In a dry Moto3 qualifying session in Sepang, the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders were able to take places on the starting grid that will allow them to fight for the podium on raceday, without having to make big comebacks. Bo Bendsneyder claimed the best result, and will start from the head of the second row in fourth place. Just two rows behind will be Niccolo Antonelli in tenth. The 40 minute FP3 session was of little use to the lower cylinder class riders because of mixed conditions. Although the surface gradually dried, there were no laps to match those set on a completely dry asphalt. Bendsneyder finished nineteenth -2:17.563- and Antonelli twenty-first -2:17.768. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders saved their best for qualifying. Now with a much more favourable surface on which to ride, Bendsneyder and Antonelli were consistently fast and up amongst the top 15, although it would not be until the chequered flag had fallen that they set their quickest times: Bendsneyder’s a spectacular 2:13.161 and Antonelli a 2:13.419.
Results (Qualifying session)
1. Joan Mir (Honda) 2:12.078
2. Jorge Martin (Honda) 2:12.457 +0.379
3. John McPhee (Honda) 2:12.816 +0.738
4. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:13.161 +1.083
5. Gabriel Rodrigo (KTM) 2:13.165 +1.087
10. Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:13.419 +1.341
64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“Qualifying here in Sepang went very well. After some QPs that had not gone as we expected, we achieved a good result and the whole team are satisfied with this fourth position. On the last stint I changed a small aspect of my riding and it brought results. I am happy about Saturday, but now we have to focus on being prepared to give a good fight tomorrow. I’m going to fight hard, I’m looking forward to the race.”
Source: ajo.fi
