports).
Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) was 0.015 seconds slower in 15th position, and Tatsuki Suzuki was another…