Due to the high number of entrants in the final round of the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship, Qualifying took place over four sessions as opposed to the usual two.
The entrants were divided into two groups and each given two sessions on track. Times were then combined to form the grid for Sunday’s two races.
In Group A, Kaito Toba emerged as the fastest of the Asia Talent Team riders setting a 1’39.809 during the group’s second session on track. This put him third in the session, 0.196s off Karel Hanika and within a tenth of Lorenzo Dalla Porta. When all sessions were combined, Toba’s time earned him 5th on the grid. Toba is eager to see the season off in style and repeat his win from earlier in the year. Doing so would significantly help him on his quest for third overall.
Just behind Toba in Group A was Kazuki Masaki with a 1’40.121. The time saw him conclude the session in fifth and was exactly one second faster than his qualifying time from Valencia earlier in the year. Progress has been constant for the Japanese rider throughout 2016, his improved times clear evidence of this. The lap earned him 10th on the grid for Sunday’s two races.
In Group B, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat completed a 1’40.404 lap to end Qualifying as the seventh fastest rider in his group. Much like Masaki, this time showed significant improvement over his time from the first round of the season. The Thai rider will line up in 14th on the grid.
Andi Farid once again showed a flash of brilliance, as he had done in Albacete when he landed on the front row of the grid, to end the Group B session in the top ten. The Indonesian set a 1’40.840 and will launch from 30th on the grid. Farid is looking to score points one last time.
Unfortunately, Ayumu Sasaki has been forced to withdraw from the final two races of the year due to back pain and dizziness. The Japanese rider has shown immense speed throughout the season and will still be watching the final races to assist his teammates wherever possible.
Race One will begin at 11:00 (Local Time) and consist of 18 laps. The second Moto3 race of the day, the last of the season, will commence at 14:00 (Local Time) with championship photos taking place at 16:00 (Local Time) to celebrate another fantastic FIM CEV Repsol Season.
As always all of the action can be followed LIVE on FIM CEV Repsol YouTube channel.
