David Almansa powers to his third pole position in a row

The 20-year-old Spanish rider was in a league of his own during Saturday’s qualifying for the Czech Grand Prix. On his pole-setting lap, Almansa set a new lap record at Brno. Marcos Uriarte, who is replacing David Muñoz, finished Q1 with the fastest lap time, securing his spot in Q2, where the 21-year-old from Cantabria, Spain, secured the 16th starting position.
 
Although the event at the beautiful circuit on the outskirts of Brno, the capital of South Moravia, was moved up to mid-June, midsummer temperatures are setting the tone at the Automotodrom Brno this weekend.

David Almansa was once again in the spotlight in Brno; after the current fourth-placed rider in Moto3 World Championship Standings had already finished second in both Friday sessions, he showed up in top form during qualifying. On his final lap, he got faster on every section of the track, and with a time of 2´04.069, he not only set a new track record but also secured pole position for the third time in a row in very impressive fashion, giving him a clear view on the first corner in the race. Starting from his fourth pole position of the year, Almansa will give it his all on Sunday to claim his long-overdue second victory of the season.

On the other side in the team’s Moto3 garage, Marcos Uriarte was called in as a replacement rider for the second time since the Texas Grand Prix at the end of March, after David Muñoz was sidelined due to injury. Uriarte, who is primarily competing in Moto2 European Championship this year, proved he was the right choice right from his first practice lap. After a brief adjustment period — which was necessary because Uriarte had raced with his Moto2 bike last weekend in Estoril, Portugal — the Spaniard quickly found his rhythm.

In Friday afternoon’s Practice session, Uriarte missed a direct Q2 entry by less than half a second, so he started out in Q1 on Saturday shortly after lunch time. There, he impressed with the fastest time and secured his spot in Q2. Buoyed by this performance, Uriarte wanted to build on it immediately and secure a starting position in the front rows for the race. After a contact with another rider, he ended up in P16 on the sixth row. The Spaniard has set his sights on scoring points in his second race with the team. 

The ninth race of the season begins on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CEST.

Moto3™ Qualifying Results:
1 #22 David ALMANSA / SPA / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KTM / 2´04.069
2 Hakim DANISH / MAL / AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI / KTM 2´04.086 +0.017
3 Maximo QULIES / SPA / CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team / KTM / 2´04.490 +0.421
…
16 #88 Marcos URIARTE / SPA / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KTM / 2´05.566 +1.497